The quiet of the chamber was broken by the soft rustle of robes and a low, dissonant hum. Xiao Feng turned his head slightly, sensing the vibrations in the air.
"Chen Hao," he said quietly. "We're not alone."
Chen Hao's grip on his sword tightened as he scanned the chamber, his eyes darting between the shadows. The whispers they had heard earlier returned, louder this time, as if the Abyss itself had come alive.
"Who's there?" Chen Hao demanded, his voice echoing off the ancient stone walls.
A figure emerged from the darkness, cloaked in flowing black garments that seemed to merge with the shadows themselves. A silver mask obscured their face, save for the faint glow of crimson eyes beneath it. The figure carried a staff adorned with a gemstone that pulsed like a heartbeat.
"Impressive," the stranger said, their voice smooth yet unsettling. "Few survive the Guardian's trial. Fewer still claim its prize."
Chen Hao stepped forward, his blade raised. "Who are you, and what do you want?"
The masked figure tilted their head, as if amused. "I am merely an observer… for now. But your journey intrigues me. Tell me, blind summoner, do you know the price of what you've claimed?"
Xiao Feng's expression remained calm, though his unseeing eyes seemed to pierce through the stranger. "Power always comes at a cost. The question is whether we're willing to pay it."
The stranger let out a soft laugh. "Wise words. But wisdom alone won't save you from what lies ahead. The Abyss doesn't just test strength—it devours the weak. I wonder… how long before it consumes you?"
Before Chen Hao could respond, the figure raised their staff, and the gemstone flared. The chamber filled with a deafening hum, and the air grew heavy with an oppressive energy.
"Stay back!" Chen Hao shouted, positioning himself between Xiao Feng and the stranger.
But Xiao Feng raised a hand. "Wait."
The energy in the room shifted, and Xiao Feng's calm voice cut through the tension. "You're not here to fight us. If you were, you'd have struck already."
The figure paused, lowering their staff slightly. "Perceptive. Perhaps there is more to you than meets the eye."
Chen Hao frowned. "If you're not here to fight, then what do you want?"
The stranger took a step closer, the shadows clinging to them like a second skin. "To warn you. The scroll you now possess is more than a key—it's a beacon. Others will sense its power, and they will come for it. Be prepared, for your greatest trials are yet to come."
With that, the figure turned and began to fade into the shadows.
"Wait!" Chen Hao called out. "Who are these others you're talking about?"
The stranger's voice echoed faintly as they disappeared. "Seek the truth, if you dare. But beware… not all secrets are meant to be uncovered."
The Weight of Knowledge
The chamber fell silent once more, but the air remained heavy with an unspoken tension. Chen Hao turned to Xiao Feng, his brow furrowed.
"Great. Cryptic warnings and mysterious strangers. Just what we needed."
Xiao Feng held the scroll tightly, his expression unreadable. "The scroll contains answers. If we are to survive, we must understand its secrets."
Chen Hao sighed. "Fine. But let's get out of here first. This place is giving me the creeps."
They retraced their steps, the faint glow of the runes guiding their way. As they moved, Xiao Feng's mind lingered on the stranger's words.
The Abyss doesn't just test strength—it devours the weak.
Shadows of the Past
Hours later, they emerged from the depths into a cavern bathed in dim, natural light. The air was fresher here, carrying the faint scent of moss and water. A narrow stream cut through the cavern, its surface shimmering like liquid silver.
Chen Hao slumped against a rock, letting out a relieved breath. "Finally. I was starting to think we'd be stuck down there forever."
Xiao Feng remained standing, his head tilted slightly as if listening to something distant. "We're not safe yet. The Abyss watches, even here."
Chen Hao frowned. "You're saying it's alive?"
"In a way," Xiao Feng replied. "The Abyss is more than a place. It's… aware."
Before Chen Hao could respond, the golden mark on Xiao Feng's palm began to glow faintly. He raised it, feeling a pulse of energy resonate with the mark.
"There's something nearby," he said.
Chen Hao groaned, pushing himself to his feet. "Please tell me it's not another trial."
Xiao Feng smiled faintly. "Only one way to find out."
The Hidden Shrine
Following the stream, they came upon a small alcove carved into the rock. At its center was a pedestal, upon which rested a crystal orb. The orb pulsed with a gentle light, casting shifting patterns on the walls.
Xiao Feng approached it, his hand outstretched.
"Careful," Chen Hao warned. "We don't know what that thing does."
Xiao Feng hesitated for a moment before placing his hand on the orb. A surge of warmth spread through him, and his mind was flooded with images: a sprawling battlefield, a towering figure shrouded in darkness, and a blazing sun that threatened to consume everything.
As the visions faded, Xiao Feng spoke softly. "This orb… it's a fragment of the Abyss's memory. A record of what came before."
"And?" Chen Hao prompted.
Xiao Feng turned toward him, his expression grim. "The Abyss isn't just a trial ground. It's a prison. And something inside is trying to escape."
Chen Hao's eyes widened. "You're saying the Abyss isn't keeping us out—it's keeping something else in?"
Xiao Feng nodded. "Yes. And if we're not careful, we might be the ones to set it free."
Unseen Watchers
As they left the shrine, the faint sound of whispers returned, growing louder with each step.
From the shadows above, a pair of crimson eyes watched them intently. A second figure joined the first, their voice barely audible.
"They've taken the bait. The scroll will lead them to the heart of the Abyss."
"And when it does?"
The first figure smiled, their fangs glinting in the dim light. "We'll be waiting."