Zane had barely left the battle with the undead when the system pinged again.
> [Quest Updated: An unseen gaze watches. Follow the pull.]
[Warning: Artifact ahead may fracture mind.]
"...Cool. That's not ominous at all," Zane muttered, brushing sand and dried blood off his coat.
Nyx stirred. "You feel that... pressure? Like something's breathing down your spine?"
It began with a whisper.
Not physical—but deep, like his soul was being drawn toward a place it didn't belong.
The trail led to a canyon, its cliffs jagged like broken teeth. At the bottom, sealed behind a wall of blackened stone, sat an altar made of bones and obsidian. Floating above it: a single, pulsating gem—the size of a human eye—dark violet with veins of endless black spiraling within.
> [Artifact Identified: Eye of the Abyss]
Fuses with user upon contact. Grants the ability to perceive truth, weakness, and fate.
Caution: Excessive use will deteriorate user's psyche.
"Of course it's another one of those 'touch it and pray' types," Zane muttered.
He sighed. "Let's get this over with."
He reached out—and the moment his fingers grazed the gem, pain erupted. The eye launched forward, embedding itself directly into the back of Zane's left hand, fusing with the glove and glowing through the skin like a cursed vein.
Visions followed—fleeting, haunting. Zane saw himself, older, darker, laughing as kingdoms burned. Then it was gone.
> [Artifact Acquired: Eye of the Abyss]
Ability: Soul Piercing Sight
Once per day: Force a target to see their death and feel it.
Passive: Perceive true weaknesses and hidden abilities.
Warning: Overuse may induce hallucinations, emotional breakdown, or insanity.
Zane flexed his hand. "Great. A cursed gem that makes people pee themselves. I'm keeping it."
"You really shouldn't," Link mumbled.
"But you will," Nyx added with a sigh.
Zane smirked. "You know me too well."
He turned, the Eye pulsing faintly—already sensing something nearby.
Something... watching.
And for the first time in a while, Zane smiled wider. "Come on then. Let's see what you're scared of."