Chapter 45: The Abyssal Monarch’s Trial
The shattered remains of the Abyssal Throne lay behind them, its once-dominant energy now nothing but fading embers. The newly opened passage stretched forward, bathed in a dim crimson glow. Unlike the previous corridors, this one felt… alive. The walls pulsed subtly, as though the citadel itself was breathing.
Xuian glanced at his system panel.
[Abyssal Monarch's Trial: Initiated]
[Objective: Reach the Inner Sanctum]
[Failure Condition: Annihilation]
He smirked. "Seems like we're finally getting to the good part."
Liriel shot him a wary look. "I doubt the real trial is as simple as walking forward."
Karthos ran a hand through his silver hair. "Then let's be ready for anything."
Without hesitation, they stepped into the passage.
---
The Shifting Labyrinth
The moment they crossed the threshold, the air twisted.
The walls morphed, the straight path splintering into countless corridors, shifting and reshaping in real time. What had once been a clear path forward was now a labyrinth of endless darkness.
Arvok let out a low growl. "Of course, it couldn't be easy."
Xuian's system flickered.
[Warning: Dimensional Distortion Detected]
[Solution: Locate the Abyssal Anchor]
Liriel touched the nearest wall, her magic flowing into it. "It's a spatial maze. The citadel is altering its structure to trap us."
Lysara's golden eyes gleamed. "Then we just have to break it."
Xuian nodded. "Find the Abyssal Anchor—tear it down."
---
Hunting the Anchor
They split into pairs—Xuian with Liriel, Arvok with Karthos, Lysara moving alone through the shadows. Each group took a different path, searching for the source of the distortion.
Xuian and Liriel moved swiftly, their steps silent on the dark stone floor.
Suddenly—
A shadow burst from the wall, forming into a monstrous Abyssal Guardian, its six crimson eyes locking onto them.
"Intruders detected. Termination initiated."
Liriel didn't hesitate—her hands wove glowing sigils in the air, launching a holy spear of energy at the creature. The impact sent a shockwave through the corridor, but the guardian barely flinched.
Xuian's system flickered.
[Abyssal Guardian - Adaptive Defense]
[Solution: Disrupt its core before attacking]
His eyes gleamed. "I see. Liriel, keep it distracted!"
He vanished in a blur of motion, appearing behind the creature.
"Celestial Abyss Blade: Severance!"
His strike targeted the guardian's chest, slicing through the protective runes guarding its core. The moment the barrier weakened, Liriel's second spear struck—piercing straight through its heart.
The guardian let out a hollow screech before disintegrating into nothingness.
Xuian exhaled. "One down. Let's keep moving."
---
Breaking the Anchor
Meanwhile, Arvok and Karthos faced similar guardians. Their strategy was simpler—brute force.
Arvok's greatsword tore through one guardian, while Karthos crushed another's core with a well-placed punch.
Lysara, moving unseen through the shadows, located the Abyssal Anchor first.
It was a floating monolith, covered in ancient runes, pulsing with abyssal energy. As long as it remained intact, the labyrinth would keep shifting.
Xuian and the others arrived just as she placed her hand on the anchor.
"I can weaken its defenses, but we need raw power to destroy it."
Arvok cracked his knuckles. "Say no more."
He raised his sword, abyssal energy crackling along its edge, and with a single mighty swing—
BOOM!
The anchor shattered, releasing a pulse of dark energy.
The walls of the labyrinth froze mid-shift, then collapsed, revealing the path forward.
---
The Inner Sanctum Awaits
With the maze defeated, the team stepped into a grand chamber—the Abyssal Inner Sanctum.
A colossal door stood at the far end, covered in intricate carvings. Unlike the previous barriers, this one radiated pure, unfiltered power.
Xuian's system flickered again.
[Final Trial Ahead]
[Warning: Abyssal Monarch's Guardian Detected]
Liriel exhaled. "So… what's behind that door?"
Xuian smirked. "We're about to find out."
As they took their first steps toward the final trial, the gates of the sanctum rumble
d open.
Something ancient was waiting for them.
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End of Chapter 45