The moment we stepped through the jaws of the colossal panther statue, the outside world disappeared.
Silence.
A strange silence.
Not the peaceful kind.
The kind that made a person instinctively lower their voice.
As though speaking too loudly would awaken something sleeping.
The corridor stretched far ahead.
Black walls lined both sides.
Purple veins glowed faintly beneath the surface of the vibranium.
The entire structure seemed alive.
Breathing.
Watching.
Waiting.
I couldn't explain why.
Yet every instinct in my body remained alert.
The deeper we walked, the heavier the pressure became.
Not oppressive.
Simply present.
Like walking toward the heart of a sleeping volcano.
The Nyxari guide leading us slowed.
His posture straightened.
His tail lowered.
Even his breathing became more controlled.
Respect.
No.
Reverence.
The kind one reserved for beings beyond oneself.
Soon the corridor opened.
And I froze.
The room before us was enormous.
Far larger than the mansion should have allowed.
Another spatial formation.
The ceiling stretched hundreds of meters overhead.
Ancient pillars lined both sides.
Each pillar carved into the likeness of a panther.
Thousands of glowing runes covered every surface.
At the very end stood a throne.
A single throne.
Carved from black obsidian.
And seated upon it—
Was a black panther.
Pure black fur.
Not a trace of any other color.
His body was massive.
Easily larger than a war elephant.
His tail swayed slowly behind him.
His eyes remained closed.
Yet I immediately understood.
This...
Was Elder God Nyxaroth.
The Void Panther.
The Shadow Monarch.
The strongest Nyxari alive.
The seven warriors escorting us immediately dropped to one knee.
"Greetings, Patriarch."
Father clasped his hands and bowed slightly.
I did the same.
For several seconds—
Nothing happened.
Then.
The panther opened his eyes.
BOOOOOOM!!!!
The world shook.
The air cracked.
Space distorted.
For a brief moment reality itself seemed unable to support his existence.
My instincts exploded.
DANGER!
DANGER!!
DANGER!!!
Every cell in my body screamed.
Not because he was hostile.
Because he existed.
That alone was enough.
A blue screen appeared before me.
< Elder God Nyxaroth >
Race: Nyxari Umbryx
Realm: D-10 Apex God
Path: Shadow Monarch
Path: Endless Shadows
Title: The Void Panther
Status: Ready to Ascend
Warning: Further observation not recommended.
I immediately closed the screen.
Some information felt dangerous to know.
"Rise."
His voice echoed through the hall.
The pillars vibrated.
The floor trembled.
The kneeling Nyxari stood immediately.
Without another word they retreated.
Soon only Father and I remained.
Nyxaroth's gaze landed on Father.
Silence.
Then—
"Hmph."
The giant panther slowly stood.
The movement alone caused space to crack.
His massive frame began shrinking.
Black light covered his body.
Bones shifted.
Fur retracted.
A moment later—
A man stood where the panther had been.
Tall.
Massively built.
Long black hair.
Purple eyes filled with stars.
He appeared no older than twenty-five.
Yet the ancient aura surrounding him made age meaningless.
He stepped down from the throne.
One step.
Two.
Three.
Every step felt like a mountain moving.
Then he stopped before Father.
"Brat."
Father grinned.
"Old man."
Silence.
Then—
CRACK!!!!
Nyxaroth grabbed Father and pulled him into a hug.
The sound of bones protesting echoed throughout the hall.
Father's smile instantly vanished.
"My ribs!"
"Good."
CRACK!
"My spine!"
"Excellent."
CRACK!
"My organs!"
"Still alive."
The old monster nodded approvingly.
Father looked ready to cry.
I looked away.
I had a feeling this wasn't the first time.
Finally Nyxaroth released him.
Father stumbled backward.
Massaging his shoulders.
Nyxaroth laughed.
The sound shook the mansion.
"Still weak."
Father snorted.
"Says the coward who refuses to ascend."
The laughter stopped.
Both stared at each other.
Then burst out laughing.
Like old friends.
Or old enemies.
Perhaps both.
Eventually Nyxaroth's gaze shifted toward me.
The smile disappeared.
Instantly.
The atmosphere changed.
The room darkened.
The temperature dropped.
His purple eyes glowed brighter.
"The cub."
His voice became serious.
Father nodded.
"He leaves for Neraphyx in a week."
Silence.
Nyxaroth studied me.
For the first time since entering this room—
I felt examined.
Not physically.
Completely.
As though every secret I possessed was being laid bare before him.
Then his eyes narrowed.
"Oh?"
Something changed.
A strange expression appeared.
Interest.
Genuine interest.
The darkness around him stirred.
His shadow expanded.
Slowly spreading across the floor.
Across the walls.
Across the throne.
Then—
I saw them.
Eyes.
Thousands of eyes.
Opening within the darkness.
White.
Cold.
Predatory.
Watching.
Waiting.
Hunting.
My breath caught.
Warriors.
Entire armies.
Countless figures hidden within his shadow.
Some human.
Some beast.
Some neither.
All powerful.
All terrifying.
A kingdom hidden inside darkness itself.
And every one of them—
Was staring at me.
Nyxaroth smiled.
"The cub can see them."
Father blinked.
"What?"
"The Shadow Legion."
The old monster's smile widened.
"He can see my Shadow Legion."
For the first time—
Nyxaroth looked impressed.
Genuinely impressed.
Then he laughed.
A dangerous laugh.
The kind that made survival instincts activate.
"Excellent."
He turned and walked toward the mansion exit.
"Come."
Father sighed.
I followed.
Something told me refusing wasn't an option.
Minutes later we arrived outside.
At the empty arena surrounding the mansion.
The ground was uneven.
Covered in craters.
Signs of countless battles.
Nyxaroth stopped at the center.
Then turned toward me.
His smile widened.
Far too wide.
"What is your strongest Form?"
I answered honestly.
"Beast Ascension Form II."
"Good."
He nodded.
"What is your greatest strength?"
"My adaptability."
"Good."
Another nod.
Then—
"What is your greatest weakness?"
I remained silent.
Nyxaroth smiled.
"Exactly."
My eyes narrowed.
The old monster pointed toward the endless wilderness beyond the barrier.
Then spoke four words.
Words that instantly made every instinct in my body scream.
"Run."
Silence.
"...What?"
"Run."
His smile widened.
The shadows beneath his feet exploded.
Thousands of eyes opened.
Thousands.
Upon thousands.
Upon thousands.
The Shadow Legion awakened.
Predatory intent flooded the world.
My body froze.
For the first time in years—
I felt genuine danger.
Nyxaroth folded his arms.
"You have ten seconds."
My pupils contracted.
"Ten seconds for what?"
The old monster's grin became feral.
"To start running."
The legion took a step forward.
The world darkened.
And my instincts finally understood.
This wasn't training.
This was survival.
HELL TRAINING BEGINS.