Chaosbound: Elarith Chronicles

Duskborn Ascendants

The Southern Territory, historically a mosaic of fragmented factions, was forever reshaped by the cyclical devastation of the Malice Bloom. This cataclysmic force, indifferent to political ambition or alliances, transcended boundaries and left a world utterly transformed. In its wake, a new vision for humanity's survival emerged from a group of Eclipseborne warriors—the Duskborn Ascendants.

A Singular Purpose: Forging the Ultimate Warrior

The Ascendants were driven by an unyielding purpose: to forge the ultimate warrior, born of Eclipseborne divinity. Their philosophy deliberately eschewed the fleeting politics and distractions of the eastern and western kingdoms. They believed that only those truly devoted to strength and righteousness could ensure humanity's survival against encroaching chaos. While divinity, a gift bestowed randomly across generations, lay beyond human control, the Ascendants firmly believed that latent potential could be unearthed, shaped, and sharpened like a blade.

The Enduring Structure

To achieve their formidable goal, the Ascendants meticulously built an enduring system rooted in rigorous scouting and relentless training:

The Scout Factions: These dedicated factions traversed the breadth of the Southern Territory, their mission to identify potential candidates. They sought out children who exhibited exceptional resolve, skill, or bravery. Crucially, recruitment was always voluntary, never coerced. Those who chose to join did so with a clear understanding that they were stepping into a life of unimaginable challenge and profound transformation.

Training and Trials: The Ascendants' training methods were notoriously grueling, specifically designed to push recruits to the very edge of their physical and mental limits. The trials they imposed were often deadly, not out of malice, but with a singular intent: to awaken the divinity within chosen individuals and reveal their true, unbridled potential. Those who survived these arduous trials frequently emerged as prodigies of combat, wielding strength that could rival even natural-born Divinants, even if they themselves never manifested explicit divinity.

The Philosophy of Strength

Despite their demanding methods, the Ascendants were not a force of cruelty. Quite the opposite; their comprehensive code instilled principles of righteousness and unwavering protection. The warriors they forged were bound by a paramount ideal: to save the weak and to fight for those who could not defend themselves. Every recruit learned a fundamental truth—that strength was meaningless without purpose, and the ultimate purpose of strength was to serve, not dominate.

An Unparalleled Legacy

The warriors produced by the Duskborn Ascendants were, simply put, unmatched. Even those who did not awaken as Divinants carried with them the refined techniques, iron discipline, and indomitable willpower that enabled them to stand formidable against chaos itself. Their hard-won knowledge was meticulously preserved and continually refined, diligently passed down through each successive generation. This ensured that the Southern Territories remained a perpetual wellspring of unparalleled fighters. Indeed, it was often whispered that the Duskborn Ascendants could produce warriors so extraordinarily skilled that even divinity itself seemed a mere advantage, rather than a defining trait.

Graduation and Sacred Independence

A key distinction set the Ascendants apart from other organizations of the east and west: they imposed no further control on their graduates. Once thoroughly trained and rigorously tested, warriors were entirely free to choose their own path. Whether they chose to become stalwart protectors of the innocent or wanderers exploring the world, their choices were unequivocally their own. This profound autonomy was sacred, a direct reflection of the Ascendants' core belief that true strength must always be guided by individual conviction.

Purpose Beyond Politics

The Duskborn Ascendants remained steadfastly apolitical, resolutely refusing to involve themselves in the intricate affairs of kings and kingdoms. Their sole, unwavering mission was the cultivation of strength, and their ultimate goal was to ensure humanity's enduring survival against the chaos unleashed by the Bloom and beyond. The Ascendants understood implicitly that politics could easily distract and corrupt the profound purpose of their work. Thus, they maintained their focus, unwavering in their tireless pursuit of perfection.

Their name became legendary across the Southern Territory, whispered with a mix of reverence and awe. The warriors who emerged from their ranks profoundly shaped the course of battles, protected countless lives, and stood as living, breathing proof of the indomitable power of discipline and singular purpose.

The Founder: Rasa Sariel

To truly understand the heart of the Duskborn Ascendants, one must look to its visionary beginnings and the extraordinary figure who breathed life into its core ideals.

Long before the Southern Territory fractured into myriad factions, and before kings ruled over divided lands, there was only chaos. A relentless cycle of devastating Malice Blooms swept across the territory, threatening all life. Amidst this seemingly endless tide of destruction, one warrior emerged as a profound beacon of hope—a fighter whose deeds would resonate through the annals of history. His name was Rasa Sariel, an Eclipseborne Divinant whose unmatched strength and profound wisdom guided the southern lands to survival.

A Birth Amidst Despair

Rasa Sariel was born during a time of utter despair, his divinity dramatically awakening in the very midst of the pervasive chaos. The Eclipseborne power within him—a masterful gift of shadow manipulation and strategic foresight—quickly elevated him from a formidable warrior to an enduring legend. He wielded shadow as if it were an extension of his very soul, employing it not merely for destruction but profoundly for protection. He created intricate constructs that shielded others and neutralized enemies with uncanny precision. His brilliant strategic mind transformed battles into a form of art, and his decisive actions ensured that humanity endured the Bloom when all hope seemed lost.

