Chapter 11: Trials of the Obsidian Path

The air crackled with tension as the molten chasm closed behind them, leaving only a faint glow where the Abyssal Worm had met its end. Kael adjusted her daggers, their edges gleaming faintly, while he quietly studied her movements.

> "You handled yourself well back there," he admitted, his voice calm but guarded.

Kael smirked, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I'll take that as a compliment, Shadow Walker. But don't get too used to having me around—I work solo unless it's worth my while."

The Echo floated between them, its light flickering uneasily. "Both of you need to focus. The Obsidian Path is more dangerous the deeper we go. The Abyss is stronger here, feeding off the instability of this region."

> "Then we don't waste time," he said firmly, gripping the Abyssal Core Fragment tighter.

The jagged terrain grew harsher with each step, the ground beneath their feet emitting faint tremors. Ash clouds filled the air, making it harder to see beyond a few meters.

Kael broke the silence, her voice tinged with curiosity. "So, what's your deal? You're not just some random wanderer with a glowing pet."

He hesitated, his mind flashing back to the fragmented memories of his past life. The echoes of betrayal and failure gnawed at him, but he pushed them aside.

"I have unfinished business," he replied curtly.

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Mysterious and brooding. Nice. But if we're going to survive, you might want to open up a little."

The Echo chimed in, its tone sharper. "This isn't the time for idle chatter. We have company."

From the swirling ash, a new threat emerged. Humanoid figures with glowing crimson eyes and jagged, corrupted weapons surrounded them. Their movements were erratic, as if controlled by a dark force.

[Abyssal Raiders Lv.18 x8 Detected.]

Special Ability: Corrupt Weaponry (Inflicts Abyssal Poison.)

Weakness: Coordinated attacks disrupt their focus.

Kael sighed, her daggers already drawn. "Guess we'll have to bond later."

He activated Shadow Cloak, his form blending seamlessly with the dim surroundings. "Stay sharp. These aren't mindless beasts."

The Abyssal Raiders moved in unison, their corrupted blades leaving trails of dark energy in their wake. Kael darted toward the closest Raider, her daggers flashing as she deflected its strikes with precision.

Meanwhile, he reappeared behind another Raider, his Energy Blade slicing through its armor in a single, calculated strike. The creature dissolved into a dark mist, its corrupted essence dispersing into the air.

"Watch out!" Kael shouted as two Raiders lunged at him from opposite sides.

He reacted swiftly, activating Ethereal Step to phase out of their reach. The Raiders collided, momentarily disoriented, giving Kael an opening to dispatch one of them with a swift stab to the neck.

As the battle raged on, the Raiders adapted, their attacks becoming more coordinated. One of them struck Kael's arm, the corrupted blade leaving a faint, blackened mark. She winced but didn't falter, her strikes becoming more aggressive.

The Echo hovered close, its voice urgent. "The Abyssal Poison is spreading. You need to finish this quickly!"

He nodded, focusing his energy into the Abyssal Core Fragment. The shard pulsed with dark light, and he channeled its power into a devastating ability: Abyssal Surge.

The ground trembled as tendrils of shadow erupted, ensnaring the remaining Raiders. They struggled against the binding force, their movements slowing as the energy drained from them.

Kael seized the moment, her daggers flashing as she delivered the final blow to the last Raider.

The battlefield fell silent, the ash settling once more. Kael examined the mark on her arm, her expression grim.

"That poison's no joke," she muttered, wrapping a cloth around the wound.

The Echo glowed faintly as it hovered closer. "The Abyssal Poison will spread if untreated. There's a shrine nearby—a remnant of the old world. Its waters have purifying properties."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "And you're just telling us this now?"

The Echo's tone was unamused. "I didn't expect either of you to get hit."

He glanced at Kael, his expression unreadable. "Can you keep moving?"

She smirked, though her face was pale. "Don't count me out yet, Shadow Walker."

The journey to the shrine was arduous, the air growing heavier with each step. When they finally arrived, the sight before them was almost surreal.

A small pool of crystal-clear water lay nestled within a grove of petrified trees. The air around the shrine was still, untouched by the corruption of the Abyss.

Kael approached the pool cautiously, kneeling to dip her injured arm into the water. A soft glow emanated from the wound as the poison was drawn out, dissipating into harmless wisps.

"Feels... better," she admitted, her tone almost reluctant.

The Echo floated above the pool, its voice contemplative. "This place is a rare sanctuary. Use it wisely."

He knelt beside the pool, the cool water washing away the fatigue of their journey. For a brief moment, the weight of his mission felt lighter.

As he rested by the pool, a vision flashed before his eyes—a memory, fragmented and distant.

A younger version of himself stood in a grand hall, surrounded by allies. They were celebrating a victory, their laughter echoing through the chamber. But the joy was short-lived. The scene shifted, and he saw betrayal, flames, and the familiar darkness of the Abyss consuming everything.

He jolted awake, his breathing ragged. Kael watched him silently, her expression unreadable.

"You've got demons," she said softly.

He didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "We need to move. The next Beacon won't wait."

Kael rose to her feet, her smirk returning. "Then lead the way, Shadow Walker."