Abyss Shadows

* TW/JP Servers: May 19th - May 24th 2021
* GL Server: May 19th - May 24th 2021

This 6-day event was the prelude to Lotus Crown. Oniou Shuten Douji, Rengoku Ibaraki Douji and Minamoto no Yorimitsu reached the Demon Domain, though everyone got lost thanks to the field magic and strong fog obscuring the place. Each party faced challenges as they continued their journey.

The event consisted of two different game modes: **Abyss Exploration**, the daily farming zone where players could upgrade the day's Hero (Shuten Doji for day 1-2, Ibaraki Doji for day 3-4, and Minamoto no Yorimitsu for day 5-6), and **Monster-God Vanquish** where guilds competed against each other for ranking, similar to the Realm Trial event.

Notable rewards for this event were the still and animated versions of the Diabolic Shadow icon frame from event achievements, and Demon Domain Expedition Guild Frame for top 10, Demon Domain Guild Nameplate Skin for top 30 and Demon Domain Name Card for top 100 ranking guilds.

## Story

* Chapter 1: Abyss
* Chapter 2: Impermanence
* Chapter 3: Arrival
* Chapter 4: Mara

### I

*——Deep in the Demon Domain, near the Abyss.*

Demoniac Shuten Doji
What is this place?
Demoniac Shuten Doji
The mountains here are steep like blades, and the cliff edge is just inches away.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
The sky and the earth are as vast and boundless as the human world. A blazing demon fire is burning in this deep and bottomless abyss.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Tens of thousands of monsters fight with each other day and night on their endless conquest.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
There are no laws in the Demon Domain, the land of the demons, except for the rules of nature: only the strongest survive.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Finally, after hundreds of years, I'm back here again.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Just as I expected, the boundary between the two worlds lies at the bottom of the Underworld River. Through there, we managed to breach the field place by the Celestials.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
But where did Ibaraki Doji go?
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Wait.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
I can't believe the entrance to the Celestials’ secluded field lies in this abyss.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
I've travelled deep into the Demon Domain a few centuries ago and met the Mountain God along the way.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
My destination was this very abyss.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
This deep gully in the Abyss looks like a crack in the vast land. It’s blocking all paths leading to the deepest part of the Demon Domain.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
From the rumors whispered by the demons, this abyss is where the first demons were born.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
This abyss has been lying here for thousands of years. It predates the Demon Domain.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
The Abyss attracts all demons and monsters, driving them to fight and kill, while at the same time, more powerful demons and monsters evolve.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Perhaps, I should say, this abyss is how the Demon Domain was created.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
I can sense that the spiritual power is strong in the air near the entrance. Countless streams of energy are flowing towards the deepest part of this abyss...
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Sure enough, the spiritual power of the leylines in the capital and Mt. Oe is being transferred to this place.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Is this being called by a demon that I don’t know about or is this one of the Celestials’ schemes?
Demoniac Shuten Doji
I must conceal my demon force and investigate nearby.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Why is there a huge and powerful field at the entrance to the abyss...
Demoniac Shuten Doji
What's that tall white tower at the top of the field?
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Could it be the Celestials’ army?
Demoniac Shuten Doji
But why would the Celestials’ army station near the field? What are they trying to do?
Demoniac Shuten Doji
I can feel an exceptionally dangerous force pulsing in the abyss.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
It's not spiritual power. The force that’s emanating from the Abyss is something unknown and overwhelming.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
I wonder what lies ahead... the progenitors of the demons of the Demon Domain?
Demoniac Shuten Doji
It seems that if I’m going to investigate the Celestials’ scheme and solve Ibaraki Doji’s Demonic Arm problem, I must venture deep into the Abyss and take a look.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
But I don't have much information, I mustn't draw too much attention to myself.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
What's that?
Demoniac Shuten Doji
A small army of the Celestials. They seem to be marching for the west of the Demon Domain.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
I'll go see what they're up to.

