Dante moved through the dense forest, his steps light but purposeful. The shadows that had once only lingered at the edge of his awareness now responded to his call, swirling at his feet like obedient servants. He was learning to control them, to bend them to his will. Every flick of his wrist, every command of his mind, seemed to solidify his mastery over the newfound power. But it wasn't enough. Not yet.
The system's voice echoed in his mind, calm and mechanical.
[New Quest: The Path of Shadows – Unlock the second level of Shadow Manipulation.]
Dante grinned, a cold, sharp grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. He welcomed the challenge. Power was his only pursuit, and this quest would be just another step toward his ultimate goal. He wasn't interested in fighting for anyone else's cause or carrying burdens for those too weak to carry their own. The world had its heroes—let them have their noble battles. He was no hero.
The clearing opened up before him, revealing an ancient stone temple, half-buried by the overgrowth of centuries. The air around the structure was thick with a dark, heavy energy that pulsed in time with his heartbeat. This was the place the system had directed him to. If the next stage of his abilities lay here, he would claim it, no matter the cost.
A rustle in the bushes behind him caught his attention. Without turning, Dante spoke, his voice flat and unamused. "I told you to stay behind, Selene."
Selene stepped into the clearing, her silver hair glinting in the fading sunlight. Her eyes, crystal blue and sharp as ever, scanned the temple before resting on Dante. "You didn't seriously expect me to listen, did you?"
Dante sighed, letting his irritation show. "What do you want?"
"I want to know what you're really after," she said, crossing her arms. "You've been different ever since the system upgraded your abilities. More... detached. You're pushing us all away."
Dante turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "And? What's your point?"
Selene frowned, clearly not expecting such a cold response. "We're supposed to be working together. You, me, Lillith—the others. We're a team. Or did you forget that?"
Dante's lips twisted into a smirk, though there was no warmth in it. "A team, huh? Let me make something clear, Selene. I don't need a team. I don't need anyone."
Her eyes narrowed, her posture stiffening. "So, you're just going to keep using us until you get what you want?"
"I never said you were useful to me," Dante replied, his voice calm, as if stating a fact. "You're here because you want to be. But don't mistake that for some bond of loyalty. I'm after power. Pure, unrestrained power. And if you can't keep up, you're dead weight."
Selene opened her mouth to respond, but Dante had already turned away, his attention shifting back to the temple. The conversation was over as far as he was concerned. He could feel the pull of the place, the dark energy beckoning him closer, promising him more strength if only he reached out and took it.
Without another word, Dante approached the entrance of the temple. Vines and moss clung to the weathered stone, but as he stepped closer, the shadows around him began to ripple, parting the foliage as if making way for him. The ancient doors creaked open, revealing a staircase descending into the earth.
"Stay here," Dante commanded, glancing back at Selene. "This is something I have to do alone."
Selene's jaw clenched, but she didn't argue. She knew it would be pointless.
Dante descended into the darkness, the air growing colder with each step. The deeper he went, the stronger the pull of the shadows became, wrapping around him like a cloak. He embraced it, letting the darkness feed his growing hunger for power.
At the bottom of the stairs, the corridor opened into a vast chamber. The walls were lined with ancient runes, glowing faintly with a sinister light. In the center of the room stood a stone pedestal, atop which rested a dark, pulsating orb.
[Quest Objective: Obtain the Orb of Shadows.]
Dante's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he approached the pedestal. The power emanating from the orb was palpable, like a living thing, waiting to be claimed. He reached out, his fingers brushing the surface of the orb, and the darkness surged around him, flooding his senses with raw energy.
The system's voice echoed in his mind once again.
[Shadow Manipulation Level 2 unlocked.]
A wave of power crashed over him, and Dante staggered, his mind struggling to keep up with the flood of new abilities. His connection to the shadows deepened, and with it came a new understanding of how to wield them. He could feel the shadows around him, not just as a tool but as an extension of himself. They obeyed his thoughts, moving and shifting at his command.
Dante grinned, his breath coming in ragged gasps. This... this is what he had been searching for. The strength to control, to dominate, to take what he wanted from the world.
But then, something shifted in the chamber. The shadows that had been under his control began to writhe, twisting and turning in unnatural ways. The runes on the walls flickered, and the air grew thick with an oppressive energy.
A voice, deep and guttural, echoed through the chamber. "So, you seek the power of the shadows, do you?"
Dante's eyes narrowed, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon. "Who's there?"
The shadows coalesced in front of him, forming the shape of a tall, cloaked figure. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and its voice dripped with malice. "You have taken what is mine, mortal. The power you seek comes with a price."
Dante's grip on his weapon tightened, but he didn't back down. "I don't care about your price. I'll take what I want, and no one will stop me."
The figure chuckled darkly, the sound reverberating through the chamber. "Bold words, but you have no idea what you've unleashed."
Before Dante could respond, the shadows surged forward, engulfing him in a suffocating embrace. He struggled, but the more he fought, the tighter the grip of the shadows became.
The figure's voice echoed in his mind. "You will serve me, whether you like it or not. The shadows are mine to command, and through them, so are you."
Dante's vision began to blur, the darkness closing in around him. But even as his consciousness faded, one thought burned in his mind—he would not be controlled. No one owned him. No one.