Chapter 33 – The Abyss Wakes

The abyssal mist shifted, revealing the full force of the Abyssforged army.

Fifteen armored figures, each radiating a sickening, oppressive aura. Their weapons hummed with abyssal energy, their forms distorted by the darkness they wielded.

And at the center—Veyron, the Seventh Warden, still standing.

Sylas took a half-step back, their hand hovering near their concealed blade. “Ren, this… this isn’t good.”

Ren rolled his shoulders. “You say that like we weren’t already outnumbered.”

Sylas swore under their breath. “No, this is different. These aren’t mindless Abyssborn. They’re Abyssforged—trained warriors. This is the real army.”

Veyron’s voice cut through the mist.

“You are strong, Ren. But you are incomplete.”

Ren’s golden eyes flickered. Incomplete?

Veyron raised a hand, abyssal energy surging. “Witness the true power of the Abyss.”

The army moved.

Fifteen warriors, faster than the wind, rushed forward in perfect synchronization.

Ren barely had time to react before the first blade clashed against his arm, sending a shockwave rippling through the air. Another strike from behind—he twisted, deflecting, only for a spear to pierce towards his ribs.

Too many.

Too fast.

Even with his evolving void energy, Ren was being overwhelmed.

SLASH.

A blade tore across his back, dark blood spilling onto the ground. He gritted his teeth, swinging wildly, but the enemies were relentless.

Sylas lunged into the fray, their movements swift and precise. Twin daggers flashed, slicing through one of the soldiers’ armor, but the wounds barely slowed them down.

Ren clenched his fists.

No.

He wasn’t going to lose here.

His mind raced. Veyron had said he was incomplete.

Then what was missing?

BOOM.

Another impact sent Ren skidding back, his vision blurring for a moment.

Veyron walked forward, slow, deliberate.

“You wield the Void, but you do not command it.”

Ren exhaled sharply. He couldn’t deny it.

He had been using the power Nyx left behind, but he hadn’t claimed it as his own.

The realization burned into him.

He had been fighting like an inheritor. Like a thief.

But he wasn’t just someone using the Void.

He was meant to rule it.

Ren’s eyes snapped open—a decision made in an instant.

Enough hesitation.

He planted his foot into the ground, void energy surging from within.

The air cracked.

The Abyssforged army froze—a shift in the battlefield.

Veyron’s masked gaze narrowed. “...What is this?”

Ren raised his hand, feeling the Void not just responding—but submitting.

For the first time, he wasn’t just channeling its power.

He was bending it to his will.

The Abyss would not control him.

He would command the Abyss.

A slow smirk spread across Ren’s face.

“Let’s try this again.”

The darkness around him shuddered—then obeyed.