The Devourer's Dominion

The ruins were silent. Only the faint hum of Aetheron's Dominion remained, flickering in the aftermath of the battle. He stood still, his breathing even but his mind racing.

The masked figure's words echoed inside him.

"The one who walked before you."

What did that mean? Was this some test, another lesson forced onto him by an unknown force? Or was there something deeper?

He clenched his fists. There was no time for questions. He needed to find Lyara and Veyrin.

He took a step forward—

And the world shifted again.

The crimson sky darkened, the ruins dissolving like dust. Aetheron felt himself being pulled, his body weightless as if he was sinking into the void once more.

Then—light.

The sensation of solid ground beneath his feet returned, and he snapped his head up.

He was somewhere else entirely.

The Prison of Chains

Towering walls stretched into the sky, lined with countless chains pulsing with eerie energy. The air was thick with an oppressive weight, pressing down on his very being.

A prison.

And at the center—

Two figures.

Lyara, her body suspended midair, chains wrapped tightly around her arms and legs.

Veyrin, unconscious, slumped against the ground, his breathing ragged.

Aetheron's eyes burned with fury.

And standing before them—

A figure clad in heavy armor, their face obscured by a helm shaped like a beast's maw. Their presence radiated raw dominance, a suffocating force that made the air tremble.

"So," the armored figure spoke, their voice deep and distorted. "You made it."

Aetheron's Dominion surged. "Who the hell are you?"

The figure tilted their head slightly, then gestured to Lyara. "I am the Warden of this place. And this one? She is an intruder."

Aetheron's jaw tightened. "Let her go."

The Warden chuckled, a low, grating sound. "You don't even know where you are, do you?"

Aetheron took a step forward, but the chains in the air rattled, tightening around Lyara. She let out a sharp gasp, her body flinching from the pain.

Aetheron stopped instantly.

The Warden's voice was amused. "Good. You can learn."

Aetheron exhaled slowly, forcing his rage to stay in check. "What do you want?"

The Warden raised a hand, and the chains around Lyara pulsed with dark energy. "A test."

Aetheron's muscles tensed.

"Fight me," the Warden continued, "and if you survive, she goes free."

Aetheron's Dominion flared without hesitation. "Fine."

The Warden chuckled again, stepping forward. "Good. Then let us begin."

A Clash of Titans

The moment the words left the Warden's mouth, the ground shattered.

Aetheron barely reacted in time as the Warden launched forward, their massive gauntlet swinging with enough force to split the earth. Aetheron dodged, twisting to the side as the impact sent a shockwave through the prison.

Dust and debris exploded outward.

Aetheron countered instantly, his Dominion forming a lance of energy in his hand. He thrust it forward—

The Warden caught it with one hand.

For a split second, Aetheron's eyes widened.

Then—crack.

The Warden crushed the energy lance like glass.

Before Aetheron could react, a colossal fist slammed into his chest, sending him flying backward. His body crashed through several stone pillars before he finally skidded to a stop.

Pain flared through his ribs, but he forced himself up. He had taken worse.

The Warden was already moving again.

Aetheron's Dominion blazed as he shifted, dodging another monstrous strike. He retaliated with a barrage of energy slashes, each one aimed at weak points in the Warden's armor.

But—

Each attack barely left a mark.

The Warden was enduring his full power like it was nothing.

Aetheron clicked his tongue. Fine.

He gathered his Dominion, his power concentrating into his palms. He needed more than brute strength. He needed to break the Warden's momentum.

As the Warden charged again, Aetheron unleashed a shockwave of pure force, sending the Warden staggering back for the first time.

There.

In that brief opening, Aetheron moved.

He closed the distance in an instant, his fist crackling with energy as he drove it into the Warden's helmet.

A deafening boom filled the air.

The force sent the Warden skidding back. The air around them distorted from the impact.

But then—

The Warden slowly straightened.

Their helm had a slight dent.

Just a dent.

Aetheron's eyes narrowed. This wasn't going to be easy.

The Warden rolled their shoulders. "Better."

Then they raised their hand—

And the chains came alive.

The Chains of Dominion

Before Aetheron could react, the chains in the prison surged toward him, moving like living creatures.

He leaped, twisting midair to avoid the first wave, but the chains adapted, shifting their trajectory.

Too fast.

One wrapped around his leg, yanking him down. Another coiled around his arm, forcing him back.

Aetheron gritted his teeth, his Dominion flaring as he struggled.

But the chains weren't just physical restraints.

They were siphoning him.

Draining his energy.

His power flickered, his movements slowing.

The Warden stepped forward, towering over him. "Do you understand now?"

Aetheron's breath was heavy. He could feel it. The Warden's power wasn't just brute force—it was control.

The moment those chains had touched him, they had started dominating his Dominion.

The Warden raised a hand. "This is what separates strength from true power."

Aetheron's mind raced. He had to break free—now.

He shut his eyes, focusing. The chains were absorbing his Dominion, but that meant…

They were connected to him.

His Dominion pulsed again, but this time, he didn't resist.

He let the chains take more.

The Warden's head tilted slightly, sensing the shift. "What are you doing?"

Aetheron's eyes snapped open—

And suddenly, his Dominion exploded outward.

The chains reacted violently, but Aetheron had already twisted their connection, turning the drain against them.

With a final surge of power, the chains shattered.

The force sent a shockwave through the entire prison.

Aetheron landed lightly on his feet, exhaling. His body still ached, but he wasn't done yet.

The Warden remained still, watching. Then, after a moment, they let out a small laugh.

"Interesting."

Aetheron didn't lower his guard. "Are we done?"

The Warden considered him. Then, with a slow nod, they gestured toward Lyara.

The chains binding her loosened.

Aetheron moved instantly, catching her before she collapsed. She was weak but conscious.

"…Took you long enough," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aetheron smirked slightly. "Had to make it dramatic."

The Warden turned away. "You passed."

Aetheron looked up. "What does that mean?"

The Warden didn't answer. Instead, the entire prison rumbled, the walls beginning to crack.

Then—

The world shifted again.

And the prison vanished.