The throne room was not yet the place of nightmares Kael remembered.
It was beautiful.
Silver pillars carved with runes spiraled into a high arched ceiling, and golden banners draped the walls, fluttering faintly with magic. The scent of fresh incense lingered in the air—not the iron stink of blood and ruin.
But Kael knew better.
This place would one day burn. These walls would collapse, soaked in flame and betrayal. And the man seated atop the obsidian throne in the center of it all…
He would be the one to cause it.
Aserion Voss.
The future tyrant. The world-ender. The man Kael had died trying to kill.
Yet now, Kael stood hidden in the shadows behind a pillar, silent, faceless, unnoticed—just one of a dozen shadow servants waiting for orders.
His heart thudded like war drums in his chest.
> [Quest Complete: Observe Aserion – Success]
Reward: +50 Shadow Points
Passive Unlocked: Breathless Presence – Your heartbeat is muffled in the presence of danger.
A pulse of power flickered in Kael's veins. Subtle. Cool. Silent. Like mist in moonlight.
He looked at Aserion.
The villain was... not yet a villain.
Young. Maybe twenty. His black hair was tied back, sharp features untouched by time. The madness in his future eyes wasn't there—only calm calculation. He held a scroll in one hand, fingers tapping rhythmically.
"I said," Aserion spoke at last, his voice smooth as silk over steel, "—where is the report from the southern border?"
A noble knelt before him, sweating bullets. "M-My Lord, we've sent ravens, but the scouts haven't returned yet."
Aserion's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Then next time, send hounds, not pigeons."
He gestured lightly.
A flash of violet.
The man collapsed—dead before his body hit the floor.
The throne room fell into dead silence. Not a soul dared move.
Kael's breath caught in his throat.
This… this wasn't just the man he'd fought at the end. It was the man being forged into that monster. And every moment from now on mattered.
Kael whispered, barely audible:
"I need to influence him… before the path is sealed."
> [New Quest: Begin Your First Intervention]
Objective: Create a ripple in Aserion's decisions.
Reward: +100 Shadow Points
Bonus: Unlock Hidden Shadow Skill
System Suggestion: Deliver falsified intel to Aserion's strategist before nightfall.
Kael's fingers twitched.
That strategist—Lady Syrene—was Aserion's most trusted early advisor. She had warned him against open war. Her death three months from now had been the turning point.
Kael knew what he had to do.
But before he could slip away, Aserion's voice rang out again.
"You. The one near the third pillar."
Kael froze.
Was he caught?
The guards looked around. None of the other shadow servants moved.
"Step forward," Aserion said, eyes locking straight onto him.
Kael swallowed hard, stepping out. He bowed without meeting Aserion's gaze.
This close… the weight of presence Aserion gave off was crushing. Not magical. Personal. Like standing before a coiled dragon pretending to be a man.
Aserion studied him.
"You're new," he said quietly.
Kael remained silent.
"You have the bearing of a man who doesn't belong among rats." A pause. Then: "Interesting."
He waved a hand dismissively. "Fetch wine for Lady Syrene. She's in the East Library."
Kael bowed lower. "Yes, my Lord."
As he turned to leave, he felt the weight of Aserion's gaze lingering.
> [System Update: Path Fork Detected]
Shadow Thread Chosen:
→ "The Tyrant Notices You"
Status: Unstable Curiosity
Consequence: Increased observation risk
Reward: Potential future influence access
Kael exhaled slowly once he passed the hall threshold.
The villain had noticed him—not as a threat, but as something unusual.
That was both terrifying… and useful.
"First contact," Kael muttered. "Now let's see what I can change."