The first light of dawn illuminated the wasteland, casting long shadows across the ridge where the Dominion had taken position. Kael stood at the forefront, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The shard and ring pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, their energy steady but heavy with potential.
Behind him, the disciples moved with practiced efficiency. Ryn led a strike team, her blade gleaming faintly in the dim light. Zereth reinforced the shadow wards, their dark energy coiling around the camp's perimeter like a living barrier. Sylas and the scouts lingered on the edges, their movements swift and deliberate.
"They're close," Ryn said as she joined Kael, her voice low but steady. "The scouts spotted their vanguard less than a mile out."
Kael nodded, his grip tightening on the Abyssal Fang. "Then we hold the line. No matter what."
The Vanguard's Advance
Seris's forces appeared on the horizon, their numbers stretching far into the distance. At the forefront was Seris herself, her aura blazing like a second sun. The elemental energy around her was palpable, its intensity pressing against the Dominion's defenses even at a distance.
The vanguard moved swiftly, their formations precise and disciplined. Celestial Path disciples wielded elemental techniques with deadly accuracy, while rogue Abyss cultivators added an unpredictable edge to their ranks. The contrast between their powers created a chaotic symphony of destruction.
"They're testing us," Zereth said, his voice calm but sharp. "Trying to find a weakness."
Kael's gaze didn't waver. "Then let's show them we don't have one."
The First Clash
The vanguard struck with blinding speed, their elemental attacks clashing with the Dominion's shadow-based defenses. The wards flared brilliantly as they absorbed the impact, their dark energy crackling with strain. Disciples moved in coordinated groups, their strikes precise as they countered the enemy's advance.
Kael led the charge, the shard and ring amplifying his power as he carved through the enemy lines. Shadows surged around him, their movements sharp and deliberate. He could feel the Abyss roaring within him, its energy feeding into every strike.
"You're strong," one Celestial Path disciple said as they faced him, their voice strained. "But the Abyss will consume you."
Kael's gaze hardened. "It hasn't yet."
Ryn's Strike Team
Ryn and her team flanked the enemy, their movements swift and purposeful. Her blade moved like an extension of her will, cutting through rogue Abyss cultivators with precision. Shadows coiled around her, their energy resonating with the strength of her strikes.
"Keep moving!" Ryn shouted, her voice steady. "Don't let them regroup."
Her team responded with sharp efficiency, their coordination a testament to the Dominion's training. Within moments, the enemy's flank began to crumble, their disarray spreading through the ranks
.
A New Threat
As the battle raged, a new presence emerged from the enemy lines. A towering figure cloaked in elemental energy stepped forward, their aura radiating power. Seris moved beside them, her expression calm but commanding.
Kael felt the shard and ring pulse sharply in response, their energy surging within him. He could feel the Abyss pressing against his mind, its whispers sharper than ever.
"They bring strength," the voices said. "But strength is fleeting."
Seris's voice carried across the battlefield, sharp and deliberate. "You can still walk away, Kael. The Abyss doesn't have to take everything from you."
Kael raised the Abyssal Fang, his voice steady. "The Abyss doesn't take—it gives. And you don't understand it."
Kael vs Seris
Their clash sent shockwaves across the battlefield, shadow meeting storm in a chaotic dance of power. Seris moved with precision and grace, her elemental strikes cutting through Kael's defenses with ease. The shard and ring glowed brightly as Kael countered, his movements sharp and relentless.
"You're blinded by it," Seris said, her voice steady but strained. "The Abyss isn't power—it's poison."
Kael gritted his teeth, channeling the shard's energy into his next strike. "Then why hasn't it stopped me?"
Their battle intensified, the ground beneath them cracking under the weight of their strikes. The Dominion's disciples watched in awe and fear, their own clashes momentarily forgotten as they witnessed the collision of two forces greater than themselves.
Turning the Tide
Despite the enemy's strength, the Dominion began to push them back. Zereth's wards held firm, their energy stabilizing the battlefield. Ryn's team dismantled the enemy's flanks, while Sylas and the scouts disrupted their rear lines with precision strikes.
Kael pressed his advantage against Seris, his strikes growing more deliberate as the shard and ring amplified his power. He could feel the Abyss roaring 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 lose control—not now.
A Temporary Retreat
As the battle reached its peak, Seris signaled a retreat. Her forces withdrew in an organized fashion, their movements deliberate despite their losses. Kael watched them go, his grip on the Abyssal Fang tightening.
"This isn't over," Seris called, 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 won, but the war was far from over.
End of Chapter 70