The battlefield lay silent under the pale light of the moon. The once-organized forces of the Emberlight Clan were reduced to scattered corpses and smoldering remnants of Qi-infused flames. Kael stood near the edge of the Obsidian Altar, his blade still in hand. Though the Abyssal Fang pulsed faintly, its energy in sync with his own, his body was trembling. Exhaustion clung to him like a second skin.
"You did well," Ryn said, stepping beside him. Her tone was calm, but there was a flicker of approval in her eyes. "For a moment, I thought you'd collapse back there."
Kael let out a weak chuckle. "Not exactly confidence-inspiring, is it?"
Sylas appeared out of the shadows, their mask tilted slightly upward as if smirking. "Well, you're not dead, so that's something. And hey, you even managed to keep up with Ryn. That's progress."
Kael rolled his eyes but couldn't help feeling a pang of pride. He turned toward the center of the altar, where the Sovereign stood over the body of the Emberlight leader. The Sovereign's crimson eyes glowed faintly as shadows coiled around him, their movements slow and deliberate.
"What's he doing?" Kael asked, his voice hushed.
Sylas crossed their arms. "Probably extracting information. Or a soul. Hard to tell with him."
Ryn gave Sylas a sharp look. "Be serious."
"I am," Sylas replied, their tone light. "Mostly."
The Sovereign's Revelation
The Sovereign rose from the body of the Emberlight leader, his expression unreadable. He stepped forward, the air around him heavy with Abyssal energy.
"They know," he said simply.
Kael frowned. "Know what?"
The Sovereign's gaze swept over the group. "The Emberlight Clan's leaders know the Obsidian Altar has been rekindled. They know the Dominion is rising. And they will not rest until we are destroyed."
Sylas whistled softly. "Well, that's not ideal."
Ryn's grip on her blade tightened. "What do we do?"
The Sovereign's lips curled into a faint smile. "We grow stronger. The Abyss rewards those who are relentless. This battle has strengthened the altar, but it is not enough. There are still relics to be reclaimed, disciples to be gathered, and enemies to be dealt with."
Kael stepped forward, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "And the Emberlight Clan? Will they send more?"
"They will," the Sovereign said. "But by the time they do, we will be ready. The Abyss does not fear numbers. It thrives in chaos, and we will ensure they drown in it."
The Rise of the Dominion
The group spent the following days repairing the altar and fortifying their position. Under the Sovereign's guidance, Kael and Ryn continued their training, their techniques growing sharper with each session. Sylas, ever the rogue, took it upon themselves to scout the surrounding area, their reports laced with equal parts wit and invaluable information.
The altar itself seemed to pulse with renewed vigor, its energy spreading across the wasteland like creeping tendrils. The Sovereign often stood at its center, his eyes distant as he communed with the Abyss.
One evening, as Kael sat sharpening his blade, Ryn approached and sat beside him. The two had grown closer over the past few days, their shared experiences forging a quiet camaraderie.
"You're getting better," Ryn said, her tone as steady as ever. "You don't stumble as much in practice."
Kael chuckled. "High praise coming from you."
Ryn's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Don't let it go to your head."
Their conversation was interrupted by Sylas, who appeared seemingly out of nowhere. "Hate to ruin the bonding moment, but we've got company."
Kael and Ryn sprang to their feet, their hands instinctively going to their weapons. "Emberlight?" Kael asked.
Sylas shook their head. "Nope. Looks like strays. Wanderers drawn by the altar's energy. Might be potential recruits. Or trouble."
The Sovereign stepped forward, his presence instantly commanding attention. "We will see which they are."
The New Disciples
A group of figures emerged from the shadows, their movements cautious but determined. There were five in total, each radiating a faint aura of Qi. They stopped a short distance from the altar, their expressions a mixture of awe and wariness.
One of them, a man with a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward. "We felt the call," he said, his voice steady. "We've heard the stories. The Netherborn Dominion is rising again."
The Sovereign regarded them with a cold, calculating gaze. "You seek the Abyss."
The man nodded. "We do. We've been cast out, abandoned by the sects we once served. But we're not weak. We want a place where strength is what matters."
The Sovereign's eyes glowed faintly. "Strength alone is not enough. The Abyss demands more. If you wish to join the Dominion, you must face its trial."
The group exchanged uneasy glances, but none of them stepped back. "We'll do it," the scarred man said. "We'll prove ourselves."
The Sovereign gestured toward the altar. "Step forward. The Abyss will judge you."
Shadows of Unity
As the new recruits entered the trial, Kael watched with a mixture of curiosity and unease. He remembered his own trial vividly—the fear, the pain, and the sense of being utterly exposed. It was not something he would wish on anyone, yet it was necessary.
"They might not make it," Ryn said quietly, her gaze fixed on the altar.
Kael nodded. "But if they do, they'll be stronger for it."
Sylas leaned against a pillar, their masked face tilted toward the altar. "The Abyss doesn't play favorites. If they're worthy, they'll come out alive. If not... well, that's just how it works."
The Sovereign turned to the group, his expression unreadable. "This is the beginning of a new chapter for the Dominion. Each disciple strengthens the whole. Together, we will rise."
Kael felt a flicker of pride at the Sovereign's words. He still had much to learn, but for the first time, he felt like he was part of something greater—a force that could truly change the world.
As the first of the new disciples emerged from the trial, their expressions hardened by the experience, Kael knew the Dominion was growing. And with every step forward, the shadows spread a little further.
End of Chapter 13