The roar rolled across the ancient forest like thunder.Trees bent beneath the sheer force of it. Birds exploded into the sky in terrified flocks, while the surviving Royal Hunters stumbled backward, their faces drained of color.The ground continued to split apart.From the widening chasm emerged a creature so enormous that Kael struggled to comprehend what he was seeing.It stood nearly thirty feet tall.Its body resembled a wolf, yet it was covered in black scales instead of fur. Jagged crystal spikes protruded from its spine, glowing with violet light. Four crimson eyes burned beneath a crown of twisted horns, and every breath that escaped its jaws came as dark mist.The Shadow Beasts surrounding the clearing lowered their heads.They weren't preparing to attack.They were bowing.Darius tightened his grip on his greatsword."The Beast of Blackwood..."Kael looked at him."You know what that thing is?""I've heard stories.""I always hoped they were just stories."The giant monste

Kael and Darius stood at the top of the stone stairs.The hidden passage beneath the shrine was dark and silent.Darius lit a small torch from his pack."You ready?" he asked.Kael looked down into the darkness. "I don't think I'll ever be ready."Darius smiled."Good. People who think they're always ready usually die first."Kael let out a small laugh.Together, they walked down the old staircase.The deeper they went, the colder the air became.The walls were covered with strange carvings. Some showed warriors fighting monsters. Others showed people kneeling before a man surrounded by shadows.After several minutes, they reached a huge underground hall.It was much bigger than either of them expected.Stone pillars stretched to the ceiling, and in the middle of the room was a wide circular platform.Unlike the shrine above, this place looked untouched by time.Not even dust covered the floor.As soon as Kael stepped onto the platform...Boom!The heavy stone door behind them slammed

The Royal Palace was quieter than usual.Inside a large room filled with books and magic tools, a young woman stood before King Aldren.She wore a blue robe with silver patterns on the sleeves. A small badge on her chest showed the symbol of the Royal Academy.Her name was Lyria Evercrest.She was one of the youngest mages ever accepted into the Academy.The king looked at her with serious eyes."Lyria, I have a mission for you."She bowed respectfully."Your Majesty.""The boy named Kael Ashryn has escaped.""I want you to find him."Lyria nodded."I understand."The king walked toward a window overlooking the city."He is dangerous.""He controls forbidden shadows.""If you find him...""...capture him alive.""And if that isn't possible?"The king didn't answer right away.Finally, he said,"Do what you must."Lyria lowered her head."As you wish."---Later that afternoon, Lyria left the capital with a small group of royal soldiers.As they rode through the forest, one of the sold

The hunters stared at Kael in shock.For a moment, no one moved.Then Captain Roland shouted, “Kill them all!”The hunters charged.Darius stepped forward first. His greatsword swung in a wide arc, forcing two hunters to jump back. Lyria raised her staff, and blue light burst from its tip. A wave of wind knocked three hunters off their feet.Kael created his Shadow Blade and blocked a sword strike.“Run!” Lyria shouted.The three of them dashed into the trees before the hunters could surround them again.Branches whipped against Kael’s face as they ran deeper into the forest. Behind them came angry shouts and the sound of pursuit, but after several minutes the voices faded.Finally, Darius raised a hand. “Stop.”They reached a narrow rocky path hidden between two cliffs. Thick vines covered the entrance, making it almost invisible.Darius listened for a moment, then nodded. “They lost us.”Kael leaned against the rock, breathing hard. “That was too close.”Lyria lowered her staff. “If

The black light slowly faded.Kael stood where he was, but something had changed.Dark armor covered his left arm and shoulder. It looked like black metal, yet it moved like living shadows. Thin silver lines glowed across it, matching the mark on his hand.His silver eyes shone brighter than before.The forest became silent.Even the wind seemed to stop.Captain Aric stared at him."So... you've awakened another stage."Kael looked at his armored arm."I didn't do this..."The ancient voice spoke inside his mind."Shadow Armor.""Protect. Endure. Fight."Kael slowly closed his fingers into a fist.The armor felt light.It moved as if it had always been part of him.Behind him, Lyria finally reached Darius.She placed both hands over his wound."Please work..."A soft blue light covered the injury.The bleeding slowed, but Darius was still too weak to stand."Kael," he said through gritted teeth. "Don't lose yourself."Kael nodded."I won't."Captain Aric raised his sword again."Show