"To seek power in the darkness is to willingly step into the jaws of the unknown. Only those who fear nothing can wield such power, and even they are consumed in time."
---
Dawn broke with a faint gray light filtering through the forest canopy as Steven made his way toward the Tomb of Shadows. The name alone stirred something primal in him—an instinctual warning that this place was not meant for mortals. But Steven had long since abandoned any notion of turning back. The deeper he ventured into this new world, the more clearly he saw his path. And if that path led him to an ancient tomb steeped in danger, so be it.
His mind raced with thoughts of the mysterious figure who had approached him the night before. The encounter had left him more curious than afraid. Someone knew about his powers—someone who claimed to know others like him. But who could this person be? And what was waiting for him inside the tomb?
The landscape around him began to shift as he neared his destination. The vibrant greenery of the forest gave way to twisted trees with gnarled roots, their bark blackened as though scorched by some ancient fire. The air grew cold, and the light seemed to fade even though the sun had fully risen. Shadows clung to everything, twisting unnaturally across the ground.
Steven felt the weight of the Blood Enchantment pulsing inside him, a dark energy that mirrored the gloom of the tomb. His sword hung at his side, ready for whatever came next.
---
The entrance to the Tomb of Shadows appeared suddenly, as if the earth itself had swallowed up the surrounding forest and left only a gaping maw. Two massive stone doors, covered in faded runes and dark vines, loomed before him. They were carved with images of serpents, their eyes gleaming with a malevolent intelligence that made Steven's skin crawl.
He reached out, placing a hand on the stone. The moment his fingers touched the cold surface, a wave of energy surged through him, sending a shiver down his spine. The doors creaked, slowly opening with a sound like the groaning of an ancient beast.
The air that rushed out was stale and thick, carrying with it the smell of decay and something far older. It was as if the tomb had been sealed for centuries, waiting for someone foolish enough to enter.
Steven hesitated for only a moment before stepping inside.
---
The tomb's interior was vast, far larger than the entrance suggested. The ceiling stretched high above, lost in shadows, and the walls were lined with rows of stone statues—warriors, priests, and kings, their faces frozen in eternal anguish. A faint, flickering light illuminated the path ahead, leading deeper into the heart of the tomb.
Steven's footsteps echoed in the silence as he moved cautiously forward. His senses were heightened, the Blood Enchantment coursing through his veins like a coiled snake ready to strike. He knew better than to assume he was alone. This place was ancient, but it wasn't abandoned.
As he ventured deeper into the tomb, he began to notice subtle movements in the shadows—small flickers at the edge of his vision. He turned quickly, sword drawn, but there was nothing. Only silence.
"Keep your wits about you, Steven," he muttered to himself. "This place is playing tricks on your mind."
But he couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching him.
---
After what felt like hours of walking, the tunnel opened up into a massive chamber. At its center was a stone altar, surrounded by ancient, crumbling pillars. Dark energy pulsed through the air, thick and oppressive, like a living thing. Steven could feel it pushing against him, urging him to turn back, to flee. But he ignored it. This was what he had come for.
The figure from the previous night stood by the altar, their cloak blending into the darkness around them. They raised their head as Steven entered the chamber, their sharp eyes gleaming in the dim light.
"You came," the figure said, their voice echoing off the stone walls.
"I don't make a habit of backing out of deals," Steven replied, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "What's this place?"
The figure gestured to the altar. "The Tomb of Shadows is one of the oldest places in this world. It was built by those who sought power beyond their reach—those who, like you, wanted more than what the gods gave them. This altar… it's where they made their sacrifices."
Steven stepped closer, inspecting the runes etched into the stone. They were similar to the ones Garick had shown him during the ritual, but older, more intricate. "Sacrifices for what?"
"Power," the figure replied. "But not just any power. The kind that bends the fabric of reality itself. The kind that makes you more than human."
Steven's eyes narrowed. "Why are you showing me this?"
"Because you're not ready," the figure said bluntly. "You've tasted power, but you haven't learned to control it. The enchantments you wield are dangerous—especially the Blood Enchantment. If you keep relying on it without understanding its true nature, it will consume you."
Steven's hand tightened on his sword. "I've survived this long."
The figure's lips curled into a smirk. "For now. But there are forces in this world that want to see you fail. The voice you heard in the forest—it wasn't the last warning you'll get. There are those who would use you for their own ends. If you want to survive, if you want to conquer this world and beyond, you need to learn. You need to master what's inside you."
Steven's gaze locked onto the altar, the dark energy swirling around it like a vortex. He could feel it pulling at him, tempting him with promises of power beyond his wildest dreams. But the figure's words echoed in his mind: not ready
He hated the idea that he wasn't strong enough, that there were still forces out there beyond his control. But if this place held the key to unlocking his full potential, then he wasn't leaving without it.
"What do I need to do?" Steven asked, his voice firm.
The figure stepped closer, their eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "There's a ritual. One that will bind you to this place, to the power within it. But it comes with a cost."
"Of course it does," Steven muttered. "What's the price?"
The figure's voice dropped to a whisper. "Blood. But not yours."
Steven's stomach twisted. He had expected something like this, but hearing it confirmed left a bitter taste in his mouth. "Whose blood?"
"The tomb demands a life—a sacrifice to seal the bond between you and the power that lies here. It doesn't matter who, as long as the life is willingly given."
Steven's mind raced. He had no problem with killing when necessary, but this… this was different. A sacrifice. He would be crossing a line he hadn't fully considered before.
The figure watched him closely. "If you hesitate, if you refuse, the power will remain out of reach. But once the ritual is complete, no one in this world or any other will be able to stop you."
Steven clenched his jaw, weighing his options. This was the opportunity he had been searching for—real power, the kind that would allow him to dominate not just this world, but the infinite realities beyond. But the cost… the cost was steep.
He thought back to the villagers in Farlan's Rest, to the few allies he had made along the way. He had never cared much for loyalty or friendship, but even he knew that once he crossed this line, there would be no going back.
His eyes flicked to the figure. "I'll do it," he said, his voice cold and steady. "But I choose the target."
The figure nodded, their expression unreadable. "Very well. You know where to find me when it's done."
With that, the figure turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Steven alone in the vast, empty chamber. The oppressive energy of the tomb pressed down on him, and for the first time in a long while, Steven felt the weight of the choices he was about to make.
---
As he left the tomb and made his way back to the village, his mind churned with plans. The road to power was growing darker, and the choices he made now would define the path he would walk.
Steven knew that the next step was inevitable. He had chosen this life, chosen to walk the path of power at any cost. And now, it was time to pay the price.
Who would it be?