Ruins stretched endlessly across the horizon. Broken towers, shattered temples, ashes of forgotten dwellings—everything lay buried under silence. In the darkness of night, the devastation seemed even more haunting. No trace of life remained; only the whisper of shadows echoed through the air. But the stillness did not last long. Out of the void, six figures emerged. Their steps were heavy, their movements precise, and in their gaze flickered a demonic glow. They were Shadow Entities—whose mere presence shook the surroundings. The six descended upon a nearby village. Already broken and abandoned, the place had only destroyed homes and ash-filled roads. Yet inside the ruins, food, weapons, and hidden treasures still remained. The six tore everything apart—looting like greedy beasts. No mercy, no hesitation. After they were done, the village became emptier than ever. Finishing the plunder, they took shelter in a huge ruined city. Broken minarets, hollow palaces, fallen marketplaces—everything smelled like a dead kingdom. Near a half-collapsed tower, they sat down to rest. Their leader, Drexer, disappeared into the depths of the tower. His body was massive, his voice carried the weight of command, and in his hands glowed two blood-soaked cleavers bound by chains. The others stayed outside, eating the plundered food, laughing obscenely and chatting. Kaylen wiped shadow-dust from his lips and laughed: Kaylen: "Ah… what a comfortable life. Loot, eat, and rest. What else do we need?" Elaric burst into loud laughter. Elaric: "You're right. What could be better for a Shadow Entity?" Belmor's voice turned serious. Belmor: "Yes, but the real fortune belongs to Drexer. What he has… we don't even come close. If we had his luck, we wouldn't have to bow before anyone." Vornik curled his lips. Vornik: "If I were the leader, I wouldn't be lying in ruins like this. Drexer lives comfortably, and we rot outside. By the way, is he still inside the palace?" Dravos said irritably. Dravos: "Of course. Do you think he will leave such a comfortable place and wander outside now? He's sitting in his half-broken fortress like a king, feasting and growing his belly." Just then Dravos noticed the others staring behind him, frightened and waving their hands to stop him. Dravos: "What happened to you all? Don't tell me Drexer is behind me…" Before he finished, a hand landed on his neck. He looked back and jumped in fear. Dravos (terrified): "Boss… you're here? Don't take my words seriously. I was joking." Drexer (cold laugh): "You spoke well. If my wealth belonged to you, you would be feasting in the palace. But unfortunately… that fate isn't yours. (menacingly) And it will never be. And jokes are fine, but not with everything. Otherwise, you know very well how good I am at joking too." Everyone froze, heads lowered, trembling in fear. All together: "Yes, Boss!" Silence fell. One by one they gathered everything and lay down—fear had numbed even their tongues. The night dragged long—cold, suffocating, drowned in shadows. Yet they slept heavily. At dawn, Vornik woke first. He saw five silhouettes standing in front—Korvath, Sylrek, Havrik, Tavrel, and Morys—Shadow Warriors, the elite directly under Loryx. Their aura was suffocating—far stronger than Drexer's team. Vornik woke everyone. Morys smirked playfully: Morys: "Oooh… how are you, weak Shadow Entities?" Vornik's voice shook with anger. Vornik: "What are you doing here? What do you want?" Sylrek smiled wickedly, his words sharp like a blade. Sylrek: "Take a guess. Why do you think we might be here?" Elaric thought and said— Elaric: "Since you're pirates and live in the sea, that means… aha! You came to sell us fish, right?" Morys said angrily— Morys: "Absolutely not! Listen, you worthless creatures. We came to take your boss Drexer to Loryx. Now go call him." Dravos frowned. Dravos: "Why? What do you want with Drexer? And besides, last night we annoyed him a bit. If we wake him now, he might start beating us instead." Korvath grew irritated—his eyes burned like coal. Korvath: "Stop talking and call Drexer. And yes, Loryx still hasn't told us why he wants him." Belmor roared. Belmor: "We will never let you succeed! Do you understand?" Havrik pulled out his big swords, whispering in a venomous tone— Havrik: "Let time decide that." Then the battle exploded. Havrik's big swords sliced through the air toward Belmor. Belmor crossed his steel batons to block, but the pressure pushed him several steps back. Fire flashed in his eyes—he rushed forward and slammed the baton onto Havrik's shoulder. A horrifying sound of metal hitting bone rang out—Havrik staggered back but instantly used Shadow Step to return, trying to stab Belmor's stomach. Kaylen leapt in and deflected Havrik's blade with his tonfa. The rapid strikes landed on Havrik's throat, elbow, knee—each hit shaking the air like a thousand-year hunger unleashed. Meanwhile Sylrek advanced toward Elaric. Elaric held small knives, but his speed was inhuman. He ducked and slashed so fast that Sylrek had to retreat. Sylrek turned and struck with his krises—Elaric rolled back and threw knives—two blades sliced Sylrek's shoulder, but Sylrek roared, grabbed his throat, and slammed him to the ground. Vornik swung his kusarigama toward Tavrel. The chain-sickle whistled through the air—Tavrel blocked multiple strikes with his glaive. But Vornik's speed was wild, his attacks like lightning. The chain wrapped Tavrel's hand and dragged