The Abyss was alive like never before, walls twisting in impossible geometries, shadows writhing like living serpents. Every heartbeat of Seris resonated through the black corridors, sending ripples of molten energy that the Abyss itself recognized. Mason's presence pressed against her mind like molten steel wrapped in silk—obsessive, suffocating, storm-dark. The silver mark burned brighter than ever, coiling through her veins, threading desire, fear, and power together in an inescapable web.
"You cannot escape me," Mason whispered from the shadows, voice low, intimate, threading into her consciousness. "Every heartbeat, every spark of defiance… belongs to me. You already crave it."
Her chest constricted. She hated him. She feared him. And yet, shadows flared violently from her hands, twisting into whips and blades, obeying both her will and the obsessive tether he had forged. Every strike pulsed with goddess-blood energy, amplified by Mason's presence.
From the deepest reaches of the Abyss, a colossal figure emerged: an immortal older than time itself, molten-gold eyes blazing with hatred and rage. Its black energy coiled around its form like living fire, and every step it took sent tremors through the Abyss.
Seris lunged, shadows erupting in whips and blades. Mason appeared silently beside her, shadows intertwining with hers, threading obsession into every strike. Fear, exhilaration, and desire collided violently in her chest. She hated him. She feared him. And yet… she wanted him, the suffocating tether threading them together.
"You see?" Mason whispered, brushing a tendril of shadow along her arm. The sensation was both intimate and binding, a caress and a shackle. "Every act of defiance, every heartbeat, every breath… threads you closer. You are mine. One day, you will crave it completely."
The immortal roared, energy flaring like molten-gold fire, warping the Abyss violently. Shadows reacted, striking at the god while protecting Seris and Mason. Every heartbeat threaded with Mason's obsession, coiling tighter, threading her power, fear, and desire into a storm that left her trembling.
Finally, the immortal fell, disintegrating into molten-gold fire and shards of shadow. Seris sank to her knees, chest heaving from exertion and the overwhelming heat of the mark. Mason knelt beside her, shadows brushing along her hairline and neck in intimate, possessive strokes.
"You are mine," he whispered, silver eyes molten and storm-dark. "Even your defiance strengthens the bond. Every spark of independence… every act of rebellion… belongs to me. One day… you will crave it. You cannot resist, Seris."
The Abyss pulsed violently, alive with acknowledgment of their bond. Desire had rooted itself where fear had once lived. The chains tightened, coiling around her mind, heart, and soul. Mason leaned closer, eyes molten, storm-dark, daring her to resist, daring her to surrender completely.