The dull thrum of mana compression filled the air. Pale blue sparks cracked between forged plates as Kael moved from one pylon node to the next, inscribing bone-signal glyphs across the ARCVAULT chamber.
The entire chamber pulsed like a heart.
"That's the fifth containment loop calibrated," Kael said. "Arlen?"
From the platform above, Arlen grinned, thick goggles gleaming with mana reflection.
"Power levels are stable. We're at 87% efficiency. That's enough to light up three Emberfang spires or power the MAGLANCE-7 rail battery for sustained bursts."
"You sure it can handle battle cycling?" Kael asked.
"Only one way to find out."
Arlen slammed a conduit switch. The ARCVAULT hummed — then glowed. Arcs of radiant blue surged through reinforced tubes, rushing toward the reactor-linked forge beneath.
On the weapon rack nearby, a skeletal warrior stood at attention — its bones now etched with fine inlays of glowing runes.
It wore a refined helm. In its skeletal hands was the newly modified MAGLANCE-7.
"Charging interface…" Arlen muttered.
The skeleton's spine lit up — a pulse, then a hum. The railgun gleamed.
"Test fire."
THWUMMMM!
A shriek of air was split as the mana bolt pierced through three feet of mana-hardened alloy at the testing range.
"Perfect delivery," Arlen whispered. "The damned thing sings."
Kael grinned. "Let's replicate the upgrade across the squads."
From across the bay, the builders and Forge Master team prepared five more prototype loadouts. Each assigned to Level 25 skeleton elites — three Warriors, one Archer, and one Vanguard.
The Arcvault's heart pulsed faster.
War was no longer just survival.
Sanctum was becoming a force of innovation.
A Riftpoint shimmered in the distance — black pillars rising out of cracked earth, surrounded by twisted stone creatures.
Rael crouched low, whispering to her familiar — Aeras, the winged phoenix-owl hybrid.
Beside her, Nyra placed her palm on the soil, her serpentine feline familiar Velrix slinking around her shoulder.
"There are three monstrosities circling the Riftpoint. Not native to this layer." Nyra's voice was tight."Definitely Abyss-touched."
"We'll strike together. Disable the guard node, then the operator," Rael whispered."But if they split—fall back and regroup."
"Understood."
They leapt.
Within moments, the sky was screaming with light and steel. Rael loosed a barrage of radiant bolts, lighting the battlefield with piercing flashes. One of the Abyss beasts — a six-limbed chitin bear with obsidian skin — roared and lunged.
Aeras screeched and dove, wings fanning out in blinding gold.
But the creature caught the bird-familiar mid-dive.
Rael screamed — but before she could move—
BOOM.
A shockwave of holy light erupted from Aeras.
[Familiar Evolution Triggered – Aeras → Aetherflare Roc]
• New Skill: Solar Mantle – Radiant field grants burn and regen to allies• Trait: Rebirth Surge – Heals bonded host if familiar drops below 25% HP
A golden flame engulfed the battlefield. The beast staggered backward — its abyssal plating melting under the burn.
At the same moment, Velrix darted through the shadows, hissing violently. One of the stalker beasts aimed for Nyra's back, but Velrix's body contorted, doubling in size as spectral armor formed across its frame.
[Familiar Evolution Triggered – Velrix → Umbral Serpent Guardian]
• New Skill: Shadow Vortex – Traps enemies in delay-stasis• Passive: Night Cloak – Evades detection within 15m radius
With a surge of darkness, Velrix snapped its tail, flinging the enemy creature straight into a shadow snare. Frozen mid-pounce.
"Now!" Nyra cried.
They struck.
Rael's divine lances pierced through the skull of the chitin bear, while Nyra beheaded the Riftpoint operator mid-ritual, snapping the controlling sigil.
[Riftpoint Deactivated – Zone Purged][+300 RP Shared with Sanctum]
As silence settled, the two stood amidst the cratered battlefield, breathing heavily.
"Three down," Rael said."But something worse is coming."
"Let's get home," Nyra replied, gaze lingering on her newly evolved familiar."Before it arrives."
Chains shattered in a cavern of frost and rot.
They stepped out of the rift like shadows come to life — tall, jagged-armed warriors with bone horns, magma eyes, and spiked armor forged from pure darkness.
Abyssal Elites.
The first group of tier B horrors. Towering. Dead-eyed.
Behind them, Valtross leaned heavily on a stone pillar, sweat streaming from his temple.
His third clone had collapsed, now a burned-out husk at the edge of the circle.
"It's not... enough," he rasped."They evolve. Innovate. Feel."
His mind cracked with echoes.
But the Elites stepped forward — kneeling in silent readiness.
"But they do not know the depth of the void."
He raised his hand.
A rift snapped open.
And his army marched forth.
The alert siren rang.
From atop the observation spire, Scout-class skeletons reported mass movement — hundreds of signatures marching from the west.
Iden stood on the command platform, his cloak sweeping behind him.
"Time?"
"Ten minutes," Kael responded."All systems ready. Railgun online. Emberfang charged to 75%.""ARCVAULT distributing energy streams to frontline units."
The MAGLANCE skeletons marched out in tight formations, glowing like thunderclouds of steel and bone.
"No more tests," Iden whispered."Time to show them what Sanctum has become."
The Abyssal Elites approached like black fire.
But the Emberfang Spire roared to life.
FWOOOOOOOSH!
A beam of concentrated plasma carved a path through the first rank of monstrosities. A dozen disintegrated instantly — but others advanced, shields raised, unfazed.
"Railgun team, engage!" Iden commanded.
From the ridge, two MAGLANCE skeletons kneeled.
THWAM!THWAM!
Piercing bolts screamed through the sky, puncturing two Elite commanders.
The air lit with magical artillery.
And then the Elites charged.
He saw everything.
Through tactical interface links, he viewed the mana flow in every building, the positioning of every skeleton, the burn intensity from the Emberfang, the burst cooldowns ticking down.
"Kael, deploy the reinforcements to sector two.""Arlen, prepare MAGLANCE overcharge."
He moved like a conductor of war.
Yet, even in the precision — he felt the pressure. The enemy wasn't just attacking. They were testing him.
"We're at 95%!" Kael shouted. "Do it now!"
Iden held his hand to the Emberfang control crystal.
"Overdrive."
The tower lit in golden red. Mana screamed through it — a final pulse like a wrathful god.
FWOOOOOOOOMMMM!
The abyssal line shattered.
All forward momentum burned.
Iden exhaled slowly. But he wasn't done.
"Deploy next wave. Light the skies."
Valtross watched from a shadowy bluff, lips trembling, eyes bloodshot.
The death of his Elites… hadn't broken him.
But it had frightened him.
Because for the first time… he'd felt fear not from losing control — but from facing an equal.
"Sanctum…" he whispered."Is no longer a village."