Elias returned to the tenement with three shadows now bound: Shade, crimson-edged second shadow, and Whisperfang, skeletal and serpentine. The air inside the room felt heavy, charged with the residue of binding rituals. Shade coiled near his feet, trembling slightly, while the crimson shadow hovered silently. Whisperfang stretched its chains along the floor, hissing quietly, as though testing the boundaries of loyalty and power.
The Codex rested open, its pages glowing faintly. Three bound. Beware, Elias. Betrayal carries weight. Shadows remember.
Elias pressed his hands to his face, fatigue pulling at his limbs. Binding Whisperfang had exacted more than power; it had shaken Shade's trust and strained the crimson shadow's focus.
Every gain comes at cost, the Codex whispered. The Ledger watches. The city tests. Your strength will be challenged constantly.
---
The First Open Test
By morning, Elias felt the city's scrutiny. The fog seemed heavier, pressing closer, carrying whispers that reached even the ears of those who dared ignore the streets. Factional agents and minor guild scouts patrolled openly, each observing him, testing boundaries without approaching directly.
Elias walked through the Market of Broken Lanterns, where merchants whispered and shadows flickered nervously at his feet.
"They've marked him Duskbinder," a trader muttered, glancing around. "Three shadows now… he's climbing fast. Watch the Ledger."
Elias sensed movement in the fog. The Silent Choir was watching again, though from a distance, their presence almost intangible. One test at a time, the Codex urged. The city will come to you.
A sudden crash drew attention. A squad of enforcers from the Crimson Guild, clad in steel and black leather, blocked the street ahead. Their leader stepped forward, a tall man with a scar across his left eye.
"Duskbinder Elias," he said, voice carrying. "The Ledger requires a demonstration of power. Submit—or we will collect your shadows forcibly."
Elias's hands tensed on the Codex. "And if I refuse?"
The leader smirked. "Then you will survive by proving strength. Simple as that."
---
The Battle in the Market
Shade surged forward, tendrils slashing, while the crimson shadow flared, scanning and detecting every hostile movement. Whisperfang's chains rattled, skeletal jaws gnashing, eager to devour any hesitation or betrayal from the enforcers.
The battle erupted like a storm. Steel clashed with darkness, shadows coiling, lashing, striking. Elias's mind was a whirlwind of control, forcing Shade and the crimson shadow to act in perfect coordination while Whisperfang struck unpredictably, targeting gaps in the enemies' formation.
The enforcers fought fiercely. They were trained, methodical, but unprepared for the combination of three bound shadows. Elias felt Shade shudder in pain as Whisperfang's influence pulsed around it—an echo of the betrayal that had bonded it. He had to steady his will to prevent internal collapse.
With a swift motion, Elias commanded all three: Strike as one.
Shade wrapped around the leader's legs, tossing him backward. The crimson shadow pierced through armor, disabling limbs without killing. Whisperfang lashed, chains striking across the formation, creating openings for the others. Within minutes, the enforcers were either incapacitated or retreating into the fog.
The market fell silent. Whispers echoed: Three shadows… the Duskbinder grows stronger.
---
Aftermath and Tension
Elias stood amid the scattered crates and fallen carts, breathing heavily. Shade writhed near his feet, the crimson shadow shimmered faintly, and Whisperfang's chains rattled softly.
The Codex pulsed approvingly, but its tone was sharp: You survive, Elias. But every act of dominance is noticed. Every shadow you command is measured. Ledger entries multiply.
He looked to the streets. Figures watched from alleys and rooftops. Guilds, Choir members, even independent shadow-bearers had noted the battle. His actions were no longer quiet. He had carved his name into Grimwald's ledger.
Attention is a weapon, the Codex whispered. But every weapon invites others to test it.
Elias clenched his fists. "Then let them test. I will not falter. I will master them all."
---
Strain of Whisperfang
That night, as Elias reviewed the Codex and prepared for rest, Shade shivered faintly, avoiding contact. The crimson shadow flickered, unstable. Whisperfang coiled at his side, its skeletal form pulsing with energy.
Betrayal leaves residue, the Codex explained. Shade will need time. Crimson will require focus. Whisperfang must be managed carefully. Neglect any, and your control weakens.
Elias traced his fingers along the bindings, murmuring a command of reassurance to Shade. Slowly, the tendrils relaxed. The crimson shadow pulsed steadily once more. Whisperfang hissed softly but obeyed.
He realized the truth: shadows are not tools—they are entities. Each binding demanded respect, attention, and careful control. Ignoring the psychological strain risked losing them entirely.
Three bound, Elias. Strength grows. Danger grows faster.
---
Factions Stirring
Over the following days, Grimwald responded. Minor guilds sent scouts. Merchants whispered warnings. The Silent Choir appeared in shadows, observing from rooftops, sending their spies to test loyalty and resolve.
Elias began noting patterns. Each faction had its own methods for assessing shadow-bearers:
Guilds tested combat efficiency.
Choir members assessed obedience and adaptability.
Independent hunters gauged potential for chaos.
And each entry into the Ledger recorded not only strength, but reputation, attention, and risk factor. Elias understood that with each new shadow, his visibility—and danger—increased exponentially.
---
Determined Resolve
Back in his tenement, Elias looked at the Codex, shadows coiling around him like a living cloak. Shade rested cautiously at his feet, Crimson hovered alert, Whisperfang stretched chains across the floor, skeletal eyes glinting.
Three bound. Three growing. Ninety-seven remain.
Elias clenched his fists. "Then I will grow. I will master every shadow. And I will endure every test Grimwald dares throw at me."
The Codex pulsed, warm and approving. So begins the climb. The Ledger will judge. The city will watch. But none will stop the one who commands shadows without fear.
Outside, the fog thickened once more. Somewhere, whispers began:
"The Duskbinder grows. Three shadows now. Watch, Grimwald… watch."
---