The Prince Of Power

Chapter 14: The Price of Power

Riven's words hung in the air, and the room seemed to grow colder as the last echoes of his declaration faded. "Not for you. Not for anyone." His gaze locked with Veyna's, his heart pounding—not with fear, but with the deep knowledge that things were about to spiral out of control.

Veyna didn't flinch, her lips curling into that same cold smile. "You'll find your way soon enough, Shadowborn. But make no mistake—" She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "—the Syndicate will have its power, and you will serve it, or you will burn."

Riven's jaw tightened. He could feel the weight of her words, but they didn't faze him. The Syndicate and its rules were just another chain he had to break free from.

The assassins that had been bound by his Shadow Chains stirred slightly, but Riven could tell they weren't out of the fight yet. He turned his back to them, the shadow creatures at his feet flickering like a subtle warning.

"Take them out of my sight," Riven ordered to Veyna, his voice as cold as the shadows now swirling around him.

Veyna glanced at the still-struggling assassins, her eyes sharp with amusement. "Of course, Shadowborn. You seem eager to play your part."

As the Sable Knives were dragged from the room, the tension in the air finally began to settle, though Riven couldn't shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at the back of his mind. His new abilities—the shadow manipulation, the chains, and the powerful presence he had over the darkness—were growing stronger by the day. But he still didn't know the full extent of what he had become.

The documents were still spread out before him on the table—an intricate web of secrets, allies, and rivals. They weren't just about power or control anymore. Riven had glimpsed something far darker, something tied to his Shadowborn essence and the Black Dawn, the mysterious cult mentioned repeatedly in the papers. The Catacombs of the Lost—the hidden place marked on the map—was now his next target, but something told him it wasn't just a place. It was a key. A key to what, though? Riven wasn't sure.

His thoughts were interrupted by the echoing footsteps in the hall. Veyna had left the room, but the shadows inside him whispered, urging him forward. This was his chance to finally make a decision.

Power. Control. Freedom.

It had always been a struggle for Riven. His life had never been about simple choices, and the paths before him now were even less clear. He knew the Syndicate wasn't the answer. Neither were the Sable Knives.

The only truth he had was that the shadows had chosen him—whether he liked it or not.

He had barely left the room when a Syndicate agent appeared, his face hidden beneath a black mask. The man was quick, efficient, and respectful of Riven's authority.

"Lord Veyna wishes to see you," the agent said, his tone flat. "There is an urgent matter requiring your presence."

Riven nodded and followed the agent through the narrow corridors of the Syndicate's underground lair. He couldn't help but feel the oppressive weight of the Syndicate's influence bearing down on him. They wanted his loyalty, but he had other ideas in mind.

As they reached the inner chamber, Lady Veyna stood before a large desk, her fingers tracing the edge of a map. The map didn't show Black Hollow—it showed the Catacombs of the Lost.

"We have work to do," Veyna said without looking up. "The Sable Knives will not wait long to retaliate. You have a key mission, Shadowborn. It is time to find the heart of the Black Dawn."

Riven didn't flinch. The Catacombs were clearly part of the Syndicate's larger plan, but what were they really after? More power? More control?

"I'm not here for your schemes, Veyna," Riven replied, his voice calm but firm. "I'm here to finish what I started."

She raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Riven could feel her eyes on him, studying him, measuring him.

"Then you will find yourself in the depths soon enough," she replied cryptically. "But remember this—you aren't the only one with secrets. And the Black Dawn isn't just about power. It's about influence, and the true war will begin when they find you."

The Catacombs of the Lost were on the outskirts of the city, long abandoned and forgotten. They were said to be impossible to navigate, a labyrinth where the walls themselves shifted and ancient traps still awaited the unwary.

Riven wasn't afraid of the darkness that waited there. He was the shadow, the one who controlled it. But the deeper he went, the more he could feel it calling. The power within him—the shadows that had awakened—felt like a pull, urging him toward the catacombs.

He had barely reached the outskirts when he was met by a cloaked figure—an assassin from the Sable Knives. The figure moved like a wraith, and Riven's instincts flared. There was no mistake. This wasn't just an assassin; this was a high-ranking member, one of the elite.

"Shadowborn," the assassin spoke softly, their voice carrying a weight that made Riven tense. "I'm here to offer you a choice."

"A choice?" Riven's hand hovered near his blade, his shadow chains already swirling at his sides.

"We don't need to be enemies," the assassin said, stepping closer. "You and I share the same power. You feel it, don't you? The pull of the Black Dawn. They seek to control the shadows. But they will not have you."

Riven narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"

The assassin's eyes gleamed with dark understanding. "Come with us. Join the Sable Knives. Together, we can take control of the Black Dawn before they can use it to destroy us all."

Riven considered the offer. But there was something in the assassin's eyes—something that didn't sit right with him. They weren't offering an alliance. They were offering submission.

"I don't join anyone," Riven said coldly, his shadow chains snapping to attention, coiling like serpents ready to strike.

The assassin's gaze hardened. "Then I'll make sure you never reach the Catacombs alive."

The moment the assassin lunged, Riven's Shadow Chains shot forward, wrapping around the assassin's wrists and neck. With a swift motion, Riven pulled them close, driving a dagger deep into their chest. The assassin's eyes went wide with surprise, and for a moment, Riven saw something resembling regret flicker in their gaze.

But it was too late.

As the body crumpled to the ground, Riven felt a rush of power surge through him. The shadows around him seemed to whisper, growing stronger with every passing second. The Catacombs of the Lost were just ahead, and the Black Dawn's true intentions were about to be revealed.

Riven stepped over the assassin's body and moved forward, the shadows parting for him as he ventured into the darkness.

END OF CHAPTER 14