The first light of dawn did little to brighten the desolate wasteland. Instead, the sun's rays seemed to struggle against the oppressive weight of the Abyssal energy radiating from the Obsidian Altar. Kael stood beside Ryn, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. She looked as exhausted as he had felt after his own trial, her dark eyes shadowed but alight with determination.
"Ryn," Kael said after a moment, unsure of how to begin. "You... made it."
She turned to him, her gaze steady but cautious. "Of course I did. Failing wasn't an option."
There was no arrogance in her tone, only a quiet certainty. Kael nodded, understanding. He had felt the same way when he had faced his shadow in the trial.
Sylas approached, their cloak shifting faintly in the wind. "Not bad," they said, tilting their masked face toward Ryn. "You didn't come out screaming, and you're still standing. That puts you ahead of most."
Ryn's lips twitched in what might have been the beginning of a smile. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Kael smirked. "Coming from Sylas, that's probably the best you'll get."
Sylas chuckled, the sound low and amused. "Careful, kid. You're getting bold."
The Sovereign's voice cut through their banter. "Enough."
The three turned to see the Sovereign standing at the center of the altar, his crimson eyes glowing faintly. His presence was commanding as always, but there was an intensity to his gaze that made the air feel heavier.
"The Abyss does not tolerate complacency," he said, his voice carrying a weight that silenced the group. "Each of you has taken your first steps, but the path ahead is long. The Dominion will not rise on strength alone. It requires unity, discipline, and purpose."
He gestured toward the horizon, where the faint glow of distant fires marked the Emberlight Clan's encampments. "Our enemies gather even now. They will strike again, and when they do, we must be ready. Ryn, Kael—you will train together. Learn from one another. Grow stronger."
Kael and Ryn exchanged a glance. "Yes, Master," they said in unison.
A Trial of Cooperation
Training began immediately. The Sovereign wasted no time in pairing Kael and Ryn against Sylas in mock battles, forcing them to work together to overcome the rogue's unpredictable tactics.
Sylas moved like a shadow, their strikes precise and unrelenting. Kael swung his blade of dark Qi with brute force, while Ryn used her agility to dart in and out of the fray, but their lack of coordination was glaring.
"You're too slow," Ryn snapped after dodging a strike that nearly clipped her. "Stop swinging like you're trying to break the ground."
Kael scowled, parrying one of Sylas's attacks. "Maybe if you'd hold your position instead of darting around, we wouldn't keep getting separated."
Sylas laughed, effortlessly slipping through their defenses. "This is adorable. The Abyss really picked the two of you?"
"Enough," the Sovereign called, his voice sharp. "You are not enemies. Work together, or you will fail."
Kael gritted his teeth, adjusting his stance. "Fine. What do you want to do?"
Ryn hesitated, then nodded toward Sylas. "You keep him busy. I'll go for an opening."
Kael nodded, channeling his Qi into the Abyssal Fang. The blade pulsed with energy as he stepped forward, forcing Sylas onto the defensive. Ryn darted around the side, her movements quick and calculated. She lunged, her blade flashing in the dim light, and for the first time, Sylas faltered.
The rogue raised a hand, signaling their surrender. "Alright, alright. You win this one."
Kael lowered his blade, his chest heaving. "Finally."
Ryn smirked faintly. "Not bad."
The Sovereign stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Better. But you still have much to learn. The Abyss rewards those who can adapt. Remember that."
Echoes of the Past
That evening, as the group rested near the altar, Kael found himself sitting beside Ryn. The fire they had lit was small, its flames casting flickering shadows across the cracked stone. Sylas lounged a few feet away, their mask tilted upward as they stared at the dark sky.
Ryn was quiet, her gaze distant. Kael hesitated before speaking. "Ryn... what did you see in your trial?"
She didn't look at him. "Why do you want to know?"
"I just..." He trailed off, unsure of how to explain. "I guess I'm curious. Mine was... difficult. I faced myself—my fears, my doubts. It felt like I was fighting everything I hated about myself."
Ryn was silent for a long moment before finally responding. "I saw my family."
Kael blinked, caught off guard. "Your family?"
She nodded, her voice soft. "They were part of a sect—a small one, nothing like Emberlight. We were... happy. Until another sect decided we were too close to their territory. They attacked, killed everyone. I survived because I was out gathering herbs."
Kael's chest tightened. "I'm... I'm sorry."
Ryn shook her head. "Don't be. The Abyss showed me their faces, made me relive that day. But it also showed me something else—strength. If I'd had it then, I could have saved them."
Kael didn't know what to say. He stared at the fire, his thoughts swirling.
Sylas's voice broke the silence. "The Abyss has a way of dragging out the things we try to bury. But if you can face them, you come out stronger. That's why it's worth it."
Ryn glanced at Sylas, her expression unreadable. "And what about you? What did you see?"
Sylas chuckled softly. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
The Gathering Storm
As dawn broke, the Sovereign summoned the group to the altar. His expression was grim, his crimson eyes glowing brighter than usual.
"They are moving," he said, his voice low. "The Emberlight Clan has begun their march. Their forces are greater than before, and they bring with them a cultivator of considerable power."
Kael tensed. "How strong are we talking?"
The Sovereign's gaze turned to the horizon. "Strong enough that you are not yet ready to face him."
Ryn frowned. "Then what do we do?"
The Sovereign's lips curled into a faint smile. "We do what the Abyss demands. We adapt. We strike from the shadows, whittle them down, and make them fear us."
Sylas nodded, their voice laced with amusement. "Ah, guerrilla tactics. My favorite."
The Sovereign stepped forward, his presence commanding. "This will be a test—not just of strength, but of strategy and will. The Abyss does not favor the reckless. It favors those who think, who endure, who prevail."
Kael gripped his blade tightly, his determination hardening. "We'll be ready."
As the group prepared for the coming battle, the air around the altar grew heavier, charged with Abyssal energy. The Dominion was rising, but so too were its enemies. The storm was coming, and the shadows would not falter.
End of Chapter 11