The following morning dawned with the faintest hints of light breaking through the gray, ash-filled sky. The Obsidian Altar pulsed with energy, its dark glow spreading outward in faint ripples that seemed to echo across the wasteland. The Sovereign stood at its center, his shadow stretching unnaturally across the cracked stone.
Kael, Ryn, Sylas, and the Shadowsworn gathered before him, their expressions a mixture of anticipation and determination. They had proven themselves in battle, but they all knew this was only the beginning. The Dominion's path forward would not be easy.
"The next relic," the Sovereign began, his voice low but commanding, "lies in the Veil of Desolation, a place untouched by light and forsaken by all who once sought its secrets. It is said to house the Abyssal Shard, a fragment of the Abyss itself, capable of amplifying the power of those who wield it."
Kael stepped forward, his grip on the Abyssal Fang tightening. "What kind of place is it?"
The Sovereign's crimson eyes fixed on him. "It is a labyrinth of shadows, a test for those who seek the Abyss's favor. It will challenge your resolve, your strength, and your unity."
Ryn glanced at Sylas. "Sounds like your kind of fun."
Sylas chuckled softly. "Oh, I do love a good maze of death."
The Sovereign raised a hand, silencing the banter. "This will not be a simple mission. The Veil of Desolation is alive with its own will. If you falter, it will consume you."
Kael and Ryn exchanged a glance, their resolve hardening. "We're ready," Kael said.
The Sovereign's gaze swept over the group. "Prepare yourselves. We leave at dusk."
The Journey to the Veil
The group departed under the cover of darkness, the wasteland stretching endlessly before them. The Veil of Desolation lay far to the north, beyond even the barren plains they had come to know. The air grew colder as they traveled, and the faint traces of life that lingered in the wasteland vanished entirely. The land became a lifeless expanse of jagged stone and deep chasms, its oppressive silence broken only by the occasional howl of the wind.
Kael walked beside Ryn, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of movement. "Have you ever heard of the Veil before?" he asked, his voice low.
Ryn shook her head. "Only whispers. It's the kind of place people avoid unless they have a death wish."
Sylas, walking a few paces ahead, turned their masked face toward them. "Oh, it's more than that. The Veil isn't just a place—it's a predator. It feeds on fear, doubt, and anything that isn't nailed down. Fun, right?"
Kael grimaced. "Great."
The Sovereign, leading the group, spoke without turning. "Do not let fear guide you. The Veil preys on weakness, but it can be overcome. Trust in the Abyss, and you will endure."
Kael nodded, though unease still gnawed at him. The Abyss had pushed him to his limits before, but this felt different. This felt... personal.
The Entrance to the Veil
The Veil of Desolation appeared on the horizon like a jagged wound in the earth. Massive obsidian spires jutted skyward, their surfaces slick with some unknown substance that glistened faintly in the dim light. The air grew heavier as they approached, and Kael felt an almost tangible pressure pressing against his chest.
"This is it," Sylas said, their voice uncharacteristically serious. "Welcome to the Veil."
The entrance was a massive archway carved into the side of a towering spire. Strange runes glowed faintly along its surface, their light flickering like dying embers. The Sovereign stepped forward, his presence commanding as he studied the archway.
"The Abyssal Shard lies at the heart of this place," he said. "But the path is not straightforward. The Veil will test you. It will try to break you."
Ryn stepped forward, her expression calm but determined. "We'll make it."
The Sovereign turned to the group, his crimson eyes burning. "This trial is not mine. It is yours. I will guide you to the entrance, but beyond that, you must face it alone."
Kael felt his stomach drop. "Alone?"
The Sovereign nodded. "The Veil is not a place for groups. It will isolate you, force you to confront your own weaknesses. Only those who emerge with the Abyssal Shard will be deemed worthy."
Kael exchanged a glance with Ryn and Sylas. For all their bravado, even Sylas seemed uneasy.
"Alright," Kael said, his voice steadier than he felt. "Let's do this."
Into the Shadows
As they stepped through the archway, the world shifted around them. The oppressive silence of the wasteland gave way to a deafening stillness, as though the Veil itself was holding its breath. The air was thick and cold, and the darkness pressed in on all sides.
Kael turned, expecting to see Ryn and Sylas behind him, but they were gone. The archway had disappeared, replaced by an endless expanse of shadow. He was alone.
"Great," he muttered, his voice swallowed by the void. He gripped the Abyssal Fang tightly, its faint glow the only source of light. "Just me and the creepy labyrinth. Fantastic."
The path ahead twisted and turned, the walls shifting subtly as though alive. Kael forced himself to move forward, his every step echoing faintly. He tried to focus on the Fang, its energy steadying him as he ventured deeper.
The Veil's Test
The shadows around Kael began to shift, forming shapes that were painfully familiar. A figure emerged from the darkness, its face illuminated by the Fang's glow. Kael's breath caught in his throat.
It was himself—or at least, a version of himself. This Kael looked older, his face lined with exhaustion and regret. His armor was battered, and his blade was stained with blood.
"Look at you," the double said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Still clinging to hope. Still pretending you have what it takes."
Kael raised his blade, his grip tightening. "You're not real."
The double laughed. "Aren't I? I'm every failure you've ever had. Every doubt you've buried. You think you can survive the Abyss? You can't even survive yourself."
Kael gritted his teeth, forcing himself to steady his breathing. He'd faced his fears before—he could do it again. "Get out of my way."
The double stepped forward, its blade raised. "Make me."
Kael charged, the Abyssal Fang pulsing with energy as he swung. The double met his strike with equal force, their blades clashing in a burst of dark light. The impact sent a shockwave through the Veil, the shadows around them rippling like water.
"You're weak," the double hissed, pressing the attack. "You're nothing without the Sovereign. Without the Dominion."
Kael snarled, channeling his Qi into his strikes. "That's not true."
The battle raged on, the Veil itself seeming to react to their movements. Each strike sent tremors through the labyrinth, the walls shifting and twisting. Kael's heart pounded, his arms aching as he fought to keep up.
But then, something shifted. Kael closed his eyes, letting the chaos of his Qi flow freely. He stopped fighting the double's strikes and began guiding them, redirecting the energy into his own blade. With a final, powerful swing, he struck the double's chest.
The shadow shattered, its form dissolving into the darkness. Kael stood alone once more, his chest heaving.
"You're wrong," he said softly, his voice echoing faintly. "I'm stronger than you think."
End of Chapter 16