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Chapter 10: Duel of the Abyssal Lord
The sky above Nethrith Rift had torn open into a storm of shadow and crimson fire. Jagged spires quivered under the sheer force of Abyssal energy, and the air itself seemed alive, pressing down with oppressive weight. Owusar's chest tightened as he stepped onto a fractured platform, the Umbra System flickering with urgent warnings:
[ Alert: Abyssal Lord Direct Engagement Detected ]
Level: Catastrophic
Difficulty: Maximum
Recommendation: All Sigils Activated
A towering figure descended from the swirling storm above—a single Abyssal Lord, Malachor, the embodiment of dominion and decay. Its eyes glowed crimson, reflecting centuries of hatred and malice. Shadows pooled around it like living tendrils, spreading across the fractured landscape, consuming everything they touched. Owusar could feel the immense pressure bearing down on his mind and body, the Abyss testing his resolve before a single strike was exchanged.
He drew a deep breath, tracing sigils midair, feeling the pulse of Shadow Dominion coiling within him. Umbra Lash, Shadow Bind, Glyph Trap, and Night Veil responded instinctively, as if anticipating the first move.
Malachor struck first, a devastating swing of a shadow-wreathed blade that sent a shockwave through the floating shards. Owusar leapt, weaving Glyph Trap beneath his feet to stabilize the collapsing platform. The chains of Shadow Bind lashed toward Malachor, wrapping momentarily around its arm before being torn apart by the overwhelming strength of Abyssal energy.
The ground erupted, fissures opening to molten rivers below. Owusar twisted midair, Umbra Lash striking at the joints of Malachor's corrupted armor. Sparks of Abyssal energy collided with shadow, sending shockwaves across the rift. Soul Stability flickered under the psychic pressure emanating from Malachor, memories and fears clawing at Owusar's mind.
He activated Night Veil, disappearing partially into shadows, reemerging behind a floating shard to strike with Sigil Purge. Light and darkness collided, momentarily staggering Malachor, but the Lord's retaliatory strike sent shards spiraling like daggers, forcing Owusar to leap again.
The Umbra System scrolled warnings rapidly:
[ Mana: 120 / 220 ]
[ Soul Stability: 70% ]
[ Combo Potential: Shadow Bind + Umbra Lash + Abyssal Rift Sigil ]
Owusar's muscles screamed, veins burning with exertion. He combined Shadow Bind and Umbra Lash, chains coiling and lashes striking in perfect synchronization, forcing Malachor into a tight space between crumbling spires. The Lord responded, a wave of corruption exploding outward, sending him crashing into debris. Pain surged through every nerve, yet he forced himself to stand, summoning Abyssal Rift Sigil to destabilize the corrupted energy.
The battlefield became a chaotic symphony of destruction. Collapsing platforms, rivers of molten Abyss, and spikes of jagged stone moved in tandem with Malachor's attacks. Owusar danced across the shifting landscape, chaining sigils, coordinating shadows, and improvising midair, every movement a test of skill and endurance.
Hours passed in a blur of combat. Each strike, dodge, and counter pushed him closer to the limits of body and mind. Malachor adapted constantly, predicting his movements, probing weaknesses, forcing Owusar to innovate continually. The Umbra System flashed new techniques:
[ Ultimate Convergence Sigil Activated ]
[ Recommendation: Critical Strike Execution ]
Owusar's hands trembled as he unleashed the Ultimate Convergence Sigil, combining Shadow Bind, Umbra Lash, Night Veil, and Sigil Purge into a single, synchronized assault. Chains wrapped around Malachor's limbs, lashes struck the core nodes, and sigils erupted in radiant energy, destabilizing the Abyssal Lord's form.
Malachor screamed, a sound of pure malice and fury, swinging its shadow blade in a frenzied counterattack. Owusar dodged, feeling shards graze his cloak, blood mingling with sweat and ash. Shadows coiled protectively around him, responding to instinct and will, guiding strikes, deflecting blows, and creating openings in the Abyssal Lord's defenses.
The duel escalated further. Psychic attacks clawed at his mind, pulling memories of past defeats and losses. Soul Stability dipped dangerously, yet he pressed on, weaving sigils midair, chaining shadows and attacks seamlessly. Every second was a test of reflexes, strategy, and sheer determination.
The final sequence approached. Owusar tapped deeper into Shadow Dominion, overclocking the Umbra System. Veins burned, muscles screamed, and mana plummeted, but he unleashed the combined force of all sigils in a single, devastating sequence. Shadows coiled, chains lashed, glyphs exploded, and the Abyssal Rift Sigil detonated at the core of Malachor.
The explosion was cataclysmic. Shards of obsidian rained down, the rift trembled, and the storm above crackled violently. Malachor faltered, staggering, its form flickering, corruption destabilizing. Owusar landed heavily, trembling, chest heaving, shadows wrapping protectively around him as he struggled to remain conscious.
The Umbra System scrolled the aftermath:
[ Abyssal Lord Defeated ]
[ Sigil Progress: Tier 9 → 10 ]
[ New Sigil Acquired: Supreme Convergence Sigil – Rank F ]
[ Soul Experience: +70% ]
[ Warning: Abyssal Lords Will Seek Revenge ]
Owusar rose slowly, muscles aching, body screaming in protest, yet resolve unbroken. He had survived the direct confrontation with an Abyssal Lord, mastered sigils, and faced near-total annihilation. Shadows whispered, guiding him, warning him, and preparing him for the trials yet to come.
The rift lay in ruins, molten rivers still glowing, shards hovering precariously. The storm dissipated slightly, but the Abyss remained restless. Owusar's fists clenched. Every battle, every sigil, every shadow command had prepared him for this moment—but he knew this was only the beginning.
The Abyss was patient, relentless, and cunning—but so was he. And when the Lords returned, fully united, he would meet them with all the power, skill, and resolve he had forged in shadows, sigils, and will.
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