Kael walked with the Abyssal Fang strapped across his back, its faint glow pulsating in sync with his Qi. Though exhaustion weighed heavily on him, a strange clarity filled his mind. The chaotic energy within him, which had once felt like an uncontrollable storm, now seemed to hum in harmony with the blade.
The journey back to the Obsidian Altar was quieter than Kael had expected. Sylas, usually quick with a snarky comment, had said little, their masked face tilted as if deep in thought. The Sovereign, as always, moved with purpose, his crimson eyes scanning the wasteland with an intensity that made Kael wonder what he was looking for.
As the altar came into view, its faint glow visible even against the gray horizon, Kael finally broke the silence. "Master," he began, his voice hesitant, "what happens now? The Fang... it feels like it's changed something in me."
The Sovereign stopped and turned, his gaze resting on Kael with an expression that was almost approving. "It has. The Abyssal Fang is not merely a weapon; it is a fragment of the Abyss itself. To wield it is to bind yourself to its power. You have taken a step closer to understanding the Abyss, but the path is far from complete."
Kael nodded, though he still felt the weight of uncertainty. "And the Emberlight Clan? They won't stop, will they?"
"They will not," the Sovereign said, his tone calm but firm. "Their pride demands retribution, and they will come for us again. But this time, we will be ready."
Sylas chuckled softly. "And by 'we,' you mean Kael gets to do more of the fighting, right?"
Kael shot Sylas a glare, but the Sovereign's voice cut through before he could respond. "The next battle will not be his alone. The Dominion's strength does not rest on one blade but on the unity of its followers. That is why we must grow."
The Call to Shadows
As they reached the altar, the Sovereign stepped to its center, placing a hand on the glowing crystal. Shadows coiled around his arm, and the faint hum of the altar deepened, resonating like a drumbeat. Kael and Sylas watched as tendrils of dark energy stretched outward, reaching beyond the altar and into the desolate land beyond.
"What's happening?" Kael asked, his voice tinged with awe.
"The Obsidian Altar has awakened," the Sovereign replied without looking at him. "Its power will call to those who share its resonance. Outcasts, wanderers, those who seek strength but have found none in the light—they will come to us."
Sylas tilted their head. "So we're recruiting?"
The Sovereign nodded. "The Dominion cannot rise on our strength alone. The Abyss demands followers, and we will give it what it desires. Those who come will be tested. Only the worthy will remain."
Kael frowned, a pang of doubt creeping into his chest. "And what happens to those who fail?"
The Sovereign turned to him, his crimson eyes unyielding. "The Abyss does not tolerate weakness. Those who fail will be consumed."
Kael swallowed hard, his hand instinctively tightening around the hilt of the Fang. "I see."
The Shadowfang Disciple
By nightfall, the first of the altar's summons had been answered. A figure emerged from the shadows at the edge of the wasteland, their movements cautious but determined. As they stepped into the light of the altar, Kael saw that they were a young woman, her dark robes tattered and her eyes sharp with defiance.
The Sovereign stepped forward, his presence commanding. "Who are you?"
The woman knelt, bowing her head low. "I am Ryn. I heard the call... felt it, deep in my soul. I have no home, no clan, no future. But the Abyss... it speaks to me. I wish to serve."
The Sovereign studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke. "You seek the power of the Abyss. But do you understand the price?"
"I do," Ryn said, her voice steady. "I have nothing left to lose."
The Sovereign's lips curled into a faint smile. "Then rise, Ryn of the shadows. You will undergo the trial, as all who seek the Abyss must. If you succeed, you will be reborn as a disciple of the Netherborn Dominion."
Ryn rose to her feet, her gaze unwavering. "I will not fail."
Kael stepped forward, his curiosity overriding his exhaustion. "Master, should I... help her?"
The Sovereign shook his head. "Her trial is her own, as yours was. Each path into the Abyss is different, tailored to the soul that walks it."
Sylas leaned against a pillar, their masked face turned toward Kael. "Don't worry, kid. If she's as stubborn as she looks, she'll make it. Probably."
Kael shot Sylas a withering look but said nothing. He turned his attention back to Ryn as she stepped toward the altar, her figure soon enveloped by the swirling shadows of the trial.
The Sovereign's Vision
As Ryn's trial began, the Sovereign moved to the edge of the altar, his gaze distant. Kael hesitated before approaching him, unsure if he should disturb his master's thoughts.
"Master," Kael began tentatively, "what is the Dominion's purpose? Beyond growing stronger... what do we fight for?"
The Sovereign's crimson eyes turned to Kael, and for a moment, Kael thought he saw something deeper—something almost sorrowful—in his gaze.
"The Netherborn Dominion was founded to uncover the truth of the Abyss," the Sovereign said, his voice quieter than usual. "To harness its infinite power and use it to transcend the limitations of this world. But power alone is not enough. The Dominion seeks to create a realm where strength and will reign supreme, unburdened by the chains of light and hypocrisy."
Kael frowned, trying to process his master's words. "And the Abyss? What does it want?"
The Sovereign's expression darkened slightly. "The Abyss is chaos. It does not want—it simply is. But in its chaos lies the potential for creation and destruction. Those who master it can shape it to their will. That is what we seek."
Kael nodded slowly, though he still felt the weight of uncertainty. The Abyss was vast and incomprehensible, and the more he learned, the more questions he had.
A New Dawn
As the first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, the shadows around the altar began to shift. Ryn stepped out of the trial's chamber, her figure illuminated by the faint light. She carried no weapon, but the dark energy radiating from her was unmistakable.
The Sovereign approached her, his expression unreadable. "You succeeded."
Ryn knelt before him, her voice steady. "I am ready to serve."
The Sovereign placed a hand on her shoulder, his crimson eyes glowing faintly. "Then rise, Shadowfang Disciple. You are now one of us."
Kael watched as Ryn stood, her gaze filled with newfound determination. Despite his doubts, he couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. The Dominion was growing, and for the first time, he felt like they might truly stand a chance against the forces arrayed against them.
As the sun climbed higher, casting long shadows across the wasteland, the Sovereign turned to his disciples. "This is only the beginning. The Dominion will rise, and the world will remember its name."
End of Chapter 10