The suffocating energy in the chamber bore down on Chen like an invisible weight, but he pushed forward. The figure hovering above the obelisk radiated an aura of cold malice, its crimson eyes glowing like twin embers. Fenrir's low growl resonated through the room, a promise of violence yet to come.
"Another bold fool," the armored figure sneered, descending slowly. Its boots touched the ground with an echoing thud. "Do you even realize the magnitude of your defiance? The Abyss does not forgive."
Chen smirked, raising the Growth Sword. "I've never been much for forgiveness myself."
The figure laughed—a chilling sound that reverberated through the chamber. With a wave of its hand, the runes on the obelisk flared brighter, and shadowy tendrils began to slither across the ground.
"Fenrir!" Chen barked.
The wolf leaped into action, bounding toward the armored figure with feral speed. The tendrils lashed out at Fenrir, but the wolf twisted and darted, dodging with uncanny precision.
"Distract him!" Chen yelled, charging forward.
The Growth Sword glowed faintly, but it felt weaker than before. Chen frowned, pushing harder to draw out its power.
"Focus," a faint whisper echoed in his mind. It wasn't the System—it was something else, something new.
Chen gritted his teeth and swung at the first shadowy tendril that lunged at him. The blade sliced cleanly through it, the severed piece dissipating into dark mist.
"Impressive," the figure said mockingly, raising one hand. A wave of energy erupted from the obelisk, sending Chen skidding back. "But you're not nearly strong enough to face me."
"I've heard that one before," Chen muttered, regaining his footing.
The figure extended both arms, and the tendrils converged, forming into a massive, shadowy construct shaped like a serpent. The beast hissed, its glowing red eyes locking onto Chen.
"Well, that's new," Chen quipped.
The serpent lunged at him, its massive jaws snapping shut inches from his face. He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding its fangs, and retaliated with a slash to its neck. The Growth Sword bit deep, but the serpent reared back, seemingly unharmed.
"Chen, stop playing around!"
The voice startled him. It was Fenrir—well, more of a loud thought in his head. The wolf darted between the serpent's coils, clawing and biting, but its attacks seemed to do little.
"Wait, you can talk in my head now?" Chen yelled, dodging another strike.
"Focus!" Fenrir snapped, exasperated.
The serpent coiled and struck again, forcing Chen to leap back. He landed hard, sliding across the stone floor.
The armored figure raised a hand, and the serpent grew larger, its form solidifying. "You cannot defeat me," it said. "Surrender to the Abyss, and I may grant you a swift end."
Chen spat blood onto the ground, glaring up at his opponent. "How about you surrender, and I don't shove this sword through your helmet?"
The figure tilted its head, amused. "Arrogant until the end. Very well."
The serpent struck once more, faster than before. Chen braced himself, raising the Growth Sword.
"Don't just block—use the shard!" Fenrir's voice echoed in his mind again.
"The shard?" Chen reached into his pocket, feeling the dark shard pulse against his palm.
[Warning: Abyssal Resonance will activate. Temporary power at great risk.]
The screen flickered before him.
"Oh, screw it," Chen muttered, crushing the shard in his hand.
A surge of dark energy coursed through him, and the world seemed to slow. His body felt lighter, stronger, but a chilling sensation crept over his mind, whispering promises of destruction.
"Don't lose yourself, Chen," Fenrir's voice said sharply.
He gripped the sword tighter, focusing on the serpent. Its movements, once too fast to follow, now seemed almost sluggish. Chen leaped, bringing the Growth Sword down with all his might.
The blade cleaved through the serpent's head, splitting it in two. The shadowy construct dissolved into mist, leaving only the armored figure standing before him.
The figure clapped slowly, mockingly. "Impressive. But you've merely delayed the inevitable."
Chen dropped to one knee, the energy from the shard beginning to wane. His breathing was ragged, and his vision blurred.
"Get up!" Fenrir barked, placing itself between Chen and the figure.
The armored opponent raised a hand, dark energy gathering into a sphere. "You've amused me, mortal. But now, it ends."
"Not yet," Chen muttered, forcing himself to stand.
Fenrir growled, and without warning, leaped at the figure. The wolf's jaws clamped onto the dark energy, disrupting its form.
"Now, Chen!" Fenrir yelled in his mind.
Chen charged, pouring every ounce of strength he had into one final swing. The Growth Sword glowed faintly—no longer golden, but tinged with the darkness of the Abyss.
The blade struck true, piercing through the figure's chest. The obelisk behind it shattered, and a shockwave of energy erupted, throwing Chen and Fenrir backward.
When the dust settled, the armored figure was gone.
---
Chen lay on the ground, staring at the cavern ceiling. "I hate this place."
Fenrir limped over, collapsing next to him. "You're not the only one."
Chen laughed weakly, his hand resting on the wolf's back. "At least we're still alive."
"For now," Fenrir said, its golden eyes closing.
The chamber began to crumble around them, the destruction of the obelisk triggering a chain reaction.
"Great," Chen muttered, staggering to his feet. "Let's find the exit before this whole place comes down on us."
With Fenrir at his side, he moved toward a faint light at the far end of the chamber, the promise of escape driving them forward.
As they stepped into the unknown once again, Chen couldn't shake the feeling that their battles with the Abyss were far from over.