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Chapter 39 - The Price of Power

Russ staggered forward, his scythe dragging against the broken stone. Every step left behind a smear of blood and a whisper of shadow. The army behind him had stopped cheering. They could feel it—something wrong in the air.

The Hybrid Ascension wasn't fading. It was growing.

The Void Heart pulsed louder, syncing with the beat of his real heart until the rhythm became a war chant. His senses were razor sharp—he could hear the fear in men's throats, smell the blood in their veins. His vision painted everything in shades of prey.

And his allies were not exempt.

---

"Russ!" A familiar voice cut through the haze—Kael, his closest comrade. "It's over! You can drop the form!"

Russ turned his head. His gaze locked on Kael's jugular. The urge to strike was overwhelming. Shadows twitched at his fingertips, and crimson qi rippled around his palm like hungry fire.

Inside his mind, the System whispered seductively:

[Blood Reign is incomplete. Feed to stabilize.]

[Closest viable targets: allies.]

He bit down on his fangs until blood filled his mouth. "No… Not them."

---

The ground cracked as Russ slammed his foot down, forcing himself to anchor his qi. But the Void Heart retaliated, sending a spike of agony through his chest.

That's when the Hollow King's voice slithered back into his mind—not as a threat this time, but as an invitation.

> Why fight it, Russ Talen?

You've tasted power.

Do you really think you can go back to weakness?

Russ's knees buckled. His shadow moved without him, stretching toward his own people.

Kael's hand went to his sword. Not in aggression—yet—but in grim readiness. "Russ… whatever's happening, you need to stop, or I'll have to—"

---

The air ignited.

Russ roared, his qi flaring in a violent spiral—blood flames mixing with pitch-black shadows, forming a cyclone around him. The pressure forced even his allies to back away.

From within the storm, a shape emerged—a second Russ, forged entirely of shadow and Blood Qi. The clone's grin was feral, its eyes pure void.

It spoke with his voice, but layered with something older and crueler:

"We don't need them."

---

The clone lunged. Kael barely blocked, the force of the blow sending him skidding back. The rest of the squad drew weapons, forming a loose circle.

Russ, trapped inside his own cyclone, realized the truth: the Void Heart wasn't just corrupting him—it was splitting him, creating an entity that shared his skills but none of his restraint.

He clenched his fists. "If I can't control you…" His scythe materialized in his hand, its edge glowing with Void Pulse. "…then I'll destroy you."

---

The fight was chaos.

The clone mirrored every move, every skill—Blood Reign, Shadow Dominion, even Qi-infused strikes. Each clash sent shockwaves through the fortress ruins. Their shadows tangled like living serpents, biting and constricting.

Russ feinted left, flickering through Shadow Step, but the clone anticipated it, countering with a Blood Spike that grazed his ribs.

Pain sharpened his focus. The System's voice was now frantic:

[Warning: Core stability dropping.]

[Solution: Absorb duplicate or face soul collapse.]

---

Russ took the gamble. He let the clone charge, shadows converging for a killing blow. At the last moment, he dropped his guard—not in surrender, but in trap.

The clone's strike pierced his chest. Russ grabbed its arm and pulled it in close, whispering:

"Thanks for coming home."

[Blood Reign: Consumption.]

The cyclone exploded inward, devouring the clone into Russ's body. The surge of power nearly tore him apart—but the Void Heart purred in satisfaction, stabilizing. For now.

---

When the dust cleared, Russ stood alone, breathing heavily. His allies watched with caution, hands still on their weapons.

Kael stepped forward. "You're still you?"

Russ smirked, though his eyes still held that dangerous glint. "Depends who's asking."

Above them, the clouds swirled unnaturally. The Hollow King's presence hadn't faded—it had been watching.

And now… it knew Russ was ready for more.

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