Chapter 15: Whispers of the Covenant

The journey back to Drakmor was quiet, save for the rhythmic crunch of boots on the gravel path. Revan remained at the head of the group, his thoughts swirling in the aftermath of his encounter with the Abyss. The power within him felt... different now. It wasn't just a wild force clawing at his mind; it was a steady presence, waiting to be commanded.

Kael, however, didn't share his calm demeanor. "So, we're just going to act like that was normal?" he asked, breaking the silence. "Touching creepy altars, fighting your shadow self—this is fine now?"

Revan glanced over his shoulder, offering a faint smirk. "It worked, didn't it? I'm still standing."

"For now," Kael muttered, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger. "I'm just saying, power like that doesn't come without strings attached."

Kaelar chuckled from behind them. "Kael's right, you know. The Abyss doesn't give freely—it takes. You've stabilized the power for now, but it's a hungry beast. If you don't keep it in check, it will devour you."

Revan's expression darkened. He already understood that truth. The whispers, the visions—they were always there, just below the surface. But now, instead of fighting them, he had learned to listen without losing himself.

---

The trio arrived in Drakmor by evening, the city's towering spires casting long shadows over the streets. Merchants shouted their wares, and the smells of roasted meat and spiced wine wafted through the air. But even amidst the hustle and bustle, Revan couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

"We need to talk somewhere private," he said, his voice low.

Kaelar nodded, leading them to an inconspicuous inn tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. The innkeeper, an older woman with sharp eyes, greeted Kaelar with a nod of recognition. Without a word, she handed him a key, and the group ascended to a small room on the second floor.

Once the door was locked, Kaelar turned to face them. "We need to discuss the Eclipse Covenant."

Kael groaned, slumping into a chair. "Great. More cults. Just what we need."

Kaelar ignored him, focusing on Revan. "They know about you. The moment you used the Abyssal Fragment back in Kaldora, you painted a target on your back. They'll stop at nothing to claim that power for themselves."

Revan crossed his arms. "What do they want with me? The Abyss isn't exactly something you can control easily."

Kaelar's expression hardened. "That's where you're wrong. The Eclipse Covenant worships the Abyss as a divine force. They believe it's the key to severing the Veil and reshaping the world in their image. And you, with your Abyssal Seal, are their perfect vessel."

Revan's jaw tightened. The idea of being used by fanatics didn't sit well with him. "Let them come," he said, his voice cold. "I'll deal with them like I've dealt with everything else."

Kaelar shook his head. "You don't understand. The Covenant isn't just a group of deranged cultists. They have resources, armies, and powerful Resonance Arts. If you face them head-on, you won't survive."

Kael leaned forward, a hint of curiosity replacing his usual sarcasm. "So what's the plan? Hide and hope they get bored?"

Kaelar smirked. "Hardly. If we're going to fight them, we need to understand them first. That means infiltrating one of their sanctuaries and learning what they're planning."

---

The sanctuary Kaelar spoke of was hidden deep beneath Drakmor, concealed in the city's sprawling network of catacombs. According to his sources, it was a minor outpost—nothing compared to the Covenant's main strongholds, but significant enough to provide valuable information.

The descent into the catacombs was suffocating. The air grew damp and cold, and the flickering light of their torches cast eerie shadows on the stone walls. Kael, ever the skeptic, muttered under his breath. "Why do these cults always pick the creepiest places? Couldn't they have a meeting hall or something?"

"Silence," Kaelar hissed, his tone uncharacteristically sharp. "We're close."

The corridor opened into a large chamber, its walls adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes of chaos and destruction. At the center of the room stood an altar, similar to the one in the ruined temple, but larger and more elaborate. Around it, a group of robed figures chanted in a guttural language that sent shivers down Revan's spine.

"Stay here," Kaelar whispered. "I'll scout ahead."

Revan grabbed his arm. "No. We do this together. If they catch you alone, it's over."

Kaelar hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. But stay low and quiet."

The trio crept closer, hiding behind a crumbling pillar. From their vantage point, they could see the leader of the group—a tall, gaunt man with a mask resembling a snarling beast. He held a black tome in his hands, its pages glowing faintly as he recited the incantation.

"The Abyss awakens," the leader intoned. "Its power shall cleanse this world and bring forth the new order. We are its harbingers, its chosen."

Kael rolled his eyes. "Yep, definitely a cult."

Revan's attention was drawn to a glowing crystal embedded in the altar. It pulsed in time with the leader's words, radiating a dark energy that made his Abyss Seal thrum in response.

"That crystal," he whispered. "It's connected to the Abyss."

Kaelar nodded grimly. "It's a Resonance Core. The Covenant uses them to channel and amplify their power. If we destroy it, we'll cripple this outpost."

Revan's eyes narrowed. "Then let's do it."

---

The attack was swift and brutal. Revan unleashed his Shadow Wreath, the tendrils of darkness wrapping around the robed figures and pulling them into the void. Kael darted between enemies, his daggers flashing as he struck with precision.

Kaelar focused on the Resonance Core, his hands weaving intricate patterns as he prepared a powerful spell. But the leader of the cult wasn't about to let them succeed without a fight.

"You dare defile the sanctum of the Abyss?" the leader roared, his voice echoing through the chamber. He raised his hands, summoning a wave of shadowy flames that surged toward Revan.

Revan countered with his own shadows, the two forces colliding in a burst of energy that shook the room. The leader was strong—stronger than any foe Revan had faced so far—but he wasn't invincible.

"You think you understand the Abyss?" the leader sneered. "You're nothing but a child playing with forces beyond your comprehension."

Revan's eyes burned with determination. "Maybe. But I'm still standing."

With a final surge of power, he overwhelmed the leader's defenses, his Shadow Wreath tearing through the man's body and leaving nothing but ash.

---

Kaelar's spell struck the Resonance Core, shattering it into a thousand pieces. The resulting explosion sent shockwaves through the chamber, causing the walls to crack and debris to fall from the ceiling.

"We need to move!" Kael shouted, helping Revan to his feet.

The trio sprinted back through the catacombs, the sound of collapsing stone chasing them. They emerged into the night, gasping for breath but alive.

Kaelar turned to Revan, a rare smile on his face. "That was impressive. You handled yourself well."

Revan shrugged, though he couldn't hide the exhaustion in his eyes. "One battle down. How many more to go?"

Kaelar's expression grew serious. "Many. The Covenant won't take this loss lightly. But for now, we've bought ourselves time."

Revan looked out over the city, the weight of his newfound power pressing heavily on his shoulders. The Abyss was both his greatest weapon and his greatest threat. If he was going to survive the battles ahead, he would need to master it completely.

And the Covenant? They were just the beginning.