Chapter 51. The Final Bond

The high mountain pass, moments ago the stage for the Ashen Reign’s final triumph, became the arena for the ultimate spiritual violation.

Neriah stood over the defeated, exposed shell of Kalen. Her pure, diamond fire was spent, leaving her spiritually raw and utterly exhausted. She had anticipated Kalen’s counter-attack; she had not anticipated the silent, opportunistic venom lurking in the shadows.

The Corrupted Soul—the ancient, parasitic Alpha essence—screamed as it lunged from the rocks, a dark, viscous shadow aiming directly for the open, undefended core of her being.

“THE FLAME IS MINE!” the spirit shrieked, its malice a palpable coldness that slammed into Neriah’s consciousness.

Neriah gasped, the attack bypassing her physical body entirely. She felt the ancient corruption hook itself into the newly purified, violently expansive energy of the Ashen Flame.

No! Not again!

Her consciousness plummeted inward, retreating to the epicenter