The Labyrinth crumbled behind them, the echoes of its collapse fading into the distance as Xiao Lan and Li Mei emerged onto an ancient stone bridge suspended over an endless abyss. The air was thick with the scent of burning stone, and the only light came from the eerie glow of the swirling darkness below.
Xiao Lan's grip tightened around Demonbane, his body still burning from the aftereffects of his battle with the Warden. Though victorious, he knew this was just the beginning. Something greater lurked beyond the abyss. Something that had been watching him since the moment he entered this forsaken place.
Li Mei stood beside him, her expression unreadable. The betrayal of the past still lingered between them, but for now, survival bound them together. She had answers—secrets buried in the shadows of her past—but now was not the time to demand them.
Suddenly, a chilling voice whispered through the darkness, sending a shiver down their spines.
"You are stronger than expected, Forsaken One. But strength alone is not enough to defy the will of the abyss."
The abyss trembled, and from its depths, an ominous presence began to rise. The air crackled with raw energy, and an oppressive aura bore down on them, making it hard to breathe. A figure emerged from the darkness—a man clad in obsidian armor, his face hidden beneath a demonic mask.
Xiao Lan instinctively stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. This was no ordinary enemy.
"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice steady despite the suffocating pressure.
The figure tilted his head slightly, as if amused. "Names are meaningless in the abyss, but since you ask… you may call me the Abyssal Sovereign."
Xiao Lan's pupils shrank. He had heard rumors of this name before. A being said to be one of the ancient rulers of the Netherworld, a warlord who had once commanded legions of nightmarish creatures that devoured entire sects. But those were just legends—until now.
Li Mei's hand trembled slightly, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Xiao Lan… we need to run."
But Xiao Lan did not move. Instead, he took another step forward, his gaze locked onto the Abyssal Sovereign. "I don't run. Not anymore."
The Sovereign chuckled, his voice deep and hollow. "Good. Then prove to me that you are worthy of walking this path."
Without warning, he raised his hand, and the abyss roared to life. From its depths, shadowy warriors materialized—hulking figures of darkness clad in blackened armor, their soulless eyes burning with eerie light.
The battle began.
Xiao Lan moved like a storm, his blade cutting through the air with terrifying speed. Demonbane roared to life, its dark energy crackling as he tore through the abyssal warriors, their bodies dissolving into mist as they fell.
Li Mei unleashed a flurry of dagger strikes, her movements swift and precise. She danced between enemies, striking vital points before vanishing into the shadows.
But the Abyssal Sovereign did not move. He simply watched.
As the last of the shadow warriors fell, Xiao Lan landed on the ground, breathing heavily. His body ached, but he was far from done. "Is that all you've got?" he spat.
The Sovereign chuckled. "Impressive. But this was merely the first step."
A sudden force slammed into Xiao Lan's chest, sending him flying backward. He barely had time to react before the Sovereign was upon him, his armored fist crashing into his ribs with bone-shattering force. Pain exploded through his body, but he refused to fall.
Xiao Lan twisted in midair, using the momentum to slash upward. His blade met resistance—the Sovereign had blocked it with his bare hand.
"Too slow."
A devastating kick sent Xiao Lan crashing into the stone bridge, the impact leaving cracks beneath him.
Li Mei rushed to his side, her face filled with worry. "We can't win this! Not yet!"
Xiao Lan gritted his teeth, pushing himself to his feet. "Then I'll get stronger. Right here. Right now."
Dark energy surged around him, Demonbane's aura expanding as Xiao Lan unleashed the depths of his power. The abyss responded, the swirling darkness growing wilder.
The Sovereign finally seemed intrigued. "Show me, Forsaken One. Show me if you are truly worthy of the abyss!"