A soft glow pulsed in the dimly lit chamber as Theodore's eyes fluttered open. He groaned, his entire body aching from the sheer amount of energy he had expended. His vision adjusted, revealing the dark stone walls around him, lit by eerie violet torches. Ornate furniture—unexpectedly luxurious for a realm of death—filled the chamber, and a thick, heavy blanket covered him.
(Where am I...?)
His sharp gaze landed on a figure kneeling beside him, hands glowing with soft magic. The Shadow Priestess.
"Ah," Theodore muttered, sitting up slowly. "I'm alive."
"You are, my lord."
He turned his head to see the Shadow Commander standing nearby, arms crossed, his ever-intimidating form watching him closely.
"I see..." Theodore rubbed his temples, still feeling the residual pain. "So, it wasn't a dream."
Shadow Commander chuckled. "No, my lord. You collapsed after claiming the throne. The power you used took its toll."
"Tch. This weak body of mine..." Theodore clenched his fists in frustration. "I can't even breathe properly. I'm pathetic."
"Don't say that, my lord," Shadow Commander said firmly. "You are still young. This form is temporary. Once you grow into your full strength, you will be unstoppable. But you must train relentlessly."
Theodore sighed, nodding. "You're right. There's no shortcut to true power."
His gaze flickered toward the priestess. "Does she live here?"
Shadow Commander tilted his head. "A good question. To be honest, she has been here for the past two months. I believe that was your doing, my lord."
Theodore frowned. "My doing?"
"This realm is directly connected to the Book of Shadows that you possess," the commander explained. "Though you had yet to claim the throne, your previous battles had already begun drawing shadows into your service. When you killed her and her companion back then, the book absorbed their souls. That's how they were able to manifest here."
Theodore's eyes widened slightly. "I see... so they weren't destroyed. Their spirits were bound here instead."
"Exactly. Which means every person you've ever killed is now a part of this world IF you choose for them to be your shadow."
Theodore leaned back, absorbing the information. It made sense. His enemies hadn't just vanished into nothingness—they had been claimed by the book, drawn into this twisted afterlife where he now ruled.
Shadow Commander grinned. "Your kill count must have already exceeded twenty, my lord."
Theodore smirked. "Well, it's the path I've chosen."
The commander was momentarily silent before chuckling darkly. "You are truly ruthless, my lord." His crimson eyes gleamed with respect. "We are fortunate to serve a master like you."
"I guess it's time to return home," Theodore said, brushing the dust off his tattered cloak. His body ached from the battles, and his mana reserves were dangerously low. "But how exactly do I leave this place?"
The Shadow Commander stepped forward, his towering figure radiating respect and power. "Simple, my lord. You merely summon the door to the mortal realm. You can shrink or expand it as you see fit. But should you ever encounter danger, simply utter 'Shadows, come forth,' and every shadow under your control—including myself—will arrive to assist you."
Theodore's eyes narrowed as he processed the instructions. "I see. That's convenient."
He turned toward the castle's darkened walls, raising a hand as he whispered, "Door, come forth."
With a low rumble, a massive, ornate door materialized before him. Its surface was carved with intricate, twisting patterns of shadows, glowing faintly with eerie purple light. Theodore smirked. "It worked."
He stepped forward and pushed the door open. A gust of cold air rushed past him, and as he crossed the threshold, the overwhelming presence of the Dark Soul Realm faded. When Theodore opened his eyes, he was back in his room—the familiar scent of tea and parchment greeting him.
Reunion
Theodore barely had time to process his return before Mimi rushed forward, her face filled with relief. "My lord, you've returned!" she exclaimed. On her back, Luna clung tightly, her silver hair bouncing as she clapped her hands in delight.
"My prince," Belial said, stepping closer. His crimson eyes scanned Theodore's bloodied and tattered clothes, his expression tightening with concern. "How did it go? Did you tame them all?"
Before Theodore could reply, a sudden ripple of dark mana surged behind him. The shadows in the room twisted unnaturally as the Shadow Commander emerged, his massive form filling the space.
The room fell into silence.
Belial's posture stiffened, his hand instinctively moving to the blade at his side. His voice was sharp and protective. "What is he doing here?"
The Shadow Commander lowered himself to one knee, his massive sword resting beside him. "My lord," he began, his deep voice echoing through the room, "I humbly request permission to serve you directly. The underworld has no purpose for me anymore. My blade seeks battles worthy of my strength, and I wish to fight by your side."
Belial stepped forward, his aura flaring. "You overstep your bounds, shadow! Return to the underworld where you belong. Our lord does not need your kind lurking here."
The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with malice and mistrust.
Theodore raised a hand, silencing them. His voice was calm, yet commanding. "Enough, both of you."
He turned to the Shadow Commander, his gaze calculating. "Your loyalty is appreciated, but your presence here would attract too much attention. However..." Theodore paused, an idea forming. "Can you possess a human body, like Mimi?"
The Shadow Commander nodded slowly. "I can, but such a possession requires me to consume the human entirely. Their soul must be destroyed for me to inhabit their body."
Theodore's crimson eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Interesting. Then I'll find a suitable body for you. Until then, you'll return to the underworld and await my orders."
