The clash between shadow and bone echoed like thunder across the forest. With every swing of Enkai's Boneblade, trees splintered and the air rippled. Nkosana, now barely holding onto his humanity, moved like a phantom — faster, darker, colder.
But power comes with a price.
As his shadow wings beat against the wind, Nkosana felt something fracture inside him — not bone, not flesh, but will. The more he tapped into the darkness, the less he could hear his own heartbeat. His mind swam with whispers… voices from the Veil, ancient and hungry.
"You are becoming one of us," they hissed. "Let go. Embrace the Seed fully."
Enkai, bloodied but unyielding, noticed it too. "That power will eat you alive, boy. You may win this fight, but you'll lose your soul."
"I don't need a soul to end this," Nkosana growled, shadow claws forming around his arms. He lunged — faster than Enkai could react — slashing across the hunter's chest and sending him flying into the ruins of an ancient shrine.
But when Nkosana moved to finish him, he froze.
In the cracked stone, he saw a reflection — not of himself, but of a twisted, monstrous figure cloaked in shadow and flame. His eyes widened. Was this what he was becoming?
Lwandle rushed to his side. "Nkosana! Stop! This isn't you!"
Enkai groaned, rising slowly, sword dragging. "You're not ready for the curse you carry. You'll bring ruin unless you learn control."
The words hit like a blade sharper than Boneblade itself.
Nkosana took a shaky breath. The wings retracted. The shadows dulled.
"I'm not done," he said, his voice hoarse. "But I'm not lost either."
Enkai gave a tired smirk. "Then prove it."
Behind them, the air shimmered.
The Veil was thinning.
And something worse than Enkai was coming through next.
—