Nkosana's breath came heavy as he stood alone in the clearing, the remnants of the shadow creatures fading into the night. The talisman pulsed with an eerie light, syncing with the beat of his heart. He could feel a new energy coursing through him — raw, unpredictable, and powerful.
He touched the back of his neck and felt a faint warmth where a mysterious mark was now etched into his skin. The mark shimmered faintly under the moonlight, a sigil that seemed alive, shifting and changing.
"What is this?" Nkosana whispered, a mix of awe and fear in his voice.
Before he could ponder longer, the woman from before appeared again, stepping out from the shadows like a ghost. "That mark," she said softly, "is the seal of the Demon Seed. It binds you to your fate, Nkosana. It grants you strength... but also chains you to the curse."
He clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes. "I don't care about chains. I'll break them, no matter the cost."
The woman smiled faintly. "Then prepare yourself. Your true enemy is awakening."
---