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The Sovereigns, at the start of the novel, refer to the first three Supremes ("Aster, Song, Vale") who ruled the most powerful Awakened — the Legacy Clans — from the shadows.[1]
Note: A Sovereign is a human who had reached the Supreme Rank.[1] (See Awakened Hierarchy)
Notion
"Aster, Song, Vale" was Asterion, Ki Song, and Anvil of Valor (Vale). They were Broken Sword and Smile of Heaven's former companions.[2][3] Aster, Song, and Vale had returned from the Fourth Nightmare wreathed in new authority becoming the first humans to reach Supreme Rank. Though these were speculations based on facts written in books and bits of information from Nephis, for some reason, they had chosen to keep their accomplishment a secret, instead, they are exerting their influence on humanity from the shadows.[2] This was proven to be true by Mordret before their second nightmare ended. His father, Anvil and Asterion are both sovereigns.[4]
It was speculated by Obel that the Ascension of many Awakened caused the growing number and intensity of the Nightmare Gates. This correlation might be the reason why the Sovereigns are suppressing the emergence of new Saints and why none of them have yet to challenge the Fifth Nightmare.[5]
Domain
- Main article: Domain
Conduit of Power
A group of survivors of the Battle of the Black Skull tried to escape the Skinwalker in the Nightmare Desert, but the Great Abomination's vessels caught up. Morgan summoned flying swords[6], which her father forged, and Seishan summoned a drop of blood [6] similar to the one hovering between Moonveil's fingers.[7]
Anvil bestowed the swords, conduits of his power, to Morgan, which suggested that Ki Song bestowed something to her daughter. The drop of blood was a vessel of a Sovereign's power.[7]
Influence
“ It is very simple, really. Basically, you need the right people to help you become a Master. But to become a Saint… to become a Saint, you need for the right people to not obstruct you. Take it as you will. ” ― Jet to Sunny about how to become a Saint,
Chapter 504 The Right People
According to the hint of Jet, to become a Saint, one had to receive permission from the Sovereigns. There were just a few dozen Saints in the world, and each of them possessed unbelievable, mind-boggling powers. The Sovereigns wouldn't allow such powerful individuals to exist outside of their control. It seemed that every Saint actually belonged to one of the Sovereigns.[1]
Their monopoly on Transcendence not only exists through preventive measures and even if one becomes a Saint, they can still make them disappear.[8]
Suppressing the Transcendence of independent Awakened for decades was due to the great clans keeping the probability of powerful Nightmare Gates opening across the world.[9]
Background
Anvil of Valor and Ki Song must expand their influence to perfect their Domains, but due to limited human Citadels, they cannot coexist. This leads to a war between their clans, as one Domain must swallow the other.[10]
Antarctica will be the first major battlefield in the war, but it won't be the last. If one of the clans manages to gain momentum in the Southern Quadrant, their advantage is unstoppable so the clash will be extremely fierce and bloody. Anvil is sending his daughter Morgan to lead Valor forces in the Southern Quadrant, showcasing his serious intentions.[10]
The Sovereigns, except for Asterion, had established their Domains in unique citadels that had once belonged to the daemons and slowly expanded their rule by uplifting loyal Ascended to Sainthood. They eliminated Transcendent who refused to swear fealty, excluding those of the House of Night and the government which was convenient to have and fulfilled a necessary function. On top of that, the seat of power of the great clan Night was located in the deadly waters of Stormsea.[11]
The Sovereigns have given up on the waking world due to the impending doom brought about by the Chain of Nightmares, focusing on creating a landing zone for humanity in the Dream Realm.[12]
After the Sovereigns revealed themselves, around two hundred million people from the Southern Quadrant were evacuated directly to the Dream Realm, divided between Bastion and Ravenheart, and gradually funneled into lesser Citadels. Later, Dream Gates were opened in other Quadrants, allowing even more mundane people to relocate. The gradual exodus of humanity from the waking world began, with most leaving due to a lack of citizenship and resources.[13]
Sovereigns are mysterious, but understanding their upbringing, environment, youth, and the formation, rise, and downfall of Broken Sword's cohort is crucial for striking them down. However, most information is erased or twisted, making it difficult to learn anything truthful. The King of Sword still distrusts Nephis, fearing death if discovered. However, with the start of the war, they can act more boldly and uncover secrets under chaos. If they learned the flaws of the sovereigns, victory would be theirs, while if not, they face the flames of hell.[14]
Trivia
- Aster, Song, and Vale are Asterion, Ki Song, and Anvil of Valor, the former members of Broken Sword's cohort. Sunny was able to verify his suspicions.[15]
- According to Nephis, the Sovereigns never do anything without a reason.[16]
- Sovereigns couldn't easily abandon humanity, as the Dream Realm needed a new population, and refugees were the perfect fuel for strengthening their domains and nurturing more Awakened.[17]
- In Chapter 1743, Nephis revealed that she along with Cassie, Effie, Jet and Kai are going to destroy the Sovereigns.
- The Sovereigns deliberately hid their existence as a premeditated measure to prevent Asterion from becoming too powerful.[18]
- By Chapter 2258, Asterion was the last remaining from the original Sovereigns of previous era. Anvil was beheaded by Sunny in Chapter 2257 and Ki Song was burned to death by Nephis in Chapter 2258.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Chapter 504 The Right People
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chapter 368 Aster, Song, Vale
- ↑ Chapter 778 In the Shadows
- ↑ Chapter 740 Dream is Collapsing
- ↑ Chapter 880 Cause and Effect
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chapter 1218 Hunted
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Chapter 1904 Queen's Blood
- ↑ Chapter 757 Professional Sensibility
- ↑ Chapter 1229 Seventh Night
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Chapter 1074 Authority
- ↑ Chapter 1075 Know The Enemy
- ↑ Chapter 1234 Two Futures
- ↑ Chapter 1591 Years Later
- ↑ Chapter 1793 Soft Hand
- ↑ Chapter 778 In the Shadows
- ↑ Chapter 842 Lessons of the Past
- ↑ Chapter 1587 Dream Gate
- ↑ Chapter 2195 Dollhouse
Sources & history
Sovereigns · Shadow Slave Wiki
Source revision 40802
Adapted from Fandom. CC-BY-SA
Images: sources & credits
- Sovereigns.jpg
Retrieved 2026-11-04 · Article version 1