Chapter 50: Absorption of the Shadow Reaper's Power

The dust of battle hung heavy in the air as the last remnants of the labyrinth crumbled around them. The shadows had been obliterated, and Veyros, the Shadow Reaper, was no more. The silence that followed felt unnatural, as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for the aftermath to settle.

Elias sat on his knees, his body still pulsing with the remnants of the God Slayer power. It had been a force unlike anything he had ever felt before, an overwhelming surge of speed, strength, and divine wrath. But now, as the energy subsided, he was left with the weight of exhaustion and a newfound understanding of the power he had unlocked.

He looked over at Althea, who was sitting beside him, her body still pale but her eyes filled with relief. Her breathing was slow and steady now, her life no longer hanging in the balance. Elias felt a rush of gratitude for her, but his mind remained focused on the task ahead.

The God Slayer power had served its purpose. But now... now he needed to move forward. The trial was not over, and he still had so much more to face. The sense of urgency in his chest was growing, but as he stared down at his hands, he felt something else stir within him. The darkness that had once consumed the labyrinth was now a part of him, and as Veyros had perished, Elias could feel the remnants of the Shadow Reaper's essence whispering in his mind.

"Veyros' power..." Elias muttered, his voice raspy. His body trembled slightly as he felt the presence of the god's essence within him, the shadowy tendrils of darkness curling around his soul.

Althea glanced at him with a mix of concern and curiosity. "Elias? What is it?"

He slowly closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He had been through so much already, but this.... this felt different. There was a shift within him, something that went beyond mere strength. It was as if the essence of Veyros himself was offering to become a part of him-offering him new abilities, new powers that could push him further down the path he had set out on.

"I can feel it," Elias murmured. "The power of the Shadow Reaper... it's inside me now."

A cold shiver ran down his spine as the whispers became clearer. The shadows had a mind of their own, a will to bend reality and hide from the world. They had been a weapon of Veyros, and now, that weapon was his.

Without warning, Elias raised his hand, and the darkness responded. A wave of shadowy tendrils shot up from the ground, curling around his fingers as though they were alive. The air. grew cold, and the ground beneath him seemed to pulse with a strange energy..

"I can control it," he whispered to himself. "I can bend it to my will."

He focused, his mind locking onto the shadows.

that had once been his enemy. He had absorbed the power of the Shadow Reaper, and now, those shadows bent to his will. He could feel the essence of darkness seeping into his very being, filling the empty spaces within him with new power. It was almost intoxicating, the raw energy surging within him.

System Alert: You have absorbed the power of Veyros, the Shadow Reaper. New Skills Unlocked:

1. Shadow Manipulation You can manipulate the shadows to attack, defend, and move through spaces unseen. The shadows obey your command and can take on various

forms and strengths.

2. Void Step A movement ability that allows you to merge with shadows, enabling you to phase through walls or move instantly from one shadow to another. This ability works in

both light and darkness.

3. Eternal Darkness You can create a field of darkness around you, blinding and disorienting your enemies. In this field, you can see and move freely while enemies are left vulnerable.

4. Shadowstrike A devastating attack that

channels the power of the void into a single strike, cutting through armor, flesh, and bone. The strike leaves behind a lingering

curse, weakening enemies over time. 5. Nightmare Realm (Enhanced) You can now enter the minds of your enemies, creating illusions that trap them in their deepest fears. This ability can be used to weaken or immobilize them.

6. Void Soul Passive ability. The darkness within you strengthens your soul, making you immune to mental attacks and illusions. It also grants you increased resistance to damage from enemies associated with darkness or shadow.

Elias felt the power surge within him as the system's alert ended. The strength of Veyros was now his to wield, but he could feel the weight of it. Darkness was a powerful ally, but it came with its own dangers. It was a double-edged sword-one that could easily consume him if he was not careful.

"You've done it," Althea said softly, her voice bringing him back to the present. "You've absorbed his power. But you must be cautious, Elias. Darkness can be consuming."

Elias nodded, taking a steadying breath. "I know. I feel it too. But for now... I need it. I need to protect you, and I need to finish what I started."

As he stood up, his body still aching from the battle, he felt a new surge of energy coursing through him. The shadows seemed to bow before him, recognizing his authority. He had come so far, and yet, there was still more to do. The surface was calling to them, but for now, Elias had to focus on the journey ahead.

Before he could say anything else, a strange sensation washed over him. The very air around them began to shimmer, the space bending and shifting as though the labyrinth itself was acknowledging their victory.

System Alert: Congratulations. You have completed the fourth

layer.

Returning to the surface in 3... 2... 1...

Before Elias could react, the world around them began to fade. The darkness, the crumbling labyrinth, the chaos of the trial-all of it began to blur into nothingness. He felt the familiar pull of the system as it dragged him and Althea back to the surface.

And just like that, the labyrinth was gone, leaving only the cold silence of the surface world.