The Gateway's Guardian
The cavern was vast, its ceiling lost in shadow, and the faint glow of ancient glyphs etched into the walls was the only source of light. The air was heavy with the scent of earth and something more ancient, a metallic tang that hinted at long-forgotten power. Lin Xuan stepped forward cautiously, his sword drawn, the edge glinting faintly in the dim light.
Behind him, his companions moved in formation, their eyes scanning the chamber for threats. Wei Qing's casual demeanor had been replaced by a rare seriousness as he gripped his twin sabers, while Li Fengxian, ever focused, began inspecting the runes on the ground.
"These glyphs aren't just a seal," Li Fengxian murmured, her fingers tracing the faint lines. "They're a warning. Something was meant to stay locked away here."
Lin Xuan's voice was calm but firm. "Then we make sure it stays locked."
---
Before anyone could respond, a low, rumbling laugh echoed through the cavern, sending chills down their spines. From the largest glyph in the center of the room, a shadow began to rise, coalescing into the form of a man. His features were sharp and angular, his eyes glowing with a crimson light that seemed to pierce through the darkness.
Zhan Xian.
"Ah, how considerate of you to bring the whole group," Zhan Xian said, his voice dripping with mockery. "It saves me the trouble of hunting you down one by one."
Lin Xuan stepped forward, his sword raised. "You've gone through a lot of trouble to break this seal, Zhan Xian. What are you trying to unleash?"
Zhan Xian's smirk widened. "Unleash? No, no, child. I'm merely… liberating. The power trapped here has languished for far too long. It's time for it to be free—and for me to wield it."
---
Without warning, Zhan Xian raised his hand, and tendrils of dark energy shot out from the cracks in the glyph, lashing toward the group. Lin Xuan reacted instantly, his sword slicing through the air and dispersing the energy in a burst of silver light.
"Stay focused," Lin Xuan barked. "Fengxian, stabilize the seal. Wei Qing, Yu Mei—flank him!"
Wei Qing was the first to move, his twin sabers cutting through the air in a flurry of strikes aimed at Zhan Xian. The shadowy figure dodged with an unnatural speed, his movements fluid and almost serpentine. Yu Mei followed up with a blast of fire, the flames roaring as they raced toward Zhan Xian.
But the dark cultivator was prepared. With a wave of his hand, a barrier of shadow rose before him, absorbing the attack. He laughed, a sound that grated against their nerves.
"Is that all you've got? Pathetic."
---
Meanwhile, Li Fengxian was deep in concentration, her hands glowing with a soft golden light as she worked to stabilize the seal. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her voice was strained as she called out, "This seal isn't just cracked—it's weakening by the second! Whatever's on the other side is trying to break through!"
Lin Xuan gritted his teeth. "Then we hold the line. Fengxian, do whatever it takes to strengthen it. We'll handle him."
Zhan Xian's attacks grew more aggressive, his dark energy lashing out like a living thing. Lin Xuan met each strike with precision, his sword glowing brighter with each clash. The cavern echoed with the sound of battle, the clash of steel and the hiss of energy reverberating through the air.
---
As the fight dragged on, it became clear that Zhan Xian wasn't fighting to win. He was buying time. Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed as he noticed the glyphs on the floor pulsing faster, the cracks spreading like spiderwebs.
"He's stalling," Lin Xuan realized, his voice cutting through the chaos. "He doesn't need to defeat us—he just needs to weaken the seal enough for whatever's behind it to break free!"
Zhan Xian chuckled, his crimson eyes gleaming. "Clever boy. But cleverness won't save you. This power is beyond anything you can comprehend."
Lin Xuan's grip on his sword tightened. He had to end this now. Taking a deep breath, he channeled his energy, his sword glowing with a radiant light that bathed the cavern in a warm, golden hue.
"Everyone, focus on the seal!" Lin Xuan commanded. "I'll handle him."
---
The group obeyed without question, their trust in Lin Xuan absolute. As they turned their attention to the seal, Lin Xuan lunged at Zhan Xian, their blades clashing with a force that shook the ground.
The fight was intense, each strike a test of will and skill. Zhan Xian's shadowy form twisted and shifted, making him a difficult target, but Lin Xuan's strikes were precise and unrelenting.
Finally, with a burst of energy, Lin Xuan landed a decisive blow, his sword slicing through Zhan Xian's form and forcing him to retreat. The shadowy figure hissed in frustration, his form dissolving into the darkness.
"This isn't over," Zhan Xian's voice echoed as he disappeared. "You can delay the inevitable, but you cannot stop it."
---
The cavern fell silent once more, save for the faint hum of the seal. Lin Xuan sheathed his sword, his expression grim. "We've bought some time, but not much. We need to figure out how to repair this seal—and fast."
Li Fengxian nodded, her face pale from exertion. "This seal is ancient, older than anything we've encountered. Repairing it won't be easy."
Wei Qing crossed his arms, his usual levity absent. "So what's the plan? We can't just sit around waiting for the next attack."
Lin Xuan's mind raced. They needed answers, and fast. "We'll split up," he decided. "Some of us will stay here to guard the seal, while the rest seek out the great sects for help. This is bigger than us—we'll need their knowledge and resources to fix this."
The group exchanged glances, their determination clear. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: they couldn't afford to fail.