The shadows writhed and twisted, devouring the crumbled remains of the labyrinth like a hungry beast. Their eerie, fluid movements mesmerized me, yet I couldn't ignore the weight of what I had claimed.
The throne of shadows —the whispered promise the Crown of shadows had dangled before me since my rebirth—was mine. With it came power I hadn't dared dream of, but also a responsibility that felt heavier than any burden I'd carried in my previous life.
I exhaled slowly, my storm grey eyes fixed on the collapsing structure as it vanished into the endless dark. The victory felt hollow. No cheers, no banners, no triumphal processions. Just the ever-present shadows and a lingering, gnawing question: What comes next?.
I turned to face the others. A ragtag group of seven survivors—former slaves, their faces etched with exhaustion, fear, and something else I hadn't expected: reverence. That ember of devotion burned in their eyes, stubborn and unyielding despite everything they'd endured.
"What will you do now?" I asked, my voice low yet carrying the weight of the moment.
The question hung in the air, unanswered at first. A few shuffled uncertainly, casting glances at one another. Their silence wasn't surprising. These were people who had spent their lives taking orders, not making decisions.
But then three of them stepped forward.
Lira, Myra, and Faco.
Their movements were deliberate, their gazes unwavering as they knelt before me. The gesture caught me off guard, but what came next surprised me even more.
"What is your aim, my lord?" Myra asked, her voice steady despite the strain in it.
"And… who are you?" Lira added, her emerald eyes searching mine for answers.
Faco, ever the quiet one, simply bowed his head, but the intensity in his posture spoke volumes.
For the first time, they were asking—not as slaves, but as individuals choosing to follow.
I straightened, letting the silence linger a moment longer as I gathered my thoughts. I'd anticipated this moment, but now that it had come, the words felt foreign on my tongue. Still, if they were brave enough to ask, I would honor them with the truth.
"My name is Kendrin," I began, my voice even. "In this life, I was born a slave. But in my past life… I was the sovereign of an empire."
A flicker of confusion passed over their faces, but they didn't interrupt.
"I was betrayed," I continued, the bitterness of the memory sharp in my chest. "My closest allies, my most trusted companions—they turned against me. I died cursing them, vowing to return and reclaim what was mine."
Their eyes widened, but not with fear.
"The Crown of Shadows answered my call," I said, lifting my hand to gesture at the dark energy that still lingered around me. "It gave me the power to rise again. Not just to reclaim my throne, but to forge a new empire—one that will stand unbroken, unyielding. And I intend to see it through."
For a moment, I expected disbelief. Laughter, perhaps. Or rejection. After all, who would follow the ambitions of a man claiming to be a reincarnated king, especially one who had been a slave mere days ago?
But they didn't laugh. They didn't turn away.
Instead, Myra spoke first. "You saved us, my lord. You gave us hope when there was none. If your goal is to build an empire, then I wish to serve it."
Lira followed immediately, her voice firm. "You've proven yourself more than worthy of loyalty. I will follow you."
Finally, Faco raised his head, meeting my gaze directly for the first time. "You gave us a second chance. My life is yours, Kendrin."
Their words struck me harder than any blow I'd taken in the labyrinth. After everything we'd faced—the bloodshed, the fear, the near-death experiences—they still chose to kneel. Even knowing my past, my failures, and my grand, near-impossible ambitions, they swore themselves to me?.
For a moment, I hesitated. The scars of betrayal ran deep. How could I trust again? How could I believe their loyalty wouldn't crumble when tested?
Before I could decide, a familiar chime echoed in my mind.
"System notification: potential subjects have sworn fealty. Do you wish to perform the rites of blood bound fealty and forge a blood pact with these individuals ?"
The question jolted me from my thoughts. My gaze flickered to the three kneeling before me. The system's prompt hung in my mind like a challenge, urging me to trust these people who had willingly pledged themselves.
