Strange Paths to Immortality

The gaunt being let out a cackle that sent shivers down the group's spines, its green - glowing eyes narrowing menacingly. With a flick of its staff, a wave of dark energy surged towards them, crackling with malevolent power. Luna's starlight shield flared brightly as it intercepted the attack, but the force of the impact sent her stumbling backwards.​"Don't let it get to you!" Chen Jiuzhang shouted, gripping the crystal - key tightly. The key responded to his determination, its blue - white light intensifying. He could feel a strange connection forming between the key and the ancient structure in the background, as if they shared a long - lost bond.​Su Nian was the first to launch a counterattack. She swung her chains with all her might, aiming for the being's legs. The chains wrapped around one of its limbs, but the Abyssal Keeper merely let out a sneer and effortlessly shattered the metal links with a blast of energy. "Pathetic," it hissed.​Zhang Chengying, undeterred, charged forward with his makeshift weapon. He leaped into the air, aiming for the Keeper's head, but the being vanished in a puff of dark mist. Suddenly, Zhang Chengying felt a sharp pain in his back as the Keeper reappeared behind him, striking him with the butt of its staff. He crumpled to the ground, gasping for air.​Lyra, her face pale from exhaustion, continued to chant. She summoned a flock of silver - hued birds made of pure energy, which swooped down on the Keeper. The creatures pecked at the being, but it merely swatted them away, sending Lyra flying with a backhanded blow.​Chen Jiuzhang, seeing his friends in danger, knew he had to do something drastic. He closed his eyes and delved deep into the power of the crystal - key. Memories of ancient battles flooded his mind, and he could feel the key's energy coursing through his veins like liquid fire. When he opened his eyes, the key was surrounded by a swirling vortex of light.​He launched the energy towards the Abyssal Keeper, who let out a roar of surprise as it was engulfed in the bright blast. But when the light cleared, the Keeper emerged, its skin slightly charred but otherwise unharmed. "You think you can defeat me with a mere trinket?" it roared. "I am the guardian of the Abyssal Keep, and you shall not pass!"​Just then, Luna, who had been gathering her strength, stepped forward. Her starlight - woven gown was now ablaze with power, and she raised her hands high. "Starlight's Judgement!" she cried. A massive beam of celestial energy shot towards the Keeper, hitting it square in the chest. The being let out a pained screech, and for the first time, a look of uncertainty flashed across its face.​But the Keeper was far from defeated. It let out a deafening howl, and the ground began to shake violently. The ancient structure behind it started to glow with an ominous, red light, and dark tendrils emerged from the ground, wrapping around the group and trying to hold them in place. As the battle raged on, Chen Jiuzhang knew that they were in for a fight to the death, and the fate of the Gui Xu Secret Realm hung in the balance.