The Devourer's Dominion

The fire crackled in the quiet night, sending flickers of light across tense faces.

No one had spoken much since Aetheron woke up.

They ate in silence. Rested in silence.

But beneath that silence… was doubt.

Aetheron could feel it.

Oris kept his axe close. Reina's eyes never left him. Varian sat stiff, ready to react. Even Cael, who usually cracked a joke, said nothing.

It was like they were waiting for something to happen.

For him to lose control.

For the hunger to take over.

And deep down, Aetheron couldn't blame them.

Because he was waiting for it too.

The Whisper That Never Fades

Sleep didn't come easy.

Every time Aetheron closed his eyes, the Sovereign's presence loomed just behind his thoughts.

A voice like a shadow.

"Why resist?"

"You tasted true power. You became something greater."

"And now you cower in fear?"

Aetheron's fingers dug into the dirt.

Ignore it. Block it out.

But the power within him stirred—a faint pulse at first, then a deep, aching hunger.

Aetheron clenched his jaw. No.

Not again.

He focused on his breathing, forcing the hunger down.

And for now… it stayed quiet.

But the Sovereign was not done.

Not even close.

A Warning from the Shadows

Morning came with an eerie stillness.

The group packed up camp, moving through the dense forest toward the next town.

No one said much.

Aetheron kept his distance, staying a few steps behind.

But then—

A sudden shift in the air.

Aetheron's instincts flared.

Something was watching them.

Oris tensed first, hand gripping his axe. Reina's eyes narrowed.

Cael vanished into the trees, scouting ahead.

Then—

A deep voice echoed through the trees.

"You're finally awake."

Aetheron froze.

Ahead of them, a figure stepped into view.

Cloaked in dark robes. A jagged emblem on his chest.

A Sovereign's Hunter.

His presence was heavy—like the air itself bent around him.

Golden eyes locked onto Aetheron.

"You've taken something that doesn't belong to you."

Aetheron didn't move.

The others instinctively fell into formation, weapons drawn.

But the Hunter… didn't react.

He only smiled.

"You're unstable." His gaze swept over Aetheron, amused. "You don't even know what you've stolen, do you?"

Aetheron felt the hunger react—like it recognized something in this man.

Something it wanted.

The Hunter's smirk widened.

"Oh, you feel it, don't you?"

His fingers twitched—

And then—

He vanished.

Aetheron barely had time to react before a fist smashed into his ribs.

He staggered back, the impact echoing through his bones.

Fast.

Too fast.

Aetheron caught a glimpse of movement—

The Hunter was already behind him.

He turned—only to be met with a crushing blow to his shoulder.

He hit the ground, breath ripped from his lungs.

The Hunter loomed over him.

"Power you can't control is nothing but a burden."

Aetheron pushed himself up, eyes darkening.

"Then come take it from me."

The Hunger Awakens

The Hunter grinned.

"Gladly."

He blurred forward—

Aetheron's instincts screamed—

And then—

The hunger surged.

Not by choice.

Not by command.

It acted on its own.

Devouring.

The air around Aetheron twisted.

A pulse of void energy ripped outward.

The Hunter stopped.

For the first time, his grin faded.

"…Interesting."

Aetheron barely had time to process—

Because his body moved on its own.

One moment he was standing.

The next—

He was in front of the Hunter.

Fist already swinging.

The impact landed hard.

The Hunter skidded back, feet tearing through the dirt.

Aetheron staggered.

His breath was ragged. His hands were trembling.

That wasn't him.

He hadn't moved.

The hunger had.

The Sovereign's voice whispered in his mind.

"See? It is yours to use. Let it consume."

Aetheron clenched his teeth.

No.

He wouldn't let it control him.

He had to stay in control.

A Declaration of War

The Hunter rolled his shoulders, smirking again.

"Well. This just got more fun."

He cracked his knuckles.

"I was going to test you. See if you were worth hunting."

His golden eyes gleamed.

"But now, I think I'll enjoy breaking you."

The air around him shifted.

Aetheron could feel it—

The fight was just beginning.