Zero collapsed to his knees, gasping. The battle against the princesses had left him drained.
His body trembled—not from pain, but from something else.
A voice echoed in his mind. Cold. Sharp. Mocking.
— "Still standing? You pathetic thing."
It was inside him. Something dark. A presence.
Zero gritted his teeth.
— "I'm not your slave. I'll control you."
The voice laughed.
— "Control? I chose you. I'm part of you now."
Zero's mind swirled with confusion. His body burned from exhaustion, but he held on.
At the same time, the princesses met with the King.
— "He's unstable," Lyria warned. "But there's potential."
Later that night, the voice returned again. Zero faced it inside his mind.
A shadowy form—his darker self. But this time, he didn't run.
— "Let's make a deal," Zero said. "You stay quiet, I won't fight you. But cross the line, I'll crush you."
The curse hesitated. Then smiled.
— "Agreed."
A symbol glowed on Zero's chest. Power settled, not gone—but now... leashed.