Chapter 21: Echoes of the Unknown

The corridor eventually opened into a vast chamber, its ceiling lost in darkness. The faint glow of the runes dissipated as Jian stepped inside, leaving him in near-complete shadow. The only source of light was a circular pedestal in the center of the room, atop which rested a dark crystal pulsating with faint energy.

Jian's instincts flared. This was no ordinary chamber. The air here was heavy, not just with Abyssal energy but with something deeper—a presence. He stepped forward cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

As he approached the pedestal, the shadows at the edge of the room shifted. They didn't move naturally; they writhed and twisted as though alive. He stopped a few feet from the crystal, his senses on high alert.

The shadows coalesced, forming into a figure draped in a tattered cloak of pure darkness. The figure's face was obscured, but two faintly glowing eyes peered out, watching him intently. Its voice was neither male nor female, but a chorus of whispers that seemed to echo in his mind.

"You walk the path of the Abyss," the figure said, its tone both curious and menacing. "Few dare tread this far, and fewer still survive."

Jian stood his ground, his hand tightening on his sword. "Who are you?"

The figure tilted its head slightly. "I am a fragment of the Abyss, a guardian of its secrets. You, Shadow Conqueror, have proven yourself worthy of its gifts—but gifts come with expectations."

Jian frowned. "Expectations?"

The figure's form flickered, growing larger and more imposing. "The Abyss is not a tool to be wielded lightly. Its power demands balance. Misuse it, and it will consume you. But master it…" The figure gestured toward the crystal. "…and you may unlock truths beyond imagination."

Jian glanced at the crystal. Its energy resonated with the Abyssal power coursing through him, calling to him like a siren's song. "What is it?"

"A shard of Abyssal Truth," the figure replied. "It contains knowledge, power, and the will of the Abyss itself. Claim it, and you will ascend further on this path. But beware: the truths it reveals may shatter your mind if you are unprepared."

Jian hesitated. He knew the risks of delving too deeply into the Abyss. It was a force that demanded submission, and while he had proven his strength, he wasn't naive enough to believe he had fully tamed it. Still, he couldn't afford to walk away. Not when this shard might hold the answers he sought.

"I'll take the risk," Jian said, stepping toward the crystal.

The figure's eyes glowed brighter. "Then prove your resolve once more."

The room darkened as the figure dissolved into the shadows, which surged toward Jian like a tidal wave. The crystal vanished, leaving him in total darkness. He activated Abyssal Resonance, the energy within him flaring to life and pushing back the encroaching shadows.

The darkness shifted, forming shapes—humanoid figures clad in jagged armor, their weapons glowing with a sickly green light. These were not mindless entities like the Sentinels; their movements were calculated, their presence oppressive.

[New Mission: Trial of Truth]

Objective: Defeat the Abyssal Knights.

Reward: Abyssal Truth Fragment.

Penalty: Permanent loss of Abyssal Resonance.

The first knight charged, its blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Jian parried the strike, but the impact sent a jarring shock up his arm. These knights were stronger than any enemy he had faced before.

He shifted into a defensive stance, studying their movements. The second knight attacked, aiming for his flank. Jian dodged, countering with a swift slash that barely grazed its armor. The knights were relentless, attacking in coordinated waves that left him little room to breathe.

As he fought, Jian's mind raced. His usual tactics weren't enough. He needed to think differently—use the Abyss itself against them.

He activated Abyssal Barrier, summoning a shield of swirling shadows around him. The next strike from a knight was absorbed, and the shield retaliated, sending a blast of Abyssal energy that staggered his opponents.

Taking advantage of their momentary hesitation, Jian extended his will through Abyssal Resonance, commanding the shadows in the room to rise. Tendrils of darkness lashed out, binding one of the knights and pulling it to the ground. Jian moved swiftly, his blade piercing its core before it could recover.

The remaining knights regrouped, their forms flickering as they adjusted their strategy. They began to move faster, their strikes more precise. Jian gritted his teeth, the strain of maintaining his Abyssal abilities beginning to take its toll.

He needed to end this quickly.

Drawing on every ounce of Abyssal energy he could muster, Jian unleashed a wave of shadow energy that engulfed the room. The knights were momentarily disoriented, their forms struggling to maintain cohesion. Jian charged, his movements a blur as he cut through the remaining enemies with a combination of skill and sheer force.

As the last knight fell, the room stabilized. The crystal reappeared on the pedestal, its glow now brighter and more intense.

[Mission Complete: Trial of Truth]

Reward: Abyssal Truth Fragment.

Jian approached the crystal, his breathing heavy. He reached out, his fingers brushing its surface. The moment he made contact, a surge of energy flooded his mind, bringing with it a cascade of visions.

He saw glimpses of the Tower's creation, the forces that governed it, and the countless lives it had consumed. He saw himself, standing at the precipice of a great abyss, facing an unknown yet familiar figure. The visions were fragmented, incomplete, but they carried an undeniable weight.

When the visions subsided, Jian found himself kneeling before the pedestal, the crystal now gone. In its place was a small, glowing fragment.

[Abyssal Truth Fragment Acquired: 1/4]

Combine with additional fragments to unlock the full Abyssal Truth.

The voice returned, softer this time. "The Abyss reveals only what you are ready to see. Continue your journey, Shadow Conqueror, and uncover the truths that lie ahead."

The room brightened, and a new doorway appeared at the far end. Jian stood, the weight of the fragment in his hand both physical and metaphorical. The Abyss had tested him once again, and while he had emerged victorious, the road ahead felt heavier than ever.

He sheathed his sword and walked toward the doorway, his resolve unwavering. The Tower's secrets were within his reach, and he would uncover them—no matter the cost.

End of Chapter 21