The Abyss twisted unnaturally around Seris, alive with the pulse of her heartbeat and Mason's obsessive tether threading through her mind. Shadows stretched along the walls like living creatures, responding to her thoughts, her fears, and Mason's intent. The silver mark burned hot, molten energy coiling through her veins, igniting desire, fear, and power simultaneously.
"You feel it, don't you?" Mason whispered, stepping close, silver eyes molten and storm-dark. Shadows coiled protectively around him while brushing against her skin like fire and ice. "Every spark of defiance, every heartbeat… belongs to me. You already crave it."
Her chest heaved. Shadows erupted into blades and whips, cutting violently through the Abyss as a new rival emerged: an immortal older than any she had faced, eyes molten-gold, radiating rage. Its body twisted with black energy, lashing and coiling like a living storm.
Seris lunged, her goddess-blood energy flaring as shadows intertwined with Mason's obsessive presence, amplifying her strikes. Fear, exhilaration, and desire collided violently within her. She hated him. She feared him. And yet… she wanted him, the tether, the suffocating chains of obsession threading them together.
"You are unstoppable with me," Mason murmured, leaning close. Shadows brushed along her arm like a caress and a shackle. "Every act of defiance, every heartbeat, belongs to me. You are mine, Seris. Already. And soon… you will crave it completely."
The immortal roared, throwing molten-gold energy in a storm that warped the Abyss. Shadows twisted violently, striking at the immortal while protecting Seris. Every movement, every strike, every breath was amplified by Mason's obsessive tether.
When the god fell, Seris collapsed, chest heaving, trembling from exertion and the intensity of the mark. Mason knelt beside her, shadows brushing along her shoulders and neck in intimate strokes.
"You are mine," he whispered, silver eyes molten and storm-dark. "Even your defiance strengthens the bond. One day… you will crave me. You cannot resist."
The Abyss pulsed violently, alive and aware. The chains of obsession coiled tighter, suffocating, intoxicating, binding her utterly to Mason. Her awakening had reached a new level—her goddess-blood powers combined with the tether had made her unstoppable.