The path away from the Abyssal vault was shrouded in an oppressive silence. The once-rhythmic hum of the Abyssal energy now felt dissonant, like an unspoken warning pressing against the minds of the Dominion's disciples. Shadows coiled along the edges of the terrain, their movements deliberate and watchful.
Kael led the group, his grip firm on the Abyssal Fang. The shard and ring pulsed faintly in his hands, their energy resonating with the tension that hung in the air. He could feel the Abyss's presence pressing heavily against him, its whispers quieter but sharper.
Ryn walked beside him, her blade resting on her shoulder. "That vault wasn't just a marker. It was a threshold."
Kael nodded, his gaze steady. "And we crossed it."
A Lingering Presence
The disciples moved with caution, their senses heightened as they navigated the treacherous terrain. The ground beneath their feet pulsed faintly with Abyssal energy, each step a reminder of the realm's oppressive nature. The runes etched into the jagged stones glowed intermittently, their patterns shifting like living things.
Vaelon paused to examine one of the formations, his expression tense. "These runes… they're still active. Whatever we did in the vault, it's not over."
Zereth crouched beside him, his sharp gaze scanning the terrain. "The Abyss doesn't just let go. It's testing us."
Kael's grip on the Fang tightened. "Then we pass the test."
The First Signs of Change
As the Dominion pressed on, the terrain began to shift. The jagged formations grew taller and more irregular, their surfaces gleaming with an unnatural sheen. Pools of dark liquid dotted the landscape, their surfaces rippling as if something moved beneath.
Sylas tilted their head, their smirk faint. "Anyone else feel like the ground's watching us?"
Ryn shot them a sharp look. "Focus."
The whispers of the Abyss grew louder, their tone sharper and more insistent. The shadows around the group began to thicken, their movements slow and deliberate.
"They're not just watching," Kael said quietly. "They're waiting."
An Ambush in the Shadows
The attack came suddenly, the shadows erupting into twisted forms that struck with unnatural speed. Their movements were fluid yet sharp, their Abyssal energy warping the air around them. The disciples moved to counter the assault, their strikes precise and coordinated.
Ryn led the charge, her blade cutting through the attackers with swift, deliberate movements. "Hold the line! Don't let them separate us!"
Zereth reinforced the wards, their energy creating a barrier that absorbed the brunt of the enemy's strikes. Sylas and the scouts flanked the attackers, their movements ghostlike as they dismantled the enemy's coordination.
Kael faced the largest of the twisted figures, his blade clashing with theirs in a burst of dark energy. The shard and ring pulsed violently in his hands, their energy amplifying his strikes. He could feel the Abyss roaring within him, its presence both a weapon and a burden.
"They resist," the voices said. "But resistance is fleeting."
Kael gritted his teeth, forcing the whispers back. "So is your hold."
A Fractured Calm
As the last of the attackers fell, the shadows around the group receded slightly, their movements slowing. The disciples regrouped, their expressions a mix of relief and unease.
Vaelon tended to a wounded scout, his tone sharp. "These attacks are getting stronger. Whatever's driving them, it's not stopping."
Ryn approached Kael, her gaze steady. "They're testing us. Wearing us down."
Kael nodded, his grip on the Fang firm. "Then we make sure they fail."
The Abyss's Warning
That night, the Dominion camped near a cluster of jagged stone formations. The shadows around them moved slowly, their presence a quiet reminder of the Abyss's reach. The air was heavy with tension, the whispers of the Abyss pressing against their minds.
Kael sat alone near the edge of the camp, the shard and ring glowing faintly in his hands. The Abyss's whispers were quieter now, their tone contemplative.
"You walk the edge," the voices said. "But the Abyss demands more."
Kael closed his eyes, steadying his breathing. "You've already taken enough."
The whispers grew sharper, their tone almost amused. "Not enough to break you. Not yet."
Foreshadowing the Next Step
As dawn broke, the Dominion prepared to move on. The shadows around them seemed to shift with greater purpose, their movements deliberate and foreboding. The air was colder, the tension heavier.
Zereth examined the terrain ahead, his expression grim. "The closer we get to the edge of this realm, the stronger the Abyss becomes. It's not just pulling at us—it's shaping us."
Ryn's gaze hardened. "Then we shape it back."
Kael stood at the forefront, the Fang resting against his back. The shard and ring pulsed steadily in his hands, their energy resonating with the group's unity.
"We don't stop now," Kael said, his voice steady. "The Abyss wants to test us? Then we give it a reason to fear."
End of Chapter 86