The ancient corridor beyond the Hollow Throne twisted into a narrow tunnel, its jagged walls pressing in like skeletal fingers. The faint violet glow from Kieran's **Dominion Core** barely illuminated the passage, casting elongated shadows along the uneven stone. With every step, the stale air grew heavier, and the faint pulse of corrupted magic became stronger.
Behind him, his **Sentinels** moved in eerie silence, their spectral forms flickering faintly. The newly acquired **Hollow King's Glaive** rested across Kieran's back, its jagged, corroded edge still pulsing with residual power. Every so often, he felt the faint remnants of the Hollow Sovereign's presence lingering in the weapon—a fragment of rage, now his to command.
The corridor suddenly widened into a vast, cavernous hall. Kieran stopped at the threshold, his eyes narrowing.
The chamber was an expansive crucible, lined with towering black obelisks arranged in a circular formation. Each obelisk was cracked and scarred with age, but violet energy still pulsed faintly through the arcane runes carved into their surfaces. The floor was made of polished black stone, reflecting the dim light of the Dominion Core. In the center of the crucible was a **massive stone platform**, its edges etched with glowing glyphs.
But what drew Kieran's attention was the **figure chained to the platform**.
It was humanoid but massive—nearly ten feet tall, its frame corded with iron-like sinew. Its skin was the color of onyx, cracked with glowing violet fissures that pulsed in rhythm with the surrounding obelisks. The creature's head was adorned with jagged, curved horns, and its eyes glowed with a baleful light. Shackles of black iron clamped down on its limbs, binding it to the platform.
Kieran's eyes narrowed as a **system notification** flared into view.
**[System Notification: Warden of the Crucible Detected]**
**[Status: Corrupted Dominion Guardian]**
**[Level 42 – Elite Boss]**
**[Danger Rating: High]**
A low, guttural growl rumbled from the creature's throat. The violet flames in its eyes flared with a feral, bloodthirsty light. Despite the chains that bound it, its muscles flexed violently, testing the restraints.
Without warning, the entire chamber came alive. The obelisks sparked violently, and arcs of violet lightning crackled across the room, converging on the chained Warden. The energy poured into its body, and the creature threw its head back, releasing a soul-piercing roar.
The black iron shackles shattered into fragments.
The Warden slammed its clawed fists into the stone platform, sending a shockwave outward. The impact cracked the obsidian floor, and violet energy rippled through the chamber. Kieran barely had time to react before the beast lunged.
The creature's claws slashed downward, carving a massive gash through the stone where Kieran had stood moments before. He rolled sideways, narrowly avoiding the blow. The Warden was far faster than its size suggested, its movements blurring with supernatural speed.
Kieran's eyes flashed with violet light.
**"Sentinels, strike!"** he commanded.
The Sentinels surged forward, spectral blades glowing with Dominion energy. They flanked the Warden from both sides. The first Sentinel's sword swept low, aiming for the beast's legs, but the Warden moved with savage grace, leaping into the air. Its claws descended in a wide arc, carving through the Sentinels. The spectral warriors flickered violently from the blow but remained intact, their forms reconstituting with a burst of Dominion energy.
Kieran darted forward, his **Hollow King's Glaive** humming with power. He activated **Dominion Surge**, his speed doubling as arcane power flooded his limbs. With a fluid motion, he brought the glaive down in a vicious diagonal slash. The jagged blade met the Warden's shoulder, cutting deep into its sinew. Corrupted blood sprayed across the stone, sizzling on contact.
The Warden roared and spun with bone-crushing force, its clawed fist catching Kieran across the chest. He was thrown backward, slamming into the cracked stone wall. Pain flared through his ribs, but he gritted his teeth and pushed off the wall, barely dodging the next strike.
The Warden's eyes locked onto him, burning with murderous intent. It raised both arms, blackened claws pulsing with corrupted magic. Violet lightning crackled between its fingers as it brought them down in a devastating double-fisted strike.
Kieran's **Dominion Core** flared.
**[System Notification: Arcane Shield Activated]**
**[Damage Mitigated: 65%]**
A dome of violet light erupted around him, absorbing most of the impact. The stone beneath his feet fractured, but he remained standing. His breath was ragged, but his eyes were hard and unyielding.
"Enough." His voice was low and cold.
He stretched out his hand. The **Dominion Core** shimmered violently, dark tendrils of energy coiling around his arm. The surrounding obelisks trembled as the energy was drawn into him.
**[Dominion Overdrive: Activated]**
**[System Boost: Attack Power +150% | Speed +100% | Mana Regeneration x3]**
Kieran surged forward with preternatural speed. His glaive blurred as he struck. The first blow severed one of the Warden's massive horns, sending it clattering to the ground. The second slash carved into its side, splitting open its corrupted flesh. The beast staggered, roaring in pain, but Kieran didn't stop.
He twisted mid-strike, slashing upward. The glaive's jagged edge cut deep into the Warden's chest, carving through its thick armor-like skin. Corrupted blood sprayed outward in thick, black rivulets. The Warden reeled back, clutching its chest, its eyes flickering violently.
"Finish it!" Kieran barked.
His **Dusk Hounds** materialized around the Warden, their skeletal frames wreathed in violet fire. The beasts lunged in unison, their fangs sinking into the Warden's limbs. The creature howled, its massive form straining violently against their hold.
Kieran raised his glaive high above his head, the weapon crackling with accumulated Dominion energy. The violet light from the obelisks surged into the weapon, turning the blade into a searing beacon of power.
With a single, fluid motion, he drove the glaive downward. The weapon pierced through the Warden's chest, impaling it to the stone platform.
The beast released one final, guttural scream before its form convulsed violently. Violet energy erupted from its core, scattering corrupted fragments across the chamber. The Warden's massive frame disintegrated into ash and shadow, leaving nothing but a faint shimmer of corrupted Dominion essence.
Kieran exhaled sharply, his knuckles still white against the glaive's grip. The **Dominion Core** pulsed softly, its glow stabilizing.
A system notification appeared before him.
**[Elite Boss Defeated: Warden of the Crucible]**
**[Dominion Points: +450]**
**[Crucible Node Unlocked]**
**[Skill Acquired: Warden's Grip – Temporarily Bind Enemies with Dominion Chains]**
**[Loot Acquired: Abyssal Guardian's Greaves – Epic]**
Kieran stepped forward, plucking the **Abyssal Greaves** from the ground. The dark metal shimmered faintly with runes of Dominion reinforcement. He strapped them onto his legs, feeling the surge of power flow into him.
Glancing at the now-silent chamber, he allowed himself a faint smirk.
Another **territory node** claimed. Another fragment of power wrested from this forsaken realm.
Without another word, he turned and strode toward the far passage. His **Dominion Core** floated at his side, crackling with newfound power.
He did not look back.