The fractured realm groaned under the strain of each broken chain, the golden rivers below churning violently as the balance of the dimension unraveled. The boy pressed forward, his golden veins pulsing faintly in time with the hum of the Chains of Dominion. The oppressive energy in the air grew thicker with every step, weighing heavily on their bodies like an invisible shroud.
Sylra trailed behind, her silver eyes darting nervously between the jagged landmasses that floated precariously around them. "The farther we go, the worse this place feels. It's like the realm itself is falling apart."
The master's staff struck the ground with steady rhythm as he walked, his expression grim. "The Chains of Dominion are not merely bindings—they are the lifeblood of this realm. Every chain broken unravels its balance, and we are treading through a world on the brink of collapse."
The boy didn't pause, his chains humming louder as they reacted to the growing energy. His voice was calm, steady. "If it falls, it's because the heavens left it to rot. I'm not stopping."
---
A Shifting Battlefield
The ground beneath them trembled as the group advanced, the fractured landmasses colliding with thunderous cracks that sent shards of rock tumbling into the golden abyss below. The path ahead narrowed into a precarious bridge of stone, its surface cracked and swaying under the realm's instability.
The boy stepped onto the bridge without hesitation, his chains pulsing faintly as though sensing the danger ahead. Sylra hesitated at the edge, gripping her staff tightly. "This feels like a trap."
The master's gaze lingered on the bridge, his expression hardening. "It is. The heavens know where we are. They're testing him—waiting for the moment he falters."
The boy smirked faintly, his golden eyes burning with defiance. "Then they'll be waiting a long time."
---
The Ambush
As they reached the midpoint of the bridge, the air grew cold and heavy, the oppressive energy condensing into a palpable force. The boy stopped, his golden veins flaring faintly as he scanned the shadows. Sylra's breath hitched as a low hum began to echo around them.
"Do you feel that?" she whispered.
Before the master could respond, the ground beneath them shook violently. From the edges of the bridge, figures began to rise—twisted forms of molten gold and black obsidian, their bodies wrapped in glowing chains. Their movements were jerky, unnatural, and their blank faces twisted as if caught between agony and fury.
"Fragments," the master said, his voice low and steady. "Remnants of this realm's people, bound by the heavens to serve as guardians of the chains."
The boy's chains roared to life, golden flames spiraling along their lengths. His voice was calm, unshaken. "Then I'll set them free."
---
Battle on the Edge
The fragments lunged, their chains lashing out like vipers. The boy met the attack head-on, his own chains striking with explosive force. Each collision sent shockwaves rippling through the bridge, cracks spreading outward as pieces of stone crumbled into the abyss below.
Sylra raised her staff, a barrier of silver light enveloping her and the master. "He can't fight them all on this bridge—it's too unstable!"
The master's gaze remained fixed on the boy, his voice calm but resolute. "If he cannot face this, he will not survive what lies ahead. Let him prove himself."
The boy moved with precision, his chains weaving through the air like serpents as they struck the fragments' bindings. Each blow shattered a fragment into shards of light, but their numbers seemed endless. For every one that fell, two more emerged from the shadows.
"You cannot escape," the fragments hissed in unison, their voices distorted. "The chains are eternal. You will fall, as all before you."
The boy's golden veins blazed brighter, his smirk widening. "I'm not like the others. I don't fall—I break."
With a surge of power, his chains lashed out in a wide arc, severing multiple fragments at once. The force of the strike sent cracks racing across the bridge, the structure groaning under the strain.
---
Collapse
As the last fragment dissolved into light, the ground beneath them gave way. The bridge crumbled, massive chunks of stone plummeting into the golden abyss below. The boy's chains snapped out instinctively, anchoring him to a nearby landmass as he hung suspended over the void.
Sylra cried out as the ground beneath her shifted, but the master grabbed her arm, his staff glowing faintly as he stabilized them on a fragment of floating stone. His expression was calm, focused. "Hold on. The boy will manage."
The boy pulled himself up, his golden eyes scanning the chaos around them. His chains pulsed faintly, their hum steady despite the destruction. "This place is falling apart faster now. We don't have much time."
The master nodded, his gaze shifting toward the horizon. "The closer we get to the heart of the chains, the more unstable this realm will become. We must move quickly."
---
A Glimpse of the Heart
As they pressed onward, the glow of the Chains of Dominion grew brighter, their light cutting through the darkness like a beacon. The hum of their energy resonated through the air, vibrating in rhythm with the boy's chains. His veins flared slightly, his power instinctively responding to the immense force ahead.
Sylra stopped, her silver eyes widening as the horizon came into view. Her voice was barely a whisper. "What is that?"
Ahead, the Chains of Dominion converged into a massive structure—a fortress of shifting golden light and shadow, suspended in the void like a beating heart. Pulses of energy radiated outward, sending tremors through the surrounding landmasses. The structure seemed alive, its form constantly shifting as though it were breathing.
The master's voice was low, almost reverent. "The heart of the Chains of Dominion. This is what binds this realm—and every soul within it."
The boy's chains flared brighter, their hum rising in pitch. His golden eyes burned with resolve as he stepped forward. "Then that's where we're going."