Labyrinthos = city like thing where the entrance to the Corrupted Land is

Labyrinth = the city ruins and actual Labyrinth that exists beyond the Gate

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Akiza and Cixi made their way to the back of Labyrinthos. There stood a large silver colored gate. It was similar to the one that they had used to enter the Immortal Realm. "Are you ready?" asked Cixi. "There are things you may not have seen before in there."

"Yes," said Akiza.

The two stepped in together. What was in front of them was a ruined city. Crumpled buildings, faded signs, and the intense feeling of Dark Energy. There were other people nearby.

Akiza immediately fell to her knees. "I can barely breathe," she said while breathing heavily. But, she could no longer feel someone or something watching them. "Could that person have been in the main area of Labyrinthos?" she thought.

"This is because the Labyrinth is rich in Dark Energy," said Cixi. "This is the terrifying pressure that is created by a Corrupted Land, but your body will slowly adapt. For now just stay here and meditate until you get used to it."

"I don't feel so good," said Akiza. BLEH. She had thrown up.

Cixi covered her own face. "It's pretty bad the first time for most people," said Cixi. "But it seems to be especially worse for you."

Akiza sat down near the entrance and meditated. She had not spent much time meditating since she returned to West Wind Academy because she has always been trying to manipulate the shape of her elements. So far, she has had no success. Without it, she could not make a breakthrough into Emperor either. As Akiza meditated, she felt the Dark Energy in the Labryinth, but the weight that she felt began to lighten.

"Master, isn't it dangerous to meditate in the presence of Dark Energy?" asked Akiza.

"Dark Energy is not always bad," said Cixi. "We call it Dark Energy because it usually has to do with negative emotions like fear, anger, or hate, but it is harmless unless we choose to act upon it."

"Then does that mean the woman in purple is a good person?" Akiza thought to herself. "So does that mean Dark Energy can be good?" Akiza asked.

"It can be," said Cixi. "But the most important thing is that it has to be moderated and controlled, like everything in life. By getting use to Dark Energy, you can resist the negative emotions and influence it holds on you, but it only goes so far. Just like how you love food, you still have to eat and learn to enjoy it, the problem comes when you start to like it too much and can no longer control yourself. Too much Dark Energy and you lose control."

Akiza had wondered about how the woman in purple came to be. "How could I have acquired Dark Energy for such a thing to occur in the Immortal Realm?" she thought. She had no answers though and it remained a mystery. After meditating for a while, Akiza felt that the pressure was no longer intense. It was gradually reducing. Before long, she barely felt it at all.

"I think I'm ready to continue Master," said Akiza as she got up.

"Don't push yourself," said Cixi. "The moment you feel like you cannot continue, we will head back. It is better to be cautious when going into the unknown territory."

"Okay Master," Akiza replied.

The two walked through the ruins of the city. "Something is coming," said Akiza.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

There was the sound of light foot steps approaching and the sound of metal scraping against something. Then, it turned around the corner. "That's a skeleton!" said Akiza in shock.

"So how will you deal with this?" asked Cixi. "It is strong against slashing, piercing, and most of the elements do not affect it since it does not have flesh on its body."

"Then the solution is to attack first!" shouted Akiza as she dashed forward.

"Wait!" said Cixi.

It was too late though. Akiza already went for an attack. The skeleton swung its sword. BOOM. A thunderous sound roared through the ruins as the skeleton released a powerful shockwave that knocked Akiza back and onto the ground.

"That was a skill!" said Akiza.

"Yes," said Cixi. "The creatures here not only possess Internal Energy, they also possess special skills and abilities. You have to learn to read them and their moves."

Akiza watched as Cixi approached the skeleton. Cixi slowly walked forward and drew her sword. "But Master, you, it is strong against slashing attacks!" said Akiza.

"A sword can be used for more than just slashing," said Cixi.

Akiza watched closely as Cixi stood in front of the skeleton. When she walked forward, the skeleton readied its shockwave. BOOM. It was the thunderous roar, but Cixi deployed her black turtle shell shield to neutralize it. She then turned her sword sideways and smashed it against the arm of the skeleton to break it. The skeleton dropped its weapon. It was a move that she could have done with the sword had she remembered the medicinal knowledge and physiology of the human body. But, since she was in such a hurry to try to kill it, she did not think about it.

"Now, it is much weaker," said Cixi. "You can always cripple your opponent to weaken them before you finish them off."

Cixi waited for the skeleton to make its move. The skeleton charged forward again. Cixi turned her sword and held it horizontally in front of her. When the skeleton got close, she tackled forward, smashing the main chest of the skeleton with her sword. The parts of the skeleton flew everywhere. "There are also times when it is not smart to attack first. These are all things that you have to learn Akiza. Your recklessness will get you killed here!" Cixi shouted.

The body of the skeleton disappeared. "The body is gone?" said Akiza.

"This is a Corrupted Land," said Cixi. "The creatures here do not truly die unless the power runs out. Sometimes, fragments of their body remain, but most of the time, the power of the Cursed Land brings the monsters back to life within minutes."

Cixi helped Akiza up. "Now aren't you glad you're wearing that dress?" she asked.

Akiza looked at herself. The dress was dusty, but no actual damage. "I'm not hurt?" Akiza said.

"It is made of special materials, I would not let my precious Disciple or myself go to this kind of dangerous place with regular clothes," said Cixi.

Now Akiza was glad that she was wearing that dress instead of her regular clothes. But a problem still remained, she had struggled to defeat what appeared to be weak monsters in Labyrinthos. She would also have to break her habit of attacking first and asking questions later. Both would be difficult.