CHAPTER THIRTY SIX: SHADOWS OF RESOLVE PT2

In the Shadow Realm, two weeks had passed since Selena began her battle for control. Seated on the Guardian's platform, she remained locked in meditation, her body still, but the struggle within her was relentless. The shadow she had absorbed resisted her, thrashing against her will, refusing to yield. It was strong, untamed, and fought to consume her.

Sophia observed from a distance, her sharp gaze never wavering. She had seen others lose themselves to the darkness before. But Selena was different. She had no intention of being overpowered.

Still, as the days stretched on, one thing became clear—this battle was far from over.

Selena's breaths came out ragged, her body trembling as she remained seated on the cold stone platform. Sweat clung to her skin, her fingers digging into her knees as she gritted her teeth in frustration. Two weeks. Two damn weeks, and she still hadn't fully reined in the shadow.

Her hands clenched into fists. Why is this taking so long?

A gentle yet firm hand rested on her shoulder. "That's enough for today," Sophia said, her voice steady but kind.

Selena exhaled sharply, reluctant to stop but knowing she had no choice. If she pushed herself any further, she'd only make things worse.

Without another word, she rose to her feet, her legs aching from hours of stillness. Sophia walked beside her as they left the platform behind, the weight of failure pressing down on Selena's shoulders.

Back at home, the familiar scent of burning incense and old books filled the air, but it did little to calm her restless mind. She paced the small living space, arms crossed, thoughts circling like vultures.

Sophia moved to the kitchen, pulling out ingredients with practiced ease. "You should rest," she said without looking up.

"I'll help with dinner," Selena offered quickly.

Sophia glanced at her, reading her easily. Selena wasn't offering out of kindness—she just needed something, anything, to keep her mind occupied.

With a small nod, Sophia handed her a knife and a few vegetables. "Fine. Just don't cut your fingers off."

Selena huffed, rolling her eyes, but took the task without complaint. At least for now, she had something to focus on.

As Selena sliced the vegetables with practiced precision, the rhythmic sound of the knife against the wooden board filled the quiet space. Sophia stood beside her, stirring a pot over the stove, the rich aroma of simmering broth filling the air.

For a while, neither of them spoke. The only sounds were the bubbling of the pot and the occasional scrape of metal against wood. But Sophia, never one to sit in silence for too long, eventually broke it.

"You know," she said casually, "when I was your age, I could barely cook without setting something on fire."

Selena arched an eyebrow but kept her focus on the cutting board. "Hard to believe. You seem like the type to have had everything under control."

Sophia chuckled. "Oh, far from it. I was stubborn, reckless, and impatient. Thought I could master everything in a day." She shot Selena a knowing glance. "Sound familiar?"

Selena exhaled through her nose, not bothering to deny it. "Tch. I just didn't think it'd take this long."

"You're absorbing a completely new shadow," Sophia pointed out. "One that doesn't belong to you. It's going to take time."

Selena clenched her jaw, slicing through another vegetable with more force than necessary. "Time isn't something I have."

Sophia set down her spoon and leaned against the counter, watching her. "You're frustrated."

"No shit."

Sophia smirked at the blunt response but didn't press. Instead, she changed the subject. "Have you thought about what you'll do once you've mastered it?"

Selena paused for half a second before continuing her chopping. "I don't have the luxury of 'what comes next.' There's still a war to fight."

Sophia nodded slowly. "True. But you should still think about it."

Selena frowned. "Why?"

Sophia stirred the pot again, her voice softer this time. "There's an open position in the Realm, you know."

Selena stiffened instantly, scoffing as she dropped the knife on the counter. "If you're trying to convince me to take the Guardian position, don't waste your breath."

Sophia rolled her eyes. "That's not what I meant."

Selena turned to her, skeptical. "Then what?"

Sophia leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. "The Sage position. It's been vacant since Henri passed."

A heavy silence filled the kitchen. The words hit Selena like a sudden weight pressing against her chest. Her fingers curled slightly against the edge of the counter as an unwelcome memory surfaced—her last conversation with Sage Henri.

