Chapter 25: Whisper of Dominion

A few hours had passed since their intimate time with the princess.

Now, Noa sat in the quiet of the chamber, shirtless, a blade in one hand and a glowing vial in the other. Across his forearm, a deep crimson line slowly closed—flesh knitting back together at a sluggish pace. He watched the process intently, brow furrowed in thought.

He'd made the same cut twice now. Once to test his natural regeneration.

And again, to compare.

The princess curled in his lap, arms wrapped around his waist. Her golden hair spilled over his thighs as she looked up at him with a loving, submissive smile—unbothered by the fresh blood staining his skin.

"These potions," Noa said quietly, lifting the uncorked vial to eye level. "They're more effective than I imagined."

He poured a few drops onto the cut. The reaction was immediate—skin sealed, blood vanished, pain erased in seconds.

"Mmm... Yes," the princess murmured, her voice dreamy and full of adoration. "Our alchemist is very talented. I made sure you were given the strongest batch… just in case."

"Talented, huh?" Noa muttered.

He stood smoothly, dressing methodically—buckling straps, adjusting his coat's collar.

"Wear your clothes, Princess," he added without turning, his tone calm but commanding.

The princess blinked, then nodded softly. "Yes, my lord," she whispered, rising from the bed and reaching for her garments with a quiet eagerness.

They stepped out of the chamber, the heavy door clicking shut behind them.

Outside, Selene leaned casually against the stone wall, one leg crossed over the other, an apple in hand with a bored grace. She took a slow bite, golden eyes glinting with mild amusement.

At her feet, Korran lay sprawled on the ground—unconscious, with a faint bruise forming at his temple.

Selene glanced at Noa. "Done?"

"Yup," he replied, adjusting his gloves.

He paused, brow lifting slightly as he looked at the fallen man. "What happened to him?"

Selene took another bite of the apple, chewing leisurely. "He tried sneaking into the room."

Noa smirked faintly. "Bold."

"Stupid," she corrected, her tone flat. "I gave him a warning. He didn't listen."

The princess, now composed and walking gracefully behind Noa, said nothing—only casting a fleeting glance at Korran's body before stepping over it delicately, as if he were no more than a stain on the floor.

Noa glanced over his shoulder as they walked down the corridor, his voice calm but firm.

"So, Princess. Ready a room for me and Selene."

The princess flinched slightly, surprised. "Y-You can stay in… m-my room, if you'd like," she offered hesitantly, her voice soft, hopeful.

Noa gave a faint, polite smile—but his eyes didn't waver.

"I appreciate it, Princess," he said evenly. "But I'd rather not."

There was no cruelty in his tone, but the message was clear.

The princess lowered her gaze, hands clasped in front of her as she nodded. "O-of course. I'll have a room prepared immediately."

Selene, still nibbling her apple, shot Noa a sidelong glance but said nothing. Her lips curled into the barest hint of a smirk.

***

Later, in the room prepared for them, Selene lounged near the window, the curtains swaying gently beside her. She leaned against the sill, arms crossed, golden eyes watching Noa with amused detachment.

"You sure were quick to tame her," she said dryly, one brow arched.

Noa, unbothered, flopped onto the bed with a smug grin. "I know, right? I'm the best."

Selene rolled her eyes, the corner of her mouth twitching into a reluctant smirk. "Cocky today, aren't we?"

"Always," he replied, folding his arms behind his head. "But it's not arrogance if it's true."

Still… who would've thought I'd unlock something like this… in the middle of that?

He mentally pulled up his status, eyes narrowing at the subtle but unmistakable addition

[Tenebris (Living Darkness)]

Description:

A darkness not born from the world—but from within. Manifested from the abyss in Noa's soul, Tenebris is alive. It watches. It whispers. It remembers. Born of trauma, blood, and fury, it cloaks the wielder in a living veil. Defensive, reactive, and always hungry.

Though its power grows with each battle, excessive or reckless use may result in partial loss of control, deepening emotional detachment, or accelerated soul corruption. If left unchecked, Tenebris may one day stop serving Noa and begin controlling him.

Advised- Use only at higher levels of control and mental stability.

Unlocked Effect:

■ Living Veil

The darkness coats your body like a second skin.

Reduces physical and magical damage by 40–60%, scaling with bloodshed, fear, and proximity to death.

Reacts instinctively to danger—sometimes blocking attacks the user doesn't even perceive. The veil moves even when you don't.

■ Whisper of Dominion (Recently Unlocked)

When the user engages in acts of dominance—be it through violence, fear, or corrupted intimacy—Tenebris extends its reach into weakened minds.

Enhances charisma and mental influence. Can compel trust, loyalty, or submission in emotionally vulnerable targets.

Sealed Effects:

■ ???

■ ???

■ ???

■ ???

Noa smirked to himself, the flicker of dark amusement in his eyes not lost on the living shadow that coiled faintly beneath his skin.

He sat up on the edge of the bed and glanced over at Selene, who had since moved to inspect a shelf of old tomes lining the far wall.

"Hey," he called casually. "You said you were gonna teach me, right?"

