The dark pillar of energy continued rising into the sky outside the capital.
Even from inside the royal palace, the pressure of that mana could be felt.
The palace guards rushed through the corridors.
"Report to the king!"
"Unknown magical disturbance detected!"
Inside the royal throne room, the atmosphere had become tense.
King Veerendra Singla stood near the large window, looking toward the distant horizon where the black pillar was slowly fading.
Beside him stood several royal mages.
One of them spoke nervously.
"Your Majesty… that mana signature…"
"It was darkness."
The entire room fell silent.
Darkness magic was something that should not exist in the kingdom.
It had been erased from history long ago.
The king's eyes narrowed.
"Locate the source."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Meanwhile—
inside the palace garden, Saksham was also staring toward the distant mountains.
He could still feel the lingering presence of that energy.
It felt cold.
Heavy.
And dangerous.
Inside his mind, the system appeared again.
SYSTEM MESSAGE
New Event Detected
Event Name:
The Shadow Awakens
Description:
An unknown user of the Darkness Element has appeared within the kingdom.
Event Difficulty:
Unknown
Possible Rewards:
Hidden Skills
Special Evolution
Saksham frowned.
"So the system also recognizes it…"
But something about that darkness felt different from his own power.
His darkness felt calm.
Controlled.
Balanced with light.
But the energy from the pillar…
was chaotic.
Violent.
Almost like it wanted to consume everything.
Just then, footsteps approached from behind.
"Prince Saksham."
Saksham turned around.
It was Captain Leon, the leader of the Royal Knights.
"The king has ordered all royal family members to remain inside the palace tonight."
"Is something wrong?" Saksham asked.
Leon hesitated before answering.
"There may be a dangerous mage somewhere near the capital."
Saksham nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Leon bowed slightly before leaving.
But Saksham knew something important.
If another darkness user truly existed…
then the secret he carried might not remain hidden forever.
High above the world—
inside the divine realm—
the gods were also watching.
One of them frowned.
"That power again…"
Another god looked concerned.
"I thought the followers of the Void Cult were destroyed centuries ago."
The eldest god sighed.
"It seems history is repeating itself."
Back in the human world—
far away from the capital—
inside a ruined temple hidden deep in the mountains.
A man wearing dark robes stood in front of a broken altar.
Black energy slowly flowed around his body.
His eyes glowed with dark light.
Kneeling around him were several followers wearing masks.
One of them spoke.
"My lord… the awakening signal has been sent."
The man slowly smiled.
"Good."
He looked toward the direction of the capital.
"I can feel it."
"A new darkness bearer has appeared."
His smile widened.
"And he is inside the royal palace."
The masked followers looked shocked.
"The royal palace?!"
The man raised his hand.
Dark energy gathered around his fingers.
"Yes."
"The chosen child…"
"Prince Saksham."
The room fell silent.
Then the man laughed softly.
"Soon…"
"We will meet."
To be continued…