Chapter 6: The Origins of Power

The darkened room was still, save for the occasional flicker of light from the old lanterns casting long shadows against the stone walls. Jian had been traveling through the Abyss for days now, but in the silence of the night, his mind wandered back to the moment when everything had changed—the moment he had gained the power that was now both his greatest strength and his deepest curse.

His clones—those near-perfect copies of himself—had been essential in navigating the dangerous world of the Abyss. But Jian knew that nothing came without a price. The ability to create and control them had come at a steep cost, one he was still coming to terms with.

As he sat by the fire, his mind drifted back to that fateful day.

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[Flashback: The Cave of Lost Souls]

The air was thick with an unnatural stillness, a feeling that wrapped around Jian's body like a vice. He had wandered deep into the heart of the Abyss, searching for something—anything—that could give him an edge in his quest for power. The rumors spoke of an ancient artifact buried within the Cave of Lost Souls, an artifact that had the potential to grant unimaginable abilities. Jian didn't care much for artifacts, but the whispers also spoke of a forbidden technique hidden within the cave's depths. That was what drew him in.

The entrance to the cave was a jagged hole in the side of a cliff, shrouded in the overgrown vines and roots of the Abyss itself. The air felt heavy with the echoes of forgotten voices, and every step deeper into the cave was met with an eerie, almost oppressive silence.

Jian was used to being alone, used to the darkness, but there was something different about this place. He could feel it—the eyes of something ancient watching him. He shrugged off the feeling, determined to reach the artifact, but he couldn't shake the unease crawling beneath his skin.

The deeper he went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. Finally, after what felt like hours, he came upon a cavern that seemed to pulse with an eerie, almost sentient energy. At the center of the cavern was a pedestal, atop which rested an ornate stone tablet, cracked and worn by the passage of time. The stone gleamed faintly in the dim light.

Without hesitation, Jian approached, drawn to the tablet like a moth to flame. As his fingers brushed against its surface, the world seemed to tilt.

A surge of power shot through his body, and the tablet disintegrated into dust in his hands. In an instant, his mind was flooded with knowledge—strange, arcane symbols, rituals, and words that made no sense—but they settled into his mind like they had always been there.

And then, he felt it—a sharp, burning sensation in the center of his chest, followed by a sudden, overwhelming flood of energy. A voice echoed in his head, ancient and foreign.

"To master the shadows, one must create themselves anew. Become the creator, not the created."

Before Jian could process the meaning of the words, the pain grew unbearable. His vision blurred, and he fell to his knees, clutching his head as memories that weren't his own began to flood him. He saw himself—many versions of himself, all performing different tasks, acting independently, yet all bound to his will.

The pain finally subsided, and Jian stood, gasping for air. He blinked as a strange energy rippled through him, the sensation unlike anything he had ever felt before.

At that moment, he knew—he had gained the ability to create clones. They wouldn't just be lifeless copies. No, these clones would be empowered by his will, each possessing a unique power and personality of their own, ready to act as extensions of himself.

He reached out with his newfound ability, and in an instant, two clones materialized beside him. One was an exact replica, while the other—a slight deviation—possessed a greater affinity for the Abyssal energy around them, making it more attuned to the darkness than Jian himself. Jian smiled, his first creation.

His Clone Creation ability was born, but with it came an understanding—a realization.

Each clone required a piece of his soul to function properly, each one a tether that anchored him to this new power. Jian could feel the weight of it—the more clones he created, the more of himself he would lose. But in the Abyss, it was either adapt or perish. The choice was clear.

As Jian left the Cave of Lost Souls, a chill settled in his chest. He now wielded one of the most coveted abilities in the Abyss, but he was also aware of its price. The deeper he delved into the world of clones, the more he would have to sacrifice. It was a power that could bring him unimaginable strength, but only if he could control it—and himself.

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End of Flashback

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The present day felt like a distant echo compared to that moment. Jian leaned back against the wall, staring at his hand as if expecting to see the power of his clones materialize in the air around him. But they didn't—he had no need to summon them now. Instead, he reflected on the burden that came with his ability.

In the time since, he had created more clones—each one unique, each one with a different set of skills and personalities. But each one also drew from his soul. His will. His mind. The toll was becoming harder to ignore.

But in this game of survival, power was the key. And Jian had no intention of playing by anyone's rules but his own.

He rose from his seat and turned his attention back to the map on the table. The dungeon Kael had spoken of was still a few miles away, but Jian knew it would be an important step in his journey.

No more hesitation.

I will take control of my fate, Jian thought. No matter what it costs.

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End of Chapter 6