As Chen and Fenrir stepped through the Abyssal Gate, the air grew dense with energy, crackling like an invisible storm. The corridor they entered was lined with towering mirrors, each one reflecting distorted versions of the pair. Some mirrors showed Chen standing alone, his features gaunt and his eyes lifeless. Others depicted Fenrir, fierce and feral, unrecognizable as the companion at his side.
"This place doesn't waste time being unsettling," Chen muttered, his grip tightening on his sword.
Fenrir growled softly, its ears flattening as it eyed its warped reflections.
The silence was oppressive, broken only by the faint sound of their footsteps. Yet, each step seemed to echo unnaturally, the sound growing louder and more distorted as they moved deeper into the corridor.
Suddenly, the mirrors began to ripple, as if their surfaces were made of water. Chen stopped, his instincts screaming a warning.
"Something's coming," he said, his voice low.
Fenrir barked sharply, its golden eyes narrowing as the reflections in the mirrors started to step out. The distorted versions of Chen and Fenrir emerged, their movements jerky and unnatural. These doppelgängers radiated an ominous energy, their eyes glowing with an eerie red light.
Chen took a defensive stance, raising his sword. "Let me guess—another test?"
The first doppelgänger lunged at him, its sword clashing against his with a deafening clang. Chen staggered back, surprised by its strength.
"It's fast," he muttered, dodging another strike.
Fenrir engaged its counterpart, the two wolves circling each other before colliding in a blur of claws and teeth.
---
[Warning: Doppelgängers replicate Host's abilities and stats. Overcome them to proceed.]
---
"Fantastic," Chen said through gritted teeth.
He focused on the doppelgänger, studying its movements. It mirrored his fighting style almost perfectly, but there was a subtle difference—it lacked creativity. Every move it made was predictable, mechanical.
Chen smirked. "You're strong, but you're no match for the real thing."
With a feint to the left, he caught the doppelgänger off guard, delivering a powerful slash that sent it staggering. He followed up with a series of rapid strikes, his blade glowing faintly with Soul Eater. The doppelgänger dissolved into black mist with a final, piercing scream.
Turning, Chen saw Fenrir pinning its distorted twin to the ground. The wolf's claws raked through the doppelgänger's form, tearing it apart until it too dissolved into mist.
---
[Doppelgängers Defeated: Soul Energy +5%.]
---
Chen exhaled, lowering his sword. "That wasn't too bad."
As if in response, the corridor began to shift. The mirrors melted away, replaced by towering stone walls engraved with glowing runes. At the end of the hall, a massive door came into view, its surface covered in intricate symbols that pulsed with a faint, silvery light.
"Another door," Chen said, his tone weary. "I should've guessed."
Fenrir barked, trotting ahead to sniff at the door.
As Chen approached, the symbols on the door rearranged themselves, forming words in a language he didn't recognize. Yet, somehow, he understood their meaning.
---
"Speak your truth to proceed."
---
Chen frowned. "Speak my truth? What does that even mean?"
The air grew heavier, and the runes on the door began to glow brighter. A soft, ethereal voice filled the hall, neither male nor female.
"Who are you, Chen Xian?" the voice asked.
Chen hesitated, his mind racing. The question seemed simple, but he knew it wasn't.
"I'm… a survivor," he said finally.
The runes pulsed, but the door remained closed.
"Why do you fight?" the voice continued.
Chen's jaw tightened. "To survive. To protect myself."
The light from the runes dimmed slightly, as if in disapproval.
Fenrir growled, nudging Chen's leg. The wolf's gaze was steady, almost accusing.
Chen sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. I fight because… because I want to be strong enough to change my fate. To make my life mean something."
The runes flared brightly, and the door groaned as it began to open.
---
[Truth Accepted. Proceed.]
---
"Of course, it needed some soul-searching," Chen muttered as he stepped through the door with Fenrir.
Beyond the door was a circular chamber bathed in a pale, otherworldly light. In the center stood a pedestal, and upon it rested a glowing orb of swirling silver and black energy.
Fenrir growled softly, its fur bristling.
Chen approached cautiously, his instincts on high alert. The orb pulsed rhythmically, almost like a heartbeat.
---
[Abyssal Core Detected. Absorbing this core will enhance Host's abilities but comes with unknown risks. Proceed?]
---
Chen stared at the orb, his mind racing. Every part of him screamed caution, but he couldn't deny the allure of the power it promised.
"I've come this far," he said, reaching out.
As his fingers brushed the orb, a surge of energy shot through him, and his vision blurred. The chamber around him faded, replaced by a swirling vortex of light and darkness.
Voices echoed in his mind, some familiar, others foreign. They whispered secrets, promises, and warnings.
Chen gritted his teeth, focusing on the sensation of Fenrir's presence beside him. The wolf's steady gaze anchored him, pulling him back from the brink of the vortex.
When the whirlwind subsided, Chen found himself back in the chamber. The orb was gone, its energy now coursing through his veins.
---
[Abyssal Core Absorbed: Soul Energy +20%.]
[New Ability Unlocked: Abyssal Resonance – Amplify the effects of abilities using the power of the Abyss.]
---
Chen staggered slightly, his body buzzing with newfound strength. Fenrir barked, its tail wagging slightly as it nudged him forward.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Chen said, though his voice was hoarse. He glanced at the wolf, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Let's see what else this place has in store."
With renewed determination, Chen and Fenrir stepped forward, ready to face whatever lay ahead.