The Quiet Before the Storm

The camp hummed with a sense of urgency as the disciples prepared for the challenges ahead. Shadows lingered like watchful sentinels, coiling around the edges of the Dominion's defenses. Every movement, every breath seemed charged with anticipation. The memory of the Abyssal fissure still hung heavy over the camp, a stark reminder of what they were up against.

Kael stood at the center of it all, the Abyssal Fang resting against his back and the shard and ring glowing faintly in his hands. The weight of leadership pressed heavily on him, but he didn't falter. The Dominion looked to him for strength, and he couldn't afford to show weakness.

Ryn approached, her blade resting on her shoulder. "The scouts are ready. They've marked a path to the enemy's suspected location."

Kael nodded, his gaze distant. "Good. We move at dawn."

A Divided Camp

Tensions simmered beneath the surface as the disciples worked. Conversations were hushed, their voices carrying whispers of doubt and determination. The fissure had shaken their unity, leaving cracks that Kael could feel even if no one spoke of them outright.

Zereth stood near the shadow wards, his hands weaving dark energy to reinforce the barriers. Sylas watched from a distance, their expression unusually somber.

"You hear them?" Sylas asked, their tone light but pointed. "Half of them are wondering if the Abyss will save us, and the other half are wondering if it's going to kill us."

Zereth didn't look up from his work. "It won't matter what they think if we're not ready. Focus on what's ahead."

Sylas smirked faintly, but there was no humor in it. "You're always so cheerful, Zereth."

Kael's Reflections

That evening, Kael sat alone near the Obsidian Altar. The shard and ring pulsed steadily in his hands, their energy resonating with the Abyss's whispers. He could feel the shadows pressing against his mind, their presence sharp and insistent.

"The Abyss gives," the voices said. "But it demands. Will you pay the price?"

Kael closed his eyes, the weight of their words pressing heavily on him. He thought of the fissure, of the chaos and power it had unleashed. He had sealed it, but the Abyss's demands were growing louder.

"I'll give it what I can," Kael murmured, his voice steady but strained. "But not everything."

The whispers grew quieter, their tone contemplative. "We shall see."

The Scouts' Report

At dawn, the scouts returned with new information. Vaelon intercepted them near the camp's edge, his expression sharpening as they spoke.

"They're not just gathering," the lead scout said. "They're consolidating. It's not just Seris's forces anymore—there are others. Smaller groups, but they're moving with purpose."

Vaelon relayed the report to Kael and the senior disciples. Zereth, Ryn, Sylas, and Vaelon gathered in the central tent, their expressions a mix of concern and resolve.

"If they're consolidating, they're preparing for something big," Ryn said, her tone sharp. "We need to move before they do."

Zereth frowned. "But if we rush in blind, we risk walking into a trap."

Sylas tilted their head, their smirk faint. "And if we wait, they'll hit us first. Not exactly a fun choice."

Kael's gaze didn't waver. "We'll move. But we'll do it smart. Scouts ahead, wards ready. If they're planning something, we'll stop it before it starts."

A Strategy of Shadows

The Dominion prepared for their march with practiced efficiency. Ryn's strike team sharpened their blades and reviewed their tactics. Zereth directed the engineers to strengthen the portable wards, ensuring they could deploy defensive barriers on the move. Sylas and the scouts planned their routes, their movements precise and deliberate.

Kael stood at the forefront, his presence steadying the group. The shard and ring pulsed faintly in his hands, their energy resonating with the Dominion's unity.

"We move together," Kael said, his voice carrying across the camp. "And we don't stop until we've ended this threat."

The disciples nodded, their resolve strengthening. The cracks in their unity weren't gone, but they were mended—at least for now.

Foreshadowing the Battle

As the Dominion set out, the shadows around them seemed to grow thicker, their movements deliberate and foreboding. The air was heavy with an energy that pressed against their senses, a quiet warning of what lay ahead.

Kael felt the Abyss stirring within him, its whispers growing sharper with every step. He could feel its presence pulling at him, its demands louder than ever.

"They come," the voices said. "And they bring ruin."

Kael tightened his grip on the Abyssal Fang, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Whatever awaited them in the shadows, he knew one thing for certain—the Dominion would not fall.

End of Chapter 77