Han Sen descended the glowing staircase, each step vibrating with energy that resonated through his body. The pathway seemed infinite, spiraling downward into an endless void. Around him, the crystalline sky and alien terrain faded, replaced by a swirling expanse of light and shadow.
"This realm doesn't follow conventional rules," Han Sen muttered, his eyes scanning the abyss. "Even space itself feels... alive."
The pathway beneath his feet pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, as though the realm recognized his presence. Every step felt heavier, each one an unspoken challenge to his resolve.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the staircase ended abruptly. Han Sen stepped off onto solid ground—a circular platform carved from obsidian-like stone. Intricate runes covered its surface, glowing faintly with an otherworldly light.
Before him stood a massive archway, much like the golden door he had entered. But this one was black, its surface shimmering like liquid darkness. Tendrils of shadow writhed around its edges, as if trying to escape.
"A second door?" Han Sen said, his voice low. "No, this feels... different."
Voices in the Dark
As he approached the archway, whispers filled the air. The voices were faint at first, like a distant breeze, but they grew louder with each step.
"Seeker... why do you come?"
"Turn back... there is no salvation here."
"Only despair awaits beyond the Abyss."
Han Sen stopped, his gaze unwavering. "I've faced despair before. If that's all you've got, I'm not impressed."
The whispers stopped abruptly, replaced by a deafening silence. The shadows around the archway stilled, and for a moment, it felt as if the entire realm was holding its breath.
Then, a single voice broke the silence, deep and commanding:
"Prove your worth, Seeker. The Abyss does not welcome the unworthy."
A New Foe
The shadows around the archway coalesced, forming a humanoid figure. It stood tall and imposing, its body composed entirely of darkness, save for two glowing eyes that burned like embers. A massive sword materialized in its hand, its blade as black as the void.
The figure raised its weapon, pointing it at Han Sen. "Face me, and earn the right to proceed. Fail, and the Abyss will consume you."
Han Sen cracked his knuckles, his lips curling into a faint smile. "You don't scare me. Let's get this over with."
The shadow warrior lunged forward, its movements impossibly fast. Han Sen barely had time to dodge as the blade sliced through the air, leaving a trail of darkness in its wake.
Han Sen countered with a punch, his fist glowing with the power of his Breakthrough ability. The blow struck the warrior's chest, but instead of recoiling, it absorbed the energy, growing larger and more menacing.
"Interesting," Han Sen said, stepping back to reassess. "You feed on power. But let's see how much you can take."
The Battle of Light and Shadow
The fight raged on, the platform trembling beneath their feet. Han Sen unleashed a barrage of attacks, each one infused with his transcendent energy, but the shadow warrior adapted to his every move.
"It's not just feeding on my power—it's learning from me," Han Sen realized.
The warrior's attacks became more precise, mirroring Han Sen's techniques. Each clash sent shockwaves rippling through the void, the platform cracking under the strain.
Han Sen narrowed his eyes. "If you're going to copy me, you'd better be ready for the original."
He activated his Dual Gene Force, his body glowing with a fusion of light and darkness. The sudden surge of power caught the warrior off guard, and Han Sen seized the opportunity.
With a swift motion, he summoned his Void Slash, a technique that combined the sharpness of light with the consuming nature of darkness. The attack struck the shadow warrior, splitting it in two.
For a moment, the figure wavered, its form flickering like a dying flame. Then, with a final, guttural roar, it dissolved into the air, leaving only its sword behind.
The Key to the Abyss
Han Sen approached the sword cautiously. Its blade no longer radiated darkness, but a faint, silvery glow. As he reached out to touch it, the weapon disintegrated into particles of light, which flowed into his hand and formed a key.
"A key," Han Sen murmured, studying the intricate design etched into the metallic object. "So this is what the Abyss wanted me to find."
The archway before him began to shift, the liquid darkness retreating to reveal a shimmering portal. Beyond it, Han Sen could see a vast expanse of stars and swirling galaxies, their beauty both mesmerizing and unsettling.
"This is just the beginning," Han Sen said, gripping the key tightly. "If the Abyss thinks it can stop me, it's in for a surprise."
Without hesitation, he stepped through the portal, the light swallowing him whole.
A Glimpse of Infinity
On the other side, Han Sen found himself floating in a boundless void. Stars and celestial bodies surrounded him, their light casting strange shadows that danced across the emptiness.
But this was no ordinary space. The stars seemed alive, pulsing with energy that resonated with his own. In the distance, he could see massive structures—colossal rings that rotated around black holes, cities built on the backs of star-sized creatures, and rivers of light that flowed like veins through the cosmos.
"This world…" Han Sen whispered, his voice filled with awe. "It's infinite."
As he drifted through the void, a voice echoed in his mind once more:
"Welcome to the Primordial Abyss, Seeker. Here, the weak perish, and the strong ascend. Prove yourself, and the secrets of creation will be yours. Fail, and you will become one with the Abyss."
Han Sen's eyes gleamed with determination. "I've come too far to fail now. Let's see what this place is really made of."