*After a while...*

Demoniac Shuten Doji
I’ve been following this army of the Celestials for a while. They've crossed the gully in the Abyss and are continuing to march westward.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
They’re now deeper into the  Demon Domain.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Where exactly are they going?

*Shuten Doji raised his head and saw a magnificent silver white castle standing on top of the mountains. It looked like a sacred island in the clouds, perpetually watching over the pale Demon Domain.*

Demoniac Shuten Doji
Is this castle the Celestials’ capital?
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Does that mean
Demoniac Shuten Doji
...................
Demoniac Shuten Doji
I see.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
There's clearly an unnatural scheme behind this.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
The Celestials have never left.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
No. I should say, even after thousands of years have passed, the Celestials still stand at the top of the Demon Domain.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
But for some reason, they concealed themselves with field magic.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
The field we breached through in the Underworld River was created by the Celestials. They did to conceal where the spiritual powers are flowing.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
I don't know what they're planning to do with all those powers. But that will surely lead to the doomsday before seen by Ungaikyo...
Demoniac Shuten Doji
I will stop that from happening at all costs.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
The cause of everything, the Celestials’ plan, and all of their secrets lie in that god-like castle.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
I'm going there now.

### II

*Just as Shuten Doji was about to set off, a ghostlike shadow snuck up on him and attacked him.*

Monster-God
...
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Who goes there?
Demoniac Shuten Doji
It’s such a strong force, but it doesn’t feel like any of the common demons. It doesn’t feel like a demon at all, and not a Celestial either.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
[Cough] I never thought anyone would sneak up on me.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Tsk, that’s a bit tricky...
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Looks like a tough battle is inevitable, but extreme demonhood is exactly what I’m after.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
I can’t continue my investigation if I don’t take this guy down.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
Come on.

***Monster-God: Greed - The smell of death travels with us. Endless slaughter is our fate.***

*►Battle*

*►Later*

Demoniac Shuten Doji
Was it some unknown monster from the Demon Domain?
Demoniac Shuten Doji
He was able to regenerate after being wounded. He seemed to have a constant source of power.
Demoniac Shuten Doji
How strange. Anyway, I should be on my way now.

### I

*——Deep in the Demon Domain, near the Abyss.*

Inferno Ibaraki Doji
I got separated from my good friend after we breached the Celestials’ field at the Underworld River. Now I’m deep inside the Demon Domain.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
But for some reason, my Demonic Arm has been even more restless ever since I stepped into the field.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
I often don’t know where I am every time I wake up after passing out.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
It’s as if it’s instinctively following a call...
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
This Demonic Arm seems to be gaining more consciousness.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
I’ve been unable to use it, and now it’s trying to turn against me. It can keep dreaming!
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
I arrived at this place after following the demon force of my good friend while fighting this Demonic Arm.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
But his force dissipated when I arrived at this deep abyss.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
Did something happen to him? Was he attacked by monsters?
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
But there’s no sign of struggle here.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
My good friend is powerful. It’s possible that he concealed his demon force and went elsewhere...
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
This abyss...
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
There’s a large stronghold field at the entrance to the Abyss.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
My good friend once told me about his encounters in the Demon Domain. This must be the Celestials’ land.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
There’s a massive army of Celestials around the stronghold. It’s heavily guarded. It won’t be easy to enter.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
I’ll conceal my demon force as well, and take a look in the abyss.

*Ibaraki Doji avoided the gaze of the Celestials’ army and walked quietly to the entrance of the Abyss.*

*Just when he arrived at the entrance to the field, his Demonic Arm emitted a strange flare.*

Inferno Ibaraki Doji
What’s going on?
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
Urgh! Argh!
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
This dominating force is trying to take me somewhere.

