[The Binding Circle]
The symbols on the ground glowed brighter, their eerie silver light casting sharp shadows across the cavern. Andrew's heartbeat pounded in his ears, the pressure around him growing heavy, suffocating.
The woman's piercing silver eyes didn't waver as she stepped closer, the swirling patterns of magic snaking up her arms.
"Tell me, Shadowmarked," she whispered.
"Are you ready to embrace your destiny?"
Andrew couldn't move.
He had no idea what was happening, but the power surging through the air was ancient, coiling around him like an invisible serpent.
And for the first time since this madness began, he felt something inside him responding.
A whisper.
A pulse of energy answering the call.
Something inside you has awakened.
And it is watching.
Andrew's fists clenched.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
The woman smiled, the faintest trace of amusement flickering across her face.
"I am Veyra. Keeper of the Lost."
Celia shifted, hand hovering over her blade. "And what do you want with him?"
Veyra didn't even look at her.
"To prepare him."
A shiver ran down Andrew's spine.
"Prepare me for what?"
Veyra's silver eyes locked onto his.
"For war."
[Secrets of the Shadow Market]
The tension in the air was so thick it felt like a knife could cut through it.
Kieran crossed his arms, watching Veyra with sharp suspicion. "That's awfully dramatic. Care to explain?"
Veyra sighed, as if speaking to a group of stubborn children.
"The Black Hand is already moving," she said. "Malakar has sent his strongest to seize the last remaining keys to the Dominion Gate."
Andrew's pulse quickened. "And I'm one of them."
Veyra nodded. "Not just any key. The last one. The most important."
Her eyes flickered with something unreadable.
"The one that will decide which side wins."
Andrew felt his breath hitch.
The weight of it pressed down on him.
For so long, he had been running, fighting just to survive. But now, for the first time—he was beginning to understand.
This wasn't about him.
This was about something far greater.
Veyra continued, "The Shadow Market has resisted Malakar for years. But we are no longer enough. If he succeeds—"
Her voice grew quieter.
"He will unmake the world as we know it."
Silence fell over the cavern.
Even Kieran, who always had a smug remark, said nothing.
Then—Reed exhaled loudly.
"Alright," he said. "So, what's your plan?"
Veyra's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"We forge a pact."
Andrew stiffened. "A pact?"
Veyra nodded. "A binding contract. One that will give you access to the Shadow Market's knowledge, resources, and protection."
She took another step forward.
"But in return, you must fight."
The light from the runes intensified, swirling around Andrew like living mist.
"Swear to the pact, Andrew Paul. Become our champion. And we will ensure that Malakar never reaches the Dominion Gate."
[A Choice with Consequences]
Andrew's mind spun.
This was it.
This was the moment where he chose what kind of man he was going to be.
He could walk away, keep running, keep hiding.
Or—
He could stand and fight.
A part of him was still screaming that he was just a soldier. A survivor.
But another part, the one that had awakened when he first touched his mark, knew the truth.
He wasn't just a survivor anymore.
He was something more.
Andrew met Veyra's gaze.
And slowly—he stepped forward.
Celia sucked in a breath. Kieran didn't move. Reed only watched, unreadable.
Andrew held out his hand.
"I accept."
The second the words left his lips—
The cavern erupted with energy.
The runes flared to life, and a pulse of raw power slammed into his chest. Andrew gasped, his knees nearly buckling as something ancient and powerful wrapped around his soul.
The pact had been sealed.
His mark burned, a deep, molten heat spreading through his veins.
And for a split second—he saw something.
A vision.
Fire.
Blood.
The sky torn open, shadows spilling forth like a flood.
And at the center of it—
Him.
Wielding a power that was both his and not his.
Then—it was gone.
Andrew staggered back, chest heaving.
Veyra only smiled.
"Welcome, Shadowmarked," she murmured. "Your war has just begun."
[The Black Hand Strikes]
Before Andrew could respond, a distant explosion shook the cavern.
The entire Shadow Market shuddered.
Screams echoed from above.
Celia's blade was in her hand in an instant. "What the hell was that?"
Reed swore. "They found us."
Andrew's heart slammed against his ribs. "Malakar?"
Veyra's face darkened. "No."
She turned toward the entrance, eyes flashing silver.
"His Executioners."
A shiver ran down Andrew's spine.
The Executioners. Malakar's elite enforcers.
Whispers spoke of them in hushed tones—beasts in human skin, warriors who had sold their souls in exchange for power.
And they were here.
A second explosion sent stone raining from the ceiling.
Veyra turned sharply. "We need to move. Now."
She gestured toward a tunnel deeper into the cavern. "There's another way out—"
But before she could finish—
A figure dropped into the chamber.
Cloaked in obsidian armor. A greatsword as black as the abyss resting on his shoulder.
And when he lifted his head—
Andrew felt his stomach drop.
"Hello, Shadowmarked."
The Executioner moved.
And the world erupted into chaos.
[The Battle in the Depths]
Andrew barely had time to react before the Executioner struck.
His blade sliced through the air, aimed directly at Andrew's throat.
Celia tackled him aside, just in time. The impact sent them both sprawling as the blade buried itself into the stone.
Kieran was already moving, daggers flashing. He struck fast, but—
The Executioner was faster.
He twisted, catching Kieran's wrist and hurling him across the cavern.
Andrew gritted his teeth. He felt the power stirring inside him, the mark on his wrist burning like a living thing.
He clenched his fist—and released it.
A shockwave burst from his palm, colliding with the Executioner and sending him skidding backward.
For the first time—
The Executioner laughed.
"Good," he murmured. "You're finally waking up."
Then—
More figures dropped into the chamber.
Cloaked in the same obsidian armor.
Andrew's breath hitched.
There were four of them.
Four Executioners.
Veyra's voice was quiet. Cold.
"Run."
Andrew clenched his jaw. "No."
He tightened his grip on his power.
This time, he wasn't running.
This time, he was fighting.
The Executioners moved—and the cavern exploded into war.