Shadow Slave

Beacon of Hope

There were two ways to build a Domain.

One was provided by the Spell, and depended on the Citadels.

By becoming the master of a Citadel, or having a person who had accepted your authority become one, a Supreme could empower and expand their Domain over vast territories. A Citadel was much more than just a stronghold containing a Gateway it was a daunting construct of impossible sorcery that forcefully subjugated the part of the world surrounding it and brought it under the rule of a Supreme.

That was why both the King of Swords and the Queen of Worms, who controlled most of the human territories in the Dream Realm, were so immensely powerful.

The second way was innate to each Transcendent, and unique to their Aspect.

Nephis suspected that most Domains were territorial in nature, which was the reason why the Spell had based its method on territory.

But not all of them were.

Take the King of Swords, for example. He used the path provided by the Citadels to expand his Domain, but that did not mean that he limited himself to it. The true vessels of his authority were not lands, but people - every warrior wielding a sword forged by him was a part of his Domain, and thus empowered it.

Ki Song collected the dead. There was the mysterious Asterion, as well, who didn't seem to rule any Citadel.

As for Nephis herself, the only way for her to build a Domain was to inspire people, igniting the flames of yearning in their souls. At least that was her belief.

It had taken countless hours of contemplation and meditation for her to learn how to truly sense the underlying source element of her Aspect. She had noticed the subtle shift in her presence first... or maybe that subtle quality had always been there, too weak to be discerned.

The souls of people shone brighter in Neph's presence, their innermost hopes and aspirations igniting with a stronger flame. Her presence was like kindling for their passions, turning desire into yearning.

by her, or even the idea of her, then a subtle connection

had taken a small breakthrough in mastering her Aspect Legacy for Nephis

seven fruits, She had reaped the benefits of

then, Nephis had made strides in comprehending

Seeker in Verge, she had advanced considerably toward the Knowledge of Corruption. And in the last four years, she had not only fully mastered the Knowledge of Destruction, but

branch of her Aspect Legacy that had helped her fathom the underlying nature of her Aspect better, as

the subtle connections formed between her and those she inspired. She had also earned the ability to vaguely feel the passions and desires of those around her, which were like

not everyone was easy to read... the Lord of Shadows, for example, was like a closed book, especially when he wore that mask of

case, after Nephis had gained that understanding, she found out with a bit of surprise that there were already countless people

back with them, the mighty propaganda machine of the government churned, exaggerating her inconceivable achievements and

had even built on the legendary fame of her father and grandfather, turning

humanity would not be extinguished. These words were spoken often now by

movies made about her, horrendous

as the only Sleeper in history to conquer the Second Nightmare had only deepened the reverence and veneration people felt toward her, followed by her adoption into Valor, which added the Great Clan's storied prestige to her

were already numerous people for

inspired to strive for martial strength. Some were inspired to cultivate the nobility of their characters. Some

awkward for her to sense the

her future Domain was already vast

it wasn't vast enough, and

Nephis had endeavored tirelessly to make it even more

souls of even more people. She had learned how to carry herself, how to present a perfect facade to the masses. She poured her intellect into grasping the Knowledge of

importantly, she put her sword

way Clan Valor treated her was ironically of great help. They always sent her to the most deadly battlefields, dispatched her into the epicenters of the most dreadful calamities, as if wishing for her to die. Wherever

played along with the will of Clan

opportunities to show