Hello everyone, this is the author of the story. I'm just here to let you know that in previous chapters I referred to Draven's power as the Shadow Monarch; I will be changing the name from now on to Noctharum and leaving "Shadow Monarch" as a title he will acquire later. Thank you.
The days following the confrontation in the hills were silent in Arkhaven, but for Draven Noctyros, the world seemed to have changed completely.
He could no longer pretend to be just an ordinary village child.
Something within him had awakened.
Something ancient.
Something powerful.
Every morning, before the sun even rose, Draven walked to the distant grove where no one usually went. It was the only place where he could train without drawing attention.
There, surrounded by tall trees and profound silence, he closed his eyes and concentrated.
Shadows began to move slowly around his body.
The Great Sage spoke in his mind:
Training initiated.
Objective: Improve control over Noctharum.
Recommendation: Gradually increase the flow of dark energy.
Draven took a deep breath.
He extended his hand.
The shadows on the ground began to lengthen, as if pulled by an invisible force. First they trembled, unsteady, but gradually they began to respond better to his will.
It was like learning to move a new muscle in the body.
At first it was strange.
But then… natural.
He tried something new.
He concentrated his will and made the shadows rise from the ground, forming small dark blades that floated in the air.
The Great Sage responded immediately:
New application of Noctharum detected.
Classification:
Shadow Construct.
Current control:
38%
The blades remained in the air for a few seconds before dissolving back into ordinary shadows.
Draven frowned.
It still wasn't enough.
While training, the Great Sage continued to analyze his body.
Physiological analysis in progress.
Body adapting to the use of dark energy.
Result:
Increased physical strength.
Increased resistance.
Improved reaction rate.
Draven slowly opened his eyes.
Even without realizing it, his body was already changing.
Each training session made him stronger.
Each battle made him evolve.
But Draven didn't know that, far away, his existence had already begun to attract attention.
High on a distant mountain, a group of warriors of an ancient race observed the horizon.
One of them spoke:
"The energy we felt a few days ago... has reappeared."
Another replied:
"It wasn't ordinary magic."
The group's leader narrowed his eyes.
"No... it was something much older."
Elsewhere in the world, inside an ancient temple, priests studied ancient records carved in stone.
One of the runes began to glow.
One of them murmured:
"This is impossible..."
Another asked:
"What does this mean?"
The priest replied slowly:
"It means that something that should have remained dormant... has awakened again."
Meanwhile, completely oblivious to all of this, Draven continued his training in the woods.
He raised his hand once more.
The shadows responded again, this time faster.
More precisely.
The Great Sage recorded:
Control of Noctharum increased.
New level of mastery:
45%
Draven watched the shadows swirl around his arm.
He didn't know it yet...
but each step he took brought him closer to a destiny that would change the balance of the entire world.
And in the depths of the very darkness that obeyed him...
something seemed to be watching the growth of his power.
Silently.
Patiently.
Waiting for the moment when Draven Noctyros would cease to be just a boy... and begin his true ascension.