The sounds faded. Even the air stilled. suspended, as if time itself held its breath.
Shadows slithered between the charred pillars of the royal hall, creeping like black serpents across the stone floor, devouring every flicker of light. The flames in the braziers quivered... then died, one after another, until the entire chamber drowned in a suffocating darkness.
Then..
Tap... Tap...
Footsteps echoed. Slow. Deliberate. Each step struck like a hammer against the heart of the world.
Through the veil of smoke and shadow, a figure emerged.
A black cloak flowed behind him like living mist, shifting and coiling with a mind of its own. His face was hidden within the gloom. only his eyes shone, pale white embers glowing like demonic coals in the depths of night.
He raised one hand.
The ground beneath him cracked open in silence, as if the stone itself feared to scream. From the abyss below burst forth chains wrought of pure darkness. serpents from the void, twisting through the air. They coiled around the royal guards and dragged them down, silent and final, vanishing into the chasm.
Then he spoke.
"Who dares speak my name…?"
His voice was no louder than a whisper, but it struck like a shard of ice through every chest in the room. A whisper and a storm, fused together. The world seemed to flinch.
Everyone dropped to their knees.
From among them, three figures stood apart. three young strangers, barely more than boys.
A moment passed. Then one of them stepped forward.
he said "My name is Rayan," his voice steady despite the tremor beneath his skin. "Your Majesty Arvak… we have come to learn the ways of the Dark Side. I carry the Integrated Side within me, and I must understand the darkness."
-Arvak (Character Art)
Arvak's eyes narrowed, cold and ancient. he asked "And why should I teach you?"
Another stepped forward. taller, his stance tense with hidden fear. But he masked it well.
Malrick said, bowing slightly. "We seek strength To destroy the one who slew the dragon. To free this world from the plague of nightmares."
For a moment, silence. Then Arvak's expression shifted. slightly. Was it amusement? Respect? It was hard to tell beneath the shadowed hood.
He asked "And you?" turning to the third.
The boy met Arvak's gaze with eyes like frost.
Orien with cold reaction "I want nothing from this place i walk the path of Cold. There is no benefit for me here."
Arvak nodded once, then turned back to the others.
"Then you two, who seek the Dark. what are your names?"
He pointed at the first boy, his presence heavy as gravity.
Came the reply. "I am Rayan,"
"Come here, Rayan. Stand before me."
Rayan hesitated, but only for a moment. Step by step, he approached the King of Shadows, the weight of unseen power pressing down with every stride. When he stood before him, Arvak placed a hand upon his shoulder.
Darkness bloomed from the king's palm. living, writhing, ancient. It crawled into Rayan's body like ink spilled into water. The light in his eyes dimmed as shadows filled his veins.
Then, with a gasp, Rayan collapsed to the ground.
Arvak turned his gaze to Malrick.
"Your turn."