The morning brought no reprieve to the gray skies above the Obsidian Altar. The bodies of the Emberlight Clan cultivators had been removed, their presence erased as if they had never existed. Kael stood on the edge of the altar, staring out into the barren horizon, his thoughts racing.
The Sovereign's words from the night before echoed in his mind: "The stronger the opposition, the greater the opportunities for us to grow." Kael couldn't shake the feeling that his master welcomed conflict, even sought it. And while part of him was terrified, another part—the part that had always felt like an outcast—was beginning to understand.
Behind him, the Sovereign was silent, his form almost statuesque as he stood before the rekindled crystal at the heart of the altar. Shadows swirled faintly around him, their movements slow and deliberate. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke.
"Kael."
The boy turned, standing at attention. "Yes, Master?"
The Sovereign's crimson eyes glowed faintly as he regarded his disciple. "Do you know why conflict is necessary?"
Kael hesitated, then shook his head. "No, Master."
"Conflict is the crucible of growth," the Sovereign said, his tone calm but unyielding. "Strength is not forged in peace. It is born in the fires of struggle, tempered by pain and sharpened by adversity. The Emberlight Clan will come for us again, and when they do, you must be ready."
Kael swallowed hard. "But... I'm not strong enough. Not yet."
The Sovereign stepped forward, placing a hand on Kael's shoulder. "You will be. Today, we begin your true training. The Abyss has accepted you, but it is not enough to survive. You must master its gifts."
The Teachings of the Abyss
The Sovereign led Kael to the edge of the altar, where the faint glow of the rekindled crystal illuminated the cracked black stone. He gestured for Kael to sit, and the boy obeyed, crossing his legs and gripping the hilt of his broken sword.
"Close your eyes," the Sovereign commanded. "Focus on your Qi. Let it flow through you."
Kael did as he was told, his breathing slowing as he concentrated on the chaotic energy within him. It felt wild and untamed, like a storm raging in his chest. He tried to guide it, to shape it into something he could use, but it resisted him at every turn.
"Stop fighting it," the Sovereign said, his voice cutting through Kael's frustration. "The Abyss does not respond to force. It is chaos, and chaos cannot be controlled by conventional means. Instead, you must become part of it. Move with it, not against it."
Kael furrowed his brow but nodded. He let out a slow breath, releasing his tension, and allowed the dark Qi to flow freely. It surged through him like a rushing river, and for a brief moment, he felt a connection—a harmony between himself and the chaotic energy.
"Good," the Sovereign said, a faint note of approval in his voice. "Now, focus it into your blade."
Kael gripped his broken sword tightly, channeling the Qi into the weapon. The blade began to glow faintly, a dark, ominous light radiating from its jagged edge. Kael opened his eyes, his breath catching in his throat as he stared at the weapon.
"This..." he whispered. "This is my Qi?"
The Sovereign nodded. "It is a reflection of your will. Weak Qi falters. Strong Qi obeys. You are beginning to understand, but there is much more to learn."
Forging the Shadows
Over the next several hours, the Sovereign pushed Kael to his limits. He taught him how to channel his Qi into techniques, starting with the basics.
"The Abyssal Strike," the Sovereign explained, demonstrating with his own blade of shadows. "A simple but powerful technique. Focus your Qi into a single point, then release it in a controlled burst. It is the foundation of all Abyssal arts."
Kael watched in awe as the Sovereign swung his blade, sending a wave of shadowy energy slicing through the air. The ground trembled as the attack carved a deep scar into the stone.
"Now, you try."
Kael gripped his sword, focusing his Qi as he had been taught. He swung the blade, releasing a burst of energy. The resulting wave was small and unstable, fizzling out before it could do much damage.
The Sovereign frowned but did not chastise him. "Again."
Kael tried again, pouring more of his Qi into the strike. This time, the wave was stronger, but it veered off course, striking the ground several feet away.
"Your intent is scattered," the Sovereign said. "The Abyss responds to clarity. You must know what you want, or it will act on its own."
Kael clenched his teeth, frustration bubbling to the surface. He steadied his breathing and closed his eyes, picturing the attack in his mind. When he opened them, he swung his blade with renewed focus. The resulting wave of energy was smaller than the Sovereign's, but it was sharp and precise, cutting cleanly into the stone.
"Better," the Sovereign said, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "But you still have far to go."
The Price of Power
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the wasteland into darkness, Kael collapsed to the ground, his body trembling from exhaustion. The broken sword lay beside him, its faint glow dimming as his Qi faded.
The Sovereign stood over him, his expression unreadable. "You have done well for today. Rest now. Your body needs time to recover."
Kael nodded weakly, too tired to respond. As he lay on the cold stone of the altar, he stared up at the swirling gray clouds, his thoughts a whirlwind of doubt and determination. The Sovereign's lessons were brutal, but they were necessary. He was beginning to see that power—true power—came at a price.
Nearby, the Sovereign gazed into the distance, his crimson eyes glowing faintly. He could feel the faint stirrings of other presences on the horizon. The Emberlight Clan was not finished with them. Their next attack would come soon, and it would be stronger.
The Sovereign's lips curled into a faint smile. "Let them come," he murmured to himself. "The Abyss hungers, and the Dominion shall rise again."
End of Chapter 5