"Well, how does it feel? The sensation of being trampled and beaten down like common insects? You can't resist, can you? You're forced to confront your own pathetic weakness, aren't you? Fufufufufu...! Hahahaha!"
"Guaaargh! S-Stop it! Please...! I surrender! I'll do whatever you want! Just—gaah!?"
"Hieee! H-Help! Gahef!? S-Stop—gufuuh!"
Unable to defend or evade, Woz and Torin were subjected to the raw pain, humiliation, and terror of being ground under Abyss’s heel. They begged for mercy with every desperate breath they could muster.
Having completely surrendered to the agony, their spirits were shattered.
"Help... help me...!"
"C-Cyan, do something...! I-I'm at my limit... guaah!"
"Hihihi! Hi, hihihihihi...!"
As the pair pleaded for their lives, Cyan watched them with crazed eyes, laughing.
Having personally experienced the absolute terror of Abyss not long ago, he found a twisted delight in seeing Woz and Torin in such a pathetic state. A shiver of indescribable excitement raced down his spine.
(That’s right. The strong have the right to trample everything like that. If I follow Abyss, I can do the same. I can thoroughly crush those bastards who expelled me...!)
Feeding on a spirit of revenge born from nothing but a misplaced grudge, Cyan gulped, intoxicated by the thrill.
Woz and Torin’s suffering didn't even register as human to him anymore. They were merely objects for Abyss to hammer until their broken hearts were ground into dust.
"Hee, hee..."
"Hmm. That should be enough. You ought to understand my power by now."
"Gueh, a-gaah..."
With those words, Abyss finally halted his one-sided assault.
As soon as the signal was given and they regained the ability to move, the two writhed on the ground, gasping for air. Torin was in such a state of shock from the pain and terror that he had even lost control of his bladder.
"W-What is it... that ability of yours...? Where did that power come from!?"
"Fufufu...! I told you, didn't I? My Clear Plate is an ability that stands at the very apex of all Plates. All things are helpless before my power. Yes... before the power of [Word]."
"[Word]...? A power to control words and terms...?"
"Precisely. Did you think it sounded unimpressive? And yet, you’ve just experienced exactly what that power entails."
Woz muttered the name of the ability with a hint of surprise. Reading his thoughts, Abyss began a clinical explanation of his gift.
"The function of [Word] is remarkably simple. I can completely seal any ability or action I designate. For instance, if I define 'slashes' or 'projectiles' as negated, such attacks will never reach me... and even if they did, they would inflict no damage."
"Sealing actions and abilities...? Is that why our attacks couldn't touch you!?"
"Indeed. That is [Word]. With this, I can seal your very [Move], and I can even nullify the power of any Clear Plate my opponents might hold."
"......!"
As he laid out the terrifying scope of [Word], Abyss cast a mirthful glance toward Cyan.
Cyan, who had suffered a total defeat at the hands of Abyss—whose power transcended even the strongest Clear Plate [Invincible] that was supposed to negate all damage—felt the sting of that humiliating memory. Oblivious to his pawn's inner turmoil, Abyss continued boastfully.
"He who rules words rules the world! You've seen it yourselves, haven't you? How a single word from those on high can throw the entire world into chaos and set the masses in motion?"
Abyss reached out and added a single stroke to the glowing characters of [Word] floating in the air, transforming the script into [World].
Having demonstrated a power that literally allowed him to dominate the globe, he looked upon the three Reincarnators with theatrical flair.
"You are fortunate! You have earned the right to perform on the stage where I, the Conductor, wield the power to rule the world! My play is rapidly approaching its final act! Under my direction, I expect you to perform as actors and unleash your full potential. Once our goals are achieved... I shall hand this entire world over to you."
"The... the whole world? To us?"
"Indeed. With the absolute power of the Clear Plates and the backing of me, the mastermind of this world, who could possibly oppose you? Everything will be yours to command. Status, honor—take whatever you desire. If you fancy a woman, she is yours, and no one will dare object. If someone displeases you, you may crush them utterly. Should we succeed, you shall become the rulers of this reality. A stroke of luck, wouldn't you say?"
The Reincarnators swallowed hard at the smirking man's proposal.
Caught between the thrill of being chosen by someone of such overwhelming strength and the intoxicating promise of total dominion, Woz and Torin’s hearts raced. Just like Cyan before them, they nodded feverishly, swearing their absolute loyalty.
"I-I understand. I'll do whatever you say...!"
"The world... it'll be mine! I can do whatever I want, whenever I want...! Th-This is incredible...!!"
"Fu, fufu...! I do appreciate those who are honest with their desires. I am quite relieved to finally have a sufficient set of pawns. Now then—"
With the Clear Plates harvested from those who failed to evolve and a trio of Reincarnators now under his thumb as pawns, Abyss was ready.
The preparations for his grand design were complete. Abyss invoked the power of [Word] to transform, his cloak billowing as he turned toward the darkness.
"Let us begin. The greatest, most terrible Hellish Show this island has ever seen. Script and direction by the Conductor, Abyss. The title of this production is... [The Beginning of the End of the World]."
Abyss broke into a manic, cackling laugh.
Confident that the entire world would dance to his tune, his laughter echoed endlessly through the void of the pitch-black night.