The Devourer's Dominion

The sky was darkening.

Not from the setting sun—something else.

Aetheron could feel it.

A presence, heavy and watchful, pressing down on his skin like unseen hands. It wasn't just the mark this time.

Something bigger was moving.

Juno walked beside him, her grip firm on her spear. "They let us go."

Aetheron didn't look at her. "No. They're leading us somewhere."

Kyren scoffed. "We should've killed them while we had the chance."

Aria shook her head. "If we could have."

Rael, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke. "They weren't testing all of us. Just Aetheron."

His words hung in the air. No one disagreed.

Because they all knew.

A Dangerous Path

They moved fast, slipping through the thick forest, but the feeling never left.

Aetheron's hands twitched at his sides. His instincts screamed that something was coming.

Then—

The air shifted.

Juno cursed. "Here we go."

The first attack came without warning.

Aetheron barely ducked in time as a black chain whipped through the air, slicing through the trees like paper.

Kyren deflected another strike with his blades, but he was pushed back.

Aria's hands glowed as she unleashed a barrier, blocking an unseen force.

Rael moved like a shadow, slicing into thin air—only for his blade to meet nothing.

Aetheron scanned the trees.

They weren't attacking to kill.

They were pushing them somewhere.

He gritted his teeth. "Don't let them herd us!"

But it was already too late.

The ground beneath them trembled.

Then—it collapsed.

The Arena of Shadows

The world tilted.

Aetheron hit the ground hard, rolling instinctively. His muscles screamed in protest, but he forced himself up.

Darkness surrounded them, swirling like a living thing.

Aetheron looked around.

Everyone was there—but scattered.

Juno was the first to move, flipping onto her feet, spear ready.

Kyren was cursing under his breath, already scanning for an escape.

Aria pressed a hand to her temple, regaining focus.

Rael stood eerily still, his sword glowing faintly in the dim light.

And then—

The hunters stepped forward.

Aetheron vs The Enforcer

The lead hunter from before wasn't here.

Instead, another figure emerged from the darkness.

Tall, wrapped in black armor, a massive blade resting on his back.

His voice was low, emotionless. "You survived. Good."

Aetheron's body tensed.

Juno whispered, "Who the hell is that?"

The armored man stepped forward. "I am called the Enforcer."

Aetheron didn't like the sound of that.

The Enforcer tilted his head. "The Sovereign's mark resides within you. But you have not proven yourself worthy."

Aetheron's jaw clenched.

Here we go again.

The Enforcer raised a gauntleted hand. "Let's change that."

Then—he moved.

A Clash of Power

Aetheron barely blocked in time.

The force of the strike sent him skidding back, his arms burning from the impact.

He's strong.

No—beyond strong.

The Enforcer didn't waste time. He pressed forward, blade flashing through the air like a storm.

Aetheron dodged, but just barely.

One wrong move—and he'd be cut in half.

Kyren moved to help, but a chain shot from the darkness, stopping him in his tracks.

Juno tried to flank, but the Enforcer sent a wave of force in her direction, throwing her back.

Aria's magic flickered. "Damn it—he's suppressing us!"

Aetheron gritted his teeth.

If they couldn't fight as a team…

He had no choice.

Unleashing the Mark

The mark pulsed.

Aetheron let it.

For just a moment—he let go.

The world blurred.

Suddenly, the Enforcer's movements weren't so fast.

Aetheron saw them—every shift, every opening.

His foot slammed into the Enforcer's chest—sending him flying.

Juno gaped. "What the hell?"

Kyren muttered, "That's new."

Aetheron didn't answer.

Because he felt it.

The power. The hunger.

The mark wanted more.

The Enforcer pushed himself up, his expression unreadable beneath his helmet.

Then, for the first time—he laughed.

"Now that," he said, "is what I wanted to see."

Aetheron's stomach twisted.

This wasn't over.

It was just beginning.