The Darkhold

Chu Hang's double stepped forward, his toe touching the first step of the altar.

BZZT!

The Darkhold shuddered. Solid beams of black light burst from its pages, turning into a storm of magical arrows that shrieked toward him.

Chu Hang's double did not even raise an eyelid.

The invisible domain of the Law of Death protected him on its own. Every black arrow that came within three meters of him withered and dissolved into wisps of black smoke.

He climbed the second step.

The Darkhold let out a sharper screech, its pages flipping wildly.

An enormous black magic array formed above the altar. Countless twisted runes spun within it, releasing pressure great enough to shatter even a Sorcerer Supreme's mind.

Chu Hang's double raised his right hand, and the light of the Alchemical Law shone in his palm.

To him, the impossibly complex array was only a collection of energy particles arranged according to specific rules. He curled his fingers, and an invisible force intervened, forcibly rewriting the underlying logic of their arrangement.

Like a tower with its central block pulled free, the entire array collapsed in a teeth-grating crackle, scattering into black motes of light.

The third step.

The Darkhold stopped attacking.

It began to tremble violently, its pages rustling as though in fear.

A frantic will surged from the book, desperately sending a plea for help toward some distant, dark dimension.

It was calling for its master—Chthon.

Chu Hang's double smiled more broadly.

He quickened his pace and reached the top of the altar in an instant, stopping before the Darkhold.

Its pages flipped even faster. Lines of ancient runes appeared in the air as screens of light, trying to keep him out. He could read them.

"The creation of the Lord of Chaos must not be defiled