Chapter 26: The Heart of the Sovereigns

The blinding light spilled through the massive doors, its brilliance forcing Ishar, Lin Yao, and Fei to shield their eyes. As the glow subsided, the chamber before them revealed itself in haunting clarity. It was vast, seemingly endless, with a ceiling that dissolved into swirling crimson mist. Pillars of obsidian jutted upward like jagged teeth, forming concentric circles that led to the center of the room. There, floating above a raised dais, was the heart of the fortress: a massive, pulsating orb of dark energy, its surface veined with flickers of crimson and gold.

The throne's heart.

Ishar's pale eyes locked onto it, the throne's power within him resonating violently. The pulsing energy seemed to call out to him, filling the chamber with an eerie hum that echoed like the beat of an unholy drum.

Lin Yao took a cautious step forward, her staff glowing faintly as she surveyed the chamber. "The energy here… it's overwhelming. Even standing here feels like it's trying to crush me."

Fei clutched his dagger tightly, his knuckles white. "This is it, isn't it? The throne's heart. But… why does it feel like it's alive?"

Ishar stepped forward, his skeletal warriors following silently behind him. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, as if the throne's power had seeped deeper into his very being. "Because it is. This is no simple artifact. It's the core of the Sovereigns' power, the anchor that binds them to this realm."

The system's voice echoed in his mind.

Objective Updated: Claim the Throne's Heart. Warning: Hostile Entities Imminent. High Threat Detected.

Ishar tightened his grip on the Shadowforge Blade. "Stay close. This won't be as simple as taking it."

The Sovereigns' Avatar

As the group moved toward the dais, the chamber's temperature plummeted, and the hum of the throne's heart grew louder. The obsidian pillars began to glow faintly, runes carved into their surfaces igniting one by one. The light spread outward, forming a web of crimson energy that encircled the heart. The ground beneath their feet trembled, and from the shadows emerged a figure unlike any they had faced before.

It was massive, towering over even the Keeper of Chains. Its form was shrouded in a shifting cloak of shadows, its features hidden save for two burning crimson eyes that pierced the gloom. In its hands, it wielded a greatsword forged from the same energy as the heart, its blade crackling with destructive power. The very air around it seemed to warp, bending to its will.

The system's voice returned, colder and more urgent than ever.

Hostile Entity Detected: Sovereigns' Avatar. Manifestation of the Sovereigns' Collective Will. Extreme Threat Level. Weakness: Disruption of Energy Flow Between the Heart and Pillars.

The Avatar's voice echoed through the chamber, deep and resonant, shaking the walls. "Foolish mortal. You dare to defy the Sovereigns? You will be unmade."

Ishar raised his blade, his voice unwavering. "The Sovereigns are relics of a broken age. I'll tear down everything they built and take what's mine."

The Avatar let out a deafening roar, raising its greatsword as it charged forward. The battle for the throne's heart had begun.

A Clash of Titans

The Avatar moved with terrifying speed, its blade descending in a massive arc that cleaved through the ground where Ishar had stood moments before. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the chamber, shattering several nearby pillars. Ishar countered with a surge of Obsidian Dominion, shadows coiling around the Avatar's legs to bind its movements. But the creature tore through them with ease, its strength overwhelming.

Lin Yao unleashed a burst of radiant energy, her staff glowing brightly as she directed the beam toward the Avatar's chest. The attack struck true, causing the creature to stagger momentarily, but the damage was minimal.

"Its defenses are too strong," she shouted, frustration evident in her voice. "We need to weaken it!"

Fei darted around the battlefield, his dagger flashing as he targeted the glowing runes on the nearby pillars. He struck one with precision, causing it to crack and dim. The Avatar let out a guttural growl, its movements growing slightly slower.

"The pillars," Ishar commanded. "They're feeding it power. Destroy them!"

The skeletal warriors split off, their iron weapons striking the remaining pillars. Each impact sent ripples of energy through the chamber, and the Avatar's glowing eyes flickered as its connection to the heart weakened. Ishar seized the opportunity, closing the distance between himself and the creature. His Shadowforge Blade clashed against the Avatar's greatsword, the force of their strikes sending shockwaves that cracked the floor beneath them.

The Heart's Wrath

As the battle raged on, the throne's heart began to pulse erratically, its energy lashing out in chaotic bursts. Beams of crimson light shot across the chamber, obliterating anything in their path. One narrowly missed Fei, who rolled out of the way just in time.

"This place is falling apart!" he shouted, his voice tinged with panic. "If we don't finish this soon, we'll all be buried here!"

Lin Yao focused her energy on another pillar, her staff glowing brighter than ever. With a final, concentrated blast, she shattered it completely. The Avatar let out a roar of pain, its form flickering as cracks spread across its shadowy body.

Ishar pressed his advantage, summoning Crimson Overlord. The throne's power surged through him, coalescing into a massive wave of dark energy that engulfed the Avatar. The creature staggered, its greatsword falling to the ground as it struggled to maintain its form.

"You cannot win," the Avatar growled, its voice weakening. "The Sovereigns' will is eternal."

"Not anymore," Ishar replied coldly. He raised his blade, channeling all of his power into a single, devastating strike. The blow pierced the Avatar's chest, shattering it into a thousand fragments of shadow.

Claiming the Throne's Heart

With the Avatar defeated, the chamber fell silent. The crimson light from the heart dimmed, its energy stabilizing as the shattered remains of the pillars faded into dust. Ishar approached the dais, his steps deliberate and unyielding. The throne's heart pulsed weakly now, its once-overwhelming power reduced to a faint hum.

Lin Yao and Fei stood back, watching in tense silence as Ishar placed his hand on the orb. The moment his fingers made contact, the system's voice returned, resonating louder than ever.

Throne's Heart Claimed. Power Fully Integrated. New Abilities Unlocked: Abyssal Sovereignty, Eternal Dominion. Warning: Hostility from All Sovereigns Confirmed. Prepare for Immediate Conflict.

The orb dissolved into a surge of energy that flowed into Ishar, enveloping him in a blinding light. His skeletal warriors knelt instinctively, their forms glowing as they were infused with the throne's power. When the light faded, Ishar stood taller, his pale eyes now burning with a faint crimson glow.

Lin Yao stepped forward cautiously, her voice hesitant. "Ishar? Are you… still you?"

He turned to face her, his expression cold but composed. "I am more than I was before. The Sovereigns will come for us, but it doesn't matter. I'll destroy them all."

The Oncoming Storm

The fortress trembled as the group exited the chamber, its once-intimidating structure crumbling around them. The sky above had darkened further, the crimson hue replaced by swirling black clouds that crackled with lightning. In the distance, shapes began to emerge—dozens of figures descending from the heavens, each radiating an aura of overwhelming power.

Lin Yao's eyes widened in horror. "The Sovereigns… they're coming."

Fei tightened his grip on his dagger, his voice trembling. "All of them?"

Ishar stood at the forefront, his skeletal warriors forming a protective line behind him. The throne's power surged within him, stronger than ever. He raised his blade, its edge crackling with dark energy.

"Let them come," he said, his voice resolute. "This world belongs to me now."

As the Sovereigns descended, their forms towering and majestic, the battle for ultimate dominion was about to begin.