The wind carried the flavor of blood and ash as Maraak stood at the edge of a collapsing plateau. The battlefield below was lighted by the flickering lightning amid the crimson and black swirling maelstrom of the sky above. In the shadow of the Dreadspire, a huge, unearthly spire that throbbed with Abyss energy, the Resistance had made their final stand. It was the core of the Blood Eternal's might, and if he accepted it, Nyxbrand's words assured him of supremacy.
Nyxbrand insisted, its voice a sensual tune in his head, "Take them all." "Their deaths are your ascension, and their lives are fuel."
Maraak's gauntleted palm tightened around the hilt of the blade as he clinched his teeth. Even though he had been using Nyxbrand for weeks, its weight became heavier and more heavy with each instant. It was more than simply a weapon; it was a parasite that preyed on his will and determination. But he was certain that the fight ahead would require it.
Below, the Resistance clashed with the Blood Eternal's legions. The enemy's forces were a mix of corrupted beasts, Abyss-born horrors, and mind-controlled soldiers. Maraak could see Aelyn, the resistance leader, at the forefront, her dual blades flashing as she cut through the monstrous ranks with unyielding precision. The ragged remains of her army fought desperately all around her, their cries lost in the din of combat.
Maraak was aware that their efforts would not enough on their own. Even their failure wouldn't stop the Blood Eternal from rising, as their presence loomed like an invisible storm.
"Do you believe they can make it without you?" Nyxbrand muttered in a derisive tone. "If they have to die, let them. They are merely pawns.
Maraak went down the rocky slope to join the battle, ignoring the venom of the blade. His black armor shone in the light of the storm, and the Resistance warriors appeared to be strengthened just by his presence.
"Maraak!" Aelyn shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos as she noticed him. "The eastern flank is collapsing—we need to hold it, or they'll overrun us!"
Without a word, Maraak nodded and sprinted toward the eastern side. His movements were fluid, almost inhumanly fast, as he carved through the enemies in his path. Nyxbrand's power coursed through him, sharpening his strikes and strengthening his body, but with every swing, he felt the blade drink deeply—not just of his enemies, but of him.
He reached the crumbling defenses, where Resistance fighters were falling back against a tide of shadow beasts. The creatures were grotesque amalgamations of flesh and darkness, their forms shifting and writhing as if the Abyss itself had molded them. Maraak didn't hesitate.
He charged into the battle with a roar, Nyxbrand slicing through the first beast in one crushing arc. Its runes shone a sickly green as the sword absorbed the creature's essence, and the other creatures hesitated, instinct telling them not to get near him.
"Remain on the line!" Maraak barked, his voice authoritative. "Drive them away!"
The combatants gained courage from his presence and rallied. They cooperated to push the shadow animals back, though Maraak knew their success would not last. It was never truly abandoned by the Abyss's creations.
As soon as the immediate threat was eliminated, Maraak turned to see Aelyn coming toward him with a somber expression. A cut above her brow flowed crimson down her cheek, and her once immaculate armor was stained and damaged.
With a stern yet hushed voice, she stated, "We can't hold this much longer." "That... thing hasn't even joined the battle yet, and their forces keep coming."
Maraak didn't have to inquire about her meaning. The presence of the Blood Eternal was tangible, like a crushing weight pressing down on the soul.
With a determined tone, Maraak declared, "I'll end it."
Aelyn's gaze grew strained. To take the Dreadspire, is that right?
"That's the only option."
She gave a headshake. "Maraak, the spire is suicide. Even you— She paused and looked at Nyxbrand. "You may gain power from that blade, but it's eating you up. In your eyes, I see it. The man I met in the Abyss is not you.
In response, Maraak said icily, "I was never a man worth saving." But everything perishes if I don't do this. If stopping the Blood Eternal comes with that cost, then so be it.
Aelyn appeared to be about to argue, but she was cut off by a thunderous roar. A huge figure appeared across the battlefield, looming over the mayhem. A giant of bone and shadow, encircled by Abyssal energy, the Blood Eternal's chosen herald, came forward, its sheer existence distorting the surrounding atmosphere.
Maraak looked across to Aelyn. "Make your people understand." I'll take care of it.
"You can't fight that alone!"
"Go!" he snapped, and without waiting for her reply, he charged toward the monster.
The ground shook with each step of the colossus, and its hollow eyes locked onto Maraak. It raised an enormous, clawed hand and brought it down with the force of a collapsing mountain. Maraak rolled to the side, the impact shattering the earth where he had stood. He retaliated with a sweeping strike of Nyxbrand, the blade carving through the creature's leg and sending a shockwave of Abyssal energy through its form.
Maraak persisted despite the colossus's agonized howl and slashing out with its second arm. Even as the blade's power increased, the creature's essence was drained with each Nyxbrand hit, making it weaker. However, the toll also affected Maraak, who experienced hazy vision, ragged gasps of breath, and deafening murmurs in his thoughts.
"More, Maraak," Nyxbrand crooned. "Give me everything."
Finally, with a powerful leap, Maraak drove the blade into the colossus's chest. The creature let out a final, earsplitting roar before collapsing, its massive body disintegrating into tendrils of shadow that faded into the stormy sky.
Maraak dropped on one knee as the dust settled, holding on to Nyxbrand. The blade's murmurs were a clamor of hunger and victory as it surged with triumph.
Aelyn's voice rang out, "Maraak," and he turned to see her carefully approaching.
With a hollow voice, he declared, "It's done."
Her face was a mixture of terror and wonder as she gazed at him. "The Blood Eternal will send more, but the herald is dead. This is not the end of it.
Maraak stood, his grip on Nyxbrand tightening. "Then I'll finish it. I'll take the Dreadspire and end this war."
"Aelyn argued that you're barely standing." "You will lose yourself if you continue to use that blade."
He looked at the tall spire in the distance and remarked, "Perhaps I already have." Its ominous glow, like a siren's call that may bring him either salvation or damnation, seemed to entice him.
Maraak remained silent, his shadow standing wide over the blood-stained floor as he began toward the spire. Aelyn watched him go, torn between hope and sadness. She had seen the cost of his power as much as its power.
Nyxbrand's whispers became louder and more urgent as Maraak got closer to the spire.
With a voice full of hunger and triumph, it declared, "This is where you belong." Awaiting you is the Blood Eternal. And we shall usurp their authority and transform into gods when you confront them.
Maraak remained silent. He had a gut feeling that the blade might be correct. However, he was also aware that the cosmos would drown in darkness if he failed.
With its twisted shape serving as a monument to the Abyss, the Dreadspire grew closer and closer. Maraak's steps were uncompromising as he tightened his hold on Nyxbrand. He would confront whatever was inside of him, even if it swallowed him completely.