Chapter 46: Assembling the Lost

The Abyss had chosen its heir.

But an heir without allies was just a man standing alone against the storm.

Sai stood at the center of the ruins, abyssal mist curling at his feet as the creatures surrounding him waited. The echoes of the last battle still lingered in the air, the weight of what had happened pressing down on him.

The Betrayer had sent his first Herald.

And next time, he would send more.

Sai exhaled slowly. He needed people.

Not just abyssal creatures that obeyed his will.

He needed real warriors. Fighters who could think for themselves, strategists who could do more than follow orders.

Ezren had told him that much.

And deep down, Sai knew the Warden was right.

He turned to Lena, who was still watching him with that familiar mix of concern and exasperation. "Alright," he muttered. "Let's go find some allies."

Lena let out a breath. "Finally. I was wondering when you'd figure that out."

Ezren nodded approvingly. "Then it is time. There are those in the world who have already been waiting for you."

Sai frowned. "And where exactly do I find them?"

Ezren's golden eyes flickered. "You will not find them."

Sai crossed his arms. "Then how do I recruit people I can't even find?"

Ezren smirked. "You make them come to you."

Sai blinked. "What?"

Ezren turned, his abyssal aura flaring slightly. "You wield the Abyss now. You have a throne waiting for you, whether you want it or not. And if you stand long enough, those who remember the past will come to see if you are worthy of it."

Sai frowned. "So you want me to just sit here and hope people show up?"

Ezren chuckled. "Not hope. Prove."

Sai let out a slow breath. Of course it wouldn't be easy.

The Call of the Abyss

Ezren stepped forward, reaching into his coat. He pulled out a small, obsidian dagger, the blade etched with abyssal runes.

"This," he said, holding it up, "was once a symbol of loyalty among the Abyssal warriors."

Sai studied the dagger. "And?"

Ezren flipped it in his hand, then stabbed it into the stone at Sai's feet.

A pulse of abyssal energy rushed outward, rippling through the ruins, spreading far beyond the battlefield.

Sai's system flared with a notification.

[Abyssal Signal Sent.]

[Awaiting Response…]

Sai tensed. "What did you just do?"

Ezren smirked. "I announced your existence to the remnants of the past."

Lena frowned. "And what if the wrong kind of people answer?"

Ezren turned away. "Then you will deal with them accordingly."

Sai muttered under his breath. "Great. Just great."

Now all he had to do was wait.

And hope the first to arrive were allies and not enemies.

The First Arrival

It didn't take long.

Hours after Ezren sent out the signal, Sai felt something shift.

The Abyss responded first. The mist thickened, the energy humming beneath his skin.

Then—a presence.

Distant at first. But getting closer.

Lena tensed. "Sai. Someone's coming."

Sai took a slow breath, adjusting his grip on his daggers. He didn't know who it was.

But he would find out soon enough.

The shadows parted.

A figure stepped forward.

Tall. Cloaked in dark armor, their features hidden beneath a hood.

But their eyes—golden and burning.

Sai's stomach tightened.

Because that wasn't just abyssal energy.

That was something else.

Lena took a step back. "Uh, Sai? This one feels… different."

Sai agreed.

The stranger stopped a few feet away, studying him. Then, finally, they spoke.

"You are the one they call the Heir."

Sai exhaled. "Apparently."

The stranger tilted their head. "Then prove it."

Sai expected the attack.

He moved before the first strike landed.

The Duel for Allegiance

The warrior moved like a ghost, their sword a blur of shadow and steel.

Sai dodged left, his instincts screaming at him to move faster. The stranger's blade sliced through the air, missing his throat by inches.

Sai countered, his daggers flashing as he aimed for their side—

But the stranger twisted, dodging effortlessly.

Lena cursed. "Sai, I think they're toying with you."

Sai gritted his teeth. She was right.

This wasn't an attempt to kill him.

It was a test.

And if he failed—he'd lose his first potential ally.

He exhaled sharply. Fine. If they wanted proof, he'd give it to them.

Accepting the Abyss

Sai stopped fighting like a hunter.

And started fighting like the Abyss.

The moment he let go, his body shifted.

The Abyss poured through him, moving his limbs before he even thought to react.

The stranger struck again—

Sai was already gone.

He reappeared behind them, his dagger already at their throat.

The stranger froze.

A long silence passed between them.

Then—they smiled.

And knelt.

Lena's jaw dropped. "Wait. What just happened?"

The stranger bowed their head.

"You are worthy."

Sai let out a slow breath. "Who are you?"

The warrior looked up.

"I am Kael. Once a knight of the Abyssal Order."

Sai frowned. "And now?"

Kael's golden eyes flickered.

"Now, I am yours to command."

The Gathering Begins

Ezren smirked from the sidelines. "One down."

Sai exhaled. This was only the beginning.

If Kael had answered the call, that meant others would too.

Not just warriors.

Not just soldiers.

But remnants of an era long forgotten.

And Sai had to decide—who was worthy to stand beside him?

Lena grinned. "Well. At least we're not alone anymore."

Sai chuckled. "Yeah. For now."

But deep down, he knew the truth.

This was just the first step.

The real war hadn't even begun.