The battle had ended, and Lenny's monstrous form dissolved into nothingness. The shadows roared in triumph, their chilling voices echoing across the forest as they celebrated their victory. The shadow commander stepped forward, his towering form kneeling before Theodore. All the other shadows followed suit, their collective presence exuding a dark reverence.
"My lord," the commander said, his voice deep and respectful, "what has happened over the past months? You did not call upon us at all. Have we displeased you?"
Theodore glanced down at them, his crimson eyes flickering with thought. (Of course, they think it's their fault, he mused. When really, I was the one who refused to accept my true nature, believing I could grow strong while hiding my power.)
He clenched his fist tightly. This was the moment to change everything—to embrace what made him unique and turn it into strength. Taking a deep breath, Theodore addressed them.
"You have done nothing wrong. The fault was mine," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the air. "I wanted to grow stronger on my own. But I've learned my lesson. From now on, I will embrace what I am, and I will call upon you when I need you."
A chorus of praises erupted from the shadows, their voices rising in unison. "All hail our lord!"
The shadow commander cleared his throat, stepping forward again. "Ahem… My lord, you once promised me a body so I may serve you by your side in the mortal realm. I humbly ask if that promise still stands."
(Ah, crap. I did promise him that, didn't I?) Theodore thought, feeling a flicker of annoyance. He couldn't have too many people around him—it would draw attention. Still, a promise was a promise.
He forced a smile, an idea forming in his mind. "Of course," he said, placing his small hand on the shadow's leg. "You don't have to worry. I'll give you a body today. You'll be a great help to me."
The commander's glowing red eyes widened in delight. "Truly? Thank you, my lord! I will serve you with everything I have!"
"Okay, that sounded weird," Theodore muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "But I'll let it slide. Just know you're one of my people. Don't act like a fanboy."
"Yes, my lord!" the commander said, his enthusiasm unshaken.
"What about me, my lord?" the shadow priestess asked, stepping forward with her ethereal form shimmering faintly in the moonlight. Her presence exuded an ancient and dignified energy.
Theodore hesitated. (She's powerful, but her appearance would draw too much attention. She resembles sky after all. The holy temple would suspect me immediately.)
"When the time comes, I'll call for you," Theodore said with a reassuring nod.
The priestess smiled gracefully. "As you command, my lord."
With his orders given, Theodore gestured toward the massive shadow door behind them. The shadows began to dissolve into dark mist, returning to the abyss one by one. The priestess lingered briefly, offering a final bow before disappearing. The door itself sank into the ground like water, leaving no trace of its existence.
The shadow commander remained, awaiting Theodore's next command.
"If I remember correctly, the portal must have closed by now," Theodore said, his voice low. "There might still be survivors in the forest. If you sense any lifeforms nearby, deal with them—quietly. Take what you need."
The shadow commander bowed. "Understood, my lord."
Theodore leaned closer, whispering a plan into the commander's ear. The shadow's expression, though unreadable, seemed to tighten with resolve. With a swirl of black mist, the commander vanished into the night.
Exhaling, Theodore ran deeper into the forest, his legs shaky but determined. He needed to regroup with his unconscious peers, but the strain on his body from earlier was catching up to him. Suddenly, a sharp pain tore through his chest, and he stumbled, his breath hitching.
(Calm down, Theodore, he thought, clutching his chest. You've endured worse. Don't lose control now.)
He collapsed onto the ground, quickly crossing his legs and closing his eyes. Inhaling deeply, he began meditating, circulating the remnants of his mana and stabilizing his breathing. The pain began to subside slowly, his dark veins retracting as his body calmed.
"Few… I managed to survive," he muttered, opening his eyes. Just then, he sensed movement. His body tensed.
"Who's there?" Theodore barked, his voice sharp.
"It's me, my lord!"
From the shadows emerged a man with dark hair, pitch-black eyes, and a scar running along the side of his lips. He wore ill-fitting clothes, and his demeanor was eerily calm.
Theodore blinked. "Wait… Commander? Is that you?"
The man bowed. "Yes, my lord. I found a body."
"How did you get that?" Theodore asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I found him dead," the commander replied nonchalantly. "So I took his body. It was necessary to blend in."
Theodore's gaze hardened. "I see. But why is the wound so clean?"
"I ate him first to absorb his memories and abilities," the commander explained matter-of-factly. "Then I shapeshifted to match his appearance and stole his clothes."
Theodore pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Okay, stop. I don't need the details."
"Yes, my lord."
Theodore stood, brushing dirt off his clothes. "Good. Now stick to the plan. Remember, subtlety is key."
The commander nodded, his form shifting slightly as if testing his new body. "Understood, my lord. I will not fail you."
"Good. Let's go," Theodore said, his voice firm. He glanced back at the faint trail leading to his unconscious friends.
As they walked deeper into the forest, Theodore glanced at the man now walking beside him, his dark eyes gleaming under the canopy of trees. "So, you… Who exactly was the body you're possessing? Who was this person?"
