The Devourer's Dominion

The cheers from the crowd still rang in Aetheron's ears as he walked through the narrow corridors beneath the arena. The cool stone walls were a stark contrast to the heat of battle, but his focus wasn't on the lingering pain in his ribs—it was on the gaze he had felt from the stands.

Someone had been watching him.

Not just as a spectator.

As a predator.

Aria walked beside him, arms crossed. "You noticed, huh?"

Aetheron glanced at her. "The guy in the cloak?"

She nodded. "He's been here since the tournament started, but no one knows who he is. Doesn't talk, doesn't place bets, just watches."

"Me?"

Aria sighed. "Mostly. But not just you. He's watching the strong ones. Like he's picking something."

Aetheron exhaled. He didn't like that.

"Think he's with the Sovereign's Hunters?" he asked.

Aria's expression darkened. "If he is, you're in for more than just a tournament."

Aetheron didn't respond. His instincts told him it wasn't over—not just the fight, but something bigger.

The Underground Lounge – Hidden Deals

The underground chambers beneath the arena were a place of whispered conversations, hidden wagers, and power plays that never made it to the main stage.

Aetheron followed Aria through the winding paths until they reached a quieter section—a lounge where only a select few had access. Dim lanterns flickered along the walls, casting long shadows over figures dressed in rich fabrics and heavy armor.

Rael was waiting for them.

The silver-haired warrior sat with his legs crossed, lazily swirling a drink in his hand. His eyes, sharp as ever, flicked up to meet Aetheron's.

"Not bad," Rael said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You handled Dain better than I expected."

Aetheron leaned against the nearby wall. "You expected me to lose?"

"Not quite. But I expected you to struggle more." Rael's eyes glimmered. "Looks like you're just full of surprises."

Aetheron didn't reply. He wasn't here for small talk.

Rael's smirk widened. "Straight to business, huh?"

He set his drink down and leaned forward. "You felt it, didn't you? The eyes on you."

Aetheron's fingers twitched slightly.

So Rael had noticed.

"Who is he?" Aetheron asked.

Rael shrugged. "If I knew, I'd tell you. But he's not just some spectator." He tapped the table lightly. "He's watching, waiting for something. And if you caught his attention, that means you're part of it now."

Aetheron frowned. "Part of what?"

Rael chuckled, leaning back. "That's what we need to find out."

The tension in the air thickened.

Then, a voice interrupted them.

"He moves like a Sovereign's fragment."

Aetheron turned sharply.

The cloaked man was standing in the entrance.

The entire lounge fell silent.

His voice was low, almost emotionless, but there was an undeniable weight behind his words.

Aria's hand went to her weapon instinctively.

Rael, however, remained calm, watching the man with interest.

The stranger took a slow step forward. "Aetheron… was it?"

Aetheron's gaze didn't waver. "And you are?"

The cloaked figure tilted his head slightly, as if considering something. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper—

"A remnant of what's to come."

Aetheron's body tensed.

That phrase—he had heard it before.

In whispers. In old texts.

It was something connected to the Sovereign's Dominion.

Before he could respond, the cloaked figure took another step.

"You walk the path of devouring."

Silence.

Aetheron felt something shift in the air.

It was subtle—like a weight pressing against his chest, an unseen force trying to gauge him, measure him.

Rael's smirk faded. Aria's grip tightened.

Aetheron exhaled slowly.

"You know something," he said. "Say it."

The figure paused. Then—

"You are not the first to take from the Sovereign."

Aetheron's eyes narrowed. "And?"

The figure finally lifted his hood.

Beneath it was a man with piercing golden eyes, his face lined with faint scars. His presence wasn't just strong—it was overwhelming.

"You are merely the first to survive it."

The room felt colder.

Aetheron stared at him. "What do you mean?"

The man's expression didn't change.

Then—

He moved.

Not walked. Not stepped.

One moment, he was standing near the entrance.

The next, he was right in front of Aetheron.

Too fast. Too smooth.

Aetheron's body reacted on instinct.

His hand shot up to grab his dagger—

But the man's fingers were already wrapped around his wrist.

Aetheron barely saw the motion. One second his hand was free, the next, he was locked in place.

A surge of force pressed down on him.

Not killing intent. Not bloodlust.

Something deeper.

"You wield the power of the Devourer," the man said. "But do you even know what it is?"

Aetheron clenched his jaw. "More than you think."

The man's grip didn't loosen.

"You devour. But everything devoured… leaves a mark."

Aetheron felt a pulse of something.

Something inside him.

For the first time since he gained his power—

Something stirred in response.

Aetheron's breath hitched.

It wasn't him moving.

His own power was shifting. Reaching out.

The man let go.

Aetheron staggered back slightly, his fingers tingling.

The stranger watched him for a moment, then turned.

"You have already taken more than you can control," he said. "Be careful, or the Sovereign's Dominion will take you."

With that, he vanished.

Aetheron remained still, his pulse hammering in his ears.

The room stayed silent for a long moment.

Then—

Rael let out a low whistle.

"Well," he muttered, swirling his drink again. "Things just got interesting."

Aetheron exhaled slowly. His hands curled into fists.

He didn't know who that man was.

But one thing was certain.

This tournament?

It wasn't just a game anymore.

Something bigger was at play.

And Aetheron was now right in the middle of it.