Chapter 4: The Rise of the Shadow Kingdom
Fifteen days had passed since Allen's departure, and the village of Eldermere had transformed into the heart of something far darker and more potent—a kingdom born from the shadows. The villagers, once humble followers of Eliora, the Goddess of Healing, had now sworn their allegiance to Null, the Void itself. They had felt the transformation deep within, their bodies and minds becoming attuned to the dark energy that flowed through them, granting them strength and power beyond mortal comprehension.
The villagers had not become gods, nor did they seek such lofty heights. Instead, they had become servants of the Void, empowered and sustained by the darkness itself. There was no more need for sustenance, for food or water; the shadows were enough. The power of Null was all-encompassing, filling them with strength that they had never thought possible. They were, however, not content to simply remain servants; they saw themselves as the harbingers of a new order, an order that would eventually shape the world according to their will.
Gaelan, the village chief, stood at the center of the village square, surrounded by a growing group of villagers. His appearance had changed drastically since he first accepted the Void's power. His once tired eyes now glowed with an unnatural light, and his skin bore the unmistakable sheen of someone who had tapped into a power far beyond the mortal realm. In the absence of food or rest, his body had become lean and powerful, a reflection of the Void's influence. He looked at the villagers with a sense of pride, his voice steady and commanding.
"My friends," Gaelan began, his voice carrying through the crowd. "We are no longer the same as we were. The Void has granted us power, not as a fleeting gift, but as a permanent force that flows through us. We are not gods, but we will become something greater. The True Gods may heal, and the Evil Gods may destroy, but we—" he paused, his gaze hardening, "we will be the rulers of this world. We will forge a new path with the power of Null."
A murmur of agreement spread among the villagers. They had felt the truth of his words in their bones. Each day that passed, they grew stronger. But there were still questions, still uncertainty. One villager, a tall man named Varek, stepped forward, his voice tinged with both awe and confusion.
"Gaelan," Varek said, "I understand the power we have been given, but how do we use it? The True Gods have their churches, their followers. The Evil Gods have their followers too. But what about us? How do we stand in this world? How do we organize ourselves?"
Gaelan smiled, his eyes glinting with the knowledge he had gained from the Void. "We will stand as equals to the True Gods and the Evil Gods," he declared. "But our path will be different. We will not create a church of worship or demand sacrifices. No, we will create an order of power, a hierarchy of strength that will make us formidable to any who oppose us. This is not about belief; this is about power."
The villagers nodded, understanding the magnitude of what Gaelan was proposing. A young woman named Lyra, her face now hardened and strong, stepped forward. "But how do we start?" she asked, her voice filled with determination. "Where do we place ourselves in this new order?"
Gaelan's eyes gleamed with pride. "We begin as we must. Every one of us will start as Apprentices. It is the lowest rank in the Shadow Kingdom, but it is the foundation of everything. In time, through the power of Null, you will grow stronger. Some of you will become Shadow Warriors, the vanguard of our strength, capable of feats far beyond mortal comprehension. Others will become Shadow Priests, able to wield the dark power of the Void to influence minds, control shadows, and command the elements. But it begins with the Apprentices, with each of you."
There was a pause as the villagers processed Gaelan's words. It was clear now—their journey would not be easy, but the rewards would be worth the struggle. They were to grow stronger, to become more than they had ever imagined. The power of Null was theirs to wield, and they would do so with unwavering dedication.
"I will become a Shadow Warrior," Varek said, his voice firm. "I have felt the power grow in me. I know that I can wield it to protect our people."
"And I will be a Shadow Priest," Lyra said, her eyes focused. "The shadows speak to me. I can feel them stirring within me. I will learn to harness them."
Gaelan nodded approvingly. "Yes. We will all have our roles to play. And with every passing day, we will grow stronger. But we must remember—this power is not to be taken lightly. It will require discipline, strength, and, above all, loyalty to the Void. We are its servants, and in return, it will give us strength beyond imagining."
The villagers exchanged glances, their faces filled with a new purpose. They had not just been given power—they had been given a path, a destiny. The days of weakness were over. They were becoming something greater.
Gaelan raised his hands, his voice echoing through the square. "We are the servants of the Void, and we will build our strength in its name. We will create our order, our kingdom, and from the shadows, we will rise above all others. The True Gods will not be able to heal the wounds of the world. The Evil Gods will not be able to sow destruction without our interference. We will be the ones who decide the fate of this world."
The villagers cheered, their voices rising in unison. They felt the power surge through them, stronger now, as if the very shadows had wrapped themselves around their souls. They knew their strength would grow, and with each day, they would rise higher in the ranks of the Shadow Kingdom.
In the depths of the Void, Allen was aware of the progress the villagers had made. With each passing day, his connection to the Void grew stronger, the power of Null expanding within him. It was still a slow process, but the template was improving. Now, at 0.04%, his senses were sharper, his control over the Void more precise. He could feel the ripples of his influence spreading throughout the land. His power was not yet great, but it was enough to shape the destiny of the villagers—and perhaps, in time, the world itself.
He smiled to himself. His plan was unfolding perfectly. The villagers were growing stronger, their devotion to the Void unquestionable. They would become the foundation of his Shadow Kingdom, an unstoppable force that would rise against the True Gods and the Evil Gods alike. The path to power had begun, and nothing would stand in their way.
In the village of Eldermere, the Shadow Kingdom was born, and its servants had only just begun to awaken.