Descent into Chains
The altar ahead loomed larger with each step. Dark runes pulsed faintly along its surface, mirroring the patterns carved into the walls and floor. The chains stretched outward from the altar, anchoring themselves to the stone, their links carved with ancient symbols. Li Tian's gaze fixed on the massive seal at the altar's center, its surface smooth yet brimming with power.
The whispers grew louder. Break the chains… claim the power… The void pushed against his control, urging him forward. It slithered through his veins, its energy intoxicating yet volatile, a storm barely contained beneath his skin.
Li Tian paused, sweat dripping down his brow. "No," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Not like this." He tightened his grip on the orb, forcing the void back. The energy within it shuddered, but it obeyed, retreating slightly as his resolve hardened.
From behind him, the chained figure's voice echoed through the chamber. "You feel it, don't you? The pull of the void? It does not beg—it demands. And that demand will not cease."
Li Tian turned, his voice sharp. "I know. But I'll control it. I won't let it control me."
The figure stepped closer, shadows trailing at its feet. "Control is an illusion. The void cannot be tamed, only channeled. You think you hold the chains, but you are bound by them as much as they are bound by you."
Li Tian's jaw clenched. "Then I'll bend them to my will. No matter what it takes."
The figure tilted its head, its glowing eyes narrowing. "Then step forward and prove it."
Li Tian faced the altar again, his heart pounding. The void surged, its hunger rising as he approached the seal. The chains trembled, their runes flaring brighter, as though they sensed his presence. The orb in his palm pulsed in response, threads of energy leaking outward. Each pulse seemed to echo the rhythm of his heartbeat, quickening as the tension thickened.
He placed his free hand on the seal. The stone burned cold beneath his touch, and the void flared violently, pressing outward. The chains rattled, and the ground beneath his feet trembled. Cracks splintered outward from the altar, and the runes glowed brighter. The air thickened, vibrating with an unseen force that made his skin crawl.
A sudden force slammed into him, throwing him back. He hit the ground hard, the orb skittering from his grasp and rolling across the floor. The shadows surged, forming tendrils that lashed toward him. Li Tian raised his hands, summoning the void, and tendrils of his own energy lashed out, colliding with the shadows in a burst of light.
The shadows recoiled, but more rose to take their place. Li Tian pushed to his feet, the void roaring within him. He called the orb back, and it flew into his palm, its energy flaring. The tendrils of void energy thickened, slicing through the shadows as he forced them back. Sparks and flashes illuminated the chamber, casting fleeting glimpses of the twisting, ancient symbols that lined the walls.
But the chains did not relent. They snapped outward, seeking to bind him. Li Tian dodged, the void guiding his movements as he struck back. Sparks erupted as his energy clashed with the chains, and cracks spread further along the walls. The hum of power grew louder, resonating in his bones.
The chained figure's voice cut through the chaos. "The chains are not your enemy—they are your key! Bind them or be bound by them!"
Li Tian froze for an instant, the words echoing in his mind. The void pulsed, and clarity struck. He wasn't meant to destroy the chains—he was meant to claim them.
He reached out with his free hand, channeling the void into the chains instead of fighting them. The tendrils of energy wrapped around the links, and the runes flared. The chains resisted, trembling violently, but Li Tian didn't let go.
"Submit!" he roared, pouring everything he had into the connection. The chains twisted, their runes burning brighter until the energy exploded outward. Light filled the chamber, and the shadows howled as they dissolved. The sound of metal snapping echoed, but the chains did not break—they bent, wrapping around his arms.
When the light faded, Li Tian stood at the center of the altar, the chains now wrapped around his arms, their energy bound to him. The seal remained intact, but its glow had dimmed, as though its strength had been weakened. The weight of the chains pressed against his skin, and yet he felt no pain—only the burning presence of power.
The chained figure stepped forward, its voice softer now. "You have claimed the first chain, but the void does not rest. It will test you again—and next time, it will not be so merciful."
Li Tian stared at the chains now wrapped around his arms, their weight both physical and spiritual. The void pulsed within him, stronger but more controlled. For the first time, he felt a sense of balance—however fleeting it might be.
But doubts lingered. The void had relented too easily. He could still feel it watching, waiting for the moment he faltered.
He turned to face the passage ahead. The descent was far from over.
"I'll be ready," he said, his voice steady.
And with that, he stepped into the shadows once more, the chains at his side and the void watching.