For a moment, I said nothing, weighing my options. A soul pact wasn't just a gesture of trust—it was a binding oath, tying their fates to mine in ways that couldn't easily be undone. Was I ready for that? Could I take that step again, knowing what betrayal felt like?
I cleared my throat, my voice low but steady. "Do you truly mean what you say?" I asked, looking at each of them in turn. "This is your final chance to reconsider. My ambitions will draw enemies, demand sacrifice, and push you beyond your limits. If you follow me, there's no turning back."
"We've already seen what that means," Myra replied, her tone unwavering. "You saved us from certain death. Gave us hope when we had none. I have no doubts, my lord."
Lira nodded, her emerald eyes fierce. "I am yours to command. There's no greater purpose than to help build the empire you envision."
Faco, ever quiet, simply said, "I owe you my life. That's reason enough."
Their conviction struck a chord within me, and for the first time in years—perhaps lifetimes—I felt the faintest flicker of hope. Slowly, I extended my hand, letting the shadows twist and coil around it.
"So be it," I said, my voice steady. "By accepting your loyalty, I bind you to me and me to you. This pact will forge a bond between us—a bond of blood and soul."
The shadows around me responded immediately, pulsing with a cold, dark energy.
"Initiating rites of bloodbound fealty. Please confirm."
"I confirm," I said aloud, the words carrying an unspoken finality.
The shadows surged forward, coiling around my hand and extending to Myra, Lira, and Faco. They didn't flinch as the dark tendrils reached them, piercing their skin and drawing a single drop of blood from each. The shadows absorbed the crimson droplets before retreating, returning to swirl around me.
"Pacts established. "
"Subjects bound: Myra, Lira, Faco. "
"Processing rewards."
A sudden warmth spread through my chest as the system continued.
"New skill acquired: Shadowbound Authority."
"Subjects' attributes have been enhanced based on compatibility."
"Bonus skill unblocked: pactmaster's Call."
The three before me trembled slightly, their eyes widening as the effects of the pact took hold. Lira's hands flexed, her veins glowing faintly with a dark light.
Myra let out a shaky breath, her posture more resolute than before. Faco's calm demeanor didn't waver, but there was a new sharpness to his gaze.
I stepped back, studying them carefully. "Do you feel any different?"
Lira nodded, her voice soft with awe. "It's… strange. Like a piece of you is with me now."
"A connection," Myra added, her expression thoughtful. "It feels… empowering."
Faco said nothing, simply bowing his head in acknowledgment.
The system's final notification echoed in my mind.
[Congratulations]
[The throne of shadows acknowledges your leadership]
[Continue to build your dominion]
The thrill of the moment faded quickly as the reality of our situation settled in. Night had fallen, and the air had grown colder. The remnants of the labyrinth had disappeared, leaving behind nothing but barren ground and an oppressive silence.
"We'll camp here for the night," I said, breaking the quiet. "Rest while you can. We move at first light."
The group nodded, quickly setting to work gathering what few supplies we had. As the skies stretched longer, I found myself staring at the distant horizon, as I sat. The path ahead was unclear, but for the first time, I wasn't walking it alone.
Faco approached me after the others had settled, his steps quiet but deliberate.
"Kendrin....." he said, his voice low. "Or do I call you lord Kendrin now?"
I glanced at him, raising an eyebrow as I chuckled. "What is it?"
"You've done something no one else could," he said simply. "You gave us a purpose. I won't forget that."
His words caught me off guard. I turned away, staring into the darkness. "Purpose isn't enough. What we're building… it'll take more than that."
Faco nodded, his gaze steady. "Then we'll give you more. Whatever it takes."
His conviction left me momentarily speechless. After a pause, I nodded. "Rest now. Tomorrow will be even harder."
As he left, I allowed myself a moment to reflect. The weight of the throne, the power of the crown, the loyalty of my new companions—it was all daunting. But it was also the first step toward something greater.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt the faintest flicker of hope.