The gate to the next trial opened not with thunder, but with a soft, beckoning moan. Vines etched with glowing runes parted like silken curtains, revealing a lush sanctuary suspended between dimensions. It was a realm of thorns and temptation, where the trees whispered promises of submission and vines curled like fingers aching for flesh.
Seraphine stepped forward, brushing her fingers over a hanging chain of living ivy. "This is a domain of control, my king... one forged from ancient oaths and punished disobedience."
Auron's boots pressed against the living ground, which pulsed faintly underfoot. "Then it shall bloom under my law."
As they entered the Garden of Chains, the sky turned violet, and petals of obsidian drifted down like embers. In the center of the grove stood a massive tree wrapped in glowing shackles. From it hung women of every race — human, demonkin, elf, and more — bound in suspended animation, their forms perfect and still, their expressions locked in longing.
A voice, sultry and venomous, echoed through the garden.
"Who dares trespass in my sanctuary of obedience?"
A tall figure emerged, draped in rose-thorns and silk. Her hair flowed like liquid flame, and her eyes gleamed with dominion. She was Mistress Kaelira, the Warden of the Garden — a goddess of bonds.
Auron grinned. "I'm not here to trespass. I'm here to take what's mine."
She raised a thorn-whip. "Then come. But only the truly dominant shall rule here."
Test of the Chains
What followed was not merely battle, but a war of will. Kaelira lashed at Auron with ethereal chains, trying to bind his limbs, choke his resolve, tempt his soul. Illusions of his harem turned against him, whispered doubts, offered submission to Kaelira instead.
But Auron, unflinching, turned their power back against her.
System Command: Nullify Submission – All
Chains shattered. Illusions bent to his command.
He stepped forward, burning with absolute dominance, grabbed Kaelira by the throat, and slammed her against her own tree.
"You mistake this garden for yours. But everything chained... belongs to me."
She gasped—not in fear, but pleasure. Her body glowed, reshaped by the system.
System Message: Kaelira, Warden of Obedience – Subjugated
"Added to Harem"
"Garden Control: Transferred"
The tree groaned as its shackles dissolved. The bound women floated gently to the ground, their bodies trembling, minds open.
Seraphine, voice like velvet, whispered, "Shall we wake them, my king?"
Auron smirked, eyes glowing like eclipses. "Let them know who their master is."
The garden blossomed—not with flowers, but with cries of awakening. And one by one, the chains wrapped around their new name: Auron.