The forest had thinned, giving way to a rocky expanse. The air was unnaturally still, and the only sound was the crunch of their boots against the ground. A jagged rift loomed ahead—a gaping tear in the earth that seemed to pulsate with Abyssal energy.
Kaelros slowed, his expression darkening. "This is it. The Abyssal Rift. It's a convergence point, where the Abyss bleeds into this world."
Jin stared at the rift, feeling the Core within him stir violently. "This is where we need to go?"
Kaelros nodded. "If you want to master the Abyss, you'll need to descend into its depths. But be warned, Abyssal Child—once you enter, there's no turning back until the Abyss is done with you."
Lysander frowned, stepping forward. "And what happens if it isn't done with him?"
Kaelros smirked faintly. "Then we won't be leaving with him."
---
The Descent
The trio approached the rift, its edges crackling with dark energy. The closer they got, the more oppressive the air became.
Jin took a deep breath. "If this is what it takes, then so be it." Without hesitation, he stepped into the rift.
The world around him dissolved into darkness. He felt a moment of weightlessness before his feet hit solid ground. The Abyssal energy here was overwhelming, pressing down on him like a physical weight.
Kaelros and Lysander appeared behind him, their forms flickering as they adjusted to the hostile environment.
Kaelros glanced around. "This place isn't just the Abyss. It's alive. Stay on guard."
---
Echoes of Madness
The landscape was a surreal mix of jagged rocks, flowing shadow, and pulsating light. Whispers filled the air, unintelligible but maddening.
"Jin Shang…" the voice from earlier echoed, this time resonating from every direction.
The woman from the cursed village appeared once again, her form more distinct, her glowing eyes brighter. "You've taken the first step. Now, the Abyss will show you your truth."
The ground beneath them shifted, and Jin suddenly found himself alone, standing in a vast, empty expanse. The whispers grew louder, coalescing into a single, booming voice.
"You seek to master me, Jin Shang. But power comes at a price."
In the distance, figures began to emerge—familiar faces. Jin's parents, their expressions blank; comrades he had lost in battle; and finally, a reflection of himself, twisted and consumed by the Abyss.
The reflection spoke, its voice mocking. "You can't escape what you are, Jin. The Abyss isn't just power—it's you."
Jin's hands trembled as the voices pressed into his mind. "No! I'm in control!" He lashed out with Abyssal energy, but the figures dissolved like smoke, reforming moments later.
---
Kaelros and Lysander's Trial
While Jin faced his inner demons, Kaelros and Lysander were thrown into their own trials.
Kaelros stood before a vision of his former Celestial comrades, their accusing gazes cutting deep. "You betrayed us," they spat. "You abandoned the heavens."
Kaelros gritted his teeth. "The heavens abandoned me. I made my choice, and I'll see it through." He summoned his Elemental Symphony, the elemental forces swirling around him like a tempest, shattering the visions.
Lysander found himself surrounded by shadowy figures, each resembling his long-lost kin. Their whispers clawed at his mind. "You failed us, Lysander. You couldn't protect us."
Tightening his grip on his blade, Lysander whispered, "I can't change the past. But I'll carve a future where I won't fail again." With a roar, he charged into the shadows, cutting through them with relentless precision.
---
Jin's Resolve
Jin fell to his knees, the pressure of the Abyss overwhelming. His reflection loomed over him, its twisted features sneering. "You're weak, Jin. You'll never be more than a puppet of the Abyss."
A memory surfaced—a moment with his master, before the Abyssal Core had awakened. "Strength isn't just power, Jin. It's the will to rise, no matter how many times you're struck down."
Jin's trembling ceased. He stood, his Abyssal energy flaring brighter than before. "I'm not weak. And I'm not a puppet."
With a defiant roar, he unleashed a surge of Abyssal energy, shattering the reflection. The whispers receded, and the oppressive presence lifted slightly.
---
Reunited
The trio emerged from their trials, their faces pale but their resolve stronger.
Kaelros glanced at Jin. "You survived. That's more than most can say."
Jin's gaze was steady. "The Abyss may demand sacrifice, but it doesn't own me."
A faint smile tugged at Kaelros's lips. "Good. You'll need that fire for what's ahead."
As they continued deeper into the Abyssal Rift, the air grew heavier, the landscape more chaotic. But Jin's determination burned brighter than ever, a beacon in the darkness.
Far above, the celestial beings who watched trembled—not with fear, but with awe. Jin Shang wasn't just walking the path to Cosmic Movement. He was carving a new path entirely.