Eren and Kael traveled through the barren terrain, their footsteps crunching against the gravel-strewn ground. The air was sharp with the faint scent of ash, a constant reminder of the world's decay. Ahead of them, nestled in the shadow of jagged cliffs, lay one of the last remnants of civilization—a settlement called Greyhaven.
It wasn't much to look at, just a scattering of buildings cobbled together from old metal and wood, encircled by a makeshift wall. Guards stood atop the barricades, their sharp eyes scanning the horizon. The settlement was alive with the sounds of bartering, arguments, and the occasional clash of steel. It was chaos barely contained, but for those desperate enough to call it home, it was salvation.
"This place," Kael muttered, his voice tinged with disdain, "is a pit of greed and violence. Are you sure it's where you want to start?"
Eren's gaze remained fixed on the settlement. The shard's whisper coiled in the back of his mind, feeding his ambition. "The best metal is forged in fire. If we can find people willing to fight in this place, they'll be exactly what we need."
Kael smirked, though his hand lingered near the hilt of his blade. "Let's hope you're right. These people won't follow you just because you look impressive. They'll want proof of strength."
They entered Greyhaven, and the stench of unwashed bodies and rot hit them like a wave. The streets were packed with traders hawking wares, mercenaries boasting of their victories, and desperate souls begging for scraps. Eyes turned to the newcomers, wary and calculating.
Eren felt the shard's power stir within him, but he kept it in check. He couldn't afford to reveal too much, not yet. Instead, he relied on the authority in his posture, the quiet confidence in his stride.
Their destination was clear: the Black Hammer, a tavern known for attracting the most skilled—and ruthless—mercenaries. Inside, the atmosphere was heavy with the smell of ale and sweat. Rough-looking men and women sat at scattered tables, their weapons close at hand. Conversations ceased as Eren and Kael stepped through the door.
A hulking man with a scar running down his face stood from his seat near the bar. "New blood," he growled, his voice a low rumble. "What brings you to the Hammer?"
Eren met the man's gaze without flinching. "I'm looking for those willing to fight for something bigger than themselves."
The room erupted into laughter. One of the mercenaries, a wiry woman with a wicked grin, sneered. "Bigger than ourselves? In case you haven't noticed, boy, the world's gone to hell. The only thing worth fighting for is survival."
Kael's hand shifted to his sword, but Eren raised a hand to stop him. He stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Survival isn't enough. You've all seen what happens when people fight only for themselves—they die alone. I'm offering a chance to be part of something greater. To build something that will last."
The laughter died down, replaced by murmurs. The scarred man crossed his arms. "And what, exactly, are you building?"
Eren hesitated for only a moment before speaking, his words carrying the weight of his resolve. "An organization that operates in the shadows. A network of strength and knowledge that can shape the future of this world. We'll protect those who cannot protect themselves, strike down those who prey on the weak, and ensure that the chaos consuming this land does not win."
The room was silent, the mercenaries watching him with a mixture of skepticism and curiosity.
"And what makes you think we'll follow you?" the scarred man asked.
Eren let the shard's power rise just enough to darken his eyes and fill the room with a faint, oppressive aura. "Because I'm not asking. I'm giving you an opportunity. Follow me, and you'll be part of something eternal. Or stay here, squabbling over scraps, until the wasteland swallows you whole."
The scarred man held Eren's gaze for a long moment before nodding slowly. "You've got guts, kid. But words aren't enough. If you want us to follow you, prove you're worth it."
"What do you have in mind?" Eren asked.
The man's grin was savage. "There's a raider camp not far from here. They've been bleeding this settlement dry for months. Take them out, and we'll consider your offer."
Eren nodded. "Fine. Point me in their direction."
---
The camp was a cluster of tents and makeshift barricades, surrounded by guards armed with scavenged weapons. Eren and Kael observed from a distance, the cold night air biting at their skin.
"This won't be easy," Kael muttered. "They outnumber us at least five to one."
Eren's eyes glinted with determination. "Numbers don't matter. We have the element of surprise."
"And your… other advantage," Kael added, his tone cautious.
Eren didn't respond. He could feel the shard's power thrumming within him, eager to be unleashed. But he knew he had to be careful. If he lost control, it wouldn't just be the raiders who suffered.
As the moon rose higher in the sky, the two men moved silently through the shadows, their movements perfectly synchronized. The first guard never saw the blade coming. Kael's strike was swift and precise, the man crumpling without a sound.
Eren focused on the group gathered around the central fire. He could feel the shard's whispers urging him to strike, to let the darkness flow through him. With a deep breath, he raised his hand, and a wave of shadowy tendrils erupted from the ground, silencing the raiders before they could raise the alarm.
The battle was over in minutes. As the last raider fell, Eren stood in the center of the camp, his chest heaving. The shard's power pulsed within him, hungry and relentless.
"You're stronger than you look," Kael remarked, his voice tinged with both admiration and unease.
Eren nodded, his expression grim. "This is only the beginning."
---
When they returned to the Black Hammer, the mercenaries were waiting. The scarred man stepped forward, his eyes scanning the blood-stained weapons and the grim determination in Eren's gaze.
"Well?" Eren asked.
The man grinned. "Welcome to the Hammer's fold, Sovereign."
And so, the first sparks of Eren's shadowy organization were lit.