NOVEL WEB Chapter 33: Chapter 33
"The deeper you go," she said, her tone growing more ominous, "the more the Labyrinth itself will resist your presence. The walls will shift to confuse you, the Echoes will become more insistent, and the pathways you thought you understood will fold back upon themselves. At the heart of the Labyrinth lies the Echo Nexus, a place where all echoes converge. This is the most dangerous part of the Labyrinth, where the strongest Echo Wraiths dwell."
Echo Wraiths, she explained, were not mere shadows or memories, but powerful entities formed from the most potent echoes in the Labyrinth—traumatic events, powerful emotions, or pivotal decisions that had left an indelible mark on the fabric of time. These wraiths had a singular purpose: to draw others into their echo, forcing them to relive the memory endlessly. They were relentless, cunning, and capable of warping the Labyrinth to their will.
"To survive," the Archivist advised, "you must learn to resist the pull of these echoes, to anchor yourself in your own reality while navigating the labyrinthine corridors. You will need to confront these Echo Wraiths, unravel their power, and find the true path through the maze. If you can reach the Echo Nexus and overcome its guardians, you will gain mastery over time itself. Your Anima will resonate with the echoes you have conquered, giving you power over memory, time, and the very fabric of reality."
But the Archivist did not sugarcoat the dangers. Many had entered the Labyrinth, seeking its secrets, only to become lost within its corridors, their minds fragmented by the relentless barrage of memories and time loops. The risk of losing oneself, of becoming just another echo in the maze, was high.
"In the Labyrinth of Echoes," she concluded, "you will face not just the challenge of the maze, but the challenge of confronting who you were, who you are, and who you might become. It is a journey into the self as much as it is a journey through time. And in the end, you may find that the most dangerous echo of all is your own."
The Archivist's eyes darkened, her voice taking on a gravity that seemed to pull at the very air around them as she began to speak of the Descent into the Abyss. This path was not merely a journey through a physical space, but a harrowing plunge into the deepest recesses of existence itself, a confrontation with the primal chaos that underlies all creation.
"The Abyss," she began, "is a realm of unfathomable darkness, a void where all light and life are swallowed whole. It is the antithesis of order and form, a place where reality unravels and the boundaries between self and nothingness blur. To descend into the Abyss is to face the raw, undiluted chaos from which all things were born—and into which all things will eventually return."
The Archivist described the entrance to the Abyss as a chasm in the fabric of the universe, an infinite maw that seemed to devour everything that approached it. The descent itself was a spiral, a slow and torturous fall through layers of darkness, each deeper and more oppressive than the last. As one descends, the laws of reality become increasingly distorted—gravity shifts, time stretches and compresses, and the very air grows thick with a palpable sense of dread.
"In the Abyss," she continued, "you will be stripped of all illusions, all pretensions. The darkness is not merely the absence of light, but the presence of something ancient, something hungry. It is a void that seeks to consume all who enter it, erasing their very essence. Those who descend into the Abyss must confront the shadows of their own soul, the fears and doubts they have buried deep within. The Abyss will manifest these fears as tangible entities, twisted reflections of the self, born from the darkest corners of your mind."
These manifestations, known as Abyssal Phantoms, were grotesque, nightmarish beings that embodied the most terrifying aspects of the soul. Each Phantom was unique, tailored to the individual's deepest fears—whether it was the fear of failure, abandonment, or the loss of identity. These Phantoms were relentless, attacking not just physically but mentally, eroding the will and sanity of their prey.
"The further you descend," the Archivist warned, "the more you will lose your sense of self. The Abyss seeks to absorb all who enter it, to make them a part of its endless void. You will hear whispers in the darkness, voices that echo with the weight of a thousand forgotten souls. These voices will tempt you, taunt you, and try to draw you deeper into the void, promising power, knowledge, or release from your suffering."
The Archivist explained that the Abyss was not just a place of darkness but a crucible for the soul. The descent was a test of endurance, willpower, and resolve. To survive, one must not only fight against the Abyssal Phantoms but also resist the pull of the void itself, which sought to unravel the very fabric of one's being. The Abyss was a place of absolute isolation, where even time seemed to lose its meaning. Days could pass in what felt like seconds, or minutes could stretch into eons.
"At the bottom of the Abyss," she said, her voice a mere whisper now, "lies the Abyssal Core, the heart of the void. It is a singularity of pure chaos, the source of the Abyss's consuming hunger. To reach it, you must survive the descent and confront the Core itself. It is said that the Core holds the secret to the creation and destruction of all things, that within it lies the power to reshape reality itself."
