The auctioneer's hammer fell."Going once!"Kael Blackwood sat in the shadows. His boots had holes. His coat was patched. His last copper was burning a hole in his pocket."Going twice!"The nobles laughed. The Cursed Isle of Azure Aerie. Suicide in paradise. Five owners in ten years. All dead."Going—""One hundred silver."Laughter stopped.The auctioneer blinked. "One hundred silver from the gentleman in the back. Do I hear more?"Silence."One hundred silver... sold to Kael Blackwood."A young heir stood. "Enjoy your grave, pauper!"Kael didn't flinch. He walked out. He had a ship to hire.---Three days later, the island emerged from the mist.White beaches. Emerald jungles. Crystal water. Paradise.Kael knew better.The crew was nervous. They'd heard the stories. Fishermen who saw faces in the fog. Sailors who heard whispers in the wind."Still time to turn back." Darian stood beside him. The scarred guard was loyal. His father's last gift."I didn't buy this island for a vacati

The morning sun did nothing to warm them.Kael stood on the beach, staring at the water. His hand was bandaged. The burns from the crystal still throbbed. But the pain was distant. Secondary.Sera's words echoed in his head.The Warden's daughter. I've come to claim what's mine.She had vanished after her confession. Disappeared into the jungle. No one had seen her leave. No one knew where she went.Kael didn't trust her. He would never trust her. But she knew things he didn't. Things he needed to know."You should have killed her." Darian appeared at his side. "When you had the chance.""I didn't have a chance.""You could have made one."Kael turned. Darian's face was grim. His hand rested on his sword."She's the Warden's daughter. She knows how to stop him.""Or she's leading you into a trap.""Probably." Kael smiled bitterly. "But I don't have a choice."---The day passed in tense silence.The crew worked, but their movements were mechanical. They watched the jungle. They jumped

The shadows consumed everything.Kael fought until his arms gave out. Until his legs buckled. Until his vision blurred with golden light and violet darkness. He had absorbed so many souls. So much power.But it wasn't enough.You're going to lose. You're going to die. You're going to let everyone down."Shut up!" Kael screamed. He swung his fist. Golden light exploded through three shadow creatures. They dissolved into mist.More came.They were everywhere. Clawing. Scratching. Biting. He couldn't see. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.Then the Warden appeared.He emerged from the jungle like a nightmare given form. Twelve feet tall. Armor of pure darkness. A face that was nothing but void. His sword dripped with shadows that screamed as they fell.Impressive, Kael. You survived longer than I expected.Kael's blood turned cold. "You."Me. The Warden stepped closer. His sword dragged through the sand, leaving a trail of darkness. I've been watching you. Testing you. You have potential.

The ship cut through the mist like a blade through silk.Kael stood at the bow, his hands gripping the railing. The symbols on his skin pulsed with golden light, casting eerie reflections on the water. His eyes burned with violet fire.Three days since the last attack. Three days since he had become something other than human.The whispers had grown quieter. He could still hear them, but they were distant. The island was far behind him. The Veilwood was ahead."You should rest." Darian appeared at his side. "You haven't slept.""I don't need sleep.""Everyone needs sleep. Even monsters."Kael laughed bitterly. "Is that what I am? A monster?""You're something. I don't know what. But you're still Kael. That's what matters."Kael looked at him. The scarred face was grim, but the eyes were loyal."Thank you," Kael said."Don't thank me. Just don't die."The mist parted. The Veilwood emerged from the darkness.It was a wall of trees. Massive, ancient, black as obsidian. Their branches twi

The journey back to the island was silent.Kael stood at the bow, his body broken, his mind fractured. The symbols on his skin pulsed with dark energy. The golden light had faded. Replaced by something colder. Something hungrier.You fought well. The Warden is weakened. But I am stronger."Shut up."You can't shut me up. I'm inside you. I'm everywhere. I'm growing stronger with every breath you take.Kael looked at his hands. The symbols were changing. Twisting. Becoming something darker. The Emperor was corrupting the binding. Making him into a vessel.You're becoming me, Kael. You're becoming the monster."I'm not becoming you. I'm becoming stronger."Same thing. Different words.Darian appeared at his side. The scarred guard's face was grim. "We need to talk.""About what?""About what's happening to you." Darian's voice was tight. "You're changing. The crew can see it. I can see it.""I'm getting stronger.""You're getting darker." Darian stepped closer. "You're becoming what you'