*This time, Ibaraki Doji’s Demonic Arm didn’t lose control, and tried to take him out of the abyss.*

Inferno Ibaraki Doji
How is this possible?! I feel instinctively terrified...
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
No... this is... I’m being affected by the Demonic Arm.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
I can feel it. It’s coming from the Abyss. This titanic force... it’s terrifying...
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
No. Nothing in the world can make me, Ibaraki Doji, terrified!
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
Urgh! Argh!
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
No! The Celestials’ army seems to have noticed me.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
Apparently they all have special abilities. I must act with caution.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
I really want to investigate the Abyss further, but I can’t handle them without being able to use all of my power.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
This damn arm... it’s killing me...
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
Damn it, I’m surrounded!
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
Argh! Argh!

*In the nick of time, the Demonic Arm suddenly released a powerful force.*

*The Demonic Arm rose like a mountain, reaching out from the end of the Abyss, dragging Ibaraki Doji along with it to the opposite bank of the Abyss.*

Inferno Ibaraki Doji
The Demonic Arm is taking me to the other side of the Abyss...!
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
The Celestials’ army doesn’t seem to be following me.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
Phew. But where is it trying to take me?
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
What... why is there... a silver white castle on the far side?
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
Is this a mirage?
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
Why is there a silver castle in the middle of the pale Demon Domain?
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
My good friend once told me that the Demon Domain is wrapped in either ice or flames.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
This magnificent and grand castle doesn’t look like the work of demons, but a mirage descended from heaven.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
I have a feeling that Shuten Doji went there.

### II

Monster-God
......
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
Are they the legendary powerful demons of the Demon Domain?
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
This overwhelming feeling is surely different from that of the capital.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
The enemy this time is different but strong. I’ve lost control of my Demonic Arm, but I’ll give everything in battle.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
It’s not often I get to face such an enemy.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
But why is he trying to attack me when he clearly doesn’t have the will to fight me?

***Monster-God: Battle - If you’re devoured by the darkness of the abyss, you’ll fall into this inferno.***

*►Battle*

*►Later*

Inferno Ibaraki Doji
Tsk...
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
He has no intention of fighting, but his moves are deadly.
Inferno Ibaraki Doji
Things have become more mysterious ever since I entered the Demon Domain. I must gather more information as soon as possible.

### I

*——Deep in the Demon Domain.*

Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
Master Yorimitsu, we’ve been travelling in the Demon Domain for months.
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
According to the locations and records shown on the compass, we haven’t been making any progress, geographically speaking.
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
Can we really find where the Celestials are if we continue travelling like this?
Onikiri Reforged
Minamoto no Yorimitsu, are you taking us on a detour on purpose?
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
We’ve been avoiding the mirage on the far side and marching in this space where we can’t use our Onmyoji spells.
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
Is this what you planned, Master Yorimitsu?
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Soon.
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
What?
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Someone placed a giant and wide field magic here.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Although the place where the Celestials live isn’t far from here, geographically speaking.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
The entrance and the Demon Domain are not in the same space due to this powerful field magic. This has been preventing us from entering in a normal way.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
So close and yet so far, as some would put it.
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
Then how can we breach this field?
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
In both the mortal world and the Underworld, there are cracks in space that connect the two worlds.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
The Rift where Orochi was once sealed, the Netherworld Gate on Mt. Gloom, the Underworld River that connects life and death...
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Those places are the fastest ways to enter. But those who don’t have enough spiritual power must pay a price no less than death.
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
Then, those warriors and the Ghost Armories must be...
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
So we’re using Reverse Direction Spells to enter.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Once we confirmed the breaching point of the field, we started marching around this place using the breaching point as our starting point to perform Reverse Direction Spells that cover more ground than the field.
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
So, all of the Minamoto armies and Ghost Armories have been...
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Correct.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Looks like it’s about time.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Break and shatter!

