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The oppressive darkness that had once engulfed the temple slowly faded as Tyranor and his team emerged back into the ruined landscape. The world outside hadn't changed, but for Tyranor, everything felt different. The shadows seemed closer now, as if they were waiting for his command. His connection to the dark mana had deepened, and with it, the weight of his Dark Influence.
The others trailed behind him, their unease palpable. They had seen Tyranor claim the power of the gate, but the cost was written clearly on his face. His eyes, once sharp and calculating, now carried an unnatural gleam—a faint, dark shimmer that unsettled even his most loyal comrades.
Ferran broke the silence first. "That power… it's dangerous, Tyranor. You've already changed. You can't just—"
"I know what I'm doing," Tyranor interrupted, his voice cold and unwavering. He didn't turn to face them, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "I've gained control of the gate's energy. I can harness it, and I can use it to get us out of here."
"But at what cost?" Lira pressed, stepping forward. "The dark mana is corrupting you. You're not the same."
Tyranor's jaw tightened. He knew she was right, but admitting it would mean acknowledging the danger he had willingly embraced. He had felt the pull of the shadows, the whispers that urged him to let go, to give in completely. But he couldn't stop now. He needed this power.
"I'll control it," Tyranor said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "It's a tool, nothing more. We'll use it to our advantage."
The others exchanged wary glances, but they didn't press further. There was little point in arguing with him now—Tyranor had already crossed a line, and they knew he wouldn't turn back.
---
A Sudden Shift
As they continued their journey through the crumbling ruins, Tyranor's Gate Sense began to pulse once more. This time, it wasn't a distant whisper or vague warning. It was a sharp, urgent signal that something—or someone—was approaching.
"Get ready," Tyranor warned, drawing his sword. The others immediately tensed, their hands moving to their weapons.
From the shadows of the ruins, figures emerged—humanoid, but twisted and warped by the gate's dark energy. Their skin was mottled with black veins, and their eyes glowed with a sickly yellow light. They moved with a predatory grace, circling Tyranor's team like wolves stalking their prey.
"Gate remnants," Varin muttered, recognizing the creatures. "They're people who've been trapped inside the gate for too long… corrupted by the dark mana."
"More like monsters now," Ferran added, raising his shield.
Tyranor's eyes narrowed as he focused on the remnants. There was a familiarity to them, a connection through the dark mana that coursed through his veins. They were drawn to him, just as the shadows had been.
But this time, Tyranor felt something new—control.
He raised his hand, the dark energy within him swirling outward like a wave. The remnants paused, their eyes flicking toward him with a strange, almost reverent recognition.
Tyranor activated Shadow Domination.
The effect was immediate. The remnants halted their advance, their glowing eyes locking onto Tyranor as if waiting for his command. The others watched in shock as the once-hostile creatures knelt before him, their heads bowed in submission.
"You can control them?" Lira asked, her voice filled with disbelief.
Tyranor lowered his hand, his gaze fixed on the remnants. "Yes. They're bound to the same dark mana I am. As long as I control it, I control them."
Ferran looked uneasy. "This is wrong, Tyranor. These were people once. You can't just… use them like this."
Tyranor's expression hardened. "I don't have a choice. They're too far gone to be saved. Either we use them, or they'll tear us apart."
The others fell silent, the moral weight of the situation hanging heavy in the air. Tyranor had gained incredible power, but the line between ally and enemy had become increasingly blurred. The remnants—once human—were now nothing more than tools for him to wield.
---
The Dark Bargain
As they pressed onward, the remnants followed closely behind, moving like silent shadows at Tyranor's command. The team's mood grew darker with each step, the tension between them palpable. The power Tyranor now wielded was unsettling, and none of them could shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
But Tyranor remained focused. His Gate Sense had locked onto something deeper within the ruins—a source of even greater power. He could feel it, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat, calling to him through the dark mana.
They reached another clearing, this one dominated by an ancient, weathered statue. It depicted a figure cloaked in darkness, their hands outstretched as if offering something unseen. At the base of the statue, a small pedestal glowed faintly with dark energy.
Tyranor approached the pedestal cautiously, his hand hovering over it. The whispers returned, louder this time, urging him to take what was offered.
Claim the power… take it for yourself…
He hesitated for a moment, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. Every time he embraced the dark mana, the Dark Influence grew stronger, pulling him closer to the abyss. But the power—he needed it. Without it, he wouldn't survive the challenges ahead.
Finally, Tyranor placed his hand on the pedestal.
The moment he did, a surge of dark energy rushed through him, more intense than before. His vision blurred as the shadows wrapped around him, pulling him deeper into their embrace. The whispers grew louder, more insistent.
You are chosen… the darkness is yours to command…
His body trembled as the power flooded his veins, but this time, it was different. The dark mana wasn't just a tool—it was becoming a part of him, binding itself to his very soul.
Tyranor gasped, his knees buckling as the weight of the power threatened to overwhelm him. But he held on, forcing himself to stay in control. The darkness surged, but he pushed back, refusing to be consumed.
When the surge finally subsided, Tyranor rose to his feet, his eyes glowing with dark energy. The shadows that clung to him were thicker now, more tangible, as if they were a living extension of his will.
---
Status Screen
The dark mana settled within him, and once again, Tyranor's status screen flickered into view, revealing the changes wrought by his decision.
---
Name: Tyranor Althar, The Tainted
Title: Shadow Sovereign
Level: 31
Class: Dark Warlord (Evolved)
Mana Type: Tainted (Dark)
Health: 950/950
Mana: 700/700
Dark Influence: 25%
Skills:
Dark Slash (Level 5)
Void Step (Level 4)
Mana Drain (Level 4)
Dark Binding (Level 4)
Nightmare Gaze (Level 3)
Corrupted Aura (Level 3)
Shadow Domination (Level 2)
Gate Sense (Level 3)
Dark Pact (New): Allows the user to make pacts with creatures of darkness, increasing their loyalty and enhancing their abilities.
---
The Dark Influence had grown again, but so had his power. He could feel it, coursing through him like a living thing. The line between himself and the shadows had blurred even further, but Tyranor didn't care.
He had come too far to turn back now.
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End of Chapter 20
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