The Dominion's camp buzzed with quiet activity as the disciples prepared for what lay ahead. The coalition of sects opposing them was growing bolder, and Kael could feel the weight of the Abyss pressing down on him. The Abyssal Shard, tucked securely into a reinforced satchel at his side, pulsed faintly with a rhythm that mirrored his own heartbeat.
Kael stood near the edge of the Obsidian Altar, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The wasteland stretched out before him, its desolation a stark reminder of what they were fighting to control. He tightened his grip on the Abyssal Fang, its dark energy pulsing faintly in response.
"You're brooding again," Ryn said, approaching with her blade resting on her shoulder.
Kael didn't look at her. "It's hard not to, knowing what's coming."
Ryn stood beside him, her gaze distant. "We've faced worse."
Kael shook his head. "Not like this. The coalition isn't just fighting us—they're targeting the Abyss itself."
The Coalition's Movements
The Sovereign called the disciples to the altar that evening. His crimson eyes swept over the group, his presence as commanding as ever. Zereth and the Shadowspire emissaries lingered nearby, their expressions unreadable.
"The coalition grows stronger," the Sovereign began, his voice calm but resonant. "Their leaders have rallied their forces and are preparing to strike. They seek to destroy the Abyssal Shard, believing it to be the source of our strength."
Sylas tilted their head, their tone light. "Well, they're not wrong. Without the shard, we'd lose a pretty big edge."
The Sovereign's gaze flicked to Sylas, sharp and unyielding. "The shard is a tool, not our foundation. The Abyss itself is our strength. And they will learn that it cannot be destroyed."
Vaelon stepped forward, his expression grim. "Do we know where they're gathering?"
The Sovereign motioned to the glowing map hovering above the altar. Several glowing symbols marked the coalition's known movements. "Their forces are converging here," he said, pointing to a rocky expanse near the Blackspire Ridge. "They will wait for reinforcements before launching their attack."
Kael studied the map, the shard's faint pulsing a steady reminder of its presence. "Then we strike first."
The Sovereign's Plan
The Sovereign nodded. "Precisely. Sylas and Ryn will lead a vanguard to disrupt their supply lines and weaken their defenses. Kael, you will lead the main force and confront their leaders directly."
Kael hesitated, the shard's energy flaring faintly at his side. "And the shard?"
The Sovereign's eyes glinted. "The shard will be your weapon, but it must not fall into their hands. If the coalition seizes it, the Abyss will punish us all."
Kael nodded, though unease churned in his gut. The shard's power was immense, but its weight was suffocating.
The Vanguard's Attack
Sylas and Ryn moved swiftly, their vanguard striking the coalition's supply lines with precision. The coalition forces faltered under the unexpected assault, their formations breaking as Sylas darted through their ranks, sowing chaos with swift, surgical strikes.
Ryn's blade moved with deadly efficiency, her movements precise and calculated. She drove their forces back, cutting through their defenses like a storm.
"Keep pushing!" Ryn shouted, her voice carrying over the din of battle. "Don't give them time to regroup!"
Sylas grinned, their tone light. "I'd give this effort a solid nine out of ten. Maybe dock a point for lack of explosions."
Ryn rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "Just focus."
Kael's Mission
Kael led the main force through the wasteland, the Abyssal Fang glowing faintly as it resonated with the shard's energy. The coalition's camp loomed ahead, its defensive formations visible even from a distance.
As they approached, Kael felt the Abyss stir within him, its whispers growing louder. The shard pulsed in response, its energy mingling with his own. He tightened his grip on the Fang, his determination hardening.
"Ready?" Vaelon asked, his voice steady.
Kael nodded. "Let's end this."
The Dominion struck with overwhelming force, their shadowy energy clashing against the coalition's defenses. Kael led the charge, the Fang cutting through their lines with devastating precision. The shard's power surged within him, amplifying his strikes and overwhelming the coalition's forces.
The coalition leaders emerged from the chaos, their auras blazing with fiery and radiant Qi. Kael recognized one of them—a Celestial Blade Sect commander who had survived their previous encounter.
"You think the Abyss will save you?" the commander shouted, their voice sharp. "It will destroy you."
Kael stepped forward, the Fang pulsing with Abyssal energy. "The Abyss doesn't save. It consumes."
A Clash of Power
The battle between Kael and the coalition leaders was fierce and unrelenting. The Celestial Blade commander's techniques were sharp and disciplined, their strikes pushing Kael to his limits. The shard's energy flared within him, the Abyss guiding his movements as he countered their attacks.
One of the coalition leaders, a rogue cultivator wielding venomous Qi, struck at Kael with a wave of toxic energy. Kael channeled the shard's power, unleashing a surge of shadowy energy that consumed the attack and struck the cultivator down.
The Abyss roared in Kael's mind, its presence overwhelming as he unleashed the shard's full power. Shadows surged around him, consuming the battlefield in a maelstrom of darkness. The coalition forces faltered, their morale breaking under the Dominion's relentless assault.
The Aftermath
As the last of the coalition forces retreated, Kael stood amidst the wreckage, his chest heaving. The shard's energy dimmed, its presence still heavy but quieter than before. The Abyss's whispers had subsided, leaving a hollow silence in their wake.
Ryn approached, her expression a mix of relief and concern. "You did it. But…"
Kael glanced at her, his gaze distant. "It's not over. Not yet."
The Sovereign arrived moments later, his crimson eyes burning with approval. "You have done well. The coalition is broken, but they will regroup. The Abyss demands we remain vigilant."
Kael nodded, though the weight of the shard pressed heavily on him. The Dominion had won the battle, but the war was far from over. And the Abyss's price had yet to be fully paid.
End of Chapter 35