The Devourer's Dominion

Aetheron barely heard the messenger's footsteps retreating down the hall. His mind was already moving a hundred miles per second.

Aria was gone.

The Sovereign's Hunters had taken her.

His jaw clenched as rage swirled inside him.

Rael cursed. "Damn it. I knew they'd pull something." He pushed off the wall, expression dark. "They didn't kill her. That means they need her for something."

Aetheron exhaled sharply. "Yeah. And that's the only reason they're still breathing."

Rael shot him a sideways glance. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

Aetheron didn't answer.

He was already moving.

The Plan

They gathered in a small, candle-lit chamber deep within the compound. Aetheron stood at the head of the table, staring at a crude map of the city.

Rael, Kyren, and two other fighters—Juno and Vex—stood nearby.

Juno crossed her arms. "We don't even know where they took her."

Aetheron pointed at a section of the map. "I have a damn good guess."

Rael followed his gaze and scowled. "The Obsidian Spire."

A fortress. Hidden in plain sight. The Hunters' stronghold in the city.

Vex exhaled. "Breaking into that place is suicide."

Aetheron met his gaze. "Good thing I don't plan on breaking in."

The others exchanged glances.

Aetheron rolled his shoulders. "We're walking through the front door."

Silence.

Then—

Kyren let out a low whistle. "Alright. I like this plan."

Juno gave him a dry look. "That's because you're insane."

Aetheron ignored the back-and-forth. His focus was locked on one thing—

Getting Aria back.

At any cost.

The Spire

Night fell over the city.

Aetheron and his group moved like shadows, their cloaks blending into the darkness.

The Obsidian Spire loomed ahead, its jagged black walls cutting into the sky. No banners. No insignias.

The Sovereign's Hunters didn't need to announce themselves.

Their presence was enough.

As they reached the outer courtyard, two armored guards moved to intercept them.

"Halt," one of them ordered. "State your business."

Aetheron didn't break stride.

He simply raised his hand.

The mark on his chest flared.

For a brief second, golden light pulsed across his skin—just enough for the guards to see.

Their eyes widened.

They recognized it.

Aetheron lowered his hand. "Take me to Kael."

The guards hesitated.

Then, without a word, they stepped aside.

Juno muttered under her breath. "I hate how well that worked."

Rael smirked. "Not as much as they do."

Aetheron didn't respond.

He was already thinking ten steps ahead.

Face to Face

The inside of the Spire was exactly what Aetheron expected—cold, calculated, and oppressive.

The hallways were dimly lit. Silent figures moved through the corridors, their expressions unreadable.

No wasted movement. No unnecessary words.

These weren't just mercenaries.

They were predators.

Aetheron could feel their gazes following him. Measuring him.

The golden mark on his chest still pulsed faintly beneath his shirt.

It was the only reason they hadn't attacked.

Yet.

Finally, they were led into a grand chamber.

And there—

Standing at the far end, waiting for them—

Was Kael Veydris.

His golden eyes gleamed in the dim light. "I was wondering when you'd come."

Aetheron didn't waste time. "Where's Aria?"

Kael smiled. "Safe. For now."

Aetheron stepped forward. "You're going to hand her over."

Kael didn't flinch. "And if I refuse?"

Aetheron's fingers twitched. The air around him crackled.

Rael took a half-step back, sensing the shift.

Kael watched him carefully. "You're already changing, aren't you?"

Aetheron scowled. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Kael motioned toward Aetheron's chest. "The mark. The Sovereign's power. It's already working its way through your body."

Aetheron's pulse quickened.

He had noticed it. The subtle changes. The way his senses were sharper. The way his body felt different.

Stronger.

Hungrier.

Kael smiled. "You think you're here to take something from me."

He took a step forward.

"But the truth is—"

He vanished.

Aetheron's eyes widened.

In the blink of an eye, Kael reappeared behind him.

His voice was a whisper.

"—I'm here to see what you'll become."

Aetheron spun—but Kael was already gone, back in his original spot.

Rael cursed under his breath. "That's annoying."

Aetheron's jaw clenched.

Kael wasn't normal.

And that meant this just got a lot more complicated.

Kael exhaled. "I'll make you a deal, Aetheron."

Aetheron stiffened. "I'm not interested in your deals."

Kael ignored him.

"You can take Aria and leave."

Silence.

Juno tensed. "…What?"

Kael's smile didn't waver. "She's in the east wing. Go now, and no one will stop you."

Rael's eyes narrowed. "And what's the catch?"

Kael's golden gaze locked onto Aetheron.

"No catch. But mark my words—"

His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.

"This is only the beginning."

Aetheron's heart pounded.

His instincts screamed at him that this wasn't over.

That Kael wasn't just letting them go.

But right now—

Aria was waiting.

He forced his muscles to relax. "Fine."

Kael inclined his head. "A wise choice."

Aetheron turned on his heel.

"Let's go."

His team hesitated for a fraction of a second.

Then they followed.

Kael watched them leave, his expression unreadable.

And as Aetheron stepped into the hallway—

The mark on his chest pulsed again.

This time, he felt something else.

Something whispering beneath his skin.

Something that wasn't him.

He shoved the feeling down.

Now wasn't the time.

They had Aria to save.

And if Kael thought this was over—

He was dead wrong.