The city did not sleep that night.
Even as darkness covered the rooftops, Arin could feel it—the tension in the air, like the world itself was holding its breath.
The messenger's warning echoed in his mind.
A cloaked army… approaching…
Arin sat inside Elara's tower, the pendant resting in his palm. Its glow was faint, but steady, like a heartbeat that wasn't his own.
Elara moved across the room, gathering scrolls, herbs, and strange crystals from her shelves.
"They've come sooner than I expected," she muttered.
Arin stood. "Who are they?"
Elara's expression darkened.
"The Order of Veils.
The name alone felt heavy.
"They were once guardians of the Shadow Throne," she continued, "but when the kingdom fell, they became hunters.
They believe the pendant belongs to them… and anyone who carries it is a threat."
Arin's throat tightened. "So they'll kill me."
Elara didn't deny it.
"They will try."
A silence stretched between them.
Then Elara turned sharply.
"There is only one way you survive what's coming."
Arin looked up.
"You must awaken the pendant's power," she said.
Arin's eyes widened. "But you said I wasn't ready."
"You're not," Elara admitted. "But the world doesn't wait for readiness."
She walked toward a hidden door behind a tapestry. With a firm pull, it opened, revealing stone steps spiraling downward into darkness.
"What is that?" Arin asked.
Elara lit a lantern.
"The ruins beneath this city," she replied. "The last remnants of the Shadow Kingdom."
Arin hesitated.
The pendant pulsed harder, almost urging him forward.
Elara met his gaze.
"The pendant chose you, Arin. Now it will test you."
The Underground Trial
The air below was cold, thick with dust and ancient silence.
The stairs led into a vast chamber carved from black stone. Broken pillars stood like dead giants, and the walls were etched with faded runes.
Arin stepped forward cautiously.
The pendant suddenly flared.
Light spilled across the chamber, and the runes began to glow in response.
Then—
A deep voice filled the space.
"HEIR…"
Arin froze.
Elara stiffened beside him.
The voice was not hers.
Not human.
"WHO WALKS THE PATH OF THE SHADOW THRONE?"
Arin's breath caught.
The ground trembled.
From the darkness, a figure emerged—tall, armored, and made of smoke and shadow.
Its eyes burned like dying stars.
A Guardian.
Arin stumbled back. "What is that?!"
Elara whispered, "The First Trial."
The Guardian raised its blade.
"ONLY THE WORTHY MAY BEAR THE PENDANT."
Arin's hands shook. "I didn't ask for this!"
The Guardian stepped closer.
"THE THRONE DOES NOT ASK. IT CLAIMS."
Suddenly, the chamber shifted.
The walls seemed to melt away.
Arin was no longer underground.
He stood in the middle of a burning palace.
Screams echoed.
Ash fell like snow.
He turned, horrified—
And saw himself.
Older.
Crowned.
Sitting upon a throne of shadows.
His eyes were empty.
His hands were stained with darkness.
Arin's voice cracked.
"No… that's not me…"
The Guardian's voice thundered.
"THIS IS WHAT YOU MAY BECOME."
Arin clutched the pendant.
"I won't!"
The flames roared higher.
The vision pressed into him like a weight.
Fear crawled into his chest.
And the pendant…
The pendant began to burn.
Arin cried out, dropping to his knees.
Elara shouted, "Arin! Focus! The pendant responds to your heart!"
Arin gasped.
He closed his eyes.
The screams. The fire. The fear—
He pushed it away.
Deep inside, something steadied.
A thought.
I will not be ruled by shadows.
The pendant pulsed.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
A burst of light exploded from Arin's hands.
The chamber snapped back into reality.
The Guardian staggered.
Its smoky form flickered.
Arin stood, breathing hard.
The pendant glowed brighter than ever.
The Guardian lowered its blade.
"THE HEIR… HAS TAKEN THE FIRST STEP."
Then, like mist in sunlight, it vanished.
Silence returned.
Arin swayed.
Elara caught him.
Her eyes were wide with awe.
"You… you did it."
Arin stared at the pendant, trembling.
"I felt it," he whispered.
"The power…"
Elara nodded slowly.
"This was only the beginning."
Above them, far beyond the chamber, the city bells began to ring.
Warning bells.
The Order of Veils had arrived.
Chapter-End Note (Webnovel)
Thank you so much for reading Chapter 6 of Legacy of the Shadow Throne!
Arin has completed his first trial… but danger is now at the city gates.
Stay tuned for Chapter 7 — Betrayal in the Shadows is coming next!
Who do you think will betray Arin?