Kael took a deep breath, his heart pounding like a war drum in his chest. He activated Void Step, and the world fell away into darkness. For a moment, everything was still—silent, as if time itself had paused.
Then he emerged before the pillar, the Draconian Orb pulsing with energy. Runes danced across its surface, swirling and shifting. He could feel the Abyss's presence pressing against him, a tangible weight that sought to crush his spirit.
With determination surging through him, he focused his energy, drawing from the depths of his connection to the void. He needed to strike with precision, severing the orb's link to the Abyss before the backlash could erupt.
"Together, Kael," Ethan urged, his voice steady in Kael's mind. "We'll channel our energies in tandem. Focus on the runes. I'll provide a barrier against the Abyssal energy."
Kael nodded, feeling the familiar rush of power coursing through him. They were connected—two forces merging, forging a link stronger than he'd ever felt.
He extended his hands toward the rune on the pillar, energy swirling around him like a tempest. He felt the connection thrum beneath his fingers, a fierce pulse that sent waves of darkness coursing through him.
And then he struck.
A bolt of void energy shot from his hands, crashing into the center of the runes. They flared, a brilliant flash of light illuminating the chamber as the energy surged back at him. He gritted his teeth, forcing more power into the strike, pushing against the tide of Abyssal energy.
"No! Not today, you're not!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the void.
The orb trembled, a low rumble emanating from its core. Kael felt the backlash beginning to build—a wave of corrupting energy rising like a storm. Sweat beaded on his brow as he concentrated, pushing harder against the darkness.
With a final surge of power, the void energy connected with the runes. They cracked, fracturing under the pressure, the pulse of the orb waning.
A blinding light exploded from the center, a shockwave of pure energy washing over him.
Then, darkness.
As Kael drifted in the void, he felt the pulse of energy around him dissipate. The connection was severed—the Draconian Orb was free from the Abyss's grasp. But he could feel the remnants of power swirling, threatening to consume him whole.
He fought against it, pulling himself back to consciousness.
Then darkness.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself on the ground of the stronghold, the others gathered around him, their faces a mixture of relief and concern.
"Kael!" Varin was kneeling beside him, his hand gripping Kael's shoulder tightly. "Are you okay?"
Kael nodded slowly, his body aching. He could still feel the lingering energy around him, a faint echo of the void. "I did it," he managed, breathless.
Oslo's eyes widened. "The orb?"
"It's… neutralized," Kael said, pushing himself to sit up. "But we need to—"
Before he could finish, a deafening roar echoed from the direction of the city gates. A ripple of fear spread among them as they turned, eyes wide with dread.
"What was that?" Kamal exclaimed, gripping his hammer tightly.
Varin's expression darkened. "Something worse is coming."
Andrew's face darkened. "Malek's forces are already here," he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with frustration and fear.
Kael's brows furrowed. The name Malek was unfamiliar, but from Andrew's tone, it carried weight—dangerous weight.
"Malek?" Kael asked, casting a glance at Andrew, who nodded grimly.
"He's no ordinary enemy," Andrew explained. "Malek is one of the Abyssal Lord's most fearsome lieutenants - Leader of the Abyss cult. If he's here, then we're in deep."
Before anyone could react further, a massive shockwave of dark energy rippled across the battlefield. The ground shook violently, sending debris flying through the air. Malek's forces—a horde of abyssal creatures, berserkers, and Darkspawn—descended upon the city, their snarls and growls echoing through the streets like an ominous symphony of destruction.
"You think you can thwart my plans?" the figure boomed, a twisted smile playing on his lips. "Natharak is only the beginning."
Suddenly a message echoed in Kael's mind:
Darkspawn Locator Unlocked!
Status: Basic
Capabilities:
Locate and detect Elite Darkspawns (up to Special Rank).
Locate nearby Abyssal Anchor (Radius 80 miles)
The thrill of success was brief. Almost immediately, his locator pinged again, this time with urgency.
"Warning: Two Abyssal Anchors detected nearby."
First Anchor: Ruins of Ardorr. It is guarded by the Darkspawn lieutenant Krolith.
Second Anchor: Immobilized.
Third Anchor: Abyssal Plane.
Kael's breath caught. His heart raced as he realized what this meant. They had not just neutralized the Draconian Orb; there were more anchors to contend with.
Ethan's voice chimed in, filled with urgency. "Kael, the anchor in Natharak is one of three. We need to locate the others quickly!"
Kael nodded, the weight of the knowledge settling heavily on him. But right now a looming threat is already upon them. They need to fight this battle and win before they can destroy the other anchors.
The Veil members scattered to prepare for battle, weapons drawn and eyes ablaze with determination. Andrew swiftly relayed commands, his calm yet authoritative voice cutting through the chaos. "Do not let this city fall!"
Kael's heart pounded as he steeled himself for the fight ahead. Malek's forces were relentless, dark energy surging through their grotesque forms. Kael and Varin exchanged a glance—there was no room for hesitation.
"Kael, prepare for battle!" Varin barked, his voice echoing with authority, but Kael could see the strain etched across his mentor's face. Kael could sense Varin's Rebirth Core flickered dangerously, the energy surging within him weakening. Kael felt a pang of fear for Varin but steeled his resolve.
With a swift motion, Kael summoned the spirits of the dead to his side, their ethereal forms swirling around him like a dark storm. "Hold them back!"
As Malek's forces closed in, Varin unleashed his Void Pulse, an explosive wave of energy that knocked several enemies off their feet. He followed up with a swift Shadow Rift, teleporting behind a line of Darkspawns and slashing through them with his distortion blade.
"Void Pulse!" Varin shouted, his voice strained as he battled against the overwhelming odds. Kael could see the toll the fight was taking on his mentor; the energy radiating from Varin's core dimmed with each swing of his weapon.
Kael dashed forward, his Void Daggers glinting with dark energy as he executed his Shadow Dash, weaving through the chaos. He struck at an unsuspecting Darkspawn, his Echoing Strike landing true, sending the creature crumbling to the ground.
"Keep moving!" Andrew urged, firing arrows from his bow, each shot finding its mark in the chaos. "We can't let them breach the inner walls!"
The members of The Veil fought alongside Kael and Varin, their synergy evident as they moved like a well-oiled machine. Oslo swung his massive shield, deflecting attacks while Kamal pounded the ground with his hammer, sending shockwaves through the ground that toppled enemies.
Yet, amidst the frantic battle, Kael couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. Each time Varin unleashed a powerful attack, the glow of his Rebirth Core flickered more dimly.
"Varin, you need to fall back!" Kael shouted, concern rising in his chest.
"I can still fight! Don't worry about me!" Varin replied, his eyes fierce but filled with a weariness that worried Kael deeply.
But before Kael could argue further, a massive Darkspawn, larger than the rest, broke through their defenses. Its eyes glowed with a sickening light, and it raised its weapon high, ready to strike.
"Kael!" Varin shouted, his voice strained as he prepared to intercept.
In that moment, time seemed to slow. Kael felt the energy of the battlefield—the rising tension, the flickering hope, and the growing despair.
Kael felt the connection to his Voidblade and Deathcaller class suddenly surge within him, he instinctively activated his Void Step abilities and summoning spirits of the fallen to rise again, joining the fight as a ghostly tide against Malek's forces. "Soul Summon! Dark Infusion!"
For the first time, Kael activated two skills from different class simultaneously. He could feel the power resonating from his Rebirth Core pulsating as he lunged toward the massive Darkspawn, dagger raised, accompanied by his three massive Darkspawn summons copying his same moves. A shout escaping his lips. "Die!"
The impact was thunderous, a clash of power that sent shockwaves through the air.