---
Jayden exhaled, steadying his heart.
"System," he said, his voice steady, "I choose Dominion Ascension."
---
[Echobound System Acknowledged]
> Dominion Ascension pathway selected.
Initializing sub-core restructuring…
Warning: You are stepping into uncharted Variant territory.
Are you certain?
---
"Confirm," Jayden said without hesitation.
---
[System Core Evolving…]
> Shadow Dominion Level: Beginner → Intermediate
Sub-Core Synchronization: 12%... 37%... 68%... Complete.
New Abilities Unlocked:
Void Constructs (Tier I):
Form semi-autonomous shadow beings for offense or defense.
Living Shadows:
Basic shadow servants capable of following simple commands.
Dominion Aura (Passive):
Exerts natural pressure over lesser Echo entities.
Dominion Nexus:
Expands personal Shadow Realm connection radius.
---
The moment the System completed its process, Jayden's vision blurred.
Shadows crawled beneath his feet like living veins of liquid night. His aura surged, pressing down on the very air around him.
Even Lys unconsciously took a step back.
The chamber dimmed—not because the lights failed, but because Jayden's mere presence had begun to distort the illumination itself.
---
[Passive System Alert]
> Shadow Affinity: 67% compatible.
Emotional Core stabilized through Dominion Link.
New growth paths unlocked.
---
Jayden clenched his fists. He could feel the swirling abyss beneath his skin, like an untapped ocean.
"This... this is different," he whispered.
"It's only the beginning," Lys replied, her voice calm but laced with awe. "You've taken your first step into Monarch-level territory."
---
The Test
No sooner had the System stabilized than alarms blared throughout the base.
WEEEOOO! WEEEOOO! WEEEOOO!
> "Warning: External breach detected."
Lys immediately activated her comms. "Status report!"
Her officer's voice crackled through:
> "Unknown Echo-infected Nullborn breach, Commander. Five hostiles. South quadrant. They're... they're different. They're responding to the boy's awakening."
Jayden's head snapped toward the display. Shadows—his shadows—were pulsing unnaturally.
---
System Warning:
> Unstable Dominion ripples attracting feral Echo shades.
Mandatory stabilization recommended.
New mission: Field-Test Dominion Control.
---
Lys glanced at him. "Ready to test your new powers?"
Jayden nodded. "Let's go."
---
Battlefield: South Quadrant
The moment they reached the battlefield, Jayden's breath caught.
Five Nullborn creatures stood, but they weren't mindless like before. Their eyes glowed with a strange resonance—as if they were drawn to his energy.
They whispered his name in garbled echoes:
> "Var... iaaant... Vaaariaaaant... Master..."
Jayden's system chimed again.
---
[Dominion Subsystem Activated]
> Attempting forced synchronization...
Offer Submission or Destruction.
---
Jayden's instincts screamed at him. This wasn't just a fight. His Dominion path allowed him to command shadows—not merely destroy.
He extended his hand. Shadows coiled like vipers from beneath his boots.
"Submit!" he commanded.
---
System Roll:
> Dominion Check: Successful — 3 of 5 Nullborn submitting.
---
Three of the five creatures immediately collapsed onto their knees, shadows shackling their forms.
The remaining two resisted, screeching as their bodies contorted grotesquely. They charged.
Lys shouted, "I'll handle the left!"
Jayden focused on the right. This was his moment.
He formed his first Void Construct — a humanoid silhouette with elongated arms and sharpened claws.
"Protect me."
The construct responded immediately, engaging the charging Nullborn.
---
[Void Construct — Stability: 82%]
The clash was swift and brutal. The construct slashed its claws through the monster's midsection, while Jayden used his free hand to cast Living Shadows that latched onto its limbs.
> New Command Issued: Bind and Drain.
The creature convulsed as its Echo essence was forcibly drained.
---
Lys swiftly cut down her opponent, spinning with precise, surgical strikes.
Both of them stood amidst the aftermath within seconds.
Jayden's chest heaved, but the System notified him:
---
Mission Completed:
> Dominion Field-Test: 100% success.
Living Shadows successfully integrated.
Void Construct retention upgraded to Tier I Stable Form.
Synchronization rising: 12% → 19%.
---
The three submissive Nullborn knelt silently before Jayden like twisted, corrupted knights awaiting their master's orders.
Lys watched with a mixture of caution and admiration.
"You're not just controlling shadows anymore…" she whispered. "You're commanding them."
Jayden stared at his kneeling enemies.
A part of him was terrified.
Another part?
Thrilled.
---
[Echobound System Whisper]:
> You are no longer prey. You are Dominion.