The Shadow Commander bowed deeply. "As you command, my lord." He rose, turned to the fading portal, and disappeared into the shadows.
Mimi tilted her head, her curiosity evident. "So, it's true then? You're now the ruler of the Dark Soul Realm?"
Theodore smirked faintly, brushing dirt from his sleeves. "Yes, but it wasn't as simple as you think. It was... far more difficult than I anticipated."
Mimi's sharp eyes scanned his torn and bloodied clothing, piecing together what he left unsaid. Her expression softened. "It must have been a harsh battle, my lord."
Belial stepped forward, his crimson eyes filled with pride. "Harsh or not, my prince, you've done what no mortal could. The Dark Soul Realm bends to your will. That alone is a feat worthy of admiration."
Theodore's smile faltered as he let out a heavy sigh. "Admiration means nothing if I can't hold my own in battle. I relied on tactics and power I don't yet fully control. That's not the mark of a true king. I still have far to go."
Mimi and Belial exchanged glances, their respect for Theodore deepening.
Breaking the tension, Belial spoke up. "My lord, while you were away, Principal Roman came looking for you. He seemed... unsettled."
Theodore's relaxed demeanor shifted. His eyes narrowed. "Roman? What did he want?"
Belial hesitated. "He didn't say much, but his expression... it was as though he sensed something amiss. The surge of dark energy of yesterday must have reached him."
Theodore cursed under his breath. "Tch. That old man is sharper than I thought. He must suspect something... but I don't think he knows the truth—yet."
Mimi stepped forward. "My lord, should we deal with him?"
Theodore shook his head. "Not yet. Roman is dangerous, but he isn't our enemy—for now. First, we finish what we started with the Queen. Belial, prepare the portal."
Belial nodded, raising his hands. A swirling gateway materialized, its edges rippling with shadowy energy. "The portal leads just outside Donovan City. We'll approach unnoticed."
Theodore straightened his cloak, his crimson eyes gleaming with purpose. "Good. Let's end this."
The group emerged in the vibrant, sprawling Donovan Forest, the air thick with the scent of damp moss and wildflowers. The trees were massive, their twisted trunks covered in glowing green vines that pulsed faintly with mana, and the ground was blanketed in thick foliage that rustled softly underfoot. Sunlight barely pierced through the dense canopy above, casting ethereal patches of light across their path.
Belial unfolded an ancient, weathered map etched with glowing runes. He pointed toward a detailed sketch of a city surrounded by high, fortified walls. "The city is approximately three hours' walk from here, my lord. We'll need to move swiftly if we're to avoid unnecessary encounters."
Mimi frowned, shifting Luna carefully on her back. "Why didn't we appear inside the city directly? Wouldn't that have been faster?"
Belial sighed, glancing at her with mild irritation. "Because my portals require precise coordinates. I cannot create a portal to a location I haven't seen or visited before. The closer the target, the more stable the gateway. Surely, that's not hard to understand, is it, Mimi?"
Mimi huffed but said nothing.
Theodore ignored their bickering, already leaping gracefully into the towering trees. His small form disappeared into the canopy, moving swiftly and silently, like a shadow darting through the forest. Belial followed with ease, his movements fluid and controlled. Meanwhile, Mimi trudged below, carrying Luna securely on her back. Despite her annoyance at Belial's tone, her sharp eyes scanned the forest floor for any sign of danger.
After hours of travel, they reached a ridge overlooking the outskirts of Donovan City. The sight before them was breathtaking—a stark contrast to the eerie shadows of the underworld they had just left behind.
The city was surrounded by an imposing wall of dark stone, nearly 30 feet high, etched with defensive enchantments that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Guard towers dotted the perimeter, each manned by sentries clad in gleaming silver armor. Beyond the walls, the city spread out in layers of concentric districts.
Closest to the walls were the Outer Markets, a bustling sprawl of vendors hawking wares under brightly colored awnings. The sounds of merchants shouting, children laughing, and horses clattering on cobblestone streets drifted up to the group's vantage point. Further in, rows of neatly arranged buildings marked the Residential District, their stone facades decorated with flowering vines and banners bearing the Donovan family crest.
At the heart of the city stood the Donovan Castle, a sprawling fortress of black marble and silver spires that seemed to scrape the heavens. The castle radiated authority and power, its massive gates guarded by rows of soldiers armed with enchanted spears. The tallest spire of the castle bore an enormous crimson flag, the sigil of the Marquis, fluttering in the wind.
"Impressive," Belial muttered, his crimson eyes scanning the city with a mixture of awe and disdain.
Mimi adjusted Luna on her back, her own gaze fixed on the castle. "It's... beautiful," she admitted reluctantly.
Theodore crouched on the high branch of a nearby tree, his sharp, calculating eyes sweeping across the scene. His smirk deepened. "The city may look grand, but it hides a rotting core. The Marquis and the Queen think they're untouchable. They think they've silenced me. But this city will tremble beneath my shadow."
The malice in Theodore's voice made Mimi shiver slightly, though she masked it with a respectful bow. Belial, ever loyal, smirked as he adjusted the cuff of his sleeve. "Shall we begin the operation, my lord?"
Theodore leaped down from the tree, landing silently beside them. "Yes. It's time to set the trap."