Snow turned to ash before the intruders even reached the treeline.
Six figures in mirrored armor stood at the edge of the Hollow Throne's domain, spiritlight burning in their hands. Their white cloaks shimmered with glyphs of Divine Order—each stitch woven with holy essence.
[Spiritbound Execution Unit Detected]Classification: Lightbrand – Elite Purge TeamThreat Level: HighIntent: Annihilation
At their center stood a woman whose eyes glowed with molten gold. Her spirit—a winged lion made of sunfire—hovered behind her like judgment incarnate.
Seraph Valeia – Rank: Spiritbrand CommanderSpirit Tier: 4S – Solar VirtueMission: Purge the Null Anomaly
In the throne hall, Aren stood as the system pulsed with danger.
[System Alert: Domain Breach Imminent]Hostile Forces ApproachingRecommend: Shadow Ambush Protocol – Online
Sovereign's Path: Decision Node Reached➤ Will you flee, confront, or command?
He didn't flinch.
Command.
Kaeliah was already at his side, armored in stitched shadowcloth. The Mark pulsed on her chest, synced to his domain.
Aren's voice was cold.
"Trigger the nodes. Prepare to silence them."
[Shadow Nodes Activated – 7 Total]Terrain Modification: ActiveDomain Trait: Memory Bleed – Deployed
New Ability: Sovereign's Decree (Passive)➤ As long as you remain in your domain, all enemies suffer -20% spirit resonance.➤ Shadowbound allies receive +15% evasion and spirit sync.
The Lightbrand stepped forward into the veil of fog.
At first, they moved in formation—precise, disciplined.
Then the silence began to speak.
One turned too fast and saw a mirror of himself die.Another blinked, and her spirit link stuttered.One cried out, slashing at shadows—only to bleed from his own hand.
Then the Twilight Stag struck from behind, goring a Lightbrand through his armor before vanishing into the mist.
Valeia narrowed her eyes.
"This isn't spirit magic. This is—"
She never finished the sentence.
From the darkness, Aren emerged—not cloaked, not hidden—but walking through the battlefield as if it were a throne room.
Thornbrand flickered in his hand, still rusted, but hungry.
He raised his hand. Shadows answered.
[Active Skill: Command – Sovereign's Stain]➤ Select Target: [Valeia – Solar Virtue Link Detected]➤ Suppression Effect: InitiatedResult: Spirit Desync – 42%
Status: Link faltering
Valeia fell to her knees, coughing blood.
She stared at Aren, eyes wide. "What are you?"
He leaned down beside her and whispered:
"A king you tried to erase."
The surviving Lightbrand fled—those who could still remember how.
Aren watched them run.
Not out of mercy.Out of strategy.
Let them carry the story back.
Let the world hear: The Sovereign lives.
[Domain Defense: Complete][Sovereign Path Progression: 23%]
New Faction Perk:Name Spread: Whisper of the Marked➤ Enemies who survive combat may become fearful, confused, or even obsessed.➤ Reputation: +2 (Myth Rank)
That night, Aren didn't celebrate.
He simply stood at the edge of his domain and looked toward the light.
He knew this was only the beginning.
And he was done running.