She had been bitter, raw with grief. Her father was dead. And instead of being given his treasured weapon, the Death Scythe, she had watched it go to me. Overlooked. Cast aside. It had felt like a betrayal. And she had taken that anger out on the old man who had guided the Realm for years.

Selena clenched her jaw, staring down at the vegetables she had been cutting. Guilt crept in, unwelcome but relentless.

"…I was awful to him," she muttered, voice barely above a whisper.

Sophia's expression softened. "You were grieving."

"It's not an excuse," Selena said, shaking her head. "I was cruel. He didn't deserve that."

Sophia didn't argue. She just let the words settle, giving Selena space to sit with them.

Selena exhaled sharply, pushing her emotions down. "It doesn't matter. I'm not fit to be a Sage."

Sophia hummed, going back to stirring the pot. "Maybe. But neither was Henri at first. He made plenty of mistakes, but he learned. Grew into it." She shot Selena a glance. "Just like you could."

Selena didn't respond. The idea sat there, unwanted but impossible to ignore.

Sophia raised an eyebrow as she stirred the pot. "You dismissed the Guardian position pretty fast. Why?"

Selena didn't hesitate. "Because it's meant for Liam."

Sophia glanced at her, curious. "You sound pretty sure of that."

Selena let out a short breath, crossing her arms. "I am. He likes to act like he hates this place, like he doesn't care what happens to us. But we both know that's a lie." She leaned against the counter, her tone unwavering. "No matter how much he pretends otherwise, he still can't ignore us."

Sophia considered her words, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You really believe in him, don't you?"

Selena looked away, focusing on the flickering flames under the pot. "Someone has to."

Sophia chuckled, nudging Selena lightly with her elbow. "You know, you're already sounding like a Sage in the making."

Selena shot her a look. "Don't start."

"I'm serious," Sophia smirked, stirring the pot. "You've got Henri's spirit. Stubborn, sharp-tongued, and way too invested in Liam's future."

A gloomy expression crossed Selena's face at the mention of Henri. She didn't say anything, just focused on slicing vegetables with a little more force than necessary.

Sophia noticed but didn't push. Instead, she kept her voice light. "You're already thinking about the Realm's future, about its people. That's what a Sage does."

Selena scoffed. "That's just common sense."

"Is it?" Sophia mused. "Or is that just you?"

As the meal finished cooking, Selena and Sophia set the table in comfortable silence. The rich aroma of the stew filled the small kitchen, a welcome contrast to the weight of their conversation.

Sophia placed a bowl in front of Selena before sitting across from her. "Eat," she said simply, picking up her spoon.

Selena exhaled, rolling her shoulders before taking a bite. The warmth of the food eased some of her lingering frustration, but her thoughts were still tangled.

Sophia watched her for a moment before speaking again. "You know, Sage Henri wouldn't hold it against you."

Selena's hand stiffened slightly around her spoon. She didn't respond, just took another bite.

"I mean it," Sophia continued. "You were grieving. He understood things like that better than anyone."

Selena let out a humorless chuckle. "Doesn't change the fact that I was a brat to him."

"No, but it means you can stop punishing yourself for it."

Selena didn't answer right away. Instead, she focused on her food, chewing slowly. After a moment, she sighed. "I just… I never got to apologize."

Sophia's expression softened. "Then honor him in a way that matters. If you don't want to be Guardian, at least consider the Sage position. The Realm needs guidance, and whether you see it or not, you already carry that wisdom."

Selena glanced up at her, hesitation flickering in her eyes. "I don't know if I'm ready for that."

Sophia smiled. "You don't have to be ready. You just have to be willing."

Selena looked down at her bowl, her grip tightening around the spoon. She wasn't sure what she would do. But for now, she kept eating, letting Sophia's words settle in the back of her mind.

After finishing her meal, Selena quietly placed her bowl in the sink, her mind still clouded with thoughts. Sophia didn't press her any further, only giving her a knowing look as she gathered the dishes.

