Chapter 44 - Chapter 44 Struggles Abyss and Desperate Rescues

Jack's grip on his sword tightened as he stared at Selene, the shock of her reappearance slowly giving way to a burning determination. The cold, mocking laughter that filled the dark realm only fueled his resolve. "I've faced your kind before, and I'll do it again," he growled, his voice echoing through the desolate landscape.​Selene's silver hair whipped around her as she circled Jack, her eyes glowing with a malevolent light. "Foolish boy. This is not the same as our last encounter. Here, in the heart of the abyss, my power knows no bounds." With a flick of her wrist, tendrils of shadow shot out from the ground, wrapping around Jack's ankles and yanking him off his feet.​Jack hit the ground hard, but quickly rolled to his feet, slashing at the shadows with his sword. The Chaos Orb's energy flared, incinerating the tendrils, but more immediately replaced them. He realized he couldn't just fight his way out; he needed to understand the connection between the symbols, the Chaos Orb, and this realm.​As he parried another attack, Jack closed his eyes for a split second, reaching out with his spiritual sense. He could feel the faint rhythm of the Chaos Orb, a beat that seemed to resonate with something deeper in the abyss. Images flashed through his mind - the symbols on the temple walls, the markings on the enemies' weapons, and now, the strange patterns on the ground of this dark realm. They were all part of a greater puzzle.​Meanwhile, back on the battlefield, the Keeper fought with a ferocity born of desperation. She had rallied the remaining Mysterious Yin Alliance members, but the Order of the Abyssal Eclipse was retreating, disappearing into the mist as quickly as they had appeared. "We can't let them get away!" she shouted, but her voice was filled with frustration.​Elder Li, who had arrived on the scene with reinforcements, placed a hand on her shoulder. "We need to focus on finding Jack. He's our priority now." The old man's eyes scanned the area, his gaze landing on the still - open, though shrinking, dark portal. "That might be our only lead."​The Keeper nodded, determination steeling her features. "I'll go through. I can't leave him in there alone."​Elder Li shook his head. "It's too dangerous. We need to prepare, to study the portal and find a way to ensure your safety. The last thing we need is to lose you as well."​As they argued, a young disciple rushed over, carrying a tattered scroll. "I found this near where Jack disappeared, sir!" he said, handing it to Elder Li.​The old man unrolled the scroll, his eyes widening as he read the ancient script. "This... this is a map of sorts. It shows the layout of the abyss realm, and there's a marked location that could be a way out. But it's guarded by something powerful."​Back in the abyss, Jack was pushed to his limits. Selene's attacks were relentless, and the poison from the earlier wound was starting to cloud his mind. But just as he was about to be overwhelmed, he noticed a faint glimmer in the distance. It was a strange, pulsating light, and it seemed to be drawing the shadows away.​Taking a chance, Jack broke off from the fight and sprinted towards the light. Selene let out a scream of anger and gave chase, but the closer Jack got to the light, the stronger he felt. The Chaos Orb was reacting to it, its energy surging and countering the poison in his veins.​When he reached the source of the light, Jack found a strange, crystal - like formation. Embedded in it was a fragment of a familiar symbol - one that matched those on the black shard. Could this be the key to escaping?​Before he could examine it further, Selene caught up to him. "You think you can just run away?" she hissed, her hands raised to unleash a powerful blast of dark energy.​Jack turned to face her, his eyes locked on hers. "I'm not running. I'm fighting back." He channeled all the energy of the Chaos Orb into his sword, and as he swung at the crystal formation, a blinding flash of light filled the abyss realm.