The air outside the Hunters' Domain felt wrong.
Too still.
Too quiet.
Like the world itself was holding its breath.
Adrian stood at the edge of the courtyard, staring into the darkness beyond the broken barrier. The night stretched endlessly ahead, but he could feel them.
Watching.
Waiting.
"They're close," Adrian said quietly.
Behind him, Kai stepped forward.
"I know."
Adrian didn't turn.
The mark on his wrist pulsed again—slow, deliberate, like something calling to him.
"…It's stronger now."
Kai's gaze dropped to the mark.
"It's reacting to them."
Adrian clenched his fist.
"No… it's reacting to me."
Silence.
Riven and the other hunters moved into position behind them, weapons ready, eyes scanning every shadow.
"This isn't normal," one of the hunters muttered.
Riven's voice was low.
"Nothing about him is normal."
Adrian exhaled slowly.
"…Good to know I'm still the problem."
Kai stepped closer.
"You're not the problem."
Adrian gave a faint, tired smile.
"Feels like it."
Before Kai could respond—
The shadows ahead shifted.
Not subtly.
Not slowly.
Violently.
Like something massive was tearing its way into their world.
"Positions!" Riven shouted.
The hunters spread out instantly.
Kai's shadows rose around him.
Adrian's heart pounded.
They're here.
And then—
They appeared.
Not one.
Not two.
But five.
Five Harbingers stepped forward from the darkness, their crimson eyes glowing in unison.
Adrian's breath caught.
"…That's new."
Riven cursed under his breath.
"This is bad."
Kai's voice dropped.
"Stay behind me."
But Adrian didn't move.
"No."
Kai turned sharply.
"This isn't a request."
"And I'm not sitting back while you fight alone," Adrian shot back.
The mark pulsed again.
Stronger.
The Harbingers began to move.
Slow.
Coordinated.
Like they were hunting.
One stepped forward.
Then stopped.
Its head tilted slightly—
Not at Kai.
At Adrian.
"…You grow stronger…"
Adrian stiffened.
"I'm not joining you."
The Harbinger's voice echoed.
"…You already have."
Adrian's chest tightened.
"No."
Kai stepped in front of him.
"Enough talking."
The battle exploded.
---
Clash
Two Harbingers rushed forward at once.
Kai met them head-on.
His shadows surged violently, clashing against theirs in a burst of dark energy.
The impact shook the ground.
Riven and the hunters engaged the others, weapons flashing, energy cutting through the air.
Adrian stood still for one second.
Just one.
Then—
He moved.
"I'm not useless," he muttered.
The shadows responded instantly.
They wrapped around his arm again, forming that same dark armor