The passage narrowed as Yan Rui, Lian Yuxi, and Wu Qian ventured deeper into the heart of the Sunken Abyss. The air grew colder, heavier, as though the weight of countless souls pressed against their chests. The whispers, which had been distant before, now seemed to echo directly in their ears, carrying fragments of words and phrases that made no sense—and yet, they felt hauntingly familiar.
"This place… it's alive," Wu Qian muttered, his knuckles white as he gripped the hilt of his sword.
Lian Yuxi nodded grimly. "The Abyss feeds on those who enter. The deeper we go, the stronger its hold will become. We must remain vigilant."
Yan Rui, however, was silent. His mind was consumed by the visions he had seen within the Abyssal Codex—the rise and fall of the Eternals, the creation of the Celestial Vault, and the warnings of its insatiable hunger. The Vault stirred within him now, resonating with the Abyss, as though it recognized its origins in the dark power surrounding them.
---
As they walked, the runes carved into the walls began to glow faintly, casting an eerie blue light. The symbols shifted and twisted as they passed, forming patterns that seemed to pulse in time with their heartbeats. The air grew colder still, and Yan Rui's breath came out in visible puffs of mist.
"Something's coming," Lian Yuxi said sharply, her hand moving to the talisman at her waist.
Wu Qian drew his sword, the blade humming faintly with spiritual energy. "What is it?"
Before anyone could answer, the shadows on the walls began to ripple and shift. Dark figures emerged, their forms indistinct and hazy, like smoke given shape. Their eyes glowed with a pale, unnatural light, and their voices joined the whispers in the air, creating a cacophony of sound that threatened to overwhelm the group.
"These are the Phantoms of the Fallen," Lian Yuxi said, her voice tense. "Echoes of those who perished here, consumed by the Abyss. They're not alive, but they're not entirely dead either. Be careful—they feed on fear and doubt."
---
One of the phantoms lunged toward Yan Rui, its movements unnaturally fluid and swift. He raised his blade instinctively, channeling the Celestial Vault's energy into the strike. The weapon glowed with a golden light as it clashed with the phantom, dispersing its smoky form momentarily.
But the phantom reformed almost instantly, its glowing eyes fixed on Yan Rui. It spoke, its voice a twisted blend of anger and sorrow. "You carry the Vault… you are bound to its will. You cannot escape it. You will fall, as we did."
The words sent a chill down Yan Rui's spine, but he forced himself to focus. "I won't fall. I'll master it!" he shouted, striking again.
---
Nearby, Lian Yuxi was fending off two phantoms, her talisman glowing brightly as it unleashed waves of purifying energy. The phantoms shrieked and recoiled, but they did not vanish. "Their strength comes from the Abyss itself!" she called out. "We can't destroy them completely unless we sever their connection to this place!"
Wu Qian grunted as he parried a phantom's claw-like hand, his sword blazing with spiritual fire. "Easier said than done!"
Yan Rui gritted his teeth. The Vault's power surged within him, urging him to let go, to unleash its full strength. He could feel it whispering to him, promising victory if only he would surrender to it.
"No," he muttered, shaking his head. "I won't lose myself."
---
The battle continued, the phantoms growing more aggressive with each passing moment. Yan Rui could feel his strength waning, the Abyss's oppressive energy sapping his will. He knew they couldn't keep this up for long.
"We need a plan!" he shouted, slashing at another phantom.
Lian Yuxi glanced around, her eyes narrowing as she studied the glowing runes on the walls. "The runes—those are the source of their power. They're anchoring the phantoms to this place. If we destroy them, the phantoms should weaken!"
Yan Rui nodded. "Leave it to me. Cover me!"
---
Lian Yuxi and Wu Qian moved to intercept the phantoms, drawing their attention away from Yan Rui. With the path momentarily clear, he focused on the nearest set of runes. Drawing on the Celestial Vault's energy, he channeled it into his blade, which began to glow with an intense golden light.
As he struck the runes, a burst of energy erupted from the wall, and the nearby phantoms let out anguished cries. Their forms flickered, becoming less solid.
"It's working!" Wu Qian shouted, slicing through a weakened phantom.
Yan Rui moved to the next set of runes, his movements swift despite the weight of the Abyss pressing down on him. With each strike, the phantoms grew weaker, their voices fading into the background noise of the Abyss.
---
Finally, as Yan Rui destroyed the last set of runes, the phantoms let out one final, mournful wail before dissolving into nothingness. The oppressive atmosphere lightened slightly, and the whispers grew quieter.
Yan Rui leaned against the wall, panting heavily. The effort had drained him, both physically and mentally. "Is it over?"
"For now," Lian Yuxi said, her voice calm but wary. "But this is only the first trial. The Abyss will not let us go so easily."
Wu Qian sheathed his sword, his expression grim. "We need to keep moving. The longer we stay here, the more vulnerable we become."
---
As they continued deeper into the Abyss, Yan Rui couldn't shake the phantom's words from his mind. You carry the Vault… you are bound to its will. Was it true? Was he destined to fall, like the Eternals before him?
Lian Yuxi seemed to sense his unease. "Don't let their words get to you," she said quietly. "The Abyss preys on doubt. As long as you believe in yourself, you can overcome anything."
Yan Rui nodded, but the doubt lingered. The road ahead was growing darker, and he knew the trials they faced would only become more difficult. But he also knew that he couldn't stop now. The secrets of the Abyss—and the key to mastering the Vault—were still ahead, waiting to be uncovered.
He steeled himself and pressed on, his resolve unwavering despite the shadows that loomed over him.
---