Absolute Sovereignty
Chapter 42: A Handshake With Death

Chapter 42: A Handshake With Death

The clearing erupted in a maelstrom of violence. The Silent Guard, empowered by the Voidwell and fueled by a chilling loyalty to their prince, tore through the ranks of the Crimson Hand like wraiths through smoke.

Steel clashed against steel, the air thick with the clang of swords, the thud of axes, the cries of the dying.

The Crimson Hand fighters, not outnumbered but severely outmatched, fought with the desperation of cornered animals, their initial bravado quickly replaced by a primal fear as they witnessed the brutal efficiency of their attackers.

The Silent Guard moved with unnatural speed and precision, their glowing eyes fixed on their prey, their strikes swift and merciless.

Limbs were severed, throats were torn open, bodies crumpled to the ground in a grotesque show of blood and carnage.

The earth seemed to tremble beneath the onslaught, the trees themselves whispering in horror as the Silent Guard reaped their crimson harvest.

[Soul Absorbed by Soulbound: Crimson Hand Thug (Tier 1)]

[Soulbound Experience Increased: +5]

[Soul Essence Transferred to Host: +1 (30%)]

[Soul Absorbed by Soulbound: Crimson Hand Raider (Tier 2)]

[Soulbound Experience Increased: +12]

[Soul Essence Transferred to Host: +3 (30%)]

[Multiple Souls Absorbed by Soulbound: Crimson Hand Ambushers (Tier 1 x3)]

[Soulbound Experience Increased: +18]

[Soul Essence Transferred to Host: +5 (30%)]

Kaelen moved through the battle like a phantom, his sword a blur of motion, his every strike finding its mark.

He fought with cold fury, his movements guided by the whispers, his senses heightened, his strength amplified by the darkness in him.

Red, his face a mask of grim determination, fought his way towards Kaelen, his blade flashing in the light.

He was skilled, his movements quick and agile, but he was no match for the prince’s enhanced abilities.

Kaelen parried his attacks with effortless ease, his ripostes swift and precise, each strike drawing blood. The clash of their swords echoed through the clearing, a deadly dance of steel and shadow.

Red lunged, his blade aimed at Kaelen’s heart, but the prince anticipated his move. He sidestepped the attack, his hand shooting out to grasp Red’s wrist, his grip like iron.

He twisted, disarming Red, his own blade flashing, a silver arc through the chaos. He felt a surge of dark energy as the Voidwell responded to his intent.

With a guttural cry, Red attempted to break free, but Kaelen’s grip tightened.

He could feel the bones in Red’s wrist grinding together. He pressed his advantage, his blade arcing downwards, slicing through Red’s defenses. The man staggered back, clutching his bleeding arm, his face contorted in pain. Kaelen pressed his attack, his movements relentless, his blade a blur.

Red, weakened and bleeding, fell to his knees, his defiance broken.

The fight had gone out of him, replaced by a cold, hard fear as he gazed up at the prince, his eyes wide with a horrifying understanding of just who, and what, Kaelen had become.

The whispers seemed to now carry across the battlefield, their taunts and jeers more present than ever.

[Soul Absorbed by Soulbound: Crimson Hand Lieutenant (Tier 3)]

[Soulbound Experience Increased: +22]

[New Ability Fragment Acquired: Fire Bolt (Partial)]

[Soul Essence Transferred to Host: +6 (30%)]

[Soulbound Level Increased: Level 5]

[Soulbound Ability Unlocked: Shadow Strike (Assault I)]

[Host Warning: Corruption Level Approaching Critical Threshold. Recommend Consolidation and Memory Integration Exercise.]

[Soul Absorbed by Soulbound: Crimson Hand Mage (Tier 4)]

[Soulbound Experience Increased: +35]

[Soulbound Ability Unlocked: Arcane Shield (Defense III)]

[Soul Essence Transferred to Host: +10 (30%)]

[Host Warning: Corruption Level Exceeded. Memory Fragment Loss Imminent. Initiating Emergency Consolidation Protocol.]

[Corruption Stabilized (Temporarily). Memory Fragment Consolidated: [Fragmented Image of a Zalathi City]]

[Soulbound Level Increased: Level 6]

[Soulbound Ability Evolved: Spirit Howl (Disruption II)]

Kaelen’s blade stopped inches from Red’s throat, the cold steel a stark reminder of his impending death.

The Silent Guard, their bloody work complete, formed a silent circle around them, their glowing eyes fixed on their prince, awaiting his command.

The clearing was now a charnel house, the ground littered with the soulless bodies of the Crimson Hand, their blood staining the earth a deep crimson. The air reeked of death and the whispers of the fallen, their pleas unanswered as the Voidwell had already come to gather what it sows.

"You came today with less than a hundred men, Red," Kaelen said, his voice low and steady, devoid of emotion.

"My intel suggests you still have over nine hundred men spread across Caldris. Do you want me to spare your life, so you can regroup with them and attempt this again?"

Red’s laughter, a harsh, rasping sound, echoed through the clearing.

"What’s the point of that, prince?" he said, his voice laced with bitterness. "To bring more of my men to the slaughter? To die another day? I’ve seen how my men fell... how easily they were... consumed. It won’t matter how many men I bring, how many battles we wage, you are stronger than I gave you credit for. We... we never stood a chance." He lowered his head, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

He had made his choice and he was ready for whatever fate awaits.

"Very well, then," Kaelen said, his voice cold and impassive. "Choose. Death... or submission. Decide and be quick about it."

Red closed his eyes for a moment, his face a mask of resignation, a single drop of blood rolling down his cheek. Then, he looked up at Kaelen, his gaze steady. "I... I submit, Your Highness," he said, his voice low and hoarse.

Kaelen smiled, a slow, predatory smile that sent a shiver down Red’s spine, even more than the possibility of his execution.

"Words are cheap, Red," he said, his voice dangerously soft. "I’ll need more than that."

He grabbed Red’s hand, his grip like iron, and sliced across his palm with his dagger, the blade drawing a thin line of blood.

He then sliced his own palm, his blood mingling with Red’s, a crimson pact sealed in pain and shadow, an offering made. He clasped Red’s hand, their blood flowing together, a visceral bond forged in the heart of the battlefield.

"Swear your loyalty again, Red," Kaelen commanded, his gaze unwavering.

"I swear my loyalty to you, Prince Kaelen," Red said, his voice firm, his gaze meeting the prince’s. "And to the kingdom of Caldris. I offer my life as well as the lives of those who follow me under the Crimson Hand. We will become your hounds. Use us as you see fit, your majesty."

The System pulsed in Kaelen’s vision:

[Blood Covenant Established.]

[Soul Slave Acquired: Red (Tier 4).]

[Crimson Hand Integrated into Soulbound Network as Soul Slaves.]

[Corruption Increased: 27.4%]

[Memory Fragment Lost: The Warmth of a Summer Breeze.]

"Good," Kaelen said, releasing Red’s hand, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the assembled Silent Guard and the very last whispers of the fallen Crimson Hand.

The whispers plauged his ears, their demands for more blood, more souls. It was insatiable.

His control, slipping with every passing moment, replaced by the cold, calculated ruthlessness of the Voidwell.

The boy, now, was almost entirely consumed.