The Shadow Realm split open like torn silk.
Quinn stepped through, the Ring of Velux still pulsing on his finger. The real world rushed back—cold night air, the scent of ash, and the sound of steel clashing. Ahead, a burning village was under siege by armored marauders. Their banners dripped with black oil and blood.
"Velux," Quinn murmured, feeling the ancient shadow inside him stir, "let's see what you can do."
They bleed. We hunt, the voice replied, smooth and venomous.
---
Three marauders charged him, weapons raised. The first swung an axe, but Quinn caught the motion in slow clarity. Shadow tendrils burst from his feet, snaring the man's legs and yanking him down.
"Shadow Bind." Quinn's voice was calm, almost bored.
The second attacker lunged, spear aimed at his heart. Quinn twisted aside, letting the weapon pass, then drove a Blood Fang Strike into the man's neck. Crimson qi surged from the wound, and Velux drank it in, making the ring glow hotter.
The third man tried to flee.
"Not so fast."
Quinn raised his hand, and a Shadow Spear ripped through the ground, impaling the man mid-step. His scream was swallowed by the darkness before he could finish.
---
From the heart of the village came the real threat—a Crimson Warlord. His armor glowed faintly red, runes etched along its plates. His weapon wasn't steel, but a halberd burning with blood qi.
"You," the warlord growled. "You're not with them… but you will die with them."
Quinn smirked. "Cute speech. Let's skip to the part where you scream."
The Warlord charged, blood qi exploding from his boots like rocket fire. Quinn answered with Shadow Step, vanishing in a smear of black mist. He reappeared behind the Warlord, slashing with shadow-forged daggers. Sparks flew as the blades met armor, but Velux hissed in his mind:
His qi shields him. Break it.
Quinn poured his own qi into the shadows, weaving them with blood essence. The daggers grew heavier, sharper, until they tore through the armor's protective layer. The Warlord staggered.
The man roared, spinning his halberd in a crimson arc. It clipped Quinn's shoulder, sending blood spraying. Pain sharpened his focus.
---
"Alright… your turn."
Quinn slammed his palm to the ground. Shadow Quake erupted, sending a wave of black force that cracked the earth and threw the Warlord into the air. Before he could land, Quinn leapt—channeling qi into Blood Burst Step—and met him mid-air.
Their weapons clashed, light and shadow colliding in a burst of energy that flattened nearby houses.
Quinn grinned, eyes glowing red. "Let's end this."
He thrust his free hand forward, channeling Velux's Wrath—a massive spiral of shadow laced with blood qi. It slammed into the Warlord, shredding armor, flesh, and bone. The man hit the ground lifeless, his weapon still humming before fading to dust.
---
The village was silent. Survivors peeked from hiding, staring at him in fear and awe.
Quinn didn't stay to explain. He turned, melting into the shadows as Velux whispered,
This is just the first hunt… the world will soon learn to fear your name.
Quinn's lips curled into a smile.
"Good. Let them."