Capítulo 3: The Shadow's Price
Kael sat amidst the ashes of the monstrous beast, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. His hands still trembled—not from fear, but from the unfamiliar rush of power coursing through his veins. The shadows at his feet rippled like restless water, as if they were alive and watching him.
The forest was silent now, save for the crackling of the burning trees in the distance. The air smelled of scorched earth and something more acrid—the remnants of the beast's ichor.
"You're alive," Umbrael's voice slithered into his mind, low and mocking. "That's an achievement in itself. Perhaps you're not as pathetic as I thought."
Kael clenched his fists. "You could've helped more!"
"And rob you of the chance to prove yourself? Where's the fun in that? Besides," Umbrael continued, his tone growing colder, "every victory has its price."
Kael frowned, an uneasy feeling settling in his gut. Before he could respond, the shadows beneath him surged upward, wrapping around his arms and chest. He gasped, struggling against their grip, but the tendrils tightened, pulling him into a kneeling position.
"Umbrael!" he shouted, panic rising in his voice. "What's happening?!"
"The power you've borrowed must be balanced," Umbrael said, his voice devoid of emotion. "You think you can wield the strength of a god without consequence? Foolish mortal."
Kael screamed as pain erupted in his chest, a searing heat that spread through his entire body. His vision blurred, and images flashed before his eyes—visions of battles fought in forgotten realms, of cities crumbling beneath dark skies, and of an endless void where countless shadows writhed and clawed for freedom.
In the center of it all stood a figure. Its form was indistinct, shrouded in darkness, but its eyes burned with a crimson light that pierced Kael's soul.
"Do you understand now?" Umbrael's voice echoed through the vision, cold and cruel. "Every time you use my power, you draw closer to me. The stronger you become, the more you'll lose yourself. In the end, you won't know where you end, and I begin."
Kael collapsed to the ground as the vision faded, his body trembling. He could still feel the shadows around him, no longer comforting but oppressive, like a heavy cloak he couldn't remove.
"Is that the price?" he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Losing myself?"
"That is the nature of our bond," Umbrael replied. "But take solace in this: with every fragment of yourself you lose, you'll gain power beyond comprehension. The question is, how much are you willing to sacrifice?"
Kael didn't answer. He pushed himself to his feet, his legs unsteady but determined.
"I'll use your power," he said finally, his voice steady. "But I won't lose myself. I'll find a way to break this chain between us."
Umbrael laughed, the sound reverberating through Kael's mind like an echo in a cavern. "You can try, mortal. But you'll find that breaking a god's bond is no simple feat. Still, your defiance amuses me. Perhaps you'll surprise me again."
Kael didn't respond. He turned away from the clearing, his eyes scanning the forest for any sign of a path. The battle had left the landscape scarred, but in the distance, he spotted a faint glow—torchlight flickering through the trees.
"Finally," he muttered, moving toward the light.
---
Kael emerged into a small clearing where a group of travelers had set up camp. There were five of them, their faces lit by the orange glow of the fire. They looked up as Kael approached, their expressions ranging from wary to outright hostile.
The leader, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Who are you?" he demanded.
Kael raised his hands, trying to appear non-threatening. "Just… a traveler. I need food and rest."
The man's eyes narrowed. "You look like you've been through hell. What happened out there?"
Kael hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. He didn't want to mention the shadow god bound to him or the monstrous beast he'd just killed. "Bandits," he lied. "They ambushed me, but I managed to get away."
The man studied him for a moment before grunting. "Fine. But if you try anything, you'll regret it."
Kael nodded, grateful for the reprieve. He sat down by the fire, accepting a piece of bread from one of the younger travelers.
As he ate, he listened to their conversation. They spoke of strange happenings in the region—villages disappearing overnight, shadows moving on their own, and whispers in the dark.
Kael's stomach tightened. He didn't know if these events were connected to him, but he couldn't shake the feeling that his journey was only just beginning.
Suddenly, one of the travelers screamed.
Kael spun around to see the man's shadow rising from the ground, twisting into a monstrous form. The other shadows around the campfire began to follow suit, writhing and converging into a single, towering figure with crimson eyes.
Umbrael's voice echoed in Kael's mind, cold and amused. "Did you think you could run from the consequences of your actions? The shadows are hungry, Kael. And they'll devour everything in their path."
The monstrous shadow lunged toward the group, its claws gleaming in the firelight.
Kael jumped to his feet, his heart pounding. He had no choice. He would have to fight again.
But as he called upon the shadows for aid, a chilling thought crossed his mind.
How much of himself would he lose this time?
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder