The world was watching now.
Veilstone had fallen not to siege, but submission.
Its lake birthed a leviathan.
Its shrine pulsed with dual mana.
And from its gates now marched an army cloaked in abyssal banners — once goblins, outcasts, and hunted monsters. Now trained, named, evolved.
Kael walked at the front.
Behind him: Zar, Lira, and three new lieutenants, once nameless creatures he had uplifted.
Mareth, a former cave wraith turned stealth commander.
Thornak, a troll berserker reborn with molten core.
Evea, a draconic sprite with frostlight magic.
[Kael's Army: 540 Units | Loyalty: 100% | Average Rank: D to C+][March Route: Veilstone → Scareth Valley → Keldran Pass → The Monastery of Chains]
Objective: The Monastery of Chains
A divine fortress north of Veilstone.
Built to contain what the gods feared.
Sealed with holy sigils. Guarded by sacred paladins and angelic wards. None who entered without divine right ever returned.
And it was where Kael's instincts pulled him.
[Nullus Sync: 28% → 34%][Deep Signal Detected: Forbidden Artifact – "The Crown of Chains"]
On the Road – Scareth Valley
They reached the valley on day three.
Night fell heavy.
The moon turned red.
Kael paused — shadows tugged at his thoughts.
"They followed you…"
Lira gasped. "Behind us. Multiple mana signals—fast."
Suddenly, screams echoed from the back ranks.
The ground cracked open.
[New Threat Detected: Abyss Cult – Sect of the Drowning Root][Leader: Priest K'Varn – Rank B- | Affiliation: Unknown][Intent: Assimilation, not destruction]
Dozens of figures in tattered robes surged from the dark, wielding flesh-crafted weapons and whispering hymns in dead tongues.
Kael stood calmly.
"I don't follow gods."
"But we do, O Abyss-King," K'Varn hissed. "Let us worship you… with blood."
Battle: Black March vs. Abyss Cult
Zar charged first, tearing through acolytes.
Mareth vanished into the fog — reappearing behind the enemy, blades slicing through their rear lines.
Lira raised her staff — freezing and shattering cult beasts mid-charge.
Kael moved only when K'Varn stepped forward — chanting, summoning tendrils from the ground.
Kael raised his hand.
[New Skill: Leviathan Call – Summon: Nýthelgor][Cooldown: Active]
The lake monster's eye opened across space, and a limb of darkness erupted behind Kael — swatting cultists into mist.
Kael walked into the fray.
No sword.
Just will.
He spoke:
"You are not abyss.""You are parasites."
He pressed his palm to K'Varn's chest.
[Ability Triggered: Shadow Core Implosion]
The priest exploded in black fire.
The cult broke.
Aftermath
[Victory: Sect Eliminated][Followers Gained: 12 Redeemed Acolytes (Named Potential)][New Trait: Abyssal Authority – Lesser abyss entities now submit without combat][Army Morale: Maxed]
Kael looked ahead.
The path cleared.
The Monastery of Chains loomed.
It was time to break god-built locks.
[Kael – Rank: C+][Faction Influence: Surging in North Quadrants][Divine Realm Status: Critical Watch][Next Location: The Sealed Monastery – 2 Days]