Super Gene 2 Chapter 10: Veil of Shadows
The sensation of stepping through the portal was unlike anything Han Sen had experienced. It wasn't the usual tug-and-pull of teleportation—it felt as though he were being unraveled and rewoven, his entire being briefly suspended in a void of nothingness.
When he emerged, he found himself standing on the edge of a vast, desolate landscape. The ground beneath his feet was dark and cracked, emitting faint wisps of black mist. The sky above was an endless expanse of swirling gray clouds, broken only by flashes of crimson lightning.
The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on Han Sen, like a thousand invisible hands pressing down on him. The air itself was thick and cold, filled with the faint scent of decay.
"So this is the Veil of Shadows," Han Sen muttered, his voice barely audible against the howling winds.
The First Trial: The Devouring Fog
Han Sen took his first step forward, his senses heightened. The terrain was uneven, littered with jagged rocks and the remnants of ancient structures that looked as though they had been eroded by centuries of harsh winds.
After walking for what felt like hours, he noticed a faint, shifting fog creeping toward him from the horizon. The fog moved unnaturally, its tendrils snaking across the ground like living things.
The Guardian's voice echoed in his mind. "Beware the fog. It is not mere vapor but a manifestation of despair. To lose yourself in it is to be consumed entirely."
Han Sen didn't need a second warning. He activated his energy, forming a protective barrier around himself as the fog closed in. The tendrils lashed out, striking his shield with surprising force, but they recoiled as if burned.
"It's testing me," Han Sen thought, his eyes narrowing.
The fog thickened, and Han Sen's barrier began to waver. He realized that the fog wasn't just physical—it was mental, probing at his mind with whispers of doubt and fear.
"Why do you fight?" the fog seemed to ask. "You are nothing in the grand scheme of the Abyss. Why not surrender?"
Han Sen gritted his teeth, his willpower surging. "I fight because I refuse to let the Abyss define me. I'll carve my own path, no matter what stands in my way!"
With a roar, he unleashed a burst of golden energy, dispersing the fog. The tendrils writhed and retreated, and the oppressive atmosphere lifted slightly.
The Shadow Beasts
As Han Sen continued his journey, he encountered a new challenge. The ground began to tremble, and from the cracks emerged creatures unlike anything he had ever seen.
They were humanoid in shape but made entirely of shadows, their bodies shifting and flickering like flames in the wind. Their eyes glowed with an eerie red light, and their movements were unnaturally fast.
The first shadow beast lunged at Han Sen, its claws slicing through the air with deadly precision. Han Sen dodged, countering with a swift strike that sent the creature reeling.
However, as soon as his blade struck, the beast dissolved into smoke and reformed behind him, its claws slashing at his back. Han Sen barely managed to evade, realizing that these creatures were not bound by physical laws.
"This realm doesn't play fair," Han Sen muttered, his mind racing.
He adjusted his strategy, focusing on his energy instead of physical attacks. Channeling his golden aura, he struck at the shadow beasts with blasts of concentrated light. The creatures shrieked and disintegrated, unable to withstand the purifying energy.
The Hidden Village
After hours of battling shadow beasts and traversing the harsh terrain, Han Sen came upon something unexpected—a village.
The buildings were made of dark stone, their roofs covered in a strange, shimmering material that seemed to absorb light. Despite the desolate surroundings, the village was bustling with activity.
Humanoid figures moved about, their appearances varied but all marked by the same feature: glowing eyes that reflected the light of the Abyss.
As Han Sen entered the village, the inhabitants stopped and turned to look at him. Their expressions were a mix of curiosity and caution.
One of them, an elderly figure with a staff, stepped forward. "You are not of the Veil," the elder said, his voice raspy but firm.
"No, I'm not," Han Sen replied. "I'm here seeking answers. What is this place?"
The elder gestured for Han Sen to follow him. "You have entered the Veil of Shadows, a realm where the lost and the forsaken dwell. But you are different—an outsider with the light of another world."
The Elder's Warning
The elder led Han Sen to a small hut at the edge of the village. Inside, the air was warm and filled with the scent of herbs. The walls were covered in ancient symbols, and in the center of the room was a glowing orb.
"This orb records the memories of our people," the elder explained. "Perhaps it can help you understand the path you must take."
Han Sen placed his hand on the orb, and his mind was flooded with visions. He saw the village's history—a once-thriving civilization that had been consumed by the Abyss. He saw the rise of the shadow beasts and the fog, and he saw a massive door hidden deep within the Veil.
"That door…" Han Sen said, recognizing it immediately. "It's the same one I saw in the Observatory."
The elder nodded. "It is said that beyond that door lies the heart of the Abyss. But reaching it is nearly impossible. The journey will test every fiber of your being."
Han Sen's resolve only grew stronger. "I'll find it. No matter what it takes.