Chapter 49: The Hidden Order Moves
The Abyss was no longer just **watching.**
It was **responding.**
Sai stood at the center of his growing army, the mist curling around his feet like **a living thing.** His forces—**Kael, Neris, Garrik, and the remnants of the Abyssal Order—**had gathered, answering a call they hadn't realized was still inside them.
But now, there was **a new threat.**
The **Hidden Order** had noticed them.
Ezren had warned him.
Sai had known this was coming.
And yet… the weight of it still pressed against his chest.
Lena crossed her arms, shifting her weight. "So. We have, what, a few dozen people?"
"More will come," Kael said simply.
Sai exhaled. "Doesn't matter. We don't have time to wait."
Ezren watched him carefully. "Then you plan to strike first?"
Sai's fingers curled into fists. "Yeah."
---
### **A War in the Dark**
The Hidden Order had spent **centuries** keeping the Abyss buried, ensuring that **no one remembered its past.**
They had nearly erased its warriors.
Nearly destroyed its last remnants.
But now?
Now, **Sai stood in their way.**
And they wouldn't let that stand.
Ezren had gathered **intel** on the Hidden Order's movements. Their forces were stationed in the ruins of an old stronghold—not far from the Abyssal Gate Sai had emerged from.
"They won't expect a direct assault," Ezren explained.
Lena scoffed. "Yeah, because it's *stupid.*"
Sai smirked. "Good. That means it'll work."
Kael placed a hand on his sword. "Give the order."
Sai exhaled. "We move at dawn."
---
### **The First Strike**
The attack was **silent.**
The night was thick with abyssal mist, masking their approach. **Sai led from the front, his forces moving like shadows, slipping through the ruins toward the Hidden Order's outpost.**
Neris vanished into the darkness first, scouting ahead. Her voice crackled through their abyssal comms.
"Six sentries at the outer gate. More inside."
Sai nodded. **"Take them out quietly."**
A beat of silence. Then—**no screams.**
Just **bodies falling.**
Kael and Garrik led the next wave, abyssal blades flashing.
The Hidden Order had barely noticed before they were already **inside.**
Sai's system **flared.**
**[Engagement: Hidden Order Outpost]**
**[Objective: Seize Control]**
Lena fought at his side, her chakrams spinning. "We're actually doing this, huh?"
Sai's dagger **buried into an enemy's armor.** "Yeah."
The enemy fell.
And the **war had begun.**
---
### **The Clash of Ideals**
Ezren moved like **a specter**, his golden abyssal blade cutting down the Order's warriors **with brutal precision.**
Sai barely dodged a strike, countering with **Phantom Step** before driving his dagger into another target's chest.
The battle was **fast, violent.**
But something felt **off.**
Ezren deflected an incoming blow, turning to Sai. "They're stalling."
Sai's stomach tightened.
Then, a voice echoed through the ruins.
**"Enough."**
The battlefield **froze.**
Sai turned.
A figure stood at the center of the outpost, clad in dark abyssal robes, their **face hidden behind a silver mask.**
Sai knew instantly.
**A Commander of the Hidden Order.**
The masked figure lifted a hand, abyssal energy crackling around them. **"You are interfering with something far beyond your understanding, Heir."**
Sai's breath slowed. "Then why don't you explain it to me?"
The masked figure chuckled. "You are making a mistake."
Lena muttered, "Oh, I *really* don't like this guy."
Ezren's golden eyes narrowed. "Be careful."
Sai's grip tightened on his daggers.
And then—**the real battle began.**
---
### **The Heir vs. The Hidden Commander**
The masked warrior **moved like a storm.**
Abyssal energy **exploded outward**, forcing Sai back.
Kael and Garrik lunged—**but the Commander barely even acknowledged them.**
A single flick of their wrist, and **Kael was thrown backward.**
Garrik barely dodged an abyssal strike that **shattered the ground.**
Sai activated **Abyssal Step**, flickering behind them—**but the Commander was faster.**
They spun, catching Sai mid-attack.
A sharp **strike to his ribs—**
Sai **staggered.**
Pain shot through his body, abyssal energy burning through his armor.
Lena flung her chakrams—**but they stopped midair.**
The Commander barely glanced at her. "You are not part of this, girl."
Lena growled. "I *hate* these guys."
Ezren stepped forward, golden abyssal fire **rising from his blade.** "You talk too much."
The Commander's head tilted. "Do I?"
Ezren **attacked.**
Sai forced himself up, pushing past the pain. **He had to end this.**
Now.
---
### **The First Real Choice**
Sai **drew on the Abyss.**
He could feel it **waiting.**
Watching.
If he let it consume him—**he could win.**
But something inside him whispered a warning.
This wasn't about just **power.**
It was about **control.**
And if he lost himself here…
He might never come back.
Ezren's blade clashed against the Commander's, abyssal energy crackling as their powers **warped the air.**
The Commander exhaled sharply. "Impressive. But you are **too late.**"
Sai's system **flared.**
**[Warning: Enemy Reinforcements Incoming.]**
Sai **cursed.**
More were coming.
If they didn't finish this **now**, they'd be **overwhelmed.**
Sai took a deep breath.
Then, he made his choice.
He **didn't** give in.
Instead, he **controlled it.**
Abyssal power **exploded** from him—not wild, not reckless—**but precise.**
The Commander faltered. "What—"
Sai **moved.**
His dagger **struck true.**
The Commander **collapsed.**
And for the first time, the Hidden Order **fell back.**
---
### **The End of the Beginning**
The battle was over.
But Sai knew—**this wasn't a victory.**
It was just a **delay.**
The Hidden Order would return.
And the **Betrayer's shadow was growing.**
Ezren stood beside him. "You hesitated."
Sai exhaled. "No. I chose."
Ezren watched him for a moment, then nodded. "Then you're ready for what comes next."
Sai clenched his fists.
Because now?
Now, the **real war was about to begin.**
And in the next battle…
There would be **no mercy.**
**The Abyss had awakened.**
And there was no turning back.