Selena muttered a quick, "Thanks for dinner," before heading to her room.

The moment she shut the door behind her, she leaned against it, exhaling deeply. Her eyes drifted to the ceiling as she processed everything that had happened today—her frustrating struggle to control the new shadow, Sophia's words about Henri, and the unexpected suggestion of becoming a Sage.

She scoffed softly, running a hand through her hair. Me? A Sage? It was ridiculous, wasn't it? Sage Henri had been wise, eccentric, perverted but yet still full of experience. He had shaped the Shadow Realm in ways no one else could. How could she possibly follow in his footsteps?

And yet… she couldn't deny that something in her stirred at the thought.

With a sigh, she pushed herself off the door and flopped onto her bed. Staring at the ceiling, she replayed her last conversation with Henri—the sharp words, the resentment in her tone, the way he had simply smiled despite it all.

She closed her eyes.

Would he have wanted this for me?

The thought lingered as exhaustion weighed on her, pulling her into restless sleep.

The next morning, Selena woke to the soft glow that bathed the Shadow Realm in its early hours. Despite its name, the Realm held a unique beauty—mist curling over the darkened fields, the distant shimmer of shadow-infused rivers, and the way the ancient structures seemed to breathe with life under the gentle morning hue.

She lay still for a moment, letting the quiet serenity wash over her. But no matter how beautiful the morning was, the weight of yesterday lingered. With a quiet sigh, she sat up and ran a hand through her hair. She hadn't slept well—her dreams were restless, filled with fragmented memories of Henri, her father, and the ever-present whisper of the unruly shadow within her.

Pushing herself out of bed, she stretched before heading to the small washroom to freshen up. The cold water against her face did little to clear her mind, but she forced herself to shake off the lingering thoughts. There was no time for doubt.

When she stepped out of her room, she found Sophia already awake, seated at the table with a cup of tea in hand. She looked up as Selena entered, offering a knowing smile.

"Morning," Sophia greeted.

"Morning," Selena replied, her voice still rough with sleep.

Sophia studied her for a moment before nodding toward the extra cup on the table. "Made you some tea. Figured you'd need it after yesterday."

Selena hesitated, then walked over and took a seat across from her. Wrapping her hands around the warm cup, she stared into the dark liquid, her thoughts still tangled.

After a moment, Sophia spoke again. "Are you going to train again today?"

After a quiet moment, she finally spoke. "I think I'll walk around the Realm today. It's been a while."

Sophia nodded approvingly. "You should. A break is nice."

Selena hummed in response, taking a slow sip of her tea. The warmth spread through her, but it did little to ease the tension in her chest.

Outside, the Shadow Realm stretched before her, inviting her back into its embrace. Today, she would let herself feel it again.

As Selena stepped out into the Shadow Realm, the crisp morning air greeted her, carrying the faint hum of energy that pulsed through the land. The Realm was always breathtaking in the early hours—mist weaving lazily between the blackened trees, the deep violet sky shifting as the first traces of light cut through the eternal twilight. The air smelled fresh, almost calming, despite the weight of power that lingered beneath the surface.

She walked aimlessly at first, letting her feet guide her through familiar paths. The streets were quiet, only a few early risers moving about. Some Tenebri nodded in acknowledgment as she passed, though their eyes carried an unspoken weight. She knew why. It was the same reason she had avoided these walks for so long.

The whispers had started after her father's death—after Liam left. Some questioned the future of the Realm, wondering who would stand in Seth Remmick's place. And though she knew they wouldn't voice it directly, she could feel their expectations pressing against her back.

She clenched her fists. Liam is meant to be Guardian. Not me.

Shaking off the thought, she made her way toward the central district, where the heart of the Realm still pulsed with life. She just needed a distraction. Something—anything—to stop her mind from spiraling again.

Then, as she turned a corner, she spotted a familiar figure standing near the old training grounds.

Her steps slowed. What is he doing here?

