Kael's final strike had sent shockwaves through Malek's ranks, wiping out wave after wave of his monstrous army with an explosion of raw power.
Even Malek—feared, ruthless, seemingly indomitable—now lay broken on the ground, his body a mess of wounds. Dark blood oozed from his chest, pooling beneath him as he struggled to even raise his head. His once commanding presence had crumbled.
"You... Who... What are you?" Malek rasped, his voice weak, barely a whisper in the stillness of the battleground.
His gaze locked onto Kael, eyes filled with something rare: fear. The once formidable leader of the enemy forces now looked fragile, broken.
Before Kael could respond, Malek's body gave way to unconsciousness. His eyes rolled back, and he crumpled to the ground, the last remnants of his strength abandoning him.
"Nice work, kid!" Andrew's voice cut through the silence, his tone light but tinged with relief. He surveyed the destruction, the sight of Malek defeated like a weight lifting off his shoulders.
Kael tried to smile in return, but exhaustion clawed at him. His body felt like lead, every muscle screaming in protest after the incredible surge of power he had unleashed.
The world around him blurred, voices distorting as darkness crept at the edges of his vision. He could barely make out Andrew's shouts, Varin's concerned look, and then...nothing.
Kael woke up in an unfamiliar place, the softness of the bed beneath him a stark contrast to the battlefield he had just left.
His head throbbed, his muscles still aching, but the worst of it had subsided. He blinked slowly, taking in the room—a small chamber, simple yet clean. The faint smell of herbs and burning incense lingered in the air.
Before he could make sense of where he was, the door creaked open. Varin stepped inside, his expression softening as he saw Kael awake.
"You're up," Varin said, a rare smile crossing his normally stoic face.
"How long was I out?" Kael mumbled, his voice rough.
"A few hours," Varin replied, moving closer. "That was one hell of an attack you unleashed back there. You nearly burned yourself out."
Kael managed a weak chuckle, though it lacked any real humor. "I guess I overdid it."
Before they could exchange more words, a voice echoed in Kael's mind.
"Kael," Ethan's voice, clear as a bell, echoed in the back of his mind.
Kael welcomed Ethan's presence, recognizing the familiar sensation of their bond. "What is it, Ethan?"
"You need to tell them about the other anchors."
Ethan's tone was urgent, not its usual calm.
"After deciphering the Abyss energy from the anchor in Natharak, I've deduced their objective. They're not just weakening the Eternal Cities' shields—they're trying to bring a Nightmare-level Darkspawn from the Abyss into Erendath."
Kael's heart sank. The mention of a Nightmare-level Darkspawn was no small matter. If such a creature were to break through into their world, the devastation would be immeasurable. "Got it. I'll handle it."
But another thought gnawed at him. That surge of power he'd felt during the battle—it was unlike anything he'd ever experienced.
"Ethan," Kael began, hesitating slightly, "before that attack, I felt something... different. My power amplified, everything came to me faster, stronger. Was that because of the Status Multiplier?"
"Yes and no," Ethan's response was cryptic at first, but Kael listened closely.
"When we severed the Draconian Orb's connection to the Abyss, part of that energy channeled through your Rebirth Core. The Aegis+ Protocol converted the raw Abyss energy into usable power."
Ethan paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"When you activated the Status Multiplier, it amplified that energy exponentially. But be careful, Kael," his tone shifted, more serious now. "Your level is still too low to handle that kind of strain for long."
A notification chimed in Kael's mind, drawing his attention away from Ethan's words.
System Alert: Level Up!
Congratulations! You've reached Level 16.
You earned +10 SP (x1.5)
Current EXP: 38,670/30,000 EXP
Current SP: 55
And then, another surge.
System Alert: Level Up!
Congratulations! You've reached Level 17.
You earned +10 SP (x1.5)
Current EXP: 8,670/45,000 EXP
Current SP: 70
A wave of power coursed through Kael's veins, his senses sharpening. The increase in SP felt palpable, and he could already imagine the new abilities waiting to be unlocked.
"Well, speak of the devil," Kael muttered, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips as the energy buzzed beneath his skin, his fingers practically humming with the surge of power.
Level 17.
He had gained two levels during the battle. His power had surged, his skill points multiplied, and his abilities honed even further by the multiplier effect. But there was no time to revel in his newfound strength. There were more pressing matters to attend to.
"Varin," Kael said, sitting up slowly. His body ached in protest, but the urgency in his voice was unmistakable. "I need to call a meeting. There's something we need to discuss—immediately."
In the hall of The Veil's stronghold, the tension was palpable. The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows across the stone walls, and a round table sat at the center where Kael and Varin, along with the other members of The Veil, had gathered.
The faces around the table were etched with exhaustion, but there was still a flicker of determination in their eyes. These were warriors hardened by countless battles, their resolve unshaken despite the weight of the war they fought.
Kael could feel the intensity in the air, each person present radiating a quiet readiness. This wasn't just a meeting—it was the calm before the storm. Every one of them was prepared to do whatever it took to protect their world, no matter the cost.
Kael scanned the room, finally taking in the other members of The Veil. His eyes landed on Oslo, the towering shield-bearer he had fought alongside earlier. Oslo's broad frame and unwavering presence made him stand out—a fortress in human form, ready to shield his allies from whatever came their way.
Next to him was Kamal, whose hammer strikes still echoed in Kael's ears from the battlefield. Kamal's strength was undeniable, each swing of his weapon leaving destruction in its wake. His presence was a reminder of the raw power he wielded with precision and purpose.
Then, there were the others—those Kael had only just met. Sena, a lithe figure with flowing dark hair and sharp, determined eyes, sat poised like a predator. Every movement she made was deliberate, controlled, and deadly, as if she could spring into action at any moment.
Beside her was Jermain, who carried himself with a casual confidence that was hard to ignore. His leather trench coat and wild, semi-man bun gave him the air of a rock star, but there was something in his posture that hinted at hidden strength. He seemed relaxed, but Kael knew better than to underestimate him.
Kael took a deep breath before speaking. "The anchor in Natharak… it's one of three."
He let the words hang in the air for a moment, watching the realization slowly dawn on their faces. The gravity of the situation was sinking in.
"We've uncovered two more Abyssal Anchors," he continued, his voice steady despite the tension. "One is hidden in the ruins of Ardorr, an ancient fortress."
He paused, knowing the next part would be even harder to accept. "The third... it's in the Abyssal Plane itself."
He continued, his voice growing grim. "If we don't destroy these anchors, the Abyss will succeed in bringing something far worse into Erendath. A Nightmare-level Darkspawn."
Andrew's jaw tightened as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. "We'll gather our forces. Kamal, Sena, and I can lead the charge into the Abyss Plane. You, Oslo, Jermain, and Varin will head to the ruins of Ardorr."
Kael nodded, feeling the weight of the task settle on his shoulders. There was no time to waste. The stakes were higher than ever, and if they failed... it wasn't just Erendath that would fall. It would affect Earth too.
The moment Kael stepped out of the stronghold, the air was thick with tension. Shadows loomed over Natharak, the remnants of the battle still fresh in the air.
Two more Abyssal Anchors.
His heart pounded as the information surged into his mind. The first was hidden deep within the ruins of Ardorr, guarded by Krolith, a Darkspawn lieutenant. The second... the second lay deep within the Abyssal Plane, tied to the heart of the Abyssal corruption itself.