Chapter 83: The Path of Flame and Blood
The embers of vengeance still smoldered in the clearing.
Kael stood silently beside Emberfang, the cub now pulsing with residual energy from his recent evolution. Though small in size, the aura he exuded was monstrous for his tier. The others watched quietly, giving them space. The silence was not of mourning—but reverence.
A flicker of flame brushed Kael's shoulder as the cub stirred. He blinked his bright crimson eyes at his master and nuzzled Kael's leg, releasing a soft purr. A subtle warmth, like familial gratitude, passed between them.
Kael knelt. "You honored her memory well."
Emberfang's thoughts whispered across the bond, clear and fragile: Thank you... Father.
Kael froze.
A moment passed, and then he smiled. "You're growing up too fast."
As twilight painted the forest in gold, the group found shelter in an abandoned shrine etched with forgotten runes. Moss had claimed much of the stonework, but a faint protective array still lingered, allowing them to rest without ambush.
Inside the shrine, the party circled around a small fire. Vira, the sky serpent, lay curled atop a warm stone, content. The wives exchanged quiet thoughts as Kael opened the system interface, preparing for his next plan of action.
[Quest Timer: Nysera's Truth — 3 Days Remaining]
Objective: Reach the Ruins of Black Hollow. Locate the grave of Serenthiel Var.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
Nysera sat a little away from the rest, her gaze distant, staring at the flickering fire.
She had shared little since their last battle. The silence was not like her.
Kael walked over and sat beside her. "The grave—is it where it all began?"
She didn't answer at first. Her voice came only after a long pause. "It's where I buried him. The man they called my husband. He was no better than the beasts that took my clan."
Kael's expression darkened.
Nysera whispered, "He wasn't my choice. My clan forced the marriage… and then he murdered them all. Everyone I loved. I survived, but not without scars."
Her voice cracked. "He never touched me. I never let him. Even in chains, I held on to something. A promise to myself. That no one would claim me unless I chose it."
She turned to Kael, eyes burning with blood and tears. "You're the first I gave myself to. The only one."
Kael reached out and gently placed his hand over hers.
"You chose me. That alone means everything."
Later that night, while the others slept, Kael stood watch under the shrine's archway, his senses open to every ripple of movement.
A voice emerged from the darkness—sultry, amused.
"You handle your women well, but are you always so vigilant afterward?"
Kael turned, smirking. "Enjoy the show?"
From the shadows stepped Aelisa, the mysterious succubus. She was veiled again, but even her outline radiated allure. Her voice curled with mischief.
"Your stamina impressed me. But your hunger… that's what caught my eye."
Kael chuckled. "Most don't spy on sacred unions."
"I'm not most," she said with a wink. "Besides, you've awakened something rare. The Crown of Dominion has roots even in our race."
Kael's smile faded slightly. "What do you want, Aelisa?"
She took a step closer. "To see if you're worth chasing."
Before he could respond, his system chimed:
[New Entity Scanned]
Name: Aelisa
Race: Succubus (Royal Lineage)
Realm: Heaven's Echo Tier 2/9
Status: Curious
Bloodline: Lilin Duskkissed (Daughter of Lilith)
Alert: Illusion Piercer Trait Detected
Quest Available: Seduce or Conquer Aelisa
Reward: Trait — Vision Beyond the Veil (See through all illusions, shapeshifts, and cloaks)
Kael stared at her, stunned. "Lilith…?"
She smirked. "You're not ready for my mother."
Then she vanished, leaving behind only a faint kiss of lavender scent on the wind.
Kael exhaled, eyes glowing. "The game just got deeper."
STATUS WINDOW: KAEL VIREN
System Level: 46
EXP: 49,822,850,000 / 58,982,400,000
Realm: Skyshatter Realm — Tier 9/9
HP: 75,800 / 75,800
Mana: 86,200 / 86,200
Stats (with buffs):
Strength: 870 × 2.4 × 2 = 4,176
Endurance: 820 × 2.4 = 1,968
Willpower: 845 × 2.4 = 2,028
Charm: 912 × 2.4 = 2,188
Intellect: 750 × 2.4 = 1,800
Dexterity: 850 × 2.4 × 2 = 4,080
Sin Points: 263,480,000 / 100,000,000,000
Sin Tier: Warlord Rank
SKILL WINDOW
Active Sin Skills:
• Sovereign Flame Crush [+]
• Wrathflare Lance [+]
• Flamebind Chains [+]
• Infernal Domain [+]
Passive Traits:
• Crown of Dominion [+]
• Sovereign Union [+]
• Nullfire Core [+]
Bloodline / Physique Traits:
• Carnal Sovereign Core [+]
• Sin Catalyst Matrix [+]
[Skill Upgrade Available — Spend Sin Points to enhance or evolve active/passive/bloodline skills]
[Bonded Partner Skills Eligible for Sin Point Upgrade]
Bonded Wives:
Selene — Skyshatter 9/9 (Moon/Shadow)
Evelyne — Moonglade 8/9 (Ice/Lunar Flame)
Thalaria — Sunbound 6/9 (Lightning)
Nysera — Skyshatter 1/9 (Blood/Curse) — Chose Kael as her first and only
Valeria — Skyshatter 3/9 (Nature/Wind)
Pet Panel:
Emberfang — Infernal Flamebeast Cub (Tier 5)
Vira — Sky Serpent Hatchling (Tier 2)
Cultivation Realms:
Initiate → Essence Drawn → Veinwoven → Soulroot → Starforged → Sunbound → Moonglade → Skyshatter ← Current (9/9)
Next: Worldpiercer (Unlocks at System Level 47)
Heaven's Echo → Celestiaflame → Worldbreaker → Eternal Crown → Primordial Ascendant
Origin Flame (Locked)
Next: Chapter 84 — Grave of the Fallen Prince