Super Gene 2 Chapter 15: The Crimson Rift
The Watchers' figures faded behind Han Sen as he pressed forward, the endless expanse of the plain giving way to a new, foreboding terrain. The ground beneath his feet darkened, the golden sands gradually replaced by a crimson, glassy surface that reflected his form like a distorted mirror.
The air here felt heavier, laced with a strange metallic tang. In the distance, the golden door remained a beacon of light, yet the path leading to it seemed to twist and ripple unnaturally.
The Rift's Lament
Han Sen's steps echoed in the unnatural silence, each footfall reverberating as if the Rift were alive and reacting to his presence. Strange fissures began to appear in the crimson ground, releasing faint streams of light that spiraled upward like ghostly wisps.
He paused to examine one of the fissures, kneeling to get a closer look. The light emanating from within pulsed rhythmically, almost like a heartbeat.
"What is this place hiding?" Han Sen muttered.
Before he could delve deeper, the fissure expanded, the light intensifying into a blinding flash. From within the crack emerged a figure—an ethereal being composed entirely of the crimson light. It floated above the ground, its form ever-shifting, yet vaguely humanoid.
The being spoke, its voice echoing in Han Sen's mind.
"Traveler of the Abyss, you tread upon the Crimson Rift, a place where reality and memory intertwine. To pass, you must face the fragments of your past and the echoes of what could have been."
Han Sen straightened, his gaze steely. "I've faced countless trials already. Whatever this place throws at me, I'll overcome it."
The being's form flickered, and it raised a hand. The crimson ground beneath Han Sen cracked further, and a torrent of light erupted around him, pulling him into a vortex of swirling colors.
The Phantom Memories
Han Sen found himself standing in a completely different place—a lush, verdant field under a sky painted in hues of gold and violet. The air was warm and fragrant, filled with the sound of chirping birds.
In the distance, he saw figures moving. As they approached, his breath caught. Among them were faces he had long thought buried in his memories: Ji Yanran, his family, and even old rivals like Han Jingzhi.
But something was off. Their expressions were serene, their movements mechanical. It was as if they were puppets acting out a play.
"Why are you showing me this?" Han Sen demanded, his voice ringing through the strange realm.
The ethereal being appeared once more, its form blending with the shimmering landscape. "These are echoes of paths not taken, lives not lived. Do you seek to understand them, or will you discard them as illusions?"
Han Sen clenched his fists, the golden and Abyssal energies within him surging. "These aren't my reality. They're distractions, nothing more."
The landscape began to shift, the serene field transforming into a stormy battlefield. The figures of his loved ones and enemies twisted into grotesque, shadowy monsters, their hollow eyes glowing with crimson light.
Battling the Echoes
The twisted forms lunged at Han Sen, their movements erratic yet relentless. He summoned his golden energy, forming a protective barrier as he counterattacked with precise blasts.
The creatures were strong, their attacks fueled by the weight of his own doubts and fears. But Han Sen had faced far greater enemies. With a roar, he unleashed a torrent of fused energy, obliterating the nearest wave of shadows.
Still, the monsters kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. Han Sen realized brute force alone wouldn't be enough.
"I need to end this at the source," he thought, focusing on the ethereal being that hovered above the battlefield, observing silently.
The Rift's Core
Han Sen charged toward the being, dodging and weaving through the onslaught of shadowy creatures. As he drew closer, the being's form grew more distinct, its features becoming clearer. To his shock, it resembled him—but not entirely.
The ethereal version of Han Sen spoke, its voice calm yet imposing. "You think yourself free of doubt, but you carry the weight of countless choices. To master the Abyss, you must accept the cost of what you leave behind."
"I've made my choices," Han Sen said, his voice firm. "And I'll live with them. But I won't let them control me."
With a surge of determination, Han Sen unleashed his full power. The golden and Abyssal energies intertwined, forming a massive spiral of light and shadow that engulfed the ethereal figure.
The being dissolved, its form disintegrating into a cascade of crimson particles. The shadowy creatures vanished, and the battlefield faded back into the Rift's crimson expanse.
A New Understanding
Han Sen stood alone once more, the silence of the Rift returning. The cracks in the ground sealed themselves, and the oppressive atmosphere lifted slightly.
The golden door in the distance shone brighter, its radiance cutting through the Rift's strange hues.
"You've passed the Crimson Rift," a voice echoed, faint and distant. "But the Abyss holds deeper truths. Prepare yourself, seeker."
Han Sen took a deep breath, his resolve stronger than ever. Each trial pushed him closer to the truth, but he knew the hardest challenges were yet to come.
Without hesitation, he continued forward, his eyes fixed on the golden door.