The room was silent, except for the soft metallic clink of the pendant Zen tossed onto the table.
— "Mission complete," said the mercenary, leaning back in his chair. His mission suit was torn, still stained with dust and dried blood.
Across from him, Darius Valtier kept his eyes fixed on the documents.
— "We found one of them. A Herald of Kairon…" Zen continued, crossing his arms. "He called himself Bhor. Immense power — no doubt. But… he seemed lost. Like he didn't yet know how to use what he carries."
Darius raised an eyebrow.
— "Interesting… a Herald in development?"
— "Maybe." Zen shrugged. "But even 'incomplete,' the guy made the ground quake with a blink."
Darius shut the folder with a snap.
— "Understood. You did well. Go rest… we'll need you again soon."
Zen left without another word, his footsteps leaving behind a faint, suffocating pressure.
⚔️ Special Training – Shadow Barracks of a Thousand Lights
In the underground of the Guild of a Thousand Lights, shadows danced on the stone walls. Ryu Nox observed the eerie surroundings beside his father.
Kelvin Nox, master of Darkness, calmly rolled up his sleeves. His gaze was stern, yet protective as it turned to his son.
— "Today… you won't just use shadows to fight," he said, his voice deep. "I'll teach you mental control. From now on… you and the shadow will be one."
Ryu tilted his head, curious.
— "One...? What do you mean, Dad?"
Kelvin sighed deeply and stepped closer. He pointed to Ryu's left arm, where a dark symbol pulsed like it was breathing.
— "This seal," he said. "It's what blocks the true power of your bloodline. A power even I haven't fully mastered."
Ryu swallowed hard.
— "And you're going to… release it?"
Kelvin nodded.
— "Yes. But you need to remember something, Ryu. These shadows… they'll try to drive you insane. They'll torment your senses. But remember this above all:
You're the one in control."
The young hero bowed his head in respect, clenched his fists, and answered firmly:
— "Understood."
Minutes later...
They arrived at an old training field. A damp, silent place hidden beneath the very foundation of the Guild.
— "This place is… kind of creepy," Ryu said, glancing around.
Kelvin gave a slight smile.
— "I used to think that too. But now… I see that dark places are just reflections of our own fears."
With a snap of his fingers, torches ignited across the room, revealing an ancient stone altar, with black marks scattered across the floor.
Kelvin placed his hand over the seal on Ryu's arm.
— "Stay calm… this will hurt a little."
— "Wait, hurt like—"
Before he could finish, a dark beam tore through the air and the seal shattered into black particles, merging into Ryu's body.
— "ARGHHHHHH!!" he screamed, dropping to his knees, clutching his head.
Shadows began pouring from his eyes.
— "Resist, son!" Kelvin shouted, focused on the crumbling seal, like a spiritual lock being undone.
Ryu screamed as his body was wrapped in living darkness—then, suddenly, everything went black.
🕯️ Inside Ryu's Mind – The Shadow Realm
Ryu opened his eyes. He was in a silent place, cloaked in black mist. Bones, skulls, and chains littered the ground. The shadows whispered in his ear:
You are weak… you are ours… give in…
He stumbled forward, until he saw a throne made of thorns and darkness. On it sat a towering man with long black hair and burning red eyes, watching him with a mocking smile.
— "Finally awake, kid."
Ryu's eyes widened.
— "Who… who are you?"
The man rose from the throne. His presence was crushing — even without aura, the space around him trembled.
— "Or rather…" he said, stepping toward Ryu.— "My grandson."
Ryu froze.
— "…Tyrus?"
And there it ended — with the heir of darkness standing face-to-face with his grandfather, the forgotten entity who once was the greatest bearer of shadows.
End of Chapter 71