Trial of Shadows
The void stirred within him, restless and insistent. Its hunger scratched at the edge of his mind, pushing against his will. The chains tightened around his arms, their runes flaring briefly before dimming again. Each step forward felt heavier, as though the shadows themselves sought to drag him back.
Deeper… claim… submit… The whispers curled through his thoughts, coaxing and threatening all at once. Their voices twisted together, forming a cacophony that rattled his focus. Li Tian shook his head, forcing the voices back. He couldn't afford to waver. Not now.
The passage widened abruptly, opening into a vast chamber shrouded in shadow. Jagged pillars rose from the floor, their surfaces etched with glowing runes. Chains hung from the ceiling, some broken and others taut, humming with restrained energy. The tension in the air thickened, pressing against his chest as though daring him to retreat.
At the center of the chamber stood another altar, this one larger than the last. Dark tendrils of energy writhed around it, pulsating in rhythm with the void inside him. The whispers grew louder. Closer… release us… claim us… The chains on his arms pulsed in response, pulling him forward as though drawn by the altar's power.
Li Tian clenched his fists, the bindings tightening as energy flared around him. "No," he muttered, his voice echoing through the chamber. "I control you."
The shadows stirred.
A deep growl rumbled from the darkness, and Li Tian froze. Shapes began to emerge—twisted figures, their forms shrouded in black mist. Crimson eyes glowed within the shadows, and chains rattled as the creatures moved closer. The air vibrated with malice, and the void flared, eager to meet their challenge.
"Guardians," Li Tian whispered, his pulse quickening. He stepped back, the void flaring as tendrils of energy curled around his hands. The chains on his arms pulsed, their runes burning brighter.
The first guardian lunged. Li Tian reacted instinctively, releasing a blast of void energy that shattered the creature's form. Shadows scattered, but more surged forward, their chains snapping like whips as they closed in.
Li Tian ducked, rolling to the side as the chains lashed out. He struck back, void tendrils slicing through the air. The guardians recoiled but quickly reformed, their movements relentless. The void surged, its hunger roaring in his veins. It wanted more—more energy, more destruction.
He gritted his teeth, fighting to maintain control as he pushed the void outward. The chains on his arms flared, lashing out like serpents to ensnare the nearest guardian. Sparks erupted as energy clashed, illuminating the chamber in bursts of light. The guardians' shrieks filled the air, sharp and piercing.
"Bind them!" the chained figure's voice echoed through the chamber, sharp and commanding. "You cannot destroy them—only bind them!"
Li Tian focused, pouring his energy into the chains. They coiled around the guardians, their runes igniting with blinding light. The creatures shrieked, thrashing as the chains pulled them down. Sweat poured down Li Tian's face as he fought to maintain the connection. The void pushed harder, demanding to be set free, but he held firm.
The runes along the walls flared brighter, and the chains tightened until the guardians collapsed, their forms dissolving into mist. Li Tian staggered, his breath ragged. The chains on his arms dimmed, their glow fading as the energy settled. The whispers receded, though their presence lingered, faint and watchful.
A sudden crack split the silence. Li Tian turned, his gaze snapping to the altar. The tendrils of energy pulsed, stronger than before, and the chains above began to tremble. His heart pounded as the whispers returned, louder this time. Not enough… deeper… submit… The shadows at the edge of the chamber rippled, as if waiting for him to falter.
The chained figure's voice returned, quieter now. "You have bound the shadows, but the path ahead remains steep. Each victory draws you closer to the void—and to becoming one with it."
Li Tian looked down at the chains, their weight heavier than before. He could feel the void's presence growing stronger, its hunger more insistent. Yet he also felt something else—a faint flicker of resolve, a determination that refused to break.
"I won't stop," he said, his voice steady despite the tremor in his limbs. "I'll keep fighting."
The altar pulsed once more, its runes dimming as the chains fell still. Li Tian stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. The shadows lingered at the edges of the chamber, but they did not move. His legs ached, and the chains dug into his skin, but he didn't falter.
With one final glance back, Li Tian crossed the threshold into the next passage, the chains rattling softly as he disappeared into the darkness. The whispers followed him, faint but insistent, promising that the deeper he went, the harder it would be to return.