The first soldier charged.
Steel clashed against shadow.
But before the blade could touch him, the darkness around Ardyn moved on its own — twisting like living smoke. The soldier was thrown back, crashing into the trees.
The others hesitated.
"Magic…" one of them whispered.
Ardyn stared at his own hands in shock. He didn't know how he did it. He didn't even know what he was doing.
The voice returned.
"Do not resist it. Command it."
"I don't know how!" Ardyn shouted in his mind.
"Feel it."
The flames from the burning village reflected in his eyes. Rage filled his chest. Fear turned into something sharper… stronger.
The shadows answered.
They spread across the ground like a dark tide, wrapping around the soldiers' feet. One by one, they fell, their weapons dropping into the dirt.
The commander stepped forward — taller, heavier armor, crimson cape flowing behind him.
"So… the rumor is true," the commander said calmly. "The heir lives."
Ardyn's breath trembled. "I'm not your heir."
"No," the commander replied. "You are our threat."
He raised his sword — engraved with glowing runes.
The ground cracked beneath his feet as he lunged.
This time the shadows didn't move fast enough.
The blade cut Ardyn's shoulder.
Pain exploded through his body.
He fell to one knee.
The commander lifted his sword again.
"History ends tonight."
But suddenly—
The mark on Ardyn's palm burned brighter than ever before.
A massive wave of darkness erupted outward, swallowing the battlefield.
The soldiers screamed.
The trees bent.
The flames were extinguished in an instant.
When the darkness faded…
The Iron Dominion soldiers were gone.
Only silence remained.
Ardyn stood alone in the ruined village, breathing heavily. The mark on his hand had changed — now surrounded by a faint silver ring.
The voice spoke once more, softer this time.
"The awakening has begun."
Far away, in a black tower beyond the mountains, a hooded figure opened his eyes.
"So… the shadow heir has awakened."
He smiled.
"Prepare the hunters."
To be continued…