The first light of dawn filtered through the dense fog, casting the city in shades of gray. The streets, once dark and foreboding, now appeared more vulnerable, the mist lingering like a heavy curtain, unwilling to let the day in fully. Leon and Kaelis stood at the edge of the city, their destination clear, but the tension between them was palpable.
Leon adjusted the straps of his cloak, the cold edge of his blade pressing against his back. His mind was focused, his resolve firm. Today was the day. The day he would get one step closer to destroying Darius and bringing down the Eternal Empire. Every moment had led him to this, every shadow he commanded and consumed, every lie and betrayal that had scarred his soul. There would be no turning back.
Kaelis stood by his side, calm as ever, his eyes scanning the horizon. There was a quiet strength in his demeanor, but Leon couldn't help the nagging feeling in his gut that Kaelis knew more than he was letting on.
"We're going in, and we're coming out alive," Leon muttered under his breath, more to himself than to Kaelis. "No mistakes."
Kaelis glanced at him, his face as unreadable as always. "I don't plan on making any mistakes." His voice was calm, but Leon caught the glint of determination in his eyes. Kaelis had a plan. Or perhaps, like Leon, he had no plan other than to see this through.
Their path was clear. They would infiltrate the tower where Darius resided, dig deeper into the layers of the Eternal Empire, and find the answers they needed. Darius had been pulling the strings for far too long, and Leon wasn't about to let him escape again.
As they neared the hidden entrance beneath the city, a ripple in the darkness caught Leon's attention. His shadow army. They had completed their mission, and now it was time to hear the results.
Without a word, Leon extended his senses, calling forth the shadow army that had been investigating Kaelis. They appeared in front of him, their forms flickering in and out of existence, waiting for his command.
"They're back," Leon murmured, his voice low but firm. "Let's hear what they found."
Kaelis stood in silence, watching the shadows gather around Leon, his expression unreadable. He knew this moment was coming, the moment when Leon would decide his fate based on what his army had uncovered.
One of the shadows stepped forward, its form flickering like smoke. Its voice was a whisper, as if it were speaking directly into Leon's mind. "Master Leon, the investigation is complete. Kaelis is indeed on your side. His actions, his words, his intentions, all align with your goals. He is not your enemy."
Leon's gaze remained hard, his eyes fixed on the shadows before him. He had expected this, but hearing it from his army, confirmed with their sharp eyes and unblinking focus, solidified his decision. Kaelis wasn't lying. At least not about this.
Kaelis remained still, his gaze meeting Leon's without hesitation. "I told you I wasn't your enemy."
Leon didn't respond immediately, his mind processing the words. Trust was still a fragile thing between them. Kaelis had shown no signs of treachery, but it was still too early to be certain. Leon wasn't a fool. He wouldn't let his guard down until he had no choice.
"What about the Eternal Empire?" Leon asked, his voice cold, demanding. "What did you find?"
The shadow assassin who had spoken earlier stepped forward again, its form shifting slightly in the gloom. "We found evidence. Darius Vane has been receiving direct orders from a higher power. The Eternal Empire, though hidden, has been manipulating him for years. They control not only the Guild but several factions in the region. The Guild itself is but a puppet. Darius is nothing more than a figurehead."
Leon's heart clenched. The words cut deeper than any blade could. He had known the Guild was a corrupt institution, but this, the true scale of the Empire's control, was something else entirely.
Kaelis spoke up, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "The Eternal Empire is far more dangerous than you realize. Darius is just the beginning. We need to understand who is pulling the strings, who truly controls everything."
Leon's mind raced as the shadows continued their report. The more he learned, the more he realized how far the Empire's influence stretched. This wasn't just about revenge anymore. This was about stopping a force that threatened to crush everything in its path.
He clenched his fists, the weight of his decision bearing down on him. The time to hesitate was over.
"I've heard enough," Leon muttered, his voice low but resolute. His eyes met Kaelis', his gaze sharp and unwavering. "We move now. We take the fight to Darius and find out who's truly behind the Empire. No more waiting."
But before Kaelis could respond, Leon whispered a single word under his breath, barely audible, but laced with dark power.
"Extract."
In an instant, the shadow army dissolved, vanishing like smoke into the air. They no longer stood before him, but Leon could feel them. Inside him. His shadows, his army, now integrated into his very being. They were no longer just extensions of his will; they were part of him, ready to manifest at his command.
Kaelis watched, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the shift. "You've made them your own," he said, his voice thoughtful. "They're no longer separate from you. You can summon them at will."
Leon's eyes gleamed with dark satisfaction. "Exactly. They are mine now. And they will be with me every step of the way."
Kaelis gave a small nod, acknowledging the power Leon had gained. "Impressive. But be careful. Power like that can be both a gift and a curse."
Leon didn't respond to that. He had no need to. Power was power, and the more he had, the better. It was the only thing that mattered now.
Turning on his heel, Leon motioned toward the entrance to the tower. "We have a job to do. Darius won't wait."
Kaelis followed him without a word, their footsteps echoing in the silent streets. The shadows swirled around them, waiting for their next command, and Leon felt the familiar weight of his blade against his back, a constant reminder of what was at stake.
The time to take action had come. They would confront Darius, find the truth, and destroy the Eternal Empire. And nothing, not even Kaelis, would stand in Leon's way.