Rasa Sariel's Fight Against the Malice Bloom

It was in the crucible of this escalating chaos that Rasa Sariel's true might, and his unique approach, shone brightest. His meteoric rise to prominence occurred during one of the most brutal cycles of the Bloom, a period when the southern continent teetered on the brink of annihilation. The chaos-born creatures were relentlessly destructive, and the kingdoms' fragmented politics only exacerbated the dire situation. Rasa Sariel, demonstrating unparalleled leadership, united warriors across the disparate lands. He achieved this not by appealing to their kings, but by powerfully appealing to their shared humanity. Under his inspiring leadership, the Eclipseborne fighters forged a resilient coalition that struck back fiercely against the Bloom, pushing its malevolent forces into retreat and buying precious time for the land to recover.

Rasa Sariel's philosophy was elegantly simple yet profoundly impactful: strength was meaningless without purpose, and that ultimate purpose came from protecting the weak and vulnerable. His words, though rarely loud or commanding, carried an immense weight that resonated deeply with all who heard them. Fighters who had once battled solely for personal glory now found themselves fighting for the very survival of their people, profoundly inspired by Rasa Sariel's unyielding resolve.

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Founding the Duskborn Ascendants

After the immediate threat of the Bloom subsided, Rasa Sariel, with his profound foresight, recognized the cyclical nature of the devastation. He understood it was not a single victory, but an endless struggle humanity would face repeatedly. He knew that relying on fractured politics and shifting alliances would only weaken their collective ability to respond effectively. What the Southern Territory desperately needed was a force independent of all factional ties—an organization devoted solely to strength, resilience, and unassailable righteousness.

With this conviction, Rasa Sariel founded the Duskborn Ascendants, driven by the belief that humanity's very survival depended on fostering its strongest warriors. The Ascendants were meticulously built to nurture raw talent, relentlessly push limits, and produce fighters who could stand unwavering against chaos itself. Rasa Sariel's visionary foresight shaped the core of their philosophy: their warriors would not be born from privilege or political maneuvering—they would be forged in the crucible of adversity. Every warrior would carry the profound ideals of protection and selfless service, thereby ensuring the Ascendants' legacy would remain perpetually tied to the righteous path.

Though Rasa Sariel rarely spoke of his own formidable divinity, his unparalleled mastery of Eclipseborne powers became the foundational bedrock of the Ascendants' teachings. His singular ability to seamlessly blend shadow manipulation with strategic combat techniques inspired generations of warriors who sought to emulate his strength. His methods were undeniably harsh, but his profound wisdom ensured that his recruits truly understood the ultimate purpose of their strength: to serve and protect, never to dominate.

A Legacy in the Shadows

Yet, even as his vision took root and flourished, Rasa Sariel's own path remained one of quiet dedication and mystery. His name became universally revered across the Southern Territory, though much of his personal history remained shrouded in profound mystery. He was widely known as the shadowed guardian—the warrior who fought not for recognition or glory, but solely for the survival of his people. Even after founding the illustrious Ascendants, Rasa Sariel continued to fight in secret, bravely leading crucial missions against emerging chaos threats that others were utterly incapable of facing. Some whispered that his shadow lingered even after his death, faithfully watching over the Ascendants as they continued to carry out his grand vision.

Intriguingly, Nephra, the Abyssal of immeasurable power, acknowledged Rasa Sariel's strength with a rare, almost unprecedented respect. Unlike most Abyssals, who openly scorned humanity's perceived frailty, Nephra viewed Rasa Sariel as a truly worthy opponent—a Divinant who could challenge even the deepest chasms of chaos itself. Though their direct encounters were few, Nephra's unique recognition further elevated Rasa Sariel's legend, transforming him into a figure of profound myth.

The Current Era: A New Generation

Though Rasa Sariel's time has passed, his enduring legacy thrives vibrantly in the warriors who continue to emerge from the Duskborn Ascendants. Generations of Eclipseborne have faithfully carried on his teachings, meticulously refining and strengthening the very techniques he established. The Ascendants remain steadfastly committed to producing fighters who profoundly embody Rasa Sariel's ideals—strength tempered by unwavering purpose, and independence guided by resolute righteousness.

In the present day, as the Southern Territory braces for a new, intensified cycle of chaos, the Ascendants have produced their greatest champion yet. This new Divinant, whose exceptional abilities reflect the powerful culmination of Rasa Sariel's philosophy, stands as the pinnacle of the Eclipseborne's power. Forged through relentless trials and stringent discipline, this warrior is a living testament to Rasa Sariel's original vision of the ultimate protector. Their formidable strength and inspiring presence offer a profound promise of hope for the Southern Territory's survival, even as the Malice Bloom grows ever more dangerously potent. That champion was Lioren Sagehart, a warrior whose extraordinary journey began with an innate grace and power...

