The descent toward the Obsidian Fortress was treacherous. The storm's fury showed no signs of abating, and the rocky terrain seemed determined to trip or crush them at every turn. Yet, Jiang Chen's steps were steady, his eyes fixed on the dark fortress below. Lei Qian trailed behind, muttering curses under his breath.
"You're going to get us killed," Lei Qian called out, his voice barely audible over the howling wind. "And for what? A gamble on forbidden knowledge?"
Jiang Chen didn't answer. His focus remained unshaken, his thoughts swirling around the cryptic warnings and the pull of the fragment in his possession. Whatever lay within the fortress, he felt an undeniable certainty that it held the key to unlocking the next step of his journey.
Arrival at the Obsidian Fortress
As they approached the fortress's outer perimeter, the air grew unnaturally still. The storm seemed to retreat, leaving a deafening silence that pressed down on them like a physical weight. The fortress loomed above, its black stone walls rising impossibly high, their surfaces etched with intricate runes that seemed to shift and shimmer in the dim light.
"We shouldn't be here," Lei Qian muttered, his voice barely a whisper. "This place… it's alive."
Jiang Chen placed a hand on the cold stone of the outer wall, feeling a faint hum of energy beneath his fingers. "Alive or not, it's where we need to be."
Before Lei Qian could protest further, a grinding sound echoed through the air. A section of the wall shifted, revealing a narrow entrance. Jiang Chen exchanged a glance with Lei Qian, whose face was pale with unease.
"I'm starting to think they want us to come inside," Lei Qian said.
Jiang Chen's lips curved into a grim smile. "Then let's not keep them waiting."
The Labyrinth
The interior of the fortress was a stark contrast to its exterior. The walls were smooth and polished, reflecting the faint glow of floating lanterns that hovered in the air. The corridors twisted and turned, forming an intricate labyrinth that seemed designed to confuse and disorient.
Jiang Chen moved with purpose, his instincts guiding him through the maze. Lei Qian followed reluctantly, his eyes darting nervously at every shadow. The oppressive silence was broken only by the sound of their footsteps and the occasional flicker of light as the lanterns dimmed and brightened unpredictably.
After what felt like hours, they reached a circular chamber. At its center stood a pedestal, upon which rested a black crystal orb. The air around it pulsed with energy, and the runes on the walls glowed brighter as they approached.
"This feels like a trap," Lei Qian said, his voice tense.
Jiang Chen nodded. "It probably is. Stay here."
Lei Qian opened his mouth to protest, but Jiang Chen had already stepped forward. As his fingers closed around the orb, the chamber shuddered, and the runes flared to life. The walls shifted, revealing hidden passages that radiated an ominous aura.
A voice echoed through the chamber, cold and emotionless.
"The trial begins."
Trial of the Veil
Jiang Chen barely had time to react before the chamber dissolved around him. He found himself standing in an endless void, the ground beneath his feet made of shimmering light. Shadows coalesced in the distance, forming into humanoid shapes that advanced toward him with unnatural grace.
"Projections," he muttered, drawing his blade. "Let's see how real you are."
The first shadow lunged, its movements swift and precise. Jiang Chen parried the attack, the impact sending a jolt up his arm. The shadows were not mere illusions; they had substance and strength.
The fight quickly turned into a dance of blades and shadows. Jiang Chen moved with calculated precision, his strikes cutting through the projections one by one. Yet, for every shadow he destroyed, two more seemed to take its place.
A realization struck him: the trial wasn't about defeating the shadows. It was about enduring.
"So that's how it is," he said through gritted teeth. "Let's see who tires first."
Time lost meaning as the battle raged on. Jiang Chen's movements became more fluid, his strikes more efficient. The shadows pressed him relentlessly, but he held his ground, refusing to yield.
Finally, the shadows receded, melting back into the void. The voice returned, its tone almost approving.
"You have passed the first trial. Proceed."
Reunion and Revelation
The void dissolved, and Jiang Chen found himself back in the chamber. Lei Qian stood by the entrance, his expression a mix of relief and frustration.
"What happened in there?" Lei Qian demanded. "You disappeared, and then this place started shaking."
Jiang Chen held up the black orb, which now pulsed with a faint light. "The first step. But there's more to come."
Before Lei Qian could respond, the ground beneath them trembled. The walls shifted again, revealing a staircase that spiraled downward into darkness.
"Down there?" Lei Qian asked, his voice tinged with dread. "You can't be serious."
Jiang Chen stepped toward the staircase, his gaze unwavering. "The only way is forward."
Lei Qian let out a resigned sigh. "If we die down there, I'm haunting you in the afterlife."
Jiang Chen chuckled. "You'll have to get in line."
With that, they descended into the unknown, the faint glow of the orb lighting their way. Each step took them deeper into the fortress, and closer to the secrets of the Obsidian Veil.