Chapter 35 – The Chains of the Abyss

Veyron collapsed to one knee, his armor cracking under an unseen force. The Abyssforged warriors froze, their instincts screaming at them—something had changed.

Ren stood before them, his presence suffocating, his will absolute.

Veyron gritted his teeth, his pride refusing to break. “You… You think you’ve won?”

Ren’s gaze was cold. “You’ve already lost.”

He clenched his fist. The Void responded.

Chains of abyssal energy burst from the ground, wrapping around Veyron’s limbs. He struggled, but the bindings only tightened, draining his strength.

The other Abyssforged warriors moved—but the shadows turned against them.

One by one, their bodies froze in place.

Sylas took a cautious step forward, his voice wary. “Ren… what are you doing?”

Ren didn’t answer immediately. His eyes were locked onto Veyron. The Warden who once stood above all others—was now kneeling before him.

He took a slow breath. The Abyss whispered to him.

It wanted more.

It wanted to consume.

But Ren was not Nyx.

He would not let the Abyss decide his fate.

Instead, he raised his hand—

And ripped Veyron’s power away.

The Warden screamed, his body convulsing as waves of abyssal energy were forcibly torn from his soul. His once-pristine armor shattered, cracks spreading across his form like a dying star.

Ren watched—unwavering.

This was not mercy.

This was judgment.

When it was over, Veyron collapsed onto all fours, gasping, his power reduced to nothing.

Ren turned to the Abyssforged warriors.

“You have two choices.”

His voice was like thunder in the silence.

“Swear loyalty… or be erased.”

The warriors hesitated, exchanging glances. The fear in their eyes was evident.

But before any could answer—

A low chuckle echoed from behind.

Ren’s eyes narrowed. He turned.

Veyron—despite everything—was smiling.

“Fool,” the Warden rasped, his voice weak yet filled with mockery.

A sharp pulse of energy erupted from his chest.

The ground trembled.

Sylas’ expression darkened. “Ren, get back—”

But it was already too late.

The air split open.

A portal of writhing darkness tore through reality, and from within—

A monstrous presence emerged.

Ren’s gaze sharpened.

Because he recognized it.

This wasn’t just any abyssal being.

It was one of the Abyssal Lords.

And it had come for him.