The Phantomblade: Lioren Sagehart

From the moment he could walk, Lioren Sagehart carried with him an aura of quiet majesty that seemed far beyond his tender years. Even as a child, his movements exuded a natural grace and an inherent confidence that left those around him in awe. Though he lived a humble life in a small southern village, his presence was anything but ordinary. He possessed great strength, yes, but more profoundly, he embodied the spirit of a true king—a leader who cared deeply for others and carried an innate sense of profound responsibility.

A Humble Awakening

Remarkably, his divinity awakened when he was only eight years old—a rarity even among the Eclipseborne—yet Lioren showed no signs of arrogance or superiority. He used his burgeoning strength with unwavering selflessness, helping his fellow villagers in quiet, unassuming ways. Whether it was effortlessly lifting impossible burdens or resolving conflicts with his calm, steady words, he seemed naturally born to guide, protect, and inspire. "Strength is a gift, but wisdom is what gives it meaning," his father, a retired warrior, often reminded him. Those profound words became his compass, meticulously shaping his path forward.

The precise moment Lioren's divinity revealed itself was both subtle and extraordinary. On an ordinary day, a terrible storm violently tore through the village, its fierce winds uprooting ancient trees and threatening homes. Amidst the swirling chaos, Lioren spotted two terrified children trapped beneath the wreckage of a collapsed roof. Without a moment's hesitation, he acted, his movements purely instinctual and precise. Shadows began to swirl gracefully around him, forming intricate constructs that mirrored his focused thoughts—effortlessly lifting heavy beams, precisely shielding the children from further harm. It was not destructive power that defined his gift, but profound protection. By the time the storm finally passed, his extraordinary gift was undeniable to all.

The villagers spoke of Lioren with deep reverence, calling him a blessing and the luminous light in their darkest moments. Yet, Lioren himself remained humbly grounded, using his remarkable abilities only when genuinely needed. He desired nothing more than to selflessly serve those around him, finding genuine joy in small, compassionate acts of kindness.

The Call of the Ascendants

Word of Lioren's exceptional abilities spread, eventually reaching the discerning ears of the Duskborn Ascendants, an organization renowned for producing the strongest warriors in the Southern Territory. The Ascendants had long diligently searched for individuals with truly exceptional potential, traveling tirelessly across the land to scout and recruit. When they arrived at Lioren's village, they immediately recognized that he was unlike any other they had encountered. His divinity was extraordinary, yes, but it was his remarkable temperament that truly captured their attention. He carried the unwavering heart of a natural protector, a radiant light in the encroaching darkness—a perfect candidate for their rigorous trials.

The Ascendants extended to Lioren a coveted place among their recruits. His family hesitated, knowing the brutal nature of the Ascendants' training, but Lioren made the profound choice himself. "If I can grow stronger, I can protect more people," he stated simply, with quiet conviction. His father, seeing the pure intent in his son's eyes, agreed, understanding that his son's immense strength would always be guided by his innate wisdom.

Forged in the Crucible: The Trials

Training with the Duskborn Ascendants was unlike anything Lioren had ever experienced. The trials were merciless, specifically designed to push recruits to their absolute physical and mental limits and far beyond, to awaken every ounce of latent potential within them. Many faltered, some even tragically fell—but Lioren thrived. The Ascendants were not cruel, but their methods were undeniably harsh, ensuring that only the strongest and most inherently righteous could emerge. Lioren carried himself through every formidable challenge with unwavering resilience and profound compassion, often helping those around him even as he continued to push himself further.

His mastery over shadow energy grew exponentially with each passing year. He learned to wield his powers not only for impenetrable defense but also for intricate strategy, creating complex constructs that perfectly reflected his thoughts and intentions—unyielding shields, versatile weapons, and clever diversions. His movements in battle became fluid, calculated, a mesmerizing dance of shadow and light that transformed even the fiercest enemy into a fleeting, manageable threat.

By the time he faced the Ascendants' final, ultimate trial, Lioren had become a warrior whose strength profoundly eclipsed those of his peers. He faced his final opponent—a seasoned Divinant graduate whose power was previously unmatched—and defeated them with a breathtaking precision that left even the venerable elders astonished. His victory was not borne of brute force alone, but of brilliant strategy, profound restraint, and unwavering purpose. He had proven himself not only as an exceptional fighter but as a luminous beacon of hope.

The Phantomblade: A New Legend

Upon his arduous graduation, the elders of the Ascendants gathered to bestow upon Lioren a fitting title. His selfless deeds, his noble temperament, and his unmatched strength had truly earned him a revered place among legends. They named him Phantomblade, a title that profoundly symbolized his unparalleled mastery of shadow constructs and his unwavering purpose to protect. He was recognized as the strongest fighter ever produced by the Duskborn Ascendants—their ultimate achievement, a living testament to the visionary foresight of their founder, Rasa Sariel.

Lioren embraced the momentous title with genuine humility, knowing that it carried with it a responsibility far greater than himself. He chose to wander the southern territories, selflessly offering his immense strength wherever it was needed, defending those who could not defend themselves. His formidable reputation grew steadily, and though some feared his profound power, many more revered him as a compassionate protector and a true leader—a luminous light in the ever-present darkness.