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Chapter 20 - Chapter 9: The Shattered Obsidian

The Floor Above

Zero and Arven emerged from the spiral staircase into a floor of fractured obsidian. Jagged black shards jutted from the ground at impossible angles, reflecting the dim light of a storm-darkened sky. Every surface glimmered with faint red energy, like veins of molten power running through the floor.

The air was thick, heavy with the metallic tang of energy and ozone. Each breath burned the lungs, and the ground trembled beneath their feet as if the floor itself were alive.

The Tower's voice cut through the oppressive atmosphere:

"Ninth Floor: The Shattered Obsidian. Here, survival demands mastery of terrain, combat, and strategy. Only the sharpest may ascend. Hesitation, doubt, or misjudgment will be punished."

Zero's gray eyes swept the terrain. "This floor tests everything we've learned. Every strike, every step, every decision must be perfect."

Arven tightened his grip on his blade. "So it's a battlefield… and a trap. Typical Tower logic."

The First Trial: Fractured Terrain

The jagged obsidian shifted underfoot. Shards rose and fell unpredictably, creating sudden cliffs, spikes, and narrow bridges. Lava-like energy pulsed beneath the surface, occasionally erupting through fissures.

Zero moved with surgical precision, predicting every shift, calculating trajectories with each step. Arven followed, still a fraction behind but gradually matching his pace.

Shadowed Opponents

From the fractures emerged shadowed figures, their bodies fused with obsidian and energy. They moved with intelligent coordination, striking with precision and exploiting the unstable terrain.

Zero's eyes narrowed. "They anticipate hesitation. React with clarity, not impulse."

He sidestepped a strike, slashed at a glowing joint, and vaulted across a collapsing shard. Arven intercepted another, learning to read patterns rather than relying on reflex alone.

Elite Rival Appears

From a distant plateau, an elite climber emerged, his body radiating molten obsidian energy. His movements were flawless, his attacks precise, and his aura radiated deadly intent.

Zero's gaze sharpened. "The Tower doesn't just test us against the floor… it tests us against the strongest."

The elite lunged, merging with shadows and floor hazards. Zero and Arven split their attention, dodging energy eruptions and striking where openings appeared. Every step, every movement demanded calculation and foresight.

Environmental Mastery

The floor reacted violently. Platforms tilted, fissures widened, and obsidian spikes erupted, forcing Zero and Arven to constantly adapt. Zero feinted to draw the elite toward a collapsing bridge, then struck multiple shadowed opponents simultaneously.

Arven followed, creating openings and maintaining balance as molten energy erupted around them. Sparks flew with every strike, each movement a matter of life and death.

The Apex of the Floor

The floor's energy surged. Massive obsidian constructs emerged from fissures, animated by the Tower's will. The elite rival's attacks became more unpredictable, merging with these constructs to form near-impossible threats.

Zero analyzed instantly. "Control space. Predict patterns. Exploit overcommitment."

He drew the elite and constructs toward a narrow corridor with collapsing walls. Arven struck simultaneously from the flank, destabilizing them. Shadows dissolved, and the elite staggered, leaving a decisive opening.

The Climactic Strike

Zero leapt onto a raised shard, striking the elite rival's core with surgical precision while avoiding falling obsidian and molten energy. The elite and constructs erupted into blinding light, dissolving into energy fragments.

The Tower's Verdict

The floor stilled. Obsidian shards lowered, molten energy calmed, and the staircase ahead spiraled upward into shadowed unknowns.

The Tower's voice echoed, approving yet absolute:

"You have conquered the Shattered Obsidian. Only those whose clarity, strategy, and precision surpass doubt may ascend. Prepare… the floors above demand even more of your mind, body, and will."

Zero wiped blood and debris from his blade, gray eyes fixed on the staircase. "Every floor grows sharper. Every trial deadlier. Clarity guides every step."

Arven, exhausted but alive, nodded. "Then we continue… sharper, faster, clearer."

Zero's gaze fixed on the next spiral staircase. No hesitation. No doubt. Only clarity.

And with that, they ascended into the tenth floor, where the Tower's ultimate tests yet awaited.

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