The Alpha And The Fifth Blood

Chapter 30

The first Abyss hunter moved without warning. He didn’t run or shift his stance. He simply raised his hand, and black lightning tore across the chamber, exploding forward like a living spear aimed straight at Ariana. The air warped around it, the energy screaming as it cut through the sanctuary’s golden light, fast enough that it felt impossible to react.

Kael moved anyway. Instinct took over before thought could catch up. He stepped in front of her, white energy bursting from his arm as he swung forward. The two forces collided violently. The impact cracked through the chamber like thunder, stone splitting beneath their feet as dust rained down from above. The shockwave forced him back a step, boots grinding against the floor, but he held his ground. He rolled his shoulder once, jaw tightening slightly before he forced out a breath. "Well," he muttered, "that was rude." Behind him, the other four hunters stepped fully into the room, their armor shifting like living shadows. The temperature dropped instantly, the air turning cold and heavy as even the sanctuary’s golden glow flickered under the pressure of their presence.

Ariana felt it hit her like weight pressing directly into her chest. It was heavier than anything she had felt before, suffocating in a way that made it harder to breathe. Her fingers curled slightly as she fought to steady herself. "These feel worse than the ones outside," she said, her voice quieter than she intended. Kael didn’t look away from the hunters. "Yeah," he said. "They’re stronger." The lead hunter tilted his head slightly, silver eyes locking onto her with something cold and curious. "We are chosen servants of the Abyss Lord," he said calmly. His gaze didn’t shift. "And you are our target." Dark energy gathered again in his hand, thick and unstable, as Vormerion’s voice echoed through the chamber. Sovereign... this is your lesson.

"Now?" Ariana asked, her pulse rising. "Yes." The next attack came faster, sharper. Kael shifted to intercept, but this time Ariana stepped forward before he could. "I can do this." Her voice was steady, but her hands betrayed her, trembling slightly as she raised them. The memory of losing control earlier flashed through her mind. The pressure of the Abyss still clawed at her, trying to break her focus before she could even start. Kael glanced at her quickly. "You sure about that?" She swallowed. "No." The honesty surprised even her. Then she lifted her hands anyway.

Golden light burst from her body, spreading outward in a sudden wave. It formed in front of them just as the black lightning struck. The impact shook the chamber again, louder this time, sharper. But the shield held. The dark energy fractured on contact, breaking apart like glass under pressure. For a moment, everything stilled. Even the hunters paused. "Sovereign power," the leader said quietly, studying her now instead of dismissing her. Ariana’s arms shook under the strain. The energy burned through her veins, too strong, too fast, like it might tear her apart from the inside. "I think... I got it," she said, though she wasn’t sure if she was controlling the shield or if it was holding her together.

"Impressive," the hunter said, stepping forward slowly. "But not enough." All five moved at once. Their speed blurred, shadows trailing behind them as they rushed forward in perfect coordination. "Stay behind the shield!" Kael ordered, already shifting. Bones cracked and reformed mid-step as his body expanded, muscle and fur replacing human form. In seconds, the massive black wolf stood in his place, golden eyes blazing with something ancient and violent. The first hunter lunged, and Kael met him head-on. Claws and dark steel collided with a force that echoed through the chamber, sending the hunter crashing backward into a pillar. Stone split under the impact as Kael landed smoothly, already turning toward the next threat. Another appeared at his side, blade cutting toward his neck, but Kael twisted and struck, driving him across the room with brutal precision.

A third hunter broke from the group and lunged toward Ariana, claws slamming into the shield. The barrier flared violently. Golden light exploded outward, burning through the contact point. The hunter screamed as the energy surged through him and threw him back across the chamber. Ariana stared, breath catching. "I did that?" "Your power protects those under your command," Vormerion said calmly. But the remaining hunters didn’t hesitate. They regrouped quickly, their expressions shifting from confidence to calculation. The leader rose again, wiping blood from his face, his smile returning slowly. "You are stronger than expected." Kael’s wolf snarled low. "You’re weaker than expected."

"Enough." Darkness erupted from the hunter’s body, spreading across the floor like a living tide. The golden light dimmed as the corruption expanded, pushing against the sanctuary itself. Ariana felt it instantly. The pressure doubled, crushing against her chest and pulling at the power inside her. "What is that?" she asked. "Abyss corruption," Vormerion answered. The hunter lifted both hands, and the shadows rose, forming a wave that crashed toward her. Kael moved to block it, but there were too many. Too wide. Too fast. "I can’t stop all of that!" Ariana shouted as the barrier flickered violently, cracks of light spreading across its surface. "You do not stop it," Vormerion said. "You push it away."

"Focus." Kael’s voice cut through everything. She looked at him. His golden eyes locked onto hers, steady and unshaken, even as the darkness closed in around him. "You stopped them once," he said. "Do it again." The bond between them pulsed, warm and certain, cutting through the pressure. Ariana took a slow breath, forcing herself to hold onto that feeling. "Okay." She raised both hands again. This time, the power responded instantly. Faster. Stronger. The golden light surged through her, filling the chamber. The lines across the floor ignited, blazing with energy as the shield expanded outward. Then it broke. Not shattered. Released.

A wave of golden light tore through the chamber, stronger than before, wider than before. It crashed into the Abyss corruption and erased it instantly. The hunters were thrown back, slamming into stone with force that echoed through the room. Silence followed. Dust drifted slowly through the air as the golden glow faded, leaving only the steady pulse of the sanctuary behind. Ariana’s knees almost gave out as the energy drained from her body, her arms dropping slightly as she struggled to stay upright.

The first hunter laughed as he pushed himself back to his feet, blood running down his face, his expression calm despite the damage. "You are stronger than we thought," he said, his voice low and cold. "But the Abyss Lord will enjoy this." Kael shifted back into human form, breathing steady as he stepped closer to Ariana. "What does that mean?" The hunter didn’t answer directly. He stepped backward toward the tunnel, the others following him in silence. "Tonight was only a test." His gaze locked onto Ariana one last time. "We will return for you, Sovereign." Then they were gone, swallowed by the darkness.

Silence settled over the chamber once more. Kael exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair as he looked at Ariana. "Well..." he said. "Looks like you passed your first lesson." Ariana didn’t answer right away. Her hands were still trembling slightly, her chest tight from the strain, her mind still echoing with the pressure of the Abyss. Because even as the chamber grew quiet, she could still feel it. Far above the mountain, the war was still raging. And she still wasn’t strong enough to stop it.