Chapter 7: The Dungeon's Gate

The dim light of dawn barely filtered through the thick canopy of the Abyss, casting the world in muted shadows. Jian stood at the entrance of the dungeon, the ancient stone door looming before him. The air was heavy with a strange energy, the kind that pulsed in time with his own heartbeat. Every step forward was a silent commitment—a step deeper into the unknown, where danger, power, and betrayal waited in equal measure.

He glanced behind him, where his three clones stood ready. One mirrored his exact features, while the others were more nuanced: a tall, slender figure with sharp, angular features, and another with a slight hunched posture, the air around it humming with a subtle aura of darkness.

These three were just the beginning. Jian had a dozen others scattered around, each on standby, awaiting his orders. The Abyss was a dangerous place, and he wouldn't take any chances. The clones, with their unique personalities and skills, gave him the flexibility to adapt to any situation. Whether it was brute force, subtle manipulation, or information gathering, he had an option for everything.

His gaze lingered on the stone door, and with a determined exhale, he stepped forward.

The door responded to his presence—stone grinding against stone, the heavy archway creaking open. Jian's hand instinctively reached for the dagger at his side. His senses were on high alert, and his Abyssal Insight was tingling with the sense of something watching him, waiting. There was no turning back now.

The air inside the dungeon was thick with dust, and the low rumble of the shifting stones reverberated through the narrow corridor ahead. The walls were adorned with strange, cryptic symbols—runes of an ancient language long forgotten. They glowed faintly in the darkness, casting an eerie light that seemed to move with a life of its own.

Jian's mind was already calculating the dangers ahead. The dungeon had been rumored to house dangerous traps, terrifying creatures, and—most importantly—an artifact that Kael had spoken of. An artifact that could shift the balance of power in the Abyss.

He motioned to his clones, and without a word, they split off, each one moving to different sides of the corridor, scouting for threats. Jian moved at the center, his focus unyielding. His hand hovered over the dagger, the small, magical weapon a gift from his early days in the Abyss. It was nothing special, but in a world where danger could take any form, even a simple weapon could be the difference between life and death.

As they moved deeper, Jian could feel the pressure mounting. It was as if the dungeon itself was alive—aware of their intrusion. The atmosphere seemed to thicken, and the very air felt like it was closing in on them. His clones relayed information through their connection, sending flashes of images and thoughts that gave Jian a map of what lay ahead.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled. A low growl echoed through the walls, and Jian's eyes snapped to the source of the noise—a massive stone door at the far end of the hall. It was slowly sliding open, revealing a large chamber beyond.

A shadow flitted across the room.

Jian's instincts flared, and he motioned for his clones to take cover. In an instant, one of them materialized beside him, its features sharp and focused. The clone's aura resonated with the Abyssal energy around them, its affinity for the dark forces giving it an advantage in the dungeon's depths.

Then, they saw it.

A creature of twisted proportions—a hulking mass of muscle and sinew, its form bathed in shadow. Its eyes gleamed with a blood-red hue, and its fangs were long and jagged, dripping with venom. It snarled, and the ground seemed to shake with its roar.

"Demonspawn," Jian muttered under his breath.

The creature lunged at them, its claws swiping through the air with terrifying speed. Jian reacted instinctively, his Abyssal Insight kicking in just as the creature's claws raked through the space he had occupied moments earlier. He didn't have time to admire the creature's speed. With a wave of his hand, one of his clones sprang forward, its body melding with the shadows as it attempted to flank the beast.

The Demonspawn roared again, its movements too quick for Jian to track, but he could feel its power. This wasn't a typical creature of the Abyss. No, this was something different—something far more dangerous. Its movements were unpredictable, wild, and its strength was overwhelming.

Jian raised his dagger, ready to strike.

"Clones," he muttered, and in an instant, two more of his creations joined the fray. They formed a triangle around the Demonspawn, attacking from different angles in a coordinated effort.

But the creature was too powerful.

With a sudden swipe, it sent one of his clones flying across the room, its body slamming against the stone wall with a sickening crunch. The other two clones were forced back as the Demonspawn roared, its form twisting unnaturally as it powered up for another strike.

Jian's heart raced. He couldn't let it win. Not here. Not now.

He drew in a deep breath, his mind sharp and focused. With the flick of his wrist, he called upon his ability—Abyssal Intuition. The world seemed to slow as his senses sharpened, the creature's movements clearer than ever before.

"Now!" Jian commanded.

His remaining clone surged forward with renewed strength, diving directly into the Demonspawn's blind spot, while Jian himself leaped into action. The dagger was a blur as it cut through the air, targeting weak points on the creature's massive frame. Each strike was precise, his knowledge of the Abyss's creatures and his heightened abilities allowing him to hit areas of its body that would cripple lesser foes.

The Demonspawn howled in agony, its claws slashing at anything within reach. But Jian's focus was unwavering. The combined efforts of his clones, working in perfect unison, began to overwhelm the creature. Its movements grew sluggish, its massive form unable to withstand the constant barrage.

With a final, decisive strike, Jian plunged his dagger deep into the Demonspawn's heart. The creature's eyes went wide in shock, and it collapsed to the ground with a thunderous crash.

For a long moment, Jian stood over the beast's fallen form, chest heaving, his mind processing the battle. The Demonspawn had been strong—stronger than anything he'd fought before—but with his clones, his skill, and his growing power, he had overcome it.

His clones gathered around him, their expressions one of quiet approval. Jian felt the weight of their connection, the bond they shared—a bond that was both a blessing and a curse.

But there was no time to rest. The dungeon awaited, and the artifact was still out there.

Jian turned back toward the chamber's entrance, steeling himself for whatever came next. This was only the beginning.

End of Chapter 7