The Awakening : Chapter 7

### **Arc 1: The Awakening**

#### **Chapter 7: The First Battle**

The air around the city grew tense as the distant snarls and roars of the approaching creatures became louder. The ground trembled ever so slightly beneath Li Wei's feet as the wave of monsters from the Abyss drew near. He stood at the front of his squad, watching the horizon with a mixture of fear and anticipation.

The city walls were crowded with martial artists of varying skill levels, all preparing for what was to come. Some brandished weapons, others silently practiced breathing techniques, while many exchanged nervous glances. Li Wei's heart raced, his senses heightened as the reality of their situation hit him. The Abyss had come for them again.

Behind him, his squad shuffled anxiously. Most of them were beginners, like him, with little to no experience in actual combat. They looked to him for guidance, and the weight of that responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders. He took a deep breath, recalling the breathing techniques Master Zhao had drilled into him. He needed to be calm, not just for himself, but for those around him.

Yan Yu appeared by his side, her expression unreadable but her eyes burning with determination. "Are you ready for this?" she asked, her voice steady, though Li Wei could hear the underlying tension.

"As ready as I can be," he admitted, glancing at her. "We've trained for this, but it's still… overwhelming."

"It always is the first time," she said, giving him a reassuring nod. "But remember, we're not alone. We have each other's backs."

Her words gave him a bit of comfort, and he offered her a small smile in return. "We'll get through this."

Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed through the air, snapping everyone's attention back to the gates. From beyond the walls, the first of the creatures emerged—hulking beasts with thick, armor-like hides and glowing red eyes. Their forms were twisted and grotesque, a mockery of the animals they resembled, as if something deep within the Abyss had mutated them beyond recognition.

The ground shook as they charged forward, a massive stampede of monsters pouring through the breach in the gate. The air was filled with the sounds of clashing weapons, the cries of martial artists, and the thunderous roars of the beasts.

"Here they come!" someone shouted from the front lines, and the battle began.

Li Wei's heart pounded in his chest as he gripped his sword tighter. His squad looked at him with wide eyes, waiting for instructions.

"Stay together!" he called out, his voice firm despite the tremor in his gut. "We fight as one. Don't break formation!"

The monsters were fast—faster than he had anticipated. One of the larger creatures, a four-legged beast with jagged horns and thick, scaled skin, barreled toward their position. Its eyes gleamed with a malevolent hunger.

"Ready yourselves!" Li Wei shouted, stepping forward to meet the charge.

The beast lunged, and Li Wei instinctively rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature's sharp horns. He sprang to his feet and swung his sword at its exposed flank. His blade barely made a dent in its tough hide, but it was enough to draw the creature's attention.

With a furious roar, the beast turned its gaze on Li Wei, its eyes glowing with rage. It charged at him again, its massive hooves pounding the ground.

This time, Li Wei was ready. He shifted into the Horse Stance, the stance Zhao had drilled into him, and channeled his energy into his sword. With a burst of strength, he swung his blade upward, aiming for the beast's underbelly.

The strike landed with a sickening crack, and the creature howled in pain, stumbling backward. Blood seeped from the wound, but the creature was far from finished.

"Li Wei, watch out!" Yan Yu's voice rang out, and he barely had time to react as a second creature—smaller but just as deadly—leaped at him from the side.

Li Wei dodged just in time, spinning around to face the new threat. It was a wolf-like creature, its fur matted with blood and its teeth bared in a vicious snarl. It snapped at him with lightning speed, forcing him to parry its attacks with his sword.

Beside him, Yan Yu engaged another beast, her movements quick and fluid. She danced around the creature, delivering precise strikes that gradually wore it down. Her skill and confidence were evident, and Li Wei couldn't help but admire her focus.

"Stay sharp!" Yan Yu called out between strikes. "Don't let them overwhelm you!"

Li Wei gritted his teeth, determined not to fall behind. He fought with everything he had, blocking and dodging as the wolf-beast lunged at him again and again. His body moved on instinct, the training from Master Zhao guiding his every motion.

The battle raged on, and Li Wei's squad held their ground, working together to fend off the monsters. The creatures were relentless, but so were the martial artists. For every beast that fell, two more seemed to take its place. It was a test of endurance as much as it was skill.

Suddenly, a loud explosion shook the battlefield, and Li Wei's eyes widened in horror. A massive creature, towering above the others, emerged from the shadows beyond the gates. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before—its body a grotesque amalgamation of scales, fur, and claws, with multiple heads that snarled and snapped at the air.

"It's a Chimera!" someone shouted from the front lines. "A high-level monster!"

Panic rippled through the ranks as the Chimera roared, its multiple heads spewing flames and poison in all directions. Martial artists scrambled to defend themselves, but the sheer size and power of the creature made it a devastating force.

"Li Wei!" Yan Yu called out, her voice filled with urgency. "We need to take that thing down, or it'll destroy the city!"

Li Wei's mind raced. The Chimera was far beyond anything he had faced before. But there was no choice. If they didn't stop it, the city would fall.

"We'll work together!" he shouted to Yan Yu. "You distract it, and I'll try to go for the heads!"

Yan Yu nodded, her eyes fierce with determination. She sprinted toward the Chimera, drawing its attention with a series of rapid strikes. The creature roared in anger, its heads snapping at her as she deftly dodged its attacks.

Li Wei saw his opportunity. He gathered his energy, focusing on the breathing techniques he had practiced for weeks. His power surged within him, and with a burst of speed, he leaped toward the Chimera, aiming for one of its snapping heads.

He swung his sword with all his might, the blade slicing through the air. His strike landed, and the Chimera howled in pain as one of its heads was severed from its body. But the victory was short-lived.

The Chimera lashed out, its tail—a long, whip-like appendage covered in spikes—slamming into Li Wei and sending him flying backward. He hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of him as pain shot through his body.

"Li Wei!" Yan Yu screamed, rushing to his side.

Li Wei coughed, struggling to catch his breath. His body ached, but he forced himself to stand. "I'm fine," he grunted, wiping the blood from his mouth. "We have to keep going."

Yan Yu looked at him with concern but nodded. Together, they faced the Chimera once more, determination burning in their eyes. They would not let this creature win.

The battle was far from over, but Li Wei knew one thing for certain: no matter what, they would fight to the very end.

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**End of Chapter 7**