*Minamoto no Yorimitsu cast an Onmyoji Spell. The surroundings changed in an instant like the shifting of the sky.*

*Before everyone realized, the sky became shrouded in darkness, and they were surrounded in flames.*

*A cliff appeared inches away. Before it, a chasm that looked like it was cleaved by a giant axe.*

Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
Is this the abyss of the Demon Domain?!
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
It’s so deep, I can’t see the bottom of it.
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
This bottomless hole looks like it’s trying to suck everything in. It’s giving me the creeps.
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
Are we being teleported to another place?
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
No, this is just what the lower entrance to the field actually looks like.
Onikiri Reforged
Wait a minute, are the others and the Ghost Armories not here?
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
My spell can only take so many people. It’ll take a while for them to get here.
Onikiri Reforged
Then let’s take the time to investigate the Celestials.
Onikiri Reforged
Judging from the flow of energy, we’re in the Abyss.
Onikiri Reforged
I’ll go find a way down so we can take a closer look.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Hold on.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
It may seem that the truth is lying in this abyss.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
But the white tower at the top of the Abyss is more worthy of our attention.
Onikiri Reforged
What’s that?
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
That must be an important stronghold of the Celestials.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
The energy may seem to be flowing into the Abyss, but it’s actually being transferred into an otherworldly realm beyond the sky via this tower.
Onikiri Reforged
No wonder I’ve been feeling an inexplicable and overwhelming force coming from above the Demon Domain. It feels as if something is slowly approaching us...
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
There is something descending from above the Demon Domain, and it’s going to devour the Abyss, the Demon Domain, the demons and monsters, mankind - everything!
Onikiri Reforged
What?!
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
This is what the Celestials have been planning.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
And of course, Orochi gave it a little push, alongside that King of the Celestials.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
If we don’t act fast, the doomsday Ungaikyo envisioned will happen.
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
Master Yorimitsu, let’s thoroughly investigate the Abyss.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
However, there’s also an evil, pulsing force sealed in this abyss. This overwhelming force feels like an ancient god.
Onikiri Reforged
The air in the Abyss gives me a familiar feeling…
Onikiri Reforged
Besides this overwhelming force and fear, this place feels like a cemetery. There’s a grievous feeling here.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
I must say, you really have a unique insight. However, this place is better known as a prison.
Onikiri Reforged
A prison?
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
That’s right. This place is not the centrum of the Celestials.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Look to the west.
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
What’s that?!

*Under the dark sky, a silver-white castle stands on the far side, shining bright, looking conspicuous in the Demon Domain.*

Minamoto no Yorimitsu
If I’m not mistaken, that must be the true centrum of the Celestials - the Capital.
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
I can’t believe there’s a place that resembles the residence of the gods in the Demon Domain. Are you sure it’s not just an illusion?
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Although the Abyss is the end of everything, the first secrets should be in that castle.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Before we find out whether the demons and monsters in the Abyss are friendly or hostile, we should gather more information from the castle.
Onikiri Reforged
Don’t you think it’s a trap, Minamoto no Yorimitsu?
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
It’s worth looking into even if it is a trap.
Onikiri Reforged
It looks like a long way to get there. What about the rest of the army and the Ghost Armories if we go there?
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
Master Onikiri, I’ll stay here and wait for them.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Good. When the rest of the Minamoto army and the Ghost Armories have entered the field, tell the soldiers to cross the Abyss and find a place to wait in ambush.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
And tell the Ghost Armories to attack the Abyss.
Onmyoji of the Minamoto Clan
What?!
Onikiri Reforged
Hold on. The Ghost Armories will be discovered by the Celestials’ army.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
I don’t care if they discover the Ghost Armories. I want them to be discovered.
Onikiri Reforged
What exactly are you thinking?

### II

Monster-God
......
Onikiri Reforged
[Cough]... [Cough] I underestimated the power of the demons and monsters in the Demon Domain.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
I can sense countless fragments of thoughts, memories and souls in this one.
Onikiri Reforged
He doesn’t have any significant moves, but his sheer power is appalling.
Onikiri Reforged
He recovers and regenerates immediately when he’s struck down.
Onikiri Reforged
He doesn’t seem to have any weaknesses...
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Wait. Is he...?
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
I see.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Onikiri, we must outsmart him. We won’t have any advantages against him if we fight him physically.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Be well prepared.

