The drums began in the deep.
Not played by hands — but by the pulse of something ancient. Something hungry.
Kael stood at the northern edge of Redfall, overlooking an open plain where nothing grew. Shadows leaked from beneath his boots, writhing with anticipation.
Behind him, stood the beginning of an army.
Goblins reborn under his name.
Shadows that slithered like dogs.
Lesser abyssals — crude, loyal, brutal.
Zar, armored in obsidian.
Lira, her magic now glowing in dual tones: twilight.
Even Seraph Elandriel, still weak, bound by corrupted chains, watched in silence from her cage of light. She had not spoken since her defeat.
[Kael – Title: Abyss King]
[Troop Count: 312 Units | Average Rank: F+ to D]
[New Feature Unlocked: March System – Begin world influence campaign]
SAGE echoed in Kael's mind.
"Marching will alert all major factions. Rewards and risks increase exponentially. Territory acquisition, ally or annihilate decisions now unlocked."
Kael's eyes gleamed silver.
"Good. Let the world watch."
He raised his hand.
The ground cracked.
[DREADMARCH: INITIATED]
Target: Veilstone – A Neutral Trade Town
A day's march southeast. Home to merchants, outlaws, and small guilds. No standing army. No lord.
But vital.
A symbol.
The March
The army moved like shadow tide.
Villagers and scouts fled before them. Rumors spread faster than fire.
"The Abyssborn marches."
"He controls a fallen angel."
"He conquered a dungeon and defied the heavens."
"He names the weak and makes them kings."
As they passed abandoned hamlets, Kael paused only to mark the land. At each forgotten shrine, he planted bones — cursed seeds of dread, claiming territory without blood.
[Minor Territories Claimed: 4 | Passive Fear Spread Activated]
Zar drilled the troops, instilling order into chaos. Abyssals once driven only by hunger now learned formation, timing, unity.
Lira walked among the wounded, casting twilight spells that stitched flesh and spirit.
Children of refugees stared at her glowing staff with a strange reverence.
On the Road – Ambush
Halfway to Veilstone, the sky flared.
A volley of holy arrows rained from the ridge.
Clerics. Paladins. Low-rank, but blessed.
[Enemy Force: Church of the White Flame – 40 Crusaders, Rank D-F]
[Mission: Delay or destroy Abyssal Force before they reach Veilstone]
Kael didn't hesitate.
[Skill Activated: Crown of Grief Lv.2 – AoE Despair Surge]
[New Passive: Dread Aura – Lower enemy morale by 25% in radius]
Half the attackers froze in terror. The others screamed prayers.
Zar roared, tearing through three knights with his cleaver.
Lira summoned twin pillars of light and dark, slicing through archers.
Kael teleported into the middle of the paladin circle and exploded outward in black flame.
[Combo Activated: Shadow Bloom + Devour Pulse → "Black Sun Eruption"]
[Area Cleared: 89% Casualties]
The survivors fled.
Kael let them.
"Let them speak of what they saw."
Arrival – Veilstone Gates
At dusk, Kael's army stood before Veilstone's walls.
No resistance.
No guards.
The mayor walked out — trembling, holding a white flag.
Kael descended.
"I don't burn what bends," he said.
The man fell to his knees. "We… welcome you, Lord Abyss."
[Territory Gained: Veilstone – No Combat]
[Morale: 98%]
[Resources Acquired: 10,000 Gold | Mana Crystals x48 | Refugees +72]
[Follower Potential Recruits: 3 Unnamed Magical Creatures]
[Veilstone Altar Detected – Can be corrupted into a Dread Shrine]
Aftermath
That night, Kael walked Veilstone's streets, shadows clinging to his cloak like devout followers. The people bowed without command. They whispered his name in fear, and some — in awe.
He reached the old temple. Pure white stone. Engraved with symbols of the old gods.
He placed his hand on the altar.
Black veins spread.
[Corruption Initiated: Veilstone Altar → Dread Shrine in Progress (12h)]
As the altar darkened, a pulse of power erupted — not destructive, but transforming.
Street lamps dimmed. Trees bent toward the center. Even the moonlight seemed to curve, drawn to the abyssal presence.
Zar approached, kneeling at the temple gate. "The army is settled. Walls reinforced. Veilstone bleeds for you now."
Kael nodded. "Then we prepare for what bleeds back."
SAGE pinged a new alert.
"Church of White Flame has issued Holy Mandate."
"Paladin Lord Garedor en route with Crusade Force – Est. arrival: 6 days."
Kael smiled faintly.
"Let them come."
He looked out at the city of lights now cloaked in his shadow.
He didn't just conquer now.
He transformed.
[Kael – Rank: C- (Pending)]
[Army: 380 Units | Discipline: High]
[Domain Influence: Spreading – Redfall > Veilstone > ???]
[Title Gained: Lord of the Black Banner]
[Global Status: Rising Calamity]