Inside his mind Torrack could feel energy, energy pouring into him like an unstoppable river, divine and ancient, filling every fibre of his being. His body no longer felt like his own as the overwhelming surge continued. The intensity was beyond comprehension, and he soon lost all sense of time. Then, as if something had snapped inside him, the memories began to flood in—thousands of years of the dragon's existence washed over him, mingling with his own memories. The weight of centuries pressed down on his mind, and he felt as though he might vanish under the strain.
Every battle the dragon had fought, every secret it had learned, and every sorrow it had endured rushed through Torrack's consciousness. He clung on as long as he could, but even with his strength, it was too much. His mind fractured under the burden, and for a brief moment, everything went dark.
He was in the void again, floating between worlds. "Hello, Torrack," a familiar voice echoed in the emptiness. He opened his eyes—or at least, he thought he did—and there, before him, stood the Dark One. Torrack could see his form much clearer than before. His white eyes glowed against the dark, his face was not human, and his body was an ever-shifting shadow, but now Torrack could make out the shape more distinctly.
"You," Torrack breathed. "What happened? Am I dead… again?"
The Dark One's eyes narrowed slightly, as though irritated by Torrack's confusion. "You can say that," he replied, his voice cold but not without a hint of amusement. "The power of the dragon was too much for your mind and body to handle all at once. You've temporarily left the living world, but not permanently."
Torrack tried to gather his thoughts, but everything felt jumbled. "So, what happens now? Have I failed?"
The Dark One shook his head. "No, Torrack. You have not failed. We foresaw that you would not be able to handle the full power immediately. It was necessary to bring you here so that we could place a portion of the dragon's essence into a holding realm. The rest will be released to you gradually, as you grow stronger."
Torrack's brow furrowed. "Gradually? What do you mean?"
The Dark One stepped closer, towering over Torrack as his voice rumbled through the void. "As you continue your journey, the dragon's memories and abilities will pour into you bit by bit. Each time you grow stronger—mentally, physically, spiritually—you will unlock more of what the dragon left behind. This is not just a gift. It is your fate, your responsibility. This world needs you now more than ever. War is brewing. Thousands will die. Perhaps you can prevent that… or perhaps not."
The weight of those words hit Torrack like a punch to the gut. "What do you mean? What kind of power did this dragon have? Why me?"
The Dark One's expression darkened, impatience flickering in his white eyes. "The dragon's primary power is none other than creation itself. With it, you will be able to shape the world around you, to bring into existence whatever you can imagine. That alone makes the dragon more powerful than many gods who rule the cosmos. When he dies, he will join us as a god, with dominion over multiple worlds."
"Creation…" Torrack repeated, the enormity of it settling in. He could feel his heart race, his mind spinning with the possibilities. "And what else? What other powers did the dragon have?"
"The dragon was ancient and wise, with many abilities beyond even your understanding," the Dark One replied, his voice low and dangerous. "But like the power of creation, these abilities will come to you only when your body and mind are strong enough to handle them. You will have to train—meditate, grow, and learn to wield this power with care. Your potential is limitless now. Your body will change. Your mind will evolve. You will be capable of things beyond your wildest dreams… but you will also face greater challenges than you can imagine."
Torrack stood in the void, trying to process everything the Dark One had said. He could feel the weight of the dragon's power resting in the corners of his consciousness, waiting, lurking. He wanted to ask more, to understand what this all meant, but the Dark One raised a hand, cutting him off.
"Enough," the god said sharply. "I have other matters to attend to, and so do you. There is war brewing, Torrack. The balance of this world is shifting. Choose a side, or don't. Create your own side if you wish. You have the power to shape this world as you see fit. But know this—your actions will have consequences, and your power will attract others. Some will seek to follow you, while others will wish to destroy you. This is the life i have chosen for you.
Torrack felt his stomach twist in knots. "I… I don't know if I'm ready."
The Dark One's eyes flashed with impatience. "You will be. There is no other choice."
Before Torrack could respond, the Dark One snapped his fingers, and the void around them began to ripple. Torrack felt himself being pulled away, back toward his body. As he drifted away, the Dark One's voice echoed in his mind one last time.
"The forest is now yours to rule. This is your kingdom, Torrack. You are the vessel of the dragon's memories, and you will continue his work in this world."
The voice faded, and Torrack's consciousness began to return to the living world. He felt the weight of his body again, the cold stone beneath his hands. But before he opened his eyes, he heard one final whisper in his mind.
"Thank you."
It was the dragon's voice, a quiet, distant echo. Torrack could feel the last traces of the creature's essence leaving him, vanishing into the ether. The dragon was gone.
Torrack opened his eyes, blinking rapidly as the world came into focus. The cave was still, silent. Shadow's massive form was fading into the air, dissolving into nothingness, his long life finally at its end. Torrack watched as the last remnants of the dragon disappeared, leaving behind only a whisper of his presence.
Kaelith was kneeling beside him, her eyes wide with concern. "Torrack, are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Torrack turned to her, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, he saw her face. His vision was clear, sharp, every detail illuminated in the soft glow of the cave's crystals. His breath caught in his throat as the realization dawned on him.
"I can see," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Kaelith gasped, her eyes filling with relief and wonder. "You… you can see?"
Torrack nodded slowly, still in awe of the clarity of his vision. He could see everything—the vibrant colors of the cavern, the gentle flicker of the crystals, the worry in Kaelith's eyes. And beyond that, he could feel the energy pulsing around him, the forest's life force now connected to him in ways he couldn't yet comprehend.
The chapter had ended, but Torrack knew his journey had only just begun.