***Monster-God: Shadow - Are you ready to be devoured?***

*►Battle*

*►Later*

Onikiri Reforged
Phew... finally...
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
There will be more strong enemies like him.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu
We don’t have much time left. Let’s go, Onikiri.

*——After a while*

Garuda
Hahaha, not bad.
Garuda
These onmyoji of the capital and those demons have all headed for Sudarsana.
Garuda
Just as Lord Mara expected.
Garuda
Their power has been tested by Monster-Gods in the last few days.
Garuda
I must report this to Lord Mara now.
Garuda
It’s time we start carrying out our plan.

*——Demon Domain, bottom of the Abyss.*

*Amidst the sea of blood, a tall dark figure sat atop a throne made of hundreds of Monster-God corpses.*

*Lines of Monster-Gods kneeled respectfully on both sides. Facing the dark figure was a man named Orochi.*

Orochi
As per my deal with the King of the Celestials, I’ve transferred the energy to the Abyss.
Orochi
This long deal is almost complete.
???
Heh, you’re truly an evil god, betraying him like that.
Orochi
Meeting you is a variable I anticipated.
Orochi
Consider this as a greeting gift I specially prepared for you. Don’t you like it?
???
I heard that you’re adept at disguise, Orochi.
???
You formed an evil alliance with that man, and shortly afterward, you came down to hell to look for me.
???
You didn’t even bother to pretend. How insincere.
Orochi
How unkind of you. I kept my word, yet you’re still torturing me.
Orochi
You remind me of someone I once knew in Takamagahara.

*The dark shadow sitting on the corpses burst out laughing.*

*Suddenly, a limb slithered past Orochi’s feet from behind the dark shadow and continued to move past. It then stopped by a Monster-God nearby.*

*Like a sharp blade, it plunged into the mouth of the Monster-God, churning in his stomach until it burst open.*

Monster-God
Argh...... Lord Mara...
Monster-God
Forgive me.... please... please!

*The Monster-God moaned in pain, then went silent when his jaw was pierced by the limb. However, his eyeballs continued to move.*

*The dark figure hopped down from the high pile of corpses and walked towards the Monster-God as he lay in a pool of blood. He suddenly picked up the legs of what remained of the Monster-God.*

???
Moan all you want. Experience the despair.
Monster-God
Urgh! Arrrr... argh!

*With a loud crack, a dark flame devoured the Monster-God whole, leaving no dust behind.*

???
Darkness is the home you deserve.
Orochi
I wanted to compliment the show.
Orochi
But is treating me in such a barbaric how you normally treat your guests?
???
Don’t act weak before me, Evil God.
???
You might have pleased me if you could wail louder.
???
But for me, I will kill anyone who gets in my way.
Orochi
Hahaha, in terms of madness, you’re just as mad, if not less.
Orochi
I can’t believe there’re those who can forsake everything in the world.
Orochi
So, will I witness the most violent sin born from the great wheel of karma, and from endless darkness this time?
Garuda
I have some news, Lord Mara.
Garuda
Who is this?
???
It’s fine. Speak away.
Garuda
Yes, My Lord.
Garuda
Just as you’ve expected, those onmyoji of the capital and the great boss of the demons are investigating the Celestials.
Garuda
They’ve arrived at the Abyss after following the flow of energy, and are now heading to Sudarsana.
Garuda
I dispatched some Monster-Gods to test their ability earlier.
???
Good. He has attracted the attention of outsiders. So I might as well go along with it and send him a reunion gift.
???
It’s time.
Orochi
Is a legend that’s been dormant for centuries going to see a new chapter of reunion created by a changing time and fate?
Orochi
I’m intrigued.
Orochi
But instead of Mara, I should probably call you Asura.
Asura
Evil God, just watch carefully.
Asura
The endless wailing in this abyss will be the last echo before the fall of the Unsullied Heaven.

## Gallery

Diabolic Shadow frameDemon Domain Expedition Guild FrameDemon Domain Guild Nameplate SkinDemon Domain Name Card