The throne room of shadows remained silent as Kael knelt, head lowered, every muscle in his body trembling under the immense pressure.
Then, the Shadow Lord spoke again, his voice like velvet over razors.
"You seem shocked… that I called you vessel."
Kael couldn't even nod his body refused to respond.
In the next instant, the Shadow Lord vanished from the throne and appeared directly in front of him, without a sound, without a trace of movement. His presence was now overwhelming inescapable.
"Raise your head, weakling."
Kael's body moved before he could think, his head lifting shakily. His eyes met the Shadow Lord's glowing purple gaze. That deathly pressure seemed to crawl into his bones, gripping his very soul.
"Stand."
It wasn't a request.
Kael forced himself to his feet, though every fiber of his being screamed to kneel again.
Then the Shadow Lord tilted his head slightly, studying Kael with something between disdain and interest.
"It seems you don't know. You're supposed to be a vessel of mine."
This time, Kael managed to nod barely.
The pressure in the air eased, slightly. The killing intent faded just enough for Kael to breathe.
The Shadow Lord continued, voice deep and commanding:
"As a higher being, I have the ability to create, choose… or bring from another world… vessels. Humans capable of holding a fraction of my power."
His gaze sharpened.
"This is the source of your skill."
Kael's eyes widened as the truth hit him like a thunderbolt.
"When you use the ability 'Shadow Lord,' you are tapping into an extremely small shard of my power. A sliver. A mere whisper of my shadow."
He took a step closer, the ground beneath his feet darkening with pure shadow energy.
"That is the reason you operate at what you perceive as maximum potential. But your body… your soul… your existence is still far too weak. You can only draw on a fraction."
Kael clenched his fists, his jaw tight.
The Shadow Lord's tone turned cold warning.
"Kael Vernier… I recommend you get stronger."
The shadows thickened again, swallowing the throne room in darkness.
"You are unfortunately a glitch in this world. You were not meant to be born as you are. And now… the other gods have taken notice. The celestial beings are displeased."
Kael's stomach twisted.
The other gods?
"Grow. Evolve. Or you will not survive."
Then his voice dropped low, dangerously soft.
"Do not force me to give you a power surge… that your fragile body cannot contain. I will not hesitate to shatter you to protect the balance."
The world around Kael began to blur.
Shadows swallowed everything.
And then.
Silence.
Kael's eyes fluttered open.
He was lying on the ground.
He gasped for air.
Sweat poured down his face.
His heart thundered in his chest.
But he was alive.
Barely.
And those words still echoed in his head:
> Grow your strength… or die.