On a ruined wall, blood had been used as ink, forming words no one could understand. Human bones were lined up on spikes like grotesque trophies.
— Who could have done this? Whispered Orin.
At that moment, a colossal roar shook the earth.An unnatural rumble, as if the world itself screamed in pain.
— SHIELDS! Shouted the commander, but his voice trembled.
From the charred ruins, something monstrous rose.The dragon.
Black as a bottomless abyss, its scales seemed to drink the daylight. Its eyes, two spheres of crimson fire, scanned the ground like executioners seeking victims.
With a grunt, the creature spread its colossal wings, wind lifting clouds of dust and ash. Behind it, a human shadow stepped forward.
A tall figure, wrapped in black and in death.
A goat skull covered his face, but his grin could be felt even through it. In his right hand, he held a long sword, in his left a freshly severed head.
— Still warm, he muttered, staring at the soldiers with perverse satisfaction.
Then, without hesitation, he pushed his fingers into the empty eye sockets and crushed them, letting a viscous liquid drip down his gloves.
— I was thirsty.
The soldiers stepped back, terrified.
— Who… are you? Dared the commander, though his voice was barely a whisper.
It slowly lifted his gaze.
— Me? I am death. I am your end.
He licked his lips, as if already savoring the massacre to come.
The dragon bared its fangs, each as long as a sword, and from its mouth poured dense, black smoke.
— There's no point in struggling. You know what's coming, don't you? Lari said softly.
Then he raised his hands.
— SHADOW MANA: ARMY OF DARKNESS!
The ground split beneath their feet. From the deep cracks, blurred shadows surged out, twisting into human-like shapes.
They had no eyes. Only torn mouths whispering in a tongue no one should understand.
One soldier collapsed in spasms. He screamed, but no sound came out. His eyes darkened, his skin shrank over his bones, as if life itself was ripped away by unseen fingers.
The shadow that consumed him laughed.
— The first sacrifice, itmurmured, watching with sick delight.
— ATTACK! the commander roared, but his men were frozen in place.
It chuckled.
— Oh, come now… all you'll do is die faster. But if you insist…
He slowly raised his sword toward the sky.
— Feed.
The dragon grinned wide and exhaled black flames.Screams.Shattering wails.
The fire wasn't normal. It didn't burn, it devoured. Armor melted on bodies, skin peeled off in strips, and the souls of those caught in the blaze screamed even after their bodies had turned to ash.
Those who managed to flee didn't get far. The shadows seized them, ripping flesh straight from their bones.
It watched the spectacle with dangerous pleasure.
— More.
A soldier fell before him, gasping.
— P-please…
— "Please?" It tilted his head, amused.
He drove his blade into the man's throat and twisted it slowly, listening to the bloody gurgle spilling from his neck.
Then, bored, he tore the head off with a sharp motion.
— Tsk, you don't know how to have fun.
He turned toward the last group of soldiers, who had fallen to their knees instead of running.
— The others were stubborn, he muttered as his steps left bloody prints. But you… you understand.
He leaned close to the commander, who held his sword trembling in his hands.
— Tell me, brave man… what does fear taste like?
The commander didn't answer.He couldn't.His eyes were wide open, but he saw nothing.It laughed.
— Too late.
And with a simple gesture, the shadows engulfed the last survivors.Their screams were the last sounds District Null would hear that day.It looked around.
The ground was covered only in shadows and empty bodies.
He stretched, as if after a fine feast.
— It feels good to be alive.
The dragon let out a satisfied roar, and It tossed his sword onto a heap of corpses.
— A perfect beginning.
Then, unhurried, he turned and walked into the shadow with calm, steady steps.
Like a god of death claiming his domain. Black smoke hung heavy over the battlefield. Bones cracked under Lari's boots, and the air reeked of death.
The only one still standing was Commander Dian.
His hair was scorched, armor torn, sword already soaked with the blood of comrades he had failed to protect.
But he did not waver.
Itwalked slowly toward him, wiping his bloodstained glove on his black robe.
— You didn't run. Brave man. Or just a fool?
Dian clenched his fists.
— You… his voice was low, heavy with deep fury …you are a nightmare that should never have existed.
It chuckled softly, playing with his sword, tapping the ground with its tip.
— And yet, here I am.
He lifted his gaze to the lone survivor.
— You know what I like about men like you, Dian?
The commander didn't answer.
— That you hope. Hope is so… delicious.
He licked his teeth, a predator ready to tear apart his last prey.
— You hope you can beat me. You hope you'll walk out alive.
He spread his arms and gestured around.
— Look.
Dian didn't need to. He already knew.
Around him, shadows twisted, devouring the last remains of his soldiers. Their lifeless faces were frozen in absolute agony.The earth itself seemed to bleed.It shook out his robe.
— Come then, Commander. Show me what your honor is worth.
Dian drew a deep breath. Then raised his sword.
— I don't die today.
It lunged.
Swords clashed with a deafening ring.
It was fast, almost impossible to track. He moved like a shadow, each strike punctuated by mocking laughter.
Dian struck back. His sword, though heavy, hit with the weight of a mountain.
But It smiled.
— Mmm, at least you're strong. This will be fun.
Dian attacked again, his blade wreathed in orange flames, scorching the air.
— Ah! A hidden sorcerer! It laughed, dodging the blade by a hair.
— And I thought you were just cannon fodder.
From the ground, black shadows rose, reaching for Dian.
SHADOW MANA: CLAW OF DARKNESS!
Three giant black arms shot up and coiled around him, crushing like serpents.
Dian roared in fury, focusing all his energy into his palm.
— FLAMES OF PURIFICATION!
An explosion of fire burst from his body, incinerating the shadows.
It raised his brows.
— Hmm, interesting.
The commander gave him no chance to react.He charged, sword blazing with living fire.
It managed to parry, but the impact hurled him back several meters.
For the first time, his smile faded.
— Fine. Let's not waste time.
He raised a glowing talisman toward the sky.
SHADOW CONSUMES ALL!
A storm of darkness erupted from the earth, swallowing the sky.
Dian looked up, feeling the air turn frigid. Flames around him dimmed under the crushing blackness.
— I'll steal the very light of your soul, Commander, Lari whispered, stepping closer.
— Run while you can! Dian shouted toward his men.
But no one was left. He was alone.
The shadows coiled tighter, reaching for him with hungry tendrils.
— I told you I won't die today, Dian said, gripping his sword.
Dian barely turned his head.It's blade pierced his chest.Pain exploded through him.
It pressed his palm over the wound and laughed low, savoring.
— Don't worry. I won't let you die so fast.
With a twist, he drove the blade deeper.
Dian screamed, blood spilling from his mouth.
It leaned close to his ear.
— You'll be part of something greater, Commander.
The shadows tore into him.
Dian's final scream vanished into the wind.When the darkness receded, no body remained.Only a faceless silhouette kneeling before Lari.The spell was complete.Dian, hero of battles, had become the Shadow General.
It spread his arms, embracing his new creation.
— Welcome home.
The figure lifted its gaze. Its eyes no longer held a soul.
— Now… all I need is a king.