The Obsidian Altar loomed in the twilight, its dark energy swirling more intensely than usual. Kael stood at its edge, the Abyssal Shard glowing faintly in his hand. The artifact's power pulsed through him, amplifying the Abyss's presence within him. Every breath felt heavier, each step burdened by the weight of the shard's demands.
Ryn approached cautiously, her blade resting against her hip. "You've been standing there for hours."
Kael didn't turn. "It's louder now."
"The Abyss?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and frustration.
Kael nodded. "And the shard. It's like they're… arguing."
Ryn frowned, stepping closer. "Arguing about what?"
Kael glanced at her, his eyes shadowed and distant. "About me."
The Sovereign's Guidance
The Sovereign summoned Kael to the altar that evening. Shadows coiled around him, their movements slower and more deliberate than before. Zereth stood nearby, his dark eyes fixed on the shard in Kael's hand.
"The shard has accepted you," the Sovereign said, his voice calm but commanding. "But its power is not yours yet. It will test you, push you, until you either master it—or it masters you."
Kael's grip on the shard tightened. "And if it masters me?"
The Sovereign's crimson eyes glowed faintly. "Then you will cease to be Kael. You will become something more—and something less."
Zereth stepped forward, his tone smooth. "The shard is a gift, but also a chain. It binds the Abyss to you, but it also binds you to the Abyss. Use it wisely, or it will consume you."
Kael felt the Abyss stirring within him, its whispers growing louder. He glanced at the Sovereign. "Why did the Abyss choose me?"
The Sovereign's expression was unreadable. "Because you are willing to pay the price."
Ryn's Confrontation
Later that night, Ryn found Kael near the edge of the camp. He sat with the Abyssal Fang resting across his knees, the shard glowing faintly beside him. She sat down beside him, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
"This isn't sustainable, Kael," she said quietly. "The Abyss is taking more from you every day."
Kael sighed. "It's not just taking. It's giving, too. Power, strength, control."
"But at what cost?" Ryn asked, her voice sharp. "Every time you use that shard, it's like you're losing a piece of yourself."
Kael hesitated, the weight of her words sinking in. "I don't know if I have a choice. The Dominion needs me to be strong."
Ryn turned to face him, her eyes fierce. "We need you to be you. Not some tool of the Abyss."
Kael met her gaze, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "What if I can't be both?"
The Dominion's Tensions
The shard's presence in the Dominion caused ripples of unease among the disciples. Some saw it as a symbol of their growing power, while others viewed it with suspicion.
Sylas, as always, leaned into the chaos. "I think it's beautiful," they said, lounging near a fire. "A little scary, sure, but who doesn't like a bit of danger?"
Vaelon, sitting across from them, shook his head. "It's not just dangerous. It's unstable. The Abyss isn't meant to be controlled like that."
Sylas tilted their head, their tone playful. "Isn't that the point of the Dominion? To do what no one else dares?"
Vaelon's expression darkened. "There's a difference between daring and reckless."
The Abyss Calls
Kael's dreams that night were vivid and unsettling. He stood in a vast, shadowy void, the Abyssal Shard glowing in his hand. Shadows writhed around him, their voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony.
"You are chosen," the voices said. "But choice is an illusion. The Abyss takes all."
Kael clenched the shard, its energy flaring. "I won't let you take me."
The shadows surged forward, their presence overwhelming. "You are already ours."
Kael woke with a start, the shard's glow dim but steady. The Abyss's whispers lingered in his mind, a constant reminder of its presence.
Shadowspire's Intrigue
The next day, Zereth approached Kael, his dark eyes gleaming with curiosity. "The shard is… remarkable," he said, his tone smooth. "You've done what many have failed to do."
Kael frowned. "What's that?"
"Survive," Zereth said. "The Abyss does not tolerate weakness. You are strong, Kael. But strength breeds enemies—and allies."
Kael studied him, suspicion flickering in his gaze. "Are you saying I should trust you?"
Zereth smiled faintly. "I'm saying you should trust yourself. The Abyss is a tool. Use it, and you can reshape the world."
A World in Chaos
News reached the Dominion of the coalition's movements. Smaller sects had joined the alliance, their fear of the Abyss driving them to desperate measures. At the same time, rumors spread of rogue cultivators seeking the Dominion, drawn by the shard's power.
The Sovereign addressed the disciples, his voice steady but commanding. "The world sees us as a threat. Let them. The Abyss does not seek their approval. It demands their submission."
Kael stood at the front of the gathering, the shard's weight heavy in his hand. The Sovereign's words resonated, but the Abyss's whispers added their own layer of doubt.
As the disciples prepared for the next battle, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that the shard was more than a tool—it was a test. And the Abyss was far from finished with him.
End of Chapter 34