Kaito's breath hitched as the demon king loomed over him, his presence as vast and oppressive as the Abyss itself. The shadows swirled around Kaito, responding to the king's will. Every muscle in his body screamed for him to run, but something kept him frozen in place.
"You've felt it, haven't you?" the demon king said, his voice a low rumble. "The power inside you. It's not just a gift, Kaito—it's your birthright."
Kaito's chest ached as the mark flared again, its dark energy pulsing in time with the demon king's words. "What are you talking about?"
The king's eyes glinted, and he stepped closer, his towering form casting a long shadow. "You are more than just a vessel for the Abyss. You were chosen, Kaito. The Abyss flows through you because you are its heir—its true heir. The power you wield was always meant for you."
Kaito shook his head, backing away instinctively. "I don't want this."
The demon king's gaze hardened, and for the first time, his voice turned cold. "It's not a matter of what you want. The Abyss is in your blood, in your soul. You cannot deny it."
Kaito felt a surge of panic as the king's words echoed in his mind. Was it true? Had he always been tied to the Abyss, even before Seraphina came into his life?
Before he could respond, the ground beneath him trembled, and the shadows writhed around his feet, lashing out at him like serpents. The Abyss was calling him deeper, urging him to embrace the darkness.
"Give in to the Abyss, and you will have more power than you can imagine," the king said, his voice now a whisper inside Kaito's mind. "Join me, and together, we will reshape the world."
But even as the promise of power tugged at him, Kaito could feel a sliver of doubt clawing its way to the surface. If he accepted the Abyss fully, what would become of him? Would he still be himself, or would he become a puppet, controlled by forces far beyond his understanding?
"Kaito!"
Seraphina's voice pierced the darkness, snapping him back to reality. Her presence was a beacon in the swirling shadows, her face twisted with worry. She reached out, grabbing his arm and pulling him closer.
"Don't listen to him," she urged, her voice frantic. "My father is manipulating you. He wants to use you, just like he tried to use me."
Kaito looked into her eyes, seeing the desperation there. But behind it, he saw something else—fear. Seraphina was afraid of what the Abyss could turn him into, just as much as he was.
The demon king's laughter echoed through the void. "You think you can protect him, Seraphina? You're as much a part of this as he is. You can't save him from his destiny."
Seraphina's grip tightened, and her eyes flashed with determination. "I won't let you have him, Father. Kaito isn't yours to control."
Kaito felt the weight of her words settle over him. He wasn't just a bystander in this war between light and shadow—he was at the center of it. But the choice was still his to make.
Before he could decide, the ground beneath him began to crack, and the swirling darkness surged upward, enveloping them both.