The tunnel was dark. Wet. Silent—until the flickering light of Lucian's shoulder drone illuminated a rusted barricade of overturned subway cars.
Raine walked ahead, her new combat uniform still stiff on her shoulders. Her eyes darted nervously.
"They're just ahead," she whispered. "Try not to scare them…"
Lucian smirked.He didn't try to scare anyone.
He was the fear.
Sector 12 – Survivor Camp
Makeshift tents. Scavenged solar panels. Starving men and women huddled around cracked heaters.
A tall man stepped forward as Raine entered.
"Raine? You're alive? What happened? Who the hell is that?"
Lucian stepped into the camp like a wolf entering a pigsty.
[New territory entered.][Dominion influence expanding… 32% assimilation in progress.]
Raine held up a hand. "Listen to me—he's not here to hurt anyone, he saved me. He's… strong. With him, we can survive—"
"Survive?" the man snapped. "You brought a lunatic warlord into our home!"
He turned to the others. "Look at him! Look at those eyes! That man is not salvation. He's a tyrant."
Lucian said nothing.Then, slowly, he raised one hand.
[Target selected: Maxwell – Camp Leader][Engage: Intimidation Protocol – OFF][Engage: Lethal Force – ON]
A black spike launched from his palm like lightning. It pierced Maxwell's skull, nailing him to the wall behind.
Gasps. Screams. Blood soaked the concrete.
Lucian spoke, voice calm.
"I am not here for your trust. I am here for your obedience."
System Update
[Hostile eliminated.][Assimilation progress: 83%… 91%… 100%][You have claimed Sector 12.][New Resource Gained: 31 Survivors, 3 Engineers, 1 Medic][Unlocking new facility: Bio-Lab]
Lucian turned to the stunned crowd.
"From this moment, you are mine. You will eat because I let you. You will live because I command it."
One of the women, trembling, fell to her knees.
"W-What do you want from us?"
He looked down at her.
"Everything."
Later – Dominion Core Status
Back in Ash Fortress, Lucian reviewed the stats. The system was evolving fast.
[Dominion Rank: Tier 2 → Tier 3][New Functions Unlocked:]– Neural Override (temporary mind control)– Loyalty Imprint (bind survivors permanently)– Resource Automation (auto-harvest from controlled zones)
Raine stood behind him. Her hands still shook from what she'd witnessed.
"You killed their leader. Just like that."
Lucian didn't look at her.
"He was a weak link. I don't tolerate hesitation."
She was silent for a long time.
"…And if I hesitate?"
He finally turned to face her.
"Then I'll find another Raine."