Arcana System: Rise of the Forsaken Prince

Chapter 9 unexpected loss

[Dark energy detected beyond the threshold. Must immediately overcome the source for survival.]

Leon took a deep breath, concentrating energy in his body. "I will not give up!"

With the remaining power, he focused energy in one point in his chest and released it. A bright light explosion suddenly radiated from within him, destroying the dark energy that wrapped his body. 

The black -robed figure looked surprised, but did not show fear. "So fast ... interesting."

However, before Leon could go further, the crystal ball exploded with a deafening explosion. The strong wind sweeps the entire room, and Leon is thrown back. 

When his eyes opened again, the black -robed figure had disappeared, and the black tower seemed to disappear in a dark fog. Leon felt dizzy, his body was tired, and the system gave a warning about the level of damage that was quite severe. 

But one thing is certain: this is just the beginning. 

Leon woke up with a heavy feeling all over his body. When his eyes open, what was first seen was a dark sky filled with thick fog. He lay on hard ground, and when moving his body, the pain hit his body. "Damn ... what happened?"

Leon's eyes still run away, and his consciousness returned slowly. Around him, the black tower had disappeared - no longer a large building that towering. Only the darkness and fog hanging, closing his eyes. 

[Warning: Decreased health status. Magical energy is unstable.]

Leon felt a roar inside him, and as soon as he tried to stand up, a flash of pain made him stagger. "I ... have to get out of here," he hissed quietly, even though foreign feelings began to creep in his mind. 

However, before he had a chance to go further, a voice came from behind. "Don't be in a hurry, Leon."

Leon turned his head, and saw the figure re -emerged from the fog, black robes and bright red eyes. But this time, the figure was seen more clearly - not just a barrier, but a stronger entity, more dangerous. 

"You ... what do you want from me?" Leon asked, trying to set a breath. 

The figure approached, his steps were light even though the fog was getting thicker. "I want to know if you will accept your destiny, or are you trying to avoid it as usual."

Leon bit his lips. "Destiny? I don't believe in destiny. I chose my own way."

The figure smiled faintly. "Everyone thinks so, Leon. However, here, in this place, destiny is not an option - that is a must. Your destiny has been written since you first entered this world."

Without being able to avoid the encouragement that came, Leon felt something spread in his body. "No ... I won't be part of your game."

The figure laughed softly, the sound of his laughter resonate in the air. "You may try to fight, but the bigger power has tied you up. Like that, Leon. What you face now is not just darkness, but destiny itself."

Leon began to feel a stronger strength to squeeze his body, as if the evil energy flowed into him. "What have you done to me?" Shouted Leon, trying to fight the urgent energy encouragement. 

"You just received the power of the black tower. The power that will change you. However, you must learn to control it."

Without warning, the crushed crystal ball was again formed in the hands of a black robe figure, shining with a brighter dark light. Leon felt his whole body trembled, not only because of illness, but also because of uncertainty that gnawed at his mind. 

"You won't be able to fight this, Leon. Your destiny has tied you to this power."

Leon closed his eyes, trying to focus, struggling to stay calm. However, along with that, the system inside him began to give more warnings. The dark energy in his body is now awakened, moving wildly, controlling every muscle and nerve. 

[Warning: Dark energy goes beyond control. Must immediately take action.]

The figure looked at Leon with an expression that was difficult to understand. "You have to choose, Leon. Accept your destiny or ... die in confusion."

Without saying again, the figure disappeared into the fog, leaving Leon in an increasingly tense darkness. 

"No!" Leon shouted, feeling the pressure was getting stronger. However, something in him woke up - a power that was different from what he used to feel. A force that he cannot control completely, but enough to give him courage. 

With all his strength, Leon directed the energy to himself, trying to stabilize it. He could feel the process painful, like a gaping wound in him. But he knows one thing: if he does not control this power, he will become his slave. 

In such circumstances, his consciousness began to disappear. Before he fell, only one thought made an impression on his mind. "I'll fight this destiny."

And darkness welcomed him. 

----

Leon woke up again, this time faster than before, and his eyes wide open when he felt the hard soil under his body. His body was staggered, as if filled with deep pain, but that consciousness came clearly. Everything that happened before was not a dream, not an illusion. This is real. 

However, what is bothering him the most is a feeling of a haunting emptiness. "Where am I?" he muttered. 

The surroundings look different from before. The dark darkness now surrounds him, but there is one thing that attracts his attention - in a distance, a small light shines faintly, like the point of hope in the midst of gloom. Without thinking, Leon crawled up, feeling extreme pain throughout his body. 

[Warning: Magical energy in your body is not stable. Don't force yourself.]

Leon gritted his teeth. "I don't care. I have to get out of here."

With a limp step, he headed for the light, struggling against the fatigue that almost defeated him. Every step feels like a large burden that presses his body, but the closer, the stronger the light becomes. 

And finally, he arrived at the source of the light. A large door made of black stone, glowing with ancient symbols. That is the gate to ... something, who knows what. 

Leon stood in front of the gate, staring with anxiety. He felt a feeling of being adrift between fear and the desire to step forward. The system gave another warning, but this time, he did not care. He wanted to know what was behind the gate, and what he could find on the other side. 

"The system," he whispered in a tense voice, "open this gate."

However, there is no response. Only the silence answered. Leon knew that the system was increasingly unreliable after the events in the black tower, but he still tried with his own strength. 

Leon's hand touched the gate, and an extraordinary force immediately possessed his body. "Aaargh!" He screamed in pain, his body staggered backwards. It feels like there is energy flowing into him without being able to control it. The longer, the stronger, until Leon feels like sinking in a very dark vortex.