There was a strange heaviness in the forest air. The moment Grommash uttered the name "Umbra Conclave," goosebumps rose across Kyle's skin. Until now, he had only heard of minor demons and the superstitions of villages—but the fear in Grommash's voice shook him to his core.
Kyle asked in a trembling voice, "Grommash… what is this Umbra Conclave? You said they destroyed your clan—but what do they actually want? Are they… searching for this power inside me too?"
Grommash sat upon a rock and planted his heavy axe into the ground. The horrifying memories of the past flickered in his eyes. "Kyle… what you think is merely an enemy is, in truth, an Ancient Dark Cult. For centuries, while the world slept in light, the Umbra Conclave spread its roots in the shadows. Their very existence is built upon darkness and destruction."
He continued, his voice low and grim, "They are not just warriors—they are hunters. Their only purpose is to gather all 'Cursed Artifacts' and 'Ancient Souls' that were lost during the great wars. And Draken… Draken stands at the top of their list."
Kyle's face turned pale. "But why? Why do they need them?"
Grommash's voice grew heavier. "To open the gate of the Shadow Realm—a gate sealed thousands of years ago by gods and ancient warriors together. If that gate opens, no sun will ever rise again. Only endless darkness will remain. They do not see you as a human, Kyle. They see you as a key. If they learn that Draken is sealed within you, they won't kill you… they will torture you until your soul shatters and Draken is set free."
A chill ran down Kyle's spine. He realized now that his journey was not merely about reaching the Chronos Guild—it was about protecting his life and his very soul from the most terrifying force in the world.
Draken's laughter echoed inside his mind once more, as if mocking him. "See, boy? Your value exists because of me. Otherwise, you'd have been crushed like an insignificant insect."
Kyle clenched his fist. There was no turning back anymore.
The morning forest appeared calm, but a storm lurked beneath its silence. As Kyle and Grommash advanced carefully through the cover of dense trees, a sudden blue flash illuminated the area.
Ahead lay a small clearing.
An elf girl—with long pointed ears and dressed in the blue uniform of the Chronos Guild—was surrounded by two terrifying Shadow Monsters.
She swung her sword through the air and shouted, "Chronos Domain: Two-Meter Stasis!"
Kyle watched in shock.
Within exactly a two-meter radius around her, time itself seemed to freeze. One of the monsters inside that circle turned motionless like a statue, while the other—standing outside the boundary—continued moving normally.
This was her power.
For the next thirty seconds, she attacked the frozen monster like lightning. But the moment the time limit ended, she staggered, gasping heavily. Sweat glistened on her forehead.
Controlling time demanded a heavy price. Her body was exhausted, and her mana was nearly depleted.
Then the second monster lunged at her with terrifying speed.
"No!" Kyle shouted—but he was too late.
The creature's massive claws slashed across her chest and shoulder. The force of the blow sent her flying backward into an old banyan tree. Blood spilled from her mouth as she collapsed lifelessly to the ground, her eyes closing.
"Grommash, save her!" Kyle burst out of the bushes.
Grommash drew his heavy axe and roared as he charged. "Human, tend to the girl—I'll clean up this filth!"
A fierce battle erupted between Grommash and the monster. With every swing of his axe, the forest trembled.
Kyle rushed to the elf girl's side. Her breathing was uneven, and the wounds were deep. Panic surged within him as he placed his hands over her injuries. Draken's power writhed restlessly inside him.
Kyle shut his eyes and tried to awaken his strange Healing Ability.
Suddenly, a cold violet energy flowed from his palms into her body. The deep wounds slowly began to close, and the pale color of her face returned to a healthy pink.
As consciousness returned, the girl opened her blurred eyes and saw Kyle.
His eyes still carried Draken's faint violet glow.
Fear and hatred filled her expression as she crawled backward, grabbing her fallen sword and pressing it against Kyle's neck.
"Stay away from me, Umbra spy!" she shouted weakly. "You… you're one of them. You followed me to finish me off, didn't you? The hounds of Umbra never change!"
Kyle froze. "Wait! I'm not here to kill you. I saved your life!"
At that moment, Grommash arrived, severing the monster's head cleanly from its body. Black blood dripped from his axe.
"Elf girl, lower your blade," Grommash growled. "He is no hunter. He is the Vessel of Draken's curse. We, like you, are fleeing from those shadows and seeking help from the Chronos Guild."
The girl looked at Grommash suspiciously. "How can I trust you? Umbra's people are deceivers. They can take any form."
Kyle took a deep breath and slowly raised his right hand. The edge of her sword had left a thin cut across his throat, causing a faint sting. On his finger gleamed the ancient Draken Ring given to him by Baelin.
Its intricate and mysterious design alone was enough to unsettle anyone.
The moment she saw the ring, her hands trembled. Her sword fell to the ground.
"This… this is impossible. That ring… the one mentioned in the ancient prophecies of the 'Cursed Guardian'… is that truly you? You're the one who formed the contract with Draken?"
Her voice now carried not hatred—but fear and reverence. She remembered the elders of the Guild speaking of a boy who would bear darkness yet walk toward the light.
She bowed slightly. "Forgive me. My name is Arin. I am a High-Ranking Scout of the Chronos Guild and a descendant of the Elf Royal Bloodline. I came here to investigate Umbra's movements."
Her blue eyes studied Kyle carefully. "If you possess that ring, it means the entire Umbra Conclave is hunting your soul. Alone, you will never reach the Guild's main gate. Its security is so strict that they would kill you on sight."
She stood, brushing the dust from her clothes. "Come with me. I will guide you through the secret paths known only to elves and high-ranking Guild officials. But remember, Kyle… your very existence is a war. As long as you're with me, you are under my protection."
Kyle looked at Grommash, then back at Arin.
Their journey of two had now become three.
But the road ahead had grown even more dangerous.
Cliphanger:–
As Arin pushed aside the bushes concealing the secret path, a deep conch blast echoed from the distant mountains. Grommash's face paled, and Arin's sword began glowing once again.
Then, from within the thick fog, a tall masked figure emerged—its eyes glowing red.
Who was that figure? And why had the conch been blown? Sh
are your theories in the comments, and stay tuned with Soul Contract to uncover what happens next!