Selena narrowed her eyes, curiosity piqued as she approached the figure standing near the edge of the pathway. He was tall, his posture relaxed yet unreadable, arms loosely crossed over his chest. As she drew closer, the details sharpened—dark robes, silver-streaked hair, and sharp golden eyes that flicked toward her the moment she entered his vicinity.

Darius.

An enigmatic strategist of the Shadow Realm, Darius had always been a mystery. He wasn't a Guardian, nor a Sage, yet his influence ran deep. He operated behind the scenes, a man who understood the balance of power better than most. Unlike Sophia's warmth, Darius was cold calculation. A thinker. A watcher.

"You're up early," he remarked, his voice smooth yet devoid of real interest.

Selena crossed her arms. "So are you."

Darius smirked. "I could say the same to you. You don't usually wander around like this."

She scowled, not liking how easily he read her. "I just felt like walking."

"Walking or avoiding?" His golden eyes studied her, sharp and probing.

Selena bristled but didn't answer. She wasn't in the mood for his mind games.

Darius tilted his head slightly. "Word is, you've been training with Sophia. Trying to tame that new Shadow of yours."

Selena tensed. "And?"

"And," he continued, "you're taking longer than expected."

Her jaw clenched. "You got a problem with that?"

He chuckled, a dry, knowing sound. "Not at all. I just find it… interesting."

Selena's irritation flared. "If you're here to waste my time, I'll be on my way."

But as she turned to leave, Darius spoke again, his tone dropping into something more serious.

"I came to give you advice."

She hesitated, then glanced over her shoulder.

"You're fighting against the Shadow when you should be letting it become a part of you," he said. "That's why it's resisting. That's why it still feels foreign."

Selena narrowed her eyes. "And you would know this how?"

Darius smirked. "Because I've seen it before."

She turned fully toward him. "You absorbed another's Shadow?"

He didn't answer right away, but something flickered in his gaze—something unreadable. Then, finally, he said, "Not exactly. But I've seen enough to know what happens when someone tries to control something they haven't accepted."

Selena folded her arms. "And what's your great solution, then?"

Darius stepped closer, his voice lowering. "Stop treating it like something separate. It's yours now. The moment you let go of that hesitation, it will settle."

Selena stared at him, turning his words over in her mind.

Was that really the problem? Was she holding back without realizing it?

Darius took her silence as understanding. "Think on it," he said before stepping past her. "You don't have forever."

Selena watched as he disappeared into the mist, his presence fading like a ghost.

She exhaled, turning her gaze upward to the endless twilight sky.

Maybe it was time to stop fighting and start listening.

After her encounter with Darius, she made her way to a cliff her father used to bring her when she was a kid.

As Selena settled onto the cliff's edge, the wind brushed against her skin, carrying the familiar scent of the Realm—the crispness of the highlands, the faint earthiness of the Obsidian Wastes, and the cool dampness of the rivers that cut through the land. The Shadow Realm stretched before her in all its glory, bathed in the soft light of the early morning.

This place had always been a refuge. A place where her father once stood beside her, pointing out the lands he swore to protect. She could almost hear his voice in the wind, a distant echo of memories that felt both comforting and painful.

Selena inhaled deeply, letting the crisp air fill her lungs as she clenched her fists.

She had spent two weeks battling this new shadow, struggling to make it submit, and she would not stop until she succeeded. But beyond that—beyond simply regaining control—she had made her decision.

Her father had been the Guardian, the Kovo, the one who led, the one who bore the weight of the Realm's protection. That was never meant to be her path. But Sage Henri… he had been the guiding hand, the voice of wisdom and strength behind the scenes. And now that position was empty.

She wasn't her father, but she could follow his teachings in her own way.

Seth had walked this path once, leading the Realm with strength and wisdom. If she was to follow him, it wouldn't be in his shadow, but in her own way, on her own terms.

She would walk this new path, not as her father's daughter, but as herself.

She would become the Shadow Realm's new Sage.

But first—she would tame her new shadow.

*********