Xin locked eyes with the massive monster, its cold, otherworldly gaze piercing through the murky water. The creature's presence was overwhelming, a primal force that seemed to warp the very fabric of reality around it. Its body was a nightmarish amalgamation of serpentine coils and jagged armor, its scales shimmering faintly in the dim light of the abyss. The hum that had been vibrating through the water grew louder, more resonant, as if the creature were speaking directly into Xin's mind. He could feel its intent, its hunger, its ancient malice. It was a predator, and he was its prey.
But then, something appeared.
A figure emerged from the darkness, cutting through the water with an unnatural grace. Xin's eyes widened as he recognized the familiar silhouette. Even in the depths, even through the distortion of the water, he could tell who it was. The figure was clad in full-body obsidian armor, its surface gleaming faintly as if it absorbed what little light existed in the abyss. The armor was ornate, covered in intricate carvings that seemed to shift and writhe when Xin looked at them too closely. The figure's helmet was featureless, save for two slits where the eyes should be, glowing faintly with a cold, blue light.
Raven.
Xin's heart skipped a beat. What was Raven doing here? Had he followed him into the depths? Or had something else brought him here? Xin's mind raced, but he couldn't speak underwater, couldn't call out to his companion. Instead, he made a confused face, his brow furrowing as he tried to make sense of the situation.
Raven didn't respond. He simply floated there, his armored form motionless, his glowing eyes fixed on Xin. There was something off about him, something wrong. His movements were too fluid, too precise, as if he were being controlled by some unseen force. Xin's stomach churned as the realization hit him.
Whatever was keeping them here, whatever was protecting this place, was using Raven. It had taken control of him, turned him into a weapon. Xin's heart sank as he looked into Raven's glowing eyes. There was no recognition there, no hint of the man he knew. Only cold, unfeeling purpose.
Xin's grip tightened on his spear. He knew there was no getting through to Raven while he was in this state. The man was a force of nature, a whirlwind of destruction when he wanted to be. And now, that destruction was aimed squarely at Xin.
Raven moved.
He shot through the water with terrifying speed, his crystalline blade flashing as it cut through the water. Xin barely had time to react, twisting his body to avoid the strike. The blade grazed his side, sending a sharp jolt of pain through his already battered body. Xin gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus. He couldn't fight Raven head-on. Not like this. Not when the water seemed to be healing Raven, mending his wounds and replenishing his strength, while Xin's own injuries only worsened.
But as Xin dodged another strike, his eyes caught something in the distance. A faint, golden glint, barely visible in the darkness. It was near the massive serpentine creature, nestled among the jagged crystalline formations that jutted out from the lakebed. Xin's heart leapt. Whatever that was, it had to be important. It had to be the key to ending this nightmare.
He made a split-second decision. Ignoring the pain in his ribs and the burning in his side, Xin channeled the last of his ether into his legs and propelled himself toward the golden glint. It was a reckless move, a desperate gamble. Only an insane person would swim toward a titan of a monster on a hunch. But Xin didn't have a choice. He had to try.
As he swam, the pressure in the water grew heavier, more oppressive. It felt as if the abyss itself were trying to crush him, to force him back. And then, he heard the voices.
Two of them.
The first was his own, but twisted, distorted. It was a voice he'd heard before, in the darkest corners of his mind, but he'd always dismissed it as a hallucination, a product of exhaustion and stress. Now, it was louder, more insistent.
Hey, I have a new friend in here! Let's be friends... I promise I don't bite. Come on, listen to our new friend.
The voice was mocking, cruel, its tone dripping with malice. Xin's stomach churned as he recognized it. It was the voice of his doubts, his fears, his darkest impulses. It was the part of him that wanted to give up, to let the abyss take him.
The second voice was alien, unfamiliar. It sounded like him, but it wasn't him. It was softer, more desperate.
Leave this place. I don't want to be here. I want to go home.
Xin's heart ached as he listened to the voice. It sounded so lost, so afraid. He didn't know where it was coming from, but he couldn't ignore it. It was a plea for help, a cry for freedom.
He believed it was the real one, because it was true. He was truly afraid.
Is this how you reply to my hospitality? how rude! Get out!, the first voice hissed.But still You're a coward through
Xin clenched his teeth, forcing himself to focus. He couldn't afford to listen to the voices, not now. He had to keep moving.
He had to reach the golden glint.
But the closer he got, the harder it became. Smaller creatures began to swarm him, their bioluminescent bodies cutting through the darkness like living arrows. They bit at him, their jagged teeth tearing into his flesh. Xin swung his spear, cutting through them with desperate, frantic strikes. He couldn't stop, couldn't slow down. Not when Raven was right behind him.
Raven was relentless. He moved through the water like a shadow, his Crystalline blade flashing as he closed the distance between them. Xin could feel the pressure of his presence, the cold, unyielding determination that drove him forward. He was a meter away, then half a meter, then—
The massive serpent opened its mouth.
Xin's heart stopped as the creature's jaws parted, revealing rows of jagged teeth that seemed to stretch on forever. The water around him churned as the creature's maw descended, its gaping mouth swallowing everything in its path. Xin had no time to react, no time to escape. He felt the pressure shift, the water rushing past him as he was pulled into the creature's mouth.
And then, darkness.
Xin's world spun as he was swallowed whole, the creature's throat closing around him. He could feel the pressure of its muscles contracting, the acidic burn of its digestive fluids already beginning to eat away at his skin. He struggled, thrashing against the creature's grip, but it was no use. He was trapped.
And then, he felt something else.
A presence. A warmth. It was faint, barely perceptible, but it was there. Xin's eyes widened as he realized what it was. The golden glint. It was inside the creature, Right Infront of him. Xin's heart leapt. He didn't know what it was, but he knew he had to reach it.
That had to be the key!
Summoning the last of his strength, Xin began to crawl forward, pushing against the creature's contracting muscles. The acidic fluids burned his skin, but he ignored the pain, focusing all his energy on the golden light. It was close. So close.
And then, he saw it.
A small, golden disk, pulsing faintly in the darkness. It was beautiful, mesmerizing, its light cutting through the oppressive blackness of the creature's insides. Xin reached out, his fingers brushing against its surface. The moment he touched it, he felt a surge of energy, a warmth that spread through his body, healing his wounds and replenishing his strength.
But before he could react, the creature's body convulsed, its muscles contracting violently. Xin was thrown backward, the golden orb slipping from his grasp. He tumbled through the darkness, his body slamming against the creature's inner walls. The last thing he saw before everything went black was the golden light, fading into the distance.
And then, nothing.