The soft glow of the scroll illuminated Xiao Feng's face, its golden light flickering like a fragile flame. As he lowered it, the weight of its knowledge pressed on his mind. Chen Hao was still catching his breath, his sword resting against his knee as he leaned on it for support.
"Do you feel it?" Xiao Feng asked softly, his unseeing gaze fixed on the darkness ahead.
Chen Hao straightened, his eyes darting around the cavern. "Feel what?"
"They're watching us."
The words hung in the air, and an eerie silence enveloped the chamber. Chen Hao gripped his sword tighter, his knuckles turning white. "Who? Zhang Kai? Or something worse?"
"Worse," Xiao Feng replied, his voice calm but grave.
The Shadows Stir
The faint whispers from the tunnel they had come through began to grow louder. Chen Hao turned toward the sound, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the dimly lit path.
"Xiao Feng, we've got company."
From the shadows emerged figures cloaked in dark, tattered robes, their faces obscured by masks that gleamed faintly in the light of the altar. Their movements were fluid, almost inhuman, as they glided closer.
"The Watchers," Xiao Feng murmured. "Guardians of the Abyss' secrets. They're drawn to those who disturb the balance."
Chen Hao raised his sword, its blade catching the faint light from the runes on the walls. "Drawn or not, they're about to regret it."
One of the Watchers raised a hand, and a dark energy pulsed through the air. The shadows around them deepened, and the temperature dropped further.
Xiao Feng stepped forward, the golden mark on his palm flaring to life. "Do not attack without purpose, Chen Hao. Let me speak."
A Test of Resolve
The leader of the Watchers stepped closer, their voice echoing as if spoken by many. "You have claimed the Fire Flower and touched the Scroll of Origins. What gives you the right to wield these sacred artifacts?"
Xiao Feng tilted his head slightly, his calm demeanor unwavering. "The Abyss itself chose me. The Fire Flower answered my call. I seek only the truth that lies within this place."
The Watcher tilted their head, studying him. "The truth is not for the unworthy. To possess such knowledge is to bear its burden. Are you prepared to pay the price?"
"I am," Xiao Feng said firmly.
The Watcher extended a hand toward him, a swirl of dark energy forming in their palm. "Then prove it. Survive the Trial of Shadows, and the Abyss shall deem you worthy."
Before Chen Hao could protest, the energy shot toward Xiao Feng, engulfing him in darkness.
Into the Void
Xiao Feng found himself standing in an endless void, the ground beneath him cold and unyielding. Whispers surrounded him, unintelligible yet suffused with malice. He could feel Lei Long's presence within him, but the dragon's energy was distant, muffled.
"This is a test of the soul," a voice echoed around him. "No allies. No power. Only your will."
Shapes began to form in the darkness—shadowy figures with glowing red eyes. They advanced silently, their movements unnervingly smooth. Xiao Feng stood tall, his unseeing eyes scanning the void.
"You cannot intimidate me," he said calmly. "I've walked in darkness my entire life."
The figures charged, their claws glinting as they swiped at him. Xiao Feng moved with precision, his years of training guiding him. He sidestepped one attack, delivering a sharp blow to another with the flute he always carried.
The Light Within
As the battle raged, the whispers grew louder, drilling into his mind. They spoke of fear, doubt, and failure, trying to unnerve him.
"Why do you fight, blind summoner?" the voice taunted. "You cannot see the path ahead. You are doomed to fail."
Xiao Feng clenched his fists, the golden mark on his palm glowing faintly. "I do not need sight to see the truth. My resolve is my guide."
The light from his mark grew brighter, pushing back the shadows. Lei Long's presence surged within him, its voice resonating in his mind.
"Focus, Xiao Feng. You are the bridge between the mortal and the divine. Embrace the light within you."
With a deep breath, Xiao Feng raised the flute to his lips. The haunting melody filled the void, its power rippling through the darkness. The shadowy figures recoiled, their forms disintegrating as the light consumed them.
The Abyss Answers
As the last of the shadows faded, the void began to shift. The whispers fell silent, replaced by a deep, resonant hum. Xiao Feng stood alone as a new voice spoke—calm, ancient, and powerful.
"You have faced the darkness within and emerged unbroken. The Abyss acknowledges your strength."
The void dissolved, and Xiao Feng found himself back in the chamber. The Watchers stood in silence, their masked faces turned toward him.
Chen Hao rushed to his side, his face a mix of relief and confusion. "What happened? You disappeared!"
"I passed the trial," Xiao Feng said simply, his voice steady. "The Abyss has accepted me."
The leader of the Watchers stepped forward, their tone less hostile. "You have proven your worth. The Scroll of Origins is yours to wield. But beware—the path you walk is fraught with peril. The Abyss is not kind to those who seek its secrets."
A New Resolve
The Watchers faded into the shadows, leaving Xiao Feng and Chen Hao alone in the chamber.
Chen Hao sighed heavily, sheathing his sword. "You're full of surprises, Xiao Feng. But I won't lie—this place gives me the creeps."
Xiao Feng smiled faintly, the mark on his palm glowing softly. "Fear is natural, Chen Hao. It reminds us of what's at stake."
As they turned toward the next path, the scroll in Xiao Feng's hand pulsed with energy, guiding them deeper into the Abyss.
Unseen by either of them, a pair of golden eyes watched from the darkness, a low growl echoing softly. The true test had only just begun.
Xiao Feng and Chen Hao ventured deeper into the labyrinthine tunnels of the Abyss, their steps echoing against the ancient stone. The scroll in Xiao Feng's hands glowed intermittently, as if reacting to the energy of the place. The air grew heavier, thick with the weight of forgotten knowledge and unspoken secrets.