However, the Archivist made it clear that the Core was not something to be taken lightly. It was a living entity, a consciousness born of the void, and it would not give up its secrets easily. To face the Core was to face the embodiment of entropy, the ultimate force of destruction that lies at the end of all things. Many who had attempted the descent had never returned, their souls consumed by the Abyss, their very existence erased from the memory of the universe.
"But for those who survive," she added, "the rewards are beyond comprehension. The Descent into the Abyss will push your Anima to its absolute limits, forging it in the fires of chaos and fear. Those who emerge from the Abyss are forever changed, their Anima infused with the power of the void, allowing them to command darkness, to bend chaos to their will, and to withstand the crushing weight of the universe itself."
The Archivist's gaze locked onto Vas, her expression unreadable. "But remember," she concluded, "the Abyss does not easily release those who enter it. Even if you survive, a part of you will always remain within its depths, tethered to the void, a shadow of the darkness that nearly consumed you. The question is not whether you can survive the Abyss, but whether you can return from it with your soul intact."
""And how exactly can I access these methods? None of them seem particularly easy to reach," Vas asked, his voice edged with concern.
The Archivist gave a knowing smile. "Ah, of course. The first path requires you to seek them out in the world. Finding such entities will be no small feat; they are elusive, hidden in the most secretive of places. But, as with all things of great value, the search itself may prove just as rewarding."
She paused, her eyes narrowing as she studied Vas. "The other two paths, however, are more within your control—though no less dangerous. They can be accessed through specific rituals. I can teach you the necessary rites, but when and where you choose to perform them will be your decision. Just remember, each ritual will test you in ways you may not yet be prepared for."
The Void around them seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy as The Archivist's words resonated through the oppressive darkness.
She adjusted her position slightly, her robes shifting like shadows. "Now, let us discuss The Labyrinth of Echoes. This path involves a ritual known as the Rite of Resonance. It requires a darkened room, a mirror large enough to reflect your entire being, and a tuning fork. The tuning fork must be tuned to the frequency of Anima, and you'll need a drop of your own blood."
Her voice took on a rhythmic cadence as she detailed the steps. "Begin by placing the mirror in the center of the room. Ensure the room is completely dark, save for the faint glow of the tuning fork. Anoint the mirror with the blood, tracing a spiral pattern from the edges to the center. This act symbolizes your connection to the echoes you seek."
The Archivist's eyes gleamed with a flicker of anticipation. "Stand before the mirror, holding a personal relic that has been with you for a significant portion of your life. Strike the tuning fork and touch it to the mirror's center. As you recite the incantation, 'In the depths of silence, where echoes are born, I seek the truth, the path forlorn,' the mirror will begin to ripple. Step through it, and you will enter the Labyrinth of Echoes—a realm where the past, present, and future intertwine. Navigate through the echoes of your own memories and fears, confronting them to discover deeper truths about yourself."
The Archivist paused, letting the gravity of the ritual settle in. Then she continued, "Now, for The Descent into the Abyss. This ritual, known as The Abyssal Descent, is more perilous. You'll need a black candle infused with crushed onyx, a bowl of saltwater, and a grounding stone or crystal. The space must be completely darkened, and you'll need a rope or chain to bind yourself."
Her tone grew somber as she described the process. "At midnight, in utter darkness, place the black candle at the center of your space and surround it with the bowl of saltwater. Bind your hands and feet with the rope, symbolizing the trials you will face. Light the candle and focus on its flame. As the light dims, you'll begin to feel the pull of the Abyss. Place the crystal or stone in the saltwater, submerging it completely, and recite the incantation, 'From light I descend, into the void's embrace, where shadows dwell and fear takes its place.'"
The Archivist's gaze was intense. "As you recite, the darkness will engulf you, testing your resolve. The Abyss will challenge your deepest fears and insecurities. The stone or crystal will anchor you. You must confront these trials and maintain your focus to survive the Abyss. Once you've faced and conquered these trials, the candle's flame will guide you back. Untie your bindings, retrieve the stone from the saltwater, and extinguish the candle. This will signal your return, the darkness receding, leaving you forever changed."
The Archivist's eyes softened slightly. "Both paths are arduous and will test your spirit to its core. Choose wisely, and be prepared for the trials that lie ahead. Each path offers its own form of enlightenment and power, but only through facing these trials will you truly grow."