The Dominion emerged from the Abyssal Keep into a world that seemed subtly changed. The shadows outside were darker, heavier, and moved with greater intent. The air was colder, the energy of the Abyss pressing more insistently against their senses. Even the jagged terrain around the keep seemed sharper, as though it had been reshaped by the Abyss's awakening.
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 changes around them. He could feel the Abyss watching, its presence sharper and more deliberate.
"We're not just leaving a keep behind," Ryn said, her blade resting on her shoulder. "We've stirred something."
Kael nodded, his gaze steady. "And now it's following."
The Abyss Spreads
As the Dominion moved away from the keep, the shadows around them grew more deliberate, their movements slow and watchful. The air vibrated with a low hum, the oppressive energy of the Abyss pressing against their minds.
Zereth examined a nearby rock formation, his fingers tracing the faint runes that had appeared along its surface. "These weren't here before," he said, his tone sharp. "The Abyss is spreading."
Vaelon crouched beside him, his expression tense. "Spreading how far?"
Zereth's gaze darkened. "Farther than we can see."
Kael's grip on the Fang tightened. "Then we don't stop."
A Fractured Path
The terrain became increasingly unstable as the Dominion pressed on. The ground beneath their feet pulsed faintly with Abyssal energy, each step a reminder of the power they had unleashed. Rivers of dark liquid coursed through the landscape, their currents slow but deliberate.
Sylas tilted their head, their smirk faint. "Feels like the ground's watching us."
Ryn shot them a glare. "Because it is."
Kael raised a hand, signaling the group to stop. Ahead of them, the shadows thickened, coiling into shapes that moved with predatory grace. The air grew colder, the tension sharper as the figures emerged from the darkness.
The Abyssal Ambush
The attackers struck with ferocity, their movements sharp and calculated. Twisted figures cloaked in Abyssal energy moved with unnatural speed, their strikes warping the air around them. The disciples responded with precision, their unity and training carrying them through the chaos.
Ryn led the charge, her blade cutting through the attackers with swift, deliberate strikes. "Hold the line! Don't let them separate us!"
Zereth's wards flared brightly, absorbing the brunt of the enemy's energy. Sylas and the scouts flanked the attackers, their strikes disrupting their coordination.
Kael faced the largest of the figures, his strikes amplified by the shard and ring. He could feel the Abyss roaring within him, its presence both a weapon and a burden.
"They're not just attacking," Zereth said, his voice sharp. "They're probing us."
Kael's gaze hardened as he forced the attackers back. "Then let them learn to fear."
A Quiet Warning
As the last of the attackers fell, the shadows around the group receded slightly, their movements slowing. The air vibrated with a low hum, the oppressive tension pressing against their senses.
Ryn approached Kael, her expression tense. "This isn't just a fight. It's a warning."
Kael nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "And it's not just for us."
The shard and ring pulsed sharply in his hands, their energy resonating with the changes around them. The whispers of the Abyss pressed against his mind, their tone contemplative.
"You walk the edge," the voices said. "But the Abyss demands more."
Kael's grip on the Fang tightened, his resolve unshaken. "Then we'll give it more."
Foreshadowing the Abyss's Reach
As the Dominion continued their journey, the terrain grew darker and more foreboding. The shadows around them moved with greater purpose, their presence a constant reminder of the Abyss's reach. The air was colder, the tension heavier with each step.
Zereth studied the terrain, his expression grim. "The Abyss isn't just spreading. It's reshaping everything."
Vaelon frowned. "And what happens when it's done?"
Kael stood at the forefront, his gaze steady. The shard and ring pulsed faintly in his hands, their energy resonating with the group's unity.
"We find out," Kael said quietly. "And we make sure we're ready."
End of Chapter 95