The faint glow of the Nexus Pavilion receded behind Team Eclipse as they walked towards the waypoint indicated on the fragment Eris had provided them. The air had begun to cool down and the landscape changed, but instead of the main world's colors, there was an impression of dull, dismal tones that surrounded the outer districts of the Abyssal Ruins.
The entrance to the ruins loomed before them—a massive, jagged portal framed in blackened stone and pulsing with faint red runes. It pulsed faintly, as if alive, and every few seconds a low hum reverberated through the air, shivering down their spines.
Draven let out a low whistle. "Well, this screams danger loud and clear."
Aris knelt near the portal, tracing her fingers along the edges of the runes. "These markings… they're ancient. I've seen similar designs in other dungeons, but nothing this intricate. It's like the portal itself is a warning."
"Or a challenge," Ryu said, gripping the hilt of his blade. His voice was calm, but his sharp gaze never left the swirling energy within the portal. "No point standing around. We need to move before The Shadow Reapers beat us to it."
Draven hesitated, eyeing the ominous entrance. "Sure, but you're all ready to ignore the part where Eris said the ruins are alive?"
Aris smirked, standing. "Come on, Draven. Where's your sense of adventure?"
"My sense of adventure is right here, telling me this is a terrible idea," Draven muttered as he stepped closer anyway.
The group exchanged glances before Ryu took the lead, stepping into the portal. The energy rippled as he disappeared into the void. Aris followed without hesitation, and Draven sighed before muttering, "I swear, you two will be the death of me," and stepped in as well.
The air inside the Abyssal Ruins was heavy, oppressive. Dim light, like some ghostly emanation from the runes etched into the walls, cast long, eerie shadows that danced with the flicker of their movement. The ground beneath their feet felt unstable, as if the ruins were shifting and breathing around them.
Ryu drew his sword, the dim blue light of it a balm against the scarlet runes. "Be vigilant," he warned. "If the ruins are adaptive, they'll have already ascertained our presence."
Aris swept her gaze around the place, daggers drawn. "I don't like this one bit," she said, frowning. "Something feels. off.
A low growl echoed through the corridor, followed by the sound of claws scraping against stone. Draven raised his shield, his voice tense. "Sounds like we've got company."
The shadows ahead twisted unnaturally, and figures began to emerge—beasts unlike any they'd faced before. Their forms were jagged and incomplete, as if they'd been pulled from the ruins themselves. Glowing red eyes locked onto the group, and their growls deepened.
"Corrupted constructs," Aris whispered. "They're part of the ruins."
Ryu stepped forward, his blade gleaming. "Then we'll cut through them. Formation!"
Draven moved to the front, his shield raised, while Aris took to the shadows, disappearing into the dark. Ryu charged, his movements precise and deliberate. The first beast lunged, its claws aimed at Draven, but his shield absorbed the blow with a resounding clang.
"Now!" Draven yelled, shoving the creature back.
Ryu sprang forward, his sword slicing across the construct in a brilliant arc. The thing shattered into fragments, energy dispersing into the air. Another beast lunged, and Aris appeared behind it, plunging her daggers into its weak points.
It was chaos, yet somehow controlled. Team Eclipse was a cohesive unit, each member trained in thousands of battles. But as the last construct fell, the ground began to shudder.
"That can't be good," Draven whispered.
The walls around them writhed, runes pulsating faster. The corridor ahead twisted, opening onto a vast chamber filled with platforms suspended over a whirlpool of void. A colossal construct stood at the room's center, form towering and grotesque, chains of crimson energy tethering it to the ruin.
[Abyssal Guardian Detected.]
The system notice blinked in their vision.
Draven groaned. "Of course there's a boss. Why wouldn't there be?"
Ryu stepped forward, his blade glowing brighter. "No turning back now. Let's finish this."
The Guardian roared, its chains snapping as it broke free. It slammed a massive arm into the nearest platform, shattering it and sending chunks of stone spiraling into the void.
"Stay on your toes!" Ryu shouted, leaping to a nearby platform.
The Guardian attacked without ceasing. It swung its massive arms, sending shockwaves through the platforms, and unleashed beams of crimson energy that cut through the air. Draven deflected a beam with his shield, the force nearly knocking him off balance.
"This thing is insane!" he yelled.
She dashed from platform to platform, striking at the Guardian's weak spots with her daggers. "Focus on the chains! If we break them, we might be able to weaken it!"
Ryu nodded, his energy seeping into his blade. "Draven, keep its attention. Aris, cover me!
Draven charged, smashing his shield into the leg of the Guardian. The creature roared, its attention turning to him. Ryu jumped onto the closest chain and hacked at the glowing links.
The chain had been resistant, but every hit made cracks form in it. Aris stepped beside him, her daggers pounding the chain further. Finally, the chain shattered, and the Guardian shrieked with an ear-piercing scream.
"One down!" Aris yelled.
The battle continued, with every chain having its own story. The platforms under them gave way, and the team had to change fast. But with the last chain breaking, the Guardian toppled over, its vast body breaking into the empty space.
The room came to a standstill as the oppressive air became somewhat lighter.
A system alert popped up:
[Well Done! Abyssal Guardian Killed.]
[Rewards Unlocked: Abyssal Key, Catalyst Fragment.]
Ryu picked up the glowing key and fragment, his expression grim. "This is just the start. The Core is deeper inside."
Aris wiped sweat from her brow, smirking despite her exhaustion. "Let's hope the rest of this place isn't as lively."
Draven groaned, slumping onto a nearby platform. "I need a break. And a therapist."
Ryu held the key tightly, his resolve unwavering. "No breaks yet. We're not done here."
As the group prepared to dig deeper, the ruins shifted once again, shadows that seemed to be watching their every move. The Abyss was far from finished with them.