The Abyssal Rift crested the horizon just before dusk. Like a tear in the very skin of the earth, the uneven chasm and shadowy energy emanating from it did not make for welcoming landscape scenery. Around the rift stood empty landscapes, a heavy and oppressive stillness seemed to engulf the air and even wind avoided this place, bringing unnatural silence in which Riku felt uneasy.
So that's it," Riku said, gazing into the void. It was impossible to see the depth of the Rift; only darkness consumed the faint glow of the sun setting.
Kael stood beside him, gazing through violet eyes. "This is the weakest point of the boundary between realms. You'll not only have to fight against the influence of the Shadow Star, but its creations born from corruption as well.".
She put a hand on Riku's shoulder. "Remember everything you have learned. The Rift will present you with challenges, but you have already faced darkness once.".
The kitten sat on Riku's satchel, and it meowed softly, hesitantly. Riku absent-mindedly scratched its head and gained some small solace from its existence.
Well, he said, pulling the air into his lungs. Let's do it.
The group descended into the Rift; and with each step, the temperature began to plummet. The walls shone faintly with shifting patterns of blue and purple light, as if the very rift itself were alive.
Erynn's staff lit the way, but even its glow seemed dim against the encroaching darkness. Kael moved silently, his hand resting on the hilt of a slender blade at his side.
And so they descended, Riku was hit by the familiar pressure of Shadow Star. The whispers returned again, though now feeble but persistent.
You shouldn't have come.
You can't defeat me.
Turn back before it's too late.
"Yeah, yeah," Riku whispered under his breath. "Not this time."
Kael glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "The Rift is amplifying its influence. Stay focused, or you'll lose yourself before the trial even begins."
"I saw that," Riku said, tightening his fists to steady himself.
They felt the dangers creeping up when they entered that wide cavern. The air shimmered with writhing tendrils full of shadowy things which twisted and writhed like living things. During the forward movement of this group, the tendrils started coalescing and forming humanoid figures with glow-red eyes.
"Shadow constructs," Erynn said, her fingers tightening on her staff. "They're not real, but they'll feel real enough if they attack."
"Great," Riku said, calling dark energy to his hands. "Let's see what they have."
The constructs lurched forward, moving unrealistically quickly. Riku avoided the first assault and retaliated with an energy blast that hurled one of the silhouettes off into the night air.
Erynn and Kael fought with practiced precision. Erynn's spells burned through the constructs like fire through paper, while Kael's blade danced in the dim light, every strike precise and deadly.
Riku was going fine, but every time a construct won, the whispers grew louder.
You can't keep them.
You will fall.
This power will kill you.
Shut up! Riku yelled, releasing a beam of energy that destroyed the remainder of constructs.
The cavern fell silent once again, as the sounds of battle faded back into the depths.
They continued, tension building at each step. It was as though the Rift turned about them, paths twisting and folding over one another. Erynn's staff flickered, and for a moment, she had the feeling that magic itself was being drawn from the artifact.
This place is alive," Kael whispered low. "It is playing tricks on us.".
"Can it stop screwing around and just let us get to the trial already?" Riku asked, though he wasn't really sure he wanted an answer.
As if in answer, the ground under them quaked. A deep rumble shook through the Rift and then a deafening roar.
From the darkness emerged an enormous creature, its body a convulsive, writhing mass of dark energy. Its glowing eyes settled upon Riku, and the mark upon his chest flared bright.
"Looks like we're here," Kael said, drawing his blade.
The beast leapt forward. Great claws shredded the air. Riku dodged only because the attack was so powerful; Riku tumbled across the floor.
Focus, Riku! Erynn bellowed throwing up a wall to stop the next blow.
"I'm trying!" Riku said, scrambling to his feet.
It boomed again, shapeshifting away into different varieties, breaking and tearing within every form it flooded upon, now being smaller editions of it itself.
Riku fought back with all that he had, but the whispers grew deafening now; each word was a dagger in his mind.
You are too weak. This is your fault.
All of them will die for you.
"No," Riku whispered, his vision blurring. "Not this time."
He called the energy he had felt in the first experiments, now coursing through his body, the gold. The mark on his chest pulsed as the darkness hesitated over him.
Riku, now! Erynn shouted.
He rose as with his roar, Riku freed the light, in collision of shadows. Those little creatures were dispersed, the huge beast screamed with its last, pained howl before disintegration.
The cavern fell silent once more, the heavy energy receding. Riku crashed to his knees, his chest heaving.
Erynn ran to his side. "You did it."
Kael stepped forward, face empty. "Impressive. But the Rift's got one last trick up her sleeve.".
Riku sighed. "Obviously it isn't.".
Just as expected, the walls of the cave surged up revealing a small tunnel pointing deeper into the Rift.
Erynn kept Riku's back upright. "This is the last test. Are you prepared for it?
"No," said Riku candidly. "But let's do it anyway."
A passageway led to a small, rounded chamber. Central was the pedestal on which rested an orb of pure shadow shining bright with unearthly light. The power that surrounded it was oppressive to breathe.
This is the center of the Rift, Kael said. This is the place you will face reality about the Shadow Star.
Riku stepped ahead, his heart in rhythmic pounding. The whisper came once more, louder.
This is your turn to pass the buck.
You are nothing with me.
Accept the darkness, and we'll be unstoppable.
The hands touched onto the orb, and at once shadows devoured him.
The nothing returned but was not the same. There before him stood the Shadow Star, its form more solid than ever. It had taken on no longer a formless beast but an image of Riku himself, with its red eyes laughing mockingly at him.
"So?" The Shadow Star's voice had mimicked that of Riku like perfect repurposed mimicry: "Think you can get past me?"
"I don't need to defeat you," Riku said, his voice steady. "I just need to prove I'm stronger." The Shadow Star sneered. "Okay, then show me." The battle had begun, light versus shadow in a storm of energy. Riku fought everything he had because his will was not broken. And lastly, the Star in the Shadow shook, its form a little unsteady. "You can't win," it hissed, but there was doubt in its voice. Riku stepped forward, the golden light blazing around him. "Maybe not today. But I'll keep fighting. And I'll win." And with the last of his energy, the Shadow Star shuddered and fell apart, its shape dissipating into nothingness. Riku opened his eyes on the cavern floor, and the orb was gone. The mark on his chest no longer burned-it was quiet, almost calm. Erynn and Kael stood tall over him, their faces split by relief and awe. You did it, Erynn said, helping him up. Kael nodded, though his eyes were wary. "For now, the Shadow Star may be subdued, but the true test will come in what you do with its power.". Riku nodded, with determination filling his eyes. "Well then, let's do it.".