The battlefield's dust had not yet settled when the council's chamber doors slammed shut. The echo reverberated through the hall like a warning bell. Aric sat at the head of the table, his Abyssal aura restrained but simmering beneath the surface. Around him, his generals and advisors assembled—faces grim, eyes sharp.
For though victory had been seized from the Celestial Legion, whispers of another threat already loomed. The Covenant of Echoes.
The Weight of Shadows
"We cannot linger in triumph," Vara began, her voice steady. She unfurled a parchment containing strange sigils retrieved from the fallen Celestial soldiers. "These markings… they align with the archaic script of the Covenant. They are not allies of the heavens, nor of the abyss. They serve something older."
Aric's eyes narrowed. "So, the rumors are true. The Covenant moves in silence while we bleed openly."
Sarya's wings unfurled, feathers trembling with restrained fury. "Then grant me leave, my lord. I will hunt them to extinction."
"No," Aric said firmly, his voice like iron striking stone. "They thrive in shadows. To chase them blindly is to play their game. We will build a net they cannot escape."
The Order of Vigilance
[System Notification: New Faction Unlocked!]
Order of Eternal Vigil – Established by Challenger Aric Valen.
Purpose: To monitor, counter, and eradicate hidden threats such as the Covenant of Echoes.
Structure: Divisions formed from both mortals and abyssal beings, united under Aric's command.
Perks: Enhanced detection of concealed entities, resistance to memory-altering powers, loyalty reinforced by Abyssal Dominion.
The declaration spread like wildfire. From villages to sprawling cities, across towns and regions, the transmigrated souls trembled at the news. Aric was not merely conquering; he was shaping the world itself, erecting a bulwark against secrets older than creation.
Yet with every cheer of loyalty came murmurs of fear. For some whispered that the Order was not only a defense—it was a watchful eye, ensuring none could rise without Aric's gaze falling upon them.
Whispers in the Dark
That night, Zephyr wandered the ramparts alone. His redemption still fragile, he felt the old shadows gnaw at him. The Covenant's whispers brushed his thoughts like cold fingers.
"Do you not tire of servitude?" a voice echoed faintly in his mind. "The Covenant remembers all things. Even you."
Zephyr clenched his fists, trembling. He had chosen loyalty to Aric, but temptation had not died. Only deepened.
Meanwhile, Seraphina prayed in the Temple of Light. Tears streaked her face as visions plagued her—the faces of the fallen, twisted into masks of accusation. Her healing light flickered, and for a heartbeat, she felt utterly alone.
Aric's Vigil
Aric stood upon a balcony, gazing into the abyssal night. His army rested, but his mind did not.
The system window appeared again:
[Status Update]
Title: Abyssal Tyrant (Mythical)
New Trait: Vigilant Sovereign – All threats within your dominion will eventually reveal themselves.
Effect: Foes attempting to hide or deceive within your lands will be marked by shadows visible only to you.
Aric exhaled slowly, a mixture of burden and satisfaction twisting within him. He had built an empire of both fear and faith. Yet the Covenant's presence gnawed at him like an unhealed wound.
"Let them hide," he murmured, voice low but resolute. "Even shadows cannot escape the gaze of eternity."
The night wind carried his words across the fortress, a promise and a threat all at once.
End of Chapter 63