Shadow slave:The Forgotten Spawn

Chapter: The Nexus Beckons

The shadow of the nexus loomed larger with every step. The crystalline formations surrounding it hummed in dissonant harmony, their eerie glow casting distorted shadows on the jagged walls. The group walked in silence, the weight of their ordeal pressing down on them. Every scrape of boots against stone, every shallow breath, echoed unnaturally in the cavernous void.

Nyx led the way this time, its sleek frame moving with a grace that seemed almost unnatural. Eryth followed closely behind, the rift's energy still simmering within him, coiling like a serpent ready to strike. The aftermath of the battle had left him drained, but the pull toward the nexus was stronger than ever, drawing him forward with an almost magnetic force.

"I don't like this," Tessa murmured, her voice barely audible. Her hand never left the hilt of her blade, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. "It's too quiet. No more creatures, no defenses… It feels like a trap."

"It's always a trap," one of the group muttered, their tone bitter. "That's just how this cursed place works."

Eryth didn't respond. His focus was fixed entirely on the nexus. He could feel it now, pulsing with an energy that resonated with the rift inside him. It wasn't just a structure—it was alive, its very presence a challenge to anyone who dared approach.

When they reached the base of the tower, the entrance revealed itself. A massive, arched doorway carved into the smooth, black stone, its edges lined with runes that glowed faintly. The air around it was heavy, charged with an almost suffocating pressure.

Eryth hesitated, his instincts screaming at him to turn back. But the pull was undeniable. He placed a hand on the edge of the archway, the runes flaring to life at his touch. The door groaned, shifting as if it were waking from a deep slumber, and slowly began to open.

A rush of cold air greeted them, carrying with it the faint scent of decay. The interior of the nexus was impossibly vast, its walls lined with crystalline formations that pulsed like a heartbeat. The floor was smooth, reflective, and seemed to stretch into infinity.

"What is this place?" Tessa whispered, her voice tinged with awe and dread.

"It's a graveyard," one of the group replied, their tone grim. "Look."

Scattered throughout the chamber were remnants of ancient battles—broken weapons, shattered armor, and the skeletal remains of creatures both human and monstrous. The silence was deafening, broken only by the faint hum of the crystals.

Eryth felt a chill run down his spine as he stepped inside. The rift's energy surged within him, reacting to the power of the nexus. He could feel the presence of something… watching.

The group moved cautiously, their every step echoing in the vast chamber. Nyx prowled ahead, its glowing eyes scanning for threats. The air grew colder the deeper they ventured, and the shadows seemed to press closer, their movements just out of sight.

Then, without warning, the crystals lining the walls flared to life, their light blindingly bright. The hum grew louder, rising to a deafening pitch, and the floor beneath them began to shift.

"Scatter!" Tessa shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

The group broke apart as massive crystalline spikes erupted from the floor, narrowly missing several of them. The chamber itself seemed to come alive, the walls twisting and warping as shadowy figures emerged from the crystals.

They weren't just creatures—they were reflections of the group, distorted and twisted into monstrous forms. Each figure bore a haunting resemblance to someone in the group, their features exaggerated and grotesque.

Eryth found himself staring at a warped version of himself, its eyes glowing with the same eerie light as his own. The creature smirked, its movements fluid and unnatural as it stepped toward him.

"This can't be real," someone whispered, their voice trembling.

"It's real enough," Tessa snapped, raising her blade. "Stay together! Fight them off!"

The battle erupted with terrifying intensity. The shadowy doppelgängers moved with unnatural speed, their attacks precise and ruthless. Every strike was met with equal force, their movements perfectly mirroring the group's own.

Eryth faced off against his double, his heart pounding. The creature's grin was maddening, its every move mocking him. He swung his blade, but the creature dodged effortlessly, countering with a strike that nearly took his head.

"You can't win," it hissed, its voice a distorted echo of his own. "You're not strong enough."

Eryth gritted his teeth, forcing the shadows to respond to his will. Tendrils lashed out, but the creature mirrored the attack perfectly, their powers colliding in a burst of energy.

Behind him, Nyx was locked in a brutal struggle with another doppelgänger. The creature snarled, its claws raking against its shadowy counterpart as they fought for dominance.

"Eryth!" Tessa's voice rang out, filled with desperation.

He turned just in time to see her fall, her doppelgänger standing over her with a triumphant sneer. The sight sent a surge of rage through him, and he lashed out with everything he had, the shadows erupting around him in a storm of fury.

His double staggered, its form flickering as the energy tore through it. Eryth didn't let up, pouring every ounce of power into the attack until the creature dissolved into nothingness.

With their leader's double defeated, the other doppelgängers faltered, their forms wavering. The group seized the opportunity, launching a coordinated assault that wiped out the remaining shadows.

The chamber fell silent once more, the only sound their ragged breathing. Tessa pushed herself to her feet, wincing as she clutched her side.

"Is everyone okay?" she asked, her voice strained.

The group murmured their affirmations, though their faces were pale and drawn.

Eryth stared at the spot where his double had fallen, his mind racing. The encounter had shaken him to his core, forcing him to confront his own fears and weaknesses.

"We're not done yet," he said quietly, his voice resolute. "This was just the beginning."

Ahead of them, the nexus pulsed with light, its energy calling to him. The final trial awaited.