The first rays of dawn pierced through the dense forest canopy as Jin Shang, Kaelros, and Lysander continued their march toward the Blackthorn Mountains. The chill in the air was sharper now, almost unnatural, as though the world itself knew what lay ahead.
Jin's Abyssal Core throbbed faintly, a subtle reminder of the power he carried. He glanced at his companions, both of whom seemed equally aware of the weight of their journey. Lysander, usually carefree, had grown unusually quiet, his eyes darting to every shadow. Kaelros maintained his stoic demeanor, but the constant flicker of elemental energy around his hands betrayed his readiness for battle.
---
A Change in the Wind
By midday, the group reached a river cutting through the wilderness. Its waters churned violently, an unnatural current making it impassable. The air around them felt heavy, almost oppressive.
Kaelros knelt by the riverbank, his hand grazing the water. "Something's wrong. This isn't natural."
Jin nodded. "The Celestials are trying to slow us down."
Lysander, his blade resting on his shoulder, looked around uneasily. "If they wanted to stop us, they'd send more than a river."
Kaelros stood, his expression dark. "They have. I can feel it—a presence, far stronger than anything we've faced so far."
As if on cue, the sky darkened, and a low, resonant hum filled the air. The trees around them began to wither, their leaves falling in a rapid cascade of decay. The ground beneath their feet trembled.
"Something's coming," Jin said, his Abyssal Core flaring to life.
The air split with a deafening crack, and a figure descended from the sky. Cloaked in golden armor that radiated divine light, the being landed with a force that shook the earth. Its presence was suffocating, each step echoing with raw power.
Lysander's eyes widened. "Is that…?"
Kaelros's face hardened. "The Harbinger."
---
The Harbinger's Wrath
The Harbinger stood tall, its helmet obscuring its face. Its voice was a deep, resonant boom that seemed to come from all directions at once. "Jin Shang, child of the Abyss, the Council has decreed your end."
Jin stepped forward, his Abyssal energy swirling around him. "I've heard enough of the Council's decrees. If they want me gone, they'll have to do better than sending a lackey."
The Harbinger raised a hand, summoning a massive golden spear that shimmered with celestial energy. "You misunderstand. I am not here to delay you. I am here to destroy you."
Without warning, the Harbinger hurled the spear. The air around it warped as it streaked toward Jin, its sheer force enough to obliterate anything in its path. Jin barely managed to summon a barrier of Abyssal energy, but the impact sent him skidding back, the ground beneath him cracking.
"Not bad," Jin muttered, regaining his footing. "But you'll need more than that."
Kaelros and Lysander joined the fray. Kaelros unleashed a storm of fire and wind, aiming to overwhelm the Harbinger's defenses. Lysander darted around the battlefield, his silver blade flashing as he aimed for the gaps in the golden armor.
The Harbinger was unfazed. It raised its arms, creating a barrier of light that deflected their attacks. With a sweep of its hand, it unleashed a wave of energy that sent Lysander and Kaelros sprawling.
"You fight well," the Harbinger said, turning back to Jin. "But it will not save you."
Jin smirked, his Abyssal Core flaring brighter. "Good. I don't need saving."
---
Unleashing the Abyss
Drawing deeply from the Abyss, Jin channeled its power into his fists, creating two dark blades of energy. He lunged at the Harbinger, their clash sending shockwaves rippling through the forest. Each strike from Jin was met with equal force, the two locked in a battle of sheer will.
"You're strong, Abyssal Child," the Harbinger said, its tone almost admiring. "But strength alone is not enough to overcome the will of the heavens."
Jin gritted his teeth, his mind racing. The Harbinger's power was immense, but he could feel its movements—calculated and precise, as if bound by celestial law. An idea began to form.
Kaelros, regaining his footing, called out. "Jin, it's too strong! We need a plan!"
"I've got one," Jin shouted back. "Keep it distracted!"
Kaelros nodded, summoning a torrent of lightning that struck the Harbinger, forcing it to raise its shield. Lysander joined in, his blade striking at every opening, forcing the celestial warrior to defend on multiple fronts.
Jin seized the moment, channeling the Abyssal Core to its limit. The energy around him grew unstable, crackling with raw power. "Let's see how well you handle this!"
With a roar, Jin unleashed a wave of Abyssal energy, a dark tempest that engulfed the Harbinger. The celestial warrior staggered, its golden armor dimming as the Abyss tore at its defenses.
---
A Narrow Victory
As the dust settled, the Harbinger fell to one knee, its spear shattering as it struck the ground. Jin approached, his breathing heavy but his resolve unbroken.
"You underestimated me," Jin said, his voice steady. "Tell the Council—they're next."
The Harbinger's helmet tilted upward, revealing a face etched with regret. "You… may have won this battle, but the Council's wrath is endless. They will not stop."
"Neither will I," Jin replied, his Abyssal Core flaring one last time.
With a final surge of power, Jin struck, shattering the Harbinger's form into fragments of light that dissipated into the air. The oppressive energy vanished, leaving the forest eerily quiet.
---
The Road Ahead
Lysander sheathed his blade, his expression a mix of relief and exhaustion. "That was close."
Kaelros approached Jin, his gaze wary. "You tapped into more of the Abyss than ever before. Are you sure you can control it?"
Jin turned, his eyes burning with determination. "I don't have a choice. The Abyss is my weapon, and I'll master it—no matter what it takes."
As the group prepared to move on, far above in the celestial realms, the Council watched in silence. The Harbinger's defeat sent ripples through their ranks, sowing doubt and fear.
"We underestimated him," one of the Celestials admitted. "He's more dangerous than we thought."
Themis, standing at the center of the chamber, clenched her fists. "Then we'll stop underestimating. If the Harbinger failed, we'll send the Archon."
The Council's decision was final. As Jin and his companions journeyed toward the Well of Echoes, the shadow of an even greater threat loomed over them, promising a confrontation that would shake the heavens themselves.