Selene looked over her shoulder, raising a brow.

"How about now?" he continued, stretching his arms. "This place has a pretty big training ground."

Selene tossed the apple core into a nearby bowl, brushing her hands off with a quiet rustle of leather gloves. "You want to train after that whole royal encounter?"

"I'm feeling motivated," Noa replied, that cocky grin still tugging at the corner of his lips.

Selene rolled her eyes but couldn't fully hide the smirk forming on her lips.

"Fine," she said, heading for the door. "Let's see if you're as talented with magic as you are with princesses."

***

The training ground sprawled before them—stone-paved, open to the sky, with weathered dummies, weapon racks, and sigil-etched targets lining the far wall. Faint scorch marks and cracks in the ground spoke of violent clashes past.

Noa stepped in, his eyes sweeping across the area with quiet curiosity. He liked the space—open, clean, and just rough enough to feel real.

Then, without warning—

Shing.

A silver blur cut through the air.

Instinct screamed. His body jerked back.

Steel passed inches from his throat.

Noa staggered a step, heart pounding, as Selene's blade halted just before sheathing again, a flicker of amusement dancing in her golden eyes.

"What the hell?!" he snapped, turning to face her fully.

Selene shrugged, completely unfazed. "Lesson one. Don't let your guard down—especially around me."

"You could've killed me."

"But I didn't." She grinned faintly. "Which means you passed. Barely."

Noa exhaled sharply, but a smile tugged at his lips.

This was going to be interesting.

Noa dusted off his sleeve, still eyeing her warily.

"Also," he muttered, "I thought you were going to teach me magic—not try to slit my throat."

Selene gave him a look—mock offense, hand to her chest like he'd wounded her pride.

"Oh, I am," she said, sauntering a few steps closer. "But if your reflexes were any slower, you wouldn't survive long enough to cast a single spell. Consider it... a warm-up."

She stopped in front of him, raising a hand.

"Vel'tharos," she murmured—and the darkness curled around her wrist like a living thing

"Magic isn't just about chanting pretty words and flinging fireballs. Not the kind you want to learn, anyway. Darkness obeys the strong… and eats the rest."

Noa's eyes narrowed, his smirk slowly returning.

"Then let's get started."

Noa met Selene's dark gaze, a faint smirk tugging at his lips—but beneath it stirred a flicker of unease.

She even knows I use darkness, he thought, a chill running down his spine despite himself.

Without hesitation, Noa lunged forward, his fist cutting through the air with sharp intent.

Selene moved like liquid—effortless and precise. She sidestepped with a casual grace, her eyes never leaving his.

"Too slow," she said, voice cool but amused.

Noa's fist swished past empty air, momentum carrying him a step forward. He narrowed his eyes, a spark of challenge lighting within.

"Don't hold back," she added, a sly smile curling her lips. "Show me what you've got."

A dark grin spread across Noa's face.

"Oh, I will."

With a swift motion, he unsheathed his sword, the blade gleaming cold under the open sky.

In a fluid arc, he struck toward Selene, his attack sharp and deliberate.

She barely blinked, her body shifting with effortless grace to evade, the faintest hint of a smirk on her lips.

"Better," she said, voice calm yet challenging. "But you'll have to do more than that."

The moment Noa drew his sword, the air seemed to still — thick with unspoken challenge.

They moved faster than the eye could follow, a blur of motion and steel clashing like lightning in a storm.

Selene's voice cut through the chaos, amused and taunting.

"Is that all you've got, Noa? You're slower than I expected."

Before he could respond, her blade sliced through his left forearm, searing pain exploding across his skin.

Noa gritted his teeth. "Not bad for a warm-up."

Another strike—this time his right forearm was cut, blood spraying, then a quick kick took out his leg. He stumbled but didn't fall.

Instinct flared. Shadows writhed over his body as Tenebris awoke, the living veil thickening around him, his sword humming with dark energy.

It reacted faster this time… Was that me, or it?

His eyes glowed crimson as he growled, "Enough."

With primal force, Noa lunged, driving his blade deep into Selene's side.

She gasped, a flicker of surprise flashing in her eyes.

Then, with a wicked grin, Selene spun and delivered a brutal kick to his chest, sending him crashing back.

"No mercy, Noa. You'll need more than that to beat me."

Noa struggled to rise, darkness swirling, hunger growing.

"This isn't over," he snarled, shadows pulsing stronger, "I'm just getting started."

Noa pushed himself up, legs shaking but determined. His eyes gleamed unnaturally—deep crimson flickers swirling within.

Without warning, he vanished—an instant shadow, silent and deadly.

A sharp, clean cut—Selene's neck was severed in a flash.

For a breathless moment, the world seemed to freeze.

Then, with a casual flick, Selene caught her own head in one hand.

Her fingers gripped the severed throat and, with a fluid, almost bored motion, she reattached it. Flesh knitted and bone aligned as if it were nothing more than a broken toy.

Selene's golden eyes locked on Noa, calm and unbothered.

"You've got to be kidding me," Noa muttered, a slow smile spreading across his face.

What the hell is she?