him forward—Vornik kicked his chest perfectly timed. Dravos spun his crescent knives and rushed at Morys. Morys leapt back but Dravos kicked, punched, and slashed repeatedly—they shattered stone walls. But truth was— The power gap was enormous. Loryx's elites increased their Shadow Aura immediately. The air swirled, pressure making even the earth gasp. Belmor crossed his batons, but Korvath's two-handed sword hit like a mountain collapsing. THAM!! Korvath's strike shattered Belmor's batons, numbing his hands. Then Korvath used Shadow Surge and kicked him so brutally that Belmor smashed through three stone walls. Elaric slashed fast— but Sylrek was like a sea-storm, calm and deadly. Elaric cut his shoulder, but Sylrek used Shadow Dive and vanished. From behind— THUT!! THUT!! Two rapid strikes. Sylrek sliced Elaric's knees with his krises; as Elaric fell, he grabbed his throat and slammed him into the ground. Kaylen blocked attacks with his tonfa— but Havrik filled his big swords with Shadow Poison. Kaylen's tonfa turned black and broke. Havrik created shadow smoke and threw it into his eyes—Kaylen staggered blindly. Then Havrik slashed six times within a second— knees, shoulders, back, chest—each hit shattering his body. Kaylen collapsed. Vornik tried binding Tavrel with the kusarigama— but Tavrel was brute force incarnate. He grabbed the chain and yanked Vornik close— then struck upward with his glaive, cutting even the ground. Vornik crashed on a giant rock. Tavrel knelt on his chest and aimed a neck strike with the glaive—Vornik barely rolled aside before fainting. Dravos was fast—he cut Morys three times, wounded him twice— But Morys had Shadow Armor. Morys joined his trident with shadow energy and fired a Shadow Beam— A massive black wave struck Dravos on the back. THAMMMM!! Dravos smashed into a stone tower and collapsed. Morys grabbed him by the throat: "No need to get up… you've lost." Dravos lost consciousness. Within minutes— All five of Drexer's warriors lay on the ground, bleeding, powerless, defeated. Loryx's bodyguards—Korvath, Sylrek, Havrik, Tavrel, Morys— stood tall, strong, wearing mocking smiles. Korvath dusted off and said— "We wasted time on them. Where is Drexer—he is our target." 🔥 Kaylen (desperate scream): "Boss… save us!" The shout shook the tower. Drexer appeared on the roof—his eyes burned with red fire, his chained cleavers glowing, and the atmosphere grew heavier. His jump—when he landed, the ground shook like an earthquake. Dust storms rose. And he rushed forward like a storm— Korvath attacked first—swinging his giant two-handed sword. Drexer stood still for a moment, reading the attack. Then— CLANG!! He blocked Korvath's sword with one cleaver and smashed the other at his knee. The bone-crack echoed everywhere. Korvath screamed—Drexer pulled the chain and hurled him to the ground. Sylrek tried to stab Drexer's neck from behind with his krises—but Drexer spun and threw a chained cleaver backward— Metal clashed, blood splattered—Sylrek collapsed. Everything happened at once. Havrik charged like a storm to slash Drexer's head—Drexer grabbed his wrist and twisted it until Havrik's arm bent unnaturally. In a single second— Drexer smashed Havrik's head using both cleavers together. Shadow-blood flowed like a river. Tavrel leapt with his glaive—Drexer grabbed him, lifted him, and slammed him into a stone wall. The wall crumbled. Morys rushed to stab Drexer with his trident—Drexer spun the chained cleaver and sliced him so brutally that his body split apart. Korvath rose again with Shadow Boost activated—charging at Drexer's head— Drexer unleashed his true Beast skill—grabbed Korvath's waist, slammed him down, then brought both cleavers down together— THAAMMMM!!! The ground roared. Korvath did not rise again. In seconds, all the elites—who earlier crushed Drexer's entire team—lay lifeless on the ground. Drexer exhaled—chains swaying, cleavers dripping with shadow blood—his eyes burning with fury. After a moment, he walked toward Loryx's warriors and said, Drexer (roaring): "Where is Loryx? Tell me!" Slow clapping echoed in the ruins. (clap sounds) Loryx emerged from the shadows. Cold mockery in his eyes, a sneer on his lips. Shadows swirled around him like a storm. Loryx: "Excellent. Truly excellent. I am impressed." Drexer: "What do you want, Loryx?" Loryx: "Nothing much… just a little help." Drexer: "For what?" Loryx: "To bring down Erith. Drexer: Meaning? Explain clearly. Loryx: I mean, Veros has disappeared. Now Erith is the strongest being in all of Shadow Earth. If we can defeat him, we will rule Shadow Earth together. Think about it—it benefits you as well." Drexer: "And if I refuse?" Shadows thickened like suffocating fog. Loryx's voice turned sharp. Loryx: "You know very well what the consequences could be. I know exactly how to convince you. You won't like it. Don't make me angry." A deep silence fell. Drexer thought—eyes narrowed, mind racing. Finally he nodded. Drexer: "Fine. I agree." Loryx smiled like a predator. Loryx: "A wise decision. Exactly what I expect from you. Tell your little warriors to get up and prepare." Then Loryx pointed at his own warriors, Loryx: "Quick, get up. Full honor. Finish the job." Thus was formed the new alliance— The Shadow Pact. Drexer and Loryx, two terrifying forces, united their armies under one banner. Their destination: Erith's frozen island. The pact was sealed. And their journey had only begun. To be continued…
