The battle's aftermath lingered in the air, an unspoken tension that weighed heavily on the members of the Dominion. Though the Emberlight Clan had been driven back, Kael could feel the unease in every step as he paced near the Obsidian Altar. The Sovereign stood at its center, his gaze fixed on the horizon where faint plumes of smoke still rose from the battlefield.
Kael tightened his grip on the Abyssal Fang, its weight comforting but not reassuring. "Master," he said, breaking the silence. "What happens next? Emberlight won't stop. They'll keep coming."
The Sovereign turned to him, his crimson eyes glowing faintly. "You are correct. The Emberlight Clan has tasted defeat, but their pride will not allow them to accept it. They will rally their forces, seek alliances, and strike again."
Sylas leaned against a nearby pillar, their voice laced with dry amusement. "And let me guess, we're going to keep poking the hornet's nest until it collapses?"
The Sovereign's gaze shifted to Sylas, his expression unreadable. "Precisely. But we will not act blindly. The Abyss rewards those who are patient and precise. There are fractures within the Emberlight Clan—discontent among their ranks."
Ryn stepped forward, her brow furrowed. "You mean we're going to exploit that?"
The Sovereign nodded. "A single spark can ignite a wildfire. We will find their weakness and let it destroy them from within."
A Whisper in the Dark
Later that evening, as the Dominion's members prepared for the next phase of their campaign, Kael found himself unable to rest. The Abyssal Shard's energy still pulsed within him, its presence both empowering and unsettling. He stood at the edge of the altar, staring out into the endless wasteland.
"You're restless," Ryn said, stepping beside him.
Kael nodded, not taking his eyes off the horizon. "It's the Shard. I can feel it, even now. It's like it's alive."
Ryn tilted her head slightly. "Is it... dangerous?"
Kael hesitated. "I don't know. But it's powerful. I just don't know if I'm strong enough to control it."
Ryn's gaze softened slightly, a rare flicker of vulnerability crossing her face. "You will be. The Abyss doesn't choose lightly."
Kael managed a faint smile. "Thanks."
Before Ryn could respond, Sylas appeared, their movements as fluid as ever. "Hate to break up the bonding moment, but the Sovereign wants us. Looks like he's found our spark."
The Plan Unfolds
The Sovereign gathered the group at the altar, his presence commanding as he outlined their next move. His voice was calm, but the intensity in his eyes left no room for doubt.
"The Emberlight Clan's second-in-command, a man named Vaelon, has grown disillusioned with their leadership. He believes their current path will lead to ruin. We will use this to our advantage."
Kael frowned. "And how do we do that?"
The Sovereign's gaze rested on him. "Vaelon is ambitious. He seeks power, but he also craves stability. We will offer him both—on our terms."
Ryn crossed her arms, her tone skeptical. "And if he doesn't take the bait?"
"Then he becomes expendable," the Sovereign said coldly. "Either way, his presence will create a fracture within their ranks. That is all we need."
Sylas grinned behind their mask. "Sounds like my kind of fun. Subtle chaos, right?"
The Sovereign ignored the comment, his focus unwavering. "Kael, Ryn, Sylas—you will infiltrate the Emberlight encampment. Vaelon is cautious but not unreachable. Make him see the futility of resisting the Abyss."
Kael exchanged a glance with Ryn and Sylas, his grip on the Fang tightening. "Understood."
The Emberlight Encampment
The Emberlight Clan's temporary camp was a sprawling collection of tents and makeshift fortifications, its fiery glow casting long shadows across the barren ground. Kael, Ryn, and Sylas approached under the cover of darkness, their movements silent and precise.
Sylas crouched beside a low ridge, their masked face tilted toward the camp. "There he is," they whispered, nodding toward a tent near the center. "Vaelon. Looks like he's got a couple of guards, but nothing we can't handle."
Kael peered at the figure Sylas had indicated. Vaelon was tall and broad-shouldered, his crimson armor gleaming faintly in the firelight. Though he carried himself with confidence, there was an edge of tension in his movements—a sign of the doubt the Sovereign had mentioned.
"How do you want to do this?" Ryn asked, her voice low.
Sylas grinned. "Subtle. Leave it to me."
Before Kael or Ryn could respond, Sylas disappeared into the shadows, their movements eerily silent. Within moments, the guards near Vaelon's tent crumpled to the ground, their bodies dragged out of sight.
"Show-off," Ryn muttered, drawing her blade as she and Kael moved in.
Vaelon looked up as they entered, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword. "Who—?"
"Quiet," Kael said, raising the Abyssal Fang. "We're not here to kill you. Not yet."
Vaelon's eyes narrowed, but he didn't draw his weapon. "You're from the Dominion."
Kael nodded. "Your clan is falling apart, Vaelon. You know it as well as we do. Your leader's pride will destroy everything you've built."
Vaelon's jaw tightened. "You think I don't see that? But betraying the clan—"
"Isn't betrayal if it saves them," Ryn interjected, her tone sharp. "You want stability. The Abyss can give you that. The Sovereign can give you that."
Vaelon hesitated, his gaze flicking between them. "And what does the Sovereign want in return?"
Kael stepped closer, the Fang's glow reflecting in his eyes. "Your loyalty. Join us, and the Dominion will rise stronger than anything the Emberlight Clan could ever be."
For a long moment, the tent was silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade. Finally, Vaelon let out a low sigh, his hand falling away from his sword.
"I'll hear him out," he said. "But if this is a trap—"
"It's not," Kael said firmly. "You'll see."
A Dangerous Alliance
The group returned to the altar under cover of darkness, Vaelon trailing behind them. The Sovereign awaited them, his presence as imposing as ever. Vaelon hesitated as they approached, his eyes narrowing as he studied the man who had become the stuff of legends—and nightmares.
"You are Vaelon," the Sovereign said, his tone calm but commanding. "Second-in-command of the Emberlight Clan. Tell me—why have you come?"
Vaelon straightened, his voice steady. "Because I believe my clan is on the wrong path. Lady Alira's pride blinds her, and if we continue down this road, we'll be destroyed. I want stability for my people."
The Sovereign's crimson eyes glowed faintly. "And you think the Dominion can offer that?"
"I do," Vaelon said. "But I need assurances."
The Sovereign's lips curled into a faint smile. "You will have them. The Abyss rewards loyalty, Vaelon. Serve the Dominion, and your people will not only survive—they will thrive."
Vaelon held the Sovereign's gaze for a long moment, then nodded. "Very well. I will serve."
As the shadows around the altar seemed to grow darker, Kael felt a flicker of unease. Vaelon's words carried conviction, but trust was a fragile thing, and the Abyss did not tolerate weakness.
End of Chapter 19