The sun hung low in the sky, casting an amber glow over the forest as Lin Xuan and his companions traveled northward toward the Sky Sect. The air was crisp, but the unease that clung to them after their encounter with the abyssal corruption made every step feel heavier.
The shard, safely tucked within Lin Xuan's robes, seemed to carry its own weight, as if the burden of its secrets pressed down on him. His thoughts lingered on the vision—the red sky, the black obelisk, and the ominous figure. The connection between these elements gnawed at the edges of his mind.
"Lin Xuan," Yu Mei's voice broke through his thoughts. She was walking slightly ahead, her keen eyes scanning their surroundings. "You've been quiet since this morning. What's going on in that head of yours?"
He glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Just trying to piece everything together. The shard, the vision, the obelisk... it's all connected, but I can't see how yet."
Li Fengxian chimed in from behind, twirling his spear lazily. "Maybe we're overthinking it. Sometimes, a problem solves itself once you punch it hard enough."
Yu Mei rolled her eyes. "And sometimes, punching makes it worse. This isn't a tavern brawl, Fengxian."
"Enough," Lin Xuan interjected, his tone firm but not harsh. "Both of you are right, in a way. We need to be cautious, but we can't hesitate to act when the time comes."
---
By midday, they reached a small outpost nestled at the edge of the forest. The settlement was little more than a collection of wooden huts and a bustling marketplace, but it was an important waypoint for travelers heading to the Sky Sect.
As they entered the market, the aroma of roasted meat and spiced tea filled the air, mingling with the chatter of merchants and buyers. The group decided to take a brief rest and gather supplies before continuing their journey.
Lin Xuan approached a stall laden with dried herbs and strange trinkets. The vendor, an elderly woman with sharp eyes, greeted him warmly.
"A fine day for travelers, isn't it?" she said, her voice rasping like dry leaves.
Lin Xuan nodded. "We're heading north. Do you know if there have been any... unusual occurrences along the way?"
The woman's smile faltered, and she leaned in closer. "Unusual? You might be asking about the wrong kind of trouble, young man. But now that you mention it..." She hesitated, glancing around before lowering her voice. "There have been whispers of strange shadows in the forests. Travelers vanishing without a trace. Some say the spirits of the land are restless."
Lin Xuan's brow furrowed. "Shadows, you say? Did anyone see where they came from?"
The woman shook her head. "No one alive, at least. But there's an old shrine deeper in the forest, east of here. Some believe it's cursed."
Yu Mei appeared at his side, her expression serious. "Sounds like it's worth investigating. If it's tied to the shard, we can't ignore it."
---
The shrine was several miles off their intended path, but Lin Xuan didn't hesitate. The group set out immediately, the dense forest growing darker and more oppressive as they ventured eastward.
By the time they reached the clearing where the shrine stood, the sun had dipped below the horizon, and the air was thick with an unnatural chill. The shrine was a crumbling structure of stone, covered in moss and creeping vines. Faint traces of ancient runes were etched into its surface, glowing faintly in the dim light.
"This place feels... wrong," Li Fengxian muttered, gripping his spear tightly.
Lin Xuan stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he examined the runes. They were similar to those on the shard, but more intricate, their patterns weaving together like a web.
Suddenly, the shard in his robes began to pulse, its glow intensifying. Lin Xuan pulled it out, and as he did, the runes on the shrine flared to life. A low, resonant hum filled the air, and the ground beneath them trembled.
"Get ready!" Lin Xuan shouted, drawing his sword.
The hum grew louder, and from the shadows around the shrine, figures began to emerge. They were humanoid in shape but twisted and grotesque, their bodies composed of writhing black tendrils. Their eyes burned with a malevolent red light.
"What are these things?" Yu Mei exclaimed, her daggers already in hand.
"Corrupted echoes," Lin Xuan said grimly. "They're remnants of whatever power tainted this place."
The creatures lunged, their movements erratic and unnatural. Lin Xuan met them head-on, his sword slicing through the first wave with precise, calculated strikes. Yu Mei darted around him, her daggers flashing as she dispatched the enemies with lethal efficiency.
Li Fengxian roared as he charged into the fray, his spear a blur of motion. "Come on, you freaks! Let's see how tough you really are!"
Despite their ferocity, the echoes seemed endless. For every one they destroyed, two more emerged from the shadows.
"We can't keep this up forever!" Yu Mei called out, panting. "There has to be a way to stop them!"
Lin Xuan's gaze fell on the shrine. The runes were pulsating in time with the shard, and he realized the connection. "The shrine! It's feeding them! We have to sever the link!"
---
With a nod, Yu Mei and Li Fengxian moved to cover Lin Xuan as he approached the shrine. He placed the shard against the center of the glowing runes, and a surge of energy coursed through him. The visions returned, more vivid this time—a cacophony of voices, flashes of destruction, and the looming figure from his earlier dream.
Fighting through the chaos in his mind, Lin Xuan focused his will, channeling his energy into the shard. The runes on the shrine began to crack, their glow fading as the connection was severed.
The echoes let out unearthly screams as they dissolved into black mist, their forms dissipating into the night. Silence fell over the clearing, broken only by the ragged breathing of the companions.
"Is it over?" Li Fengxian asked, his spear still at the ready.
Lin Xuan nodded, though his expression remained troubled. "For now. But this isn't the end. The shard is tied to something much larger—and much darker."
Yu Mei placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll face it together, Lin Xuan. Whatever comes next, we're with you."
As the group left the ruined shrine, the shard's glow dimmed, but the weight of its secrets remained. The path ahead was uncertain, but Lin Xuan knew one thing for sure: the echoes of the past were only the beginning.