The Devourer's Dominion

The night air was thick with tension as Aetheron and his group moved through the ruins, their breaths uneven, their wounds aching.

No one spoke.

They had barely escaped the Sovereign's Hunter, and the weight of that encounter still hung over them.

Aetheron clenched his fists.

That power—the one that had surged through him at the last moment—it wasn't normal.

It felt like something else had taken over.

Something hungry.

Juno wiped the blood from her lip. "We need a plan. That guy isn't the last of them."

Kyren nodded. "If they sent one, they'll send more."

Rael groaned, still holding his ribs. "Yeah, great. Can't wait."

Aetheron didn't answer.

His mind was still on the Hunter's words.

"You're not ready."

The Unseen Threat

The group found shelter in an abandoned outpost, stone walls covered in moss, remnants of old battles still etched into the surroundings.

Aetheron sat near the entrance, staring at his hand.

His fingers trembled.

That surge of power… It wasn't normal. It had reacted on its own, moved on its own.

And for a second—

He hadn't felt like himself.

Juno sat beside him, watching. "You okay?"

Aetheron exhaled. "Yeah."

She frowned. "Liar."

He didn't argue.

Kyren leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "We need to figure out our next move."

Juno nodded. "They know we're here. We can't just wait for another one of those freaks to show up."

Rael muttered, "Yeah, I'd rather not get turned into paste, thanks."

Aria, who had been quiet since the fight, suddenly spoke.

"They were testing us."

Everyone turned.

She looked up, her eyes serious.

"That wasn't a real attempt to kill us. That was a warning."

Silence.

Aetheron felt his stomach tighten.

She's right.

If that Hunter had really wanted to finish them—

They wouldn't be standing here.

Kyren exhaled. "So… what? They're just watching us?"

Aria shook her head. "Not watching. Waiting."

Aetheron's grip on his knee tightened.

That meant one thing—

Something worse was coming.

The Mark's Echo

Aetheron leaned back against the cold stone wall, closing his eyes.

For a moment, he focused on the mark.

It pulsed—steady, strong.

But beneath that—

Something else was there.

A whisper.

A presence.

Like a shadow at the edge of his thoughts.

He gritted his teeth.

He couldn't let this thing control him.

Not now. Not ever.

But deep down, he knew—

It was only getting stronger.

Morning Brings New Problems

They barely got any rest.

By the time the first light touched the ruins, Juno was already standing, scanning the surroundings.

Kyren was sharpening his blade. Rael was pacing.

Aria was still watching Aetheron.

He finally sighed. "What?"

She didn't look away.

"You're changing."

Aetheron frowned. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Aria leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.

"That power. It wasn't just an awakening. It's something else."

Juno cut in. "We don't have time for this. We need to move."

Kyren nodded. "We'll head toward the eastern path. There's an old stronghold there—might be safer."

Aetheron pushed his thoughts aside and stood up.

They had bigger things to worry about.

Ambush

They moved quickly, keeping close to the ruins.

But the moment they stepped onto the overgrown path—

They knew something was wrong.

The air shifted.

Aetheron stopped.

Juno's eyes narrowed. "Do you feel that?"

Rael drew his daggers. "Yeah. And I don't like it."

Kyren whispered, "We're not alone."

Then—

The attack came.

The Black Blades

From the trees, shadows burst forth.

Figures in dark armor, moving like specters—silent, deadly.

Juno blocked the first strike, her spear clashing against a curved blade.

Rael dodged, barely avoiding a dagger aimed at his throat.

Kyren swung, his sword clashing against another attacker.

Aetheron's mark flared.

Someone lunged at him.

He dodged—barely.

The blade sliced his sleeve but didn't cut him.

He twisted, grabbing his attacker's wrist, and slammed them into the ground.

Crack.

They didn't get back up.

More were coming.

Juno gritted her teeth. "Too many!"

Kyren cursed. "We have to break through!"

Aria raised a hand—magic swirled.

Aetheron's blood burned.

Then—

He saw him.

The leader.

The Shadow's Edge

Among the attackers, one stood out.

A tall figure in black, silver mask concealing his face.

His presence was… different.

Calm. Cold.

Aetheron locked eyes with him.

And immediately knew.

This wasn't just an ambush.

It was a test.

The masked figure spoke.

"Aetheron."

His voice was smooth. Almost amused.

"I've been waiting."

Aetheron's breath slowed.

Who the hell was this guy?

The masked man vanished.

Aetheron barely had time to react—

Before a blade was at his throat.