The Gathering Storm

The fortress walls pulsed with shadow, the air heavy with ancient power. Kalen could still feel the remnants of Darian's trial coursing through his veins. His hands trembled—not from exhaustion, but from something else.

Understanding.

The darkness wasn't an enemy. It wasn't a curse.

It was part of him.

Renna and Varik stood beside him, their gazes fixed on Darian, who leaned back on his throne, watching them with something akin to amusement.

"You've taken your first step, Shadowborn."

Kalen didn't respond. He was still processing the vision—the apocalyptic ruin Darian had shown them. The world burning. The Forsaken consuming everything.

"The war has already begun, hasn't it?" Renna's voice was quiet, yet firm.

Darian smirked.

"It never ended."

The words chilled Kalen more than any battlefield ever had.

The Forsaken's First Move

A sudden shudder ran through the fortress. The ground beneath them vibrated.

Kalen's instincts flared.

Something was wrong.

Darian stood swiftly, his silver-black eyes narrowing.

"They found us."

Kalen barely had time to process those words before the shadows trembled.

And then—they attacked.

The walls split open as monstrous creatures poured in.

Twisted beings of ashen skin and hollow eyes.

Forsaken.

They moved like phantoms, their bodies shifting between solid and mist, their eyes burning with an unnatural glow.

Varik was the first to react. His blade flashed, cutting through the nearest Forsaken—only for it to dissolve into smoke and reform behind him.

Renna raised her hands, summoning a blast of fire. The flames struck one of the creatures, making it screech—but it didn't fall.

Kalen didn't hesitate.

He reached into the shadows, pulling at the new power within him—and the darkness responded.

Tendrils of pure void lashed out, striking three of the creatures at once. They writhed, their forms distorting.

For the first time, they looked afraid.

Darian laughed.

"Good. Now let's see how far you've come."

A Battle of Shadows

The chamber erupted into chaos.

Darian moved like a ghost, his blade slicing through the Forsaken with unnerving precision. Every step he took was a dance of death.

Renna and Varik fought beside him, their attacks relentless.

But Kalen was focused on something else.

The shadows around him whispered.

Use us.

Shape us.

He closed his eyes—and let go.

The darkness surged.

It wrapped around him like a second skin, weaving through his limbs, amplifying his speed, his strength.

When he moved, he didn't just strike.

He consumed.

A Forsaken lunged at him—Kalen raised his hand. A spear of shadow formed instantly, piercing straight through the creature.

It screamed—and vanished.

They can't regenerate if you consume their essence.

Darian's words rang in his mind.

Kalen turned to another Forsaken. This time, he didn't just attack. He pulled.

The shadows wrapped around the creature, sinking into it, devouring its form.

It let out a horrible, twisted wail—and then collapsed into nothing.

Kalen exhaled.

He was winning.

But then—

A new presence entered the battlefield.

The Harbinger

The air grew heavy.

A ripple passed through the fortress, sending cracks along the stone walls.

Darian froze.

Renna gasped, stepping back.

Varik cursed.

Kalen turned—and saw him.

A figure stood at the entrance, wrapped in a cloak of endless void. His face was hidden beneath a hood, but the sheer malice radiating from him was suffocating.

"The Forsaken welcome you, Shadowborn."

Kalen's blood ran cold.

This wasn't an ordinary Forsaken.

This was one of their leaders.

Darian's expression was grim.

"Harbinger."

The figure stepped forward, his presence warping the very air.

"You've meddled too long, Darian."

Darian smirked, but there was no amusement in his eyes.

"And you've hidden for too long."

Kalen barely had time to react before the Harbinger moved.

One moment he was standing at the entrance.

The next—he was in front of them.

His hand shot forward.

Darian blocked—barely.

The impact shook the fortress.

Kalen staggered, eyes wide.

Darian was strong.

But against the Harbinger—he was struggling.

"This is bad." Varik muttered.

Renna's hands glowed with magic, but her expression was tight.

Kalen gritted his teeth.

He had just begun to understand his power.

But now—he had to use it.

The Decision

The Harbinger pushed Darian back, his cloak shifting like liquid shadow.

"The Shadowborn belongs to us."

Kalen stepped forward.

"No."

The Harbinger paused.

"You dare defy your destiny?"

Kalen's hands clenched.

He could feel the shadows inside him stirring.

Not with fear.

But with resolve.

"I choose my own fate."

The Harbinger tilted his head.

Then—he laughed.

It was a sound that sent a chill through the room.

"Then prove it."

The shadows around him exploded.

And the real battle began.

End of Chapter 16