The air crackled with tension as Seris's forces appeared on the horizon, their numbers stretching farther than the eye could see. At the head of the army stood Seris herself, her aura radiating power and authority. Her presence was overwhelming, a stark reminder of the strength the Dominion faced.
Kael stood at the forefront of the camp, the Abyssal Fang resting across his back. The shard and ring pulsed faintly in his hands, their energy feeding into his resolve. The shadows around him coiled and writhed, ready for battle.
"They're testing our resolve," Kael said quietly. "Let's show them what it means to stand with the Abyss."
The Siege Begins
The first wave of the attack came swiftly. Siege equipment loomed in the distance, their projectiles tearing through the air with devastating force. The shadow wards flared as they absorbed the impact, their energy crackling with strain.
Zereth moved swiftly, reinforcing the wards with dark energy. "They're probing for weaknesses," he said. "We need to hold them back before they find one."
Kael nodded. "Ryn, take a team and target their siege equipment. Sylas, get the scouts into position. We need eyes on their movements."
Ryn saluted, her blade gleaming faintly in the dim light. "Consider it done."
A Clash of Forces
As the wards held, Kael led the main force against the advancing enemy. Shadows surged around him, their movements precise and deadly. The shard and ring glowed brightly, amplifying his strikes as he cut through the enemy lines.
Seris's forces fought with precision, their Celestial Path techniques clashing with the Dominion's shadow-based attacks. Elemental energy crackled through the air, meeting shadows in a chaotic dance of power.
Kael found himself face-to-face with a Celestial Path disciple, their strikes fluid and deliberate. The shard pulsed in his hand as he countered their attacks, his movements sharp and unrelenting.
"You won't win," the disciple said, their voice calm but strained. "The Abyss will take everything from you."
Kael's gaze hardened. "Then it'll have to try harder."
Ryn's Strike Team
Ryn led her team through the chaos, their movements swift and purposeful. The siege equipment loomed ahead, guarded by a mix of Celestial and rogue Abyss cultivators.
"Take out the guards first," Ryn ordered, her voice steady. "Then we destroy the equipment."
Her blade moved like a shadow, cutting through the enemy with precision. Her team followed her lead, their techniques honed by countless battles. Within moments, the siege equipment was ablaze, its destruction sending ripples of panic through the enemy ranks.
Ryn smiled faintly as she regrouped with her team. "One down. Let's keep going."
Seris Steps Forward
As the battle raged, Seris moved toward the front lines, her aura radiating authority. Her elemental strikes tore through the Dominion's defenses, her power overwhelming. The shard and ring pulsed furiously in Kael's hands as he stepped forward to meet her.
"You again," Seris said, her tone calm but sharp. "Haven't you had enough?"
Kael raised the Abyssal Fang, his voice steady. "Not even close."
Their clash sent shockwaves across the battlefield, shadow meeting storm in a flurry of strikes. Seris's movements were precise and deliberate, her elemental techniques cutting through Kael's shadows with ease.
"You're strong," Seris said, her voice steady. "But strength without control is meaningless."
Kael gritted his teeth, channeling the shard's energy into his next attack. "And control without purpose is worthless."
The Battle Turns
Despite the initial advantage, the Dominion began to gain ground. Sylas's scouts disrupted the enemy's coordination, their strikes swift and unpredictable. Ryn's team continued to dismantle the siege equipment, weakening the enemy's offensive capabilities.
Kael pushed Seris back, his strikes growing more precise as the shard and ring amplified his power. He could feel the Abyss surging within him, its whispers sharper and more insistent.
"They resist," the voices said. "But resistance is futile."
Kael clenched his fists, forcing the whispers back. He couldn't afford to lose focus—not now.
A Strategic Retreat
As the sun began to set, Seris signaled a retreat. Her forces withdrew in an organized fashion, their movements deliberate. Kael watched them go, his grip on the Fang tightening.
"This isn't over," Seris said, her voice carrying across the battlefield. "The Abyss will destroy you—and when it does, I'll be there."
Kael stood silently, the shard and ring pulsing faintly in his hands. The battle was over, but the war was far from won.
The Aftermath
The Dominion's camp was quiet as the disciples tended to their wounds and reinforced their defenses. Kael stood near the Obsidian Altar, the shard and ring glowing softly in the dim light. The Abyss's whispers were quieter now, their tone contemplative.
"You have proven your strength," the voices said. "But the Abyss is not finished with you."
Ryn joined him, her expression a mix of relief and concern. "We held them off. But for how long?"
Kael nodded, his gaze distant. "As long as it takes."
End of Chapter 62