NARIO

### **Synopsis:**

**Title: "Dominion of the Monstrous"**

Dominic never believed in monsters—not the way the old tales spoke of them. But everything changes when his father, in his final moments, reveals a chilling secret: Dominic possesses a rare gift—the ability to control the very monsters that have haunted humanity for centuries. 

After his father's death, Dominic is thrust into a world of danger and uncertainty. A massive, deadly beast, whom he names Nightshade, begins following him, obeying his commands with eerie loyalty. But as the creatures around him grow more aggressive, Dominic discovers the deeper truth of his lineage: he's the last of an ancient bloodline capable of controlling these beings, and his power runs deeper than he can imagine.

As he struggles to understand his newfound abilities, Dominic finds himself torn between using this power for good or succumbing to the dark forces that seek to use him as their weapon. When his father mysteriously returns—not as the man Dominic remembers, but as something twisted by the very creatures he controlled—Dominic is forced to confront the truth about his family's legacy and the monsters that are drawn to him.

Now, with enemies closing in and monsters lurking at every corner, Dominic must master his gift before it consumes him, or he risks becoming the very thing he fears. But the line between control and destruction is razor-thin, and the fate of both humanity and the monstrous world rests on his shoulders.

**"Dominion of the Monstrous"** is a tale of power, legacy, and the cost of control, set against a world where the line between monster and man is not as clear as it seems. Can Dominic survive the power within him, or will the monsters inside and out claim him forever?

dominion of the monstrous

### Chapter 15: The Gap Between Us

The air was thick with tension. My body ached from the repeated takedowns, but I wasn't about to give up.

Kael stood a few feet away, arms relaxed at his sides, his usual unreadable expression in place. It pissed me off. Not because he was being arrogant—he wasn't even *trying*.

"Again," I said, wiping the sweat off my forehead.

Ember groaned. "Dom, are you *trying* to get yourself killed?"

Kael tilted his head slightly. "No. If I wanted him dead, he wouldn't be standing."

Ember scowled. "Not helping, Kael."

He ignored her. "But fine. One more round."

I clenched my fists. This time, I wasn't going to rush in blindly. I reached for the bond, feeling the presence of Nightshade swirling in my chest. My heartbeat synced with its energy.

Kael watched. Waiting. Testing me.

With a burst of speed, I feinted left before shifting right, aiming a strike at his ribs. Kael barely reacted. At the last second, he twisted—effortless, precise—dodging my hit like I was moving in slow motion.

I barely registered his counter before my vision blurred.

A *shockwave* of force slammed into me.

It wasn't even a hit—just a shift in air pressure from Kael's movement. But it sent me flying.

I crashed into the dirt, rolling before I could stop myself. My lungs burned. My entire body *felt* the difference between us.

Kael wasn't just faster. He wasn't just stronger. He was *on a completely different level*.

Kael sighed. "That was me using about ten percent."

I froze. Ember looked equally horrified. "*That* was ten percent?"

I stared at him. "You've got to be kidding."

Kael studied me for a moment, then continued. "You're improving. But right now, the difference between us is too big. If someone stronger than you comes after you, and I'm not there—"

Kael nodded. "Worse than that. You'll die."

Ember crossed her arms. "Great pep talk, Kael. Really motivational."

Kael ignored her. He turned to me. "I'm not saying this to discourage you. I'm saying it so you *understand* what's at stake. You have power. But power isn't enough. You need *control*. Right now, you rely on instincts. That won't always work."

I gritted my teeth. I hated that he was right.

Kael relaxed slightly. "But you *are* improving."

That caught me off guard. "I am?"

He nodded. "Slowly. But improvement is improvement."

Kael turned toward the forest. "Now? We move. Something is coming."

That snapped me out of my frustration. "What?"

His eyes narrowed. "I don't know yet. But it's big."

A chill ran down my spine. If *Kael* was taking something seriously, it had to be bad.

Ember sighed. "Great. So now we have an unknown monster after us. Again."

Kael smirked slightly. "At least this time, you have a *tiny* chance of survival."

Kael didn't respond. He just started walking, leaving me with the unsettling realization—