The commander adjusted the collar of his stolen shirt, his tone calm and collected. "His name was Vito Lazarus. Born in Callahan, a big territory in the eastern region of the Kiran continent. His parents died tragically due to poverty. A sad life, really. And he met his end because his so-called best friend pushed him over a cliff and apparently he is F rank ."
Theodore raised an eyebrow. "A tragic end for someone ranked F. Humans never fail to disappoint me. Worst creatures I've come across so far. But now that this boy is dead, I suppose I'll just call you Vito from now on?"
"As you wish, my lord," commander replied with a slight bow.
(Good. Now that he's taken on this form, he won't draw suspicion. He'll be useful as long as he follows orders.)
They finally reached the clearing where Theodore's companions lay unconscious on the ground. Theodore and Vito approached quietly as the silence of the forest hung heavy around them.
Jin's eyes fluttered open first. Seeing Vito standing there, he immediately flinched and scrambled backward. "M-My prince! Who is this man? Is he an enemy?"
"No, Jin," Theodore said firmly, giving him a reassuring look. "We're safe now."
As the others—Elisa, Vivian, and Noah—stirred and slowly got up, they looked equally confused and disoriented.
"What just happened?" Vivian murmured, rubbing her head as though trying to shake off a bad dream.
"I think Prince Theodore saved us," Jin said with a small smile, glancing gratefully at Theodore.
"You're all wrong," Theodore replied bluntly, shaking his head.
"What do you mean?" Elisa asked, her hand already reaching for her sword as her eyes locked onto Vito. "And who is this man?"
"Calm down," Theodore said, raising his hand. "He's the one who saved us."
"What?!" they all shouted in unison, disbelief plastered on their faces.
Vito stepped forward with a polite bow. "More importantly, we need to leave—quickly. Now that the boss has been defeated, this world will begin collapsing. The portal should be open again, but it won't stay that way for long."
The ground beneath them trembled violently, and the air grew heavier as if the dimension itself was protesting its existence.
"We have to go, now!" Theodore ordered.
The entire group leaped into action, moving through the forest as the world around them began to disintegrate. Trees collapsed into shadows, their remnants pulled into the void. The animals in the forest were fleeing in terror, only to be consumed by the growing darkness.
Jin clung to Theodore's back, his new powers not yet reliable enough to help him keep up.
"The ground—look!" Jin shouted, pointing behind them.
The group turned briefly to see the horror that was consuming the world. The background of the forest had turned into an infinite black void, erasing everything it touched.
"Run faster!" Theodore yelled, his voice strained.
From afar, they spotted the portal's shimmering outline—a glowing gateway of salvation.
"There it is!" Noah shouted, relief washing over his face. "We're going to make it!"
"No!" Elisa yelled, her eyes wide. "The portal is closing!"
Without a word, Vito grabbed Noah by the collar. "Hang tight." Before Noah could protest, Vito hurled him toward the portal with inhuman speed.
"What the hell—?!" Noah shouted as he sailed through the air, landing unceremoniously just inside the portal.
Vito quickly turned to Elisa and Vivian. "Apologies, ladies. I must do the same." Without waiting for their consent, he grabbed them both and flung them toward the portal as well.
Now only Theodore and Jin remained.
"You're next," Vito said, picking up Jin.
"No, wait—!" Jin started to protest but was promptly thrown toward the portal.
Finally, only Theodore remained. The portal was shrinking rapidly, its edges flickering as if it were about to snap shut.
"There's no time left, Vito," Theodore said, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Throw me and follow as my shadow."
Vito nodded without hesitation. Grabbing Theodore, he flung him with all his might toward the portal. As Theodore sailed through the air, Vito dissolved into a swirling mist of shadow, clinging to Theodore's body as they both passed through the narrowing gateway just as it closed with a resounding snap.
Theodore and Vito tumbled onto the grassy field outside the portal, landing hard but alive. Around them, soldiers and mages rushed to their aid.
"Prince Theodore!" Miss Dalia cried, running toward him with tears in her eyes. "You're alive!"
Theodore forced himself to his feet, brushing off the dust as Miss Dalia practically tackled him with relief.
Jin, Elisa, Vivian, and Noah were all there, looking dazed but unharmed.
Caden stood at a distance, his arms folded as he watched Theodore with a faint smirk. "You're alive. Good. Don't make me worry again. You're not allowed to die unless I give the order," he muttered before turning and walking away, his entourage following close behind.
Miss Dalia's attention turned to Vito. "And who is this man?"
Theodore glanced at Vito, then back at Miss Dalia. "He's the one who saved us."
Miss Dalia smiled warmly, taking Vito's hand and shaking it. "Thank you. Truly, thank you for protecting them."
Vito bowed slightly, his expression calm and unreadable. "It was my honor."
As the soldiers and mages busied themselves tending to the group, Theodore's gaze darkened. Everything had gone according to plan, but the events of the day left him with more questions than answers.
(The red church… the strange power Lenny wielded… What is their goal? And how deeply does this corruption run?) Theodore thought, clenching his fists.
For now, he would play the part of the dutiful prince, but his mind was already working, piecing together the puzzle that would inevitably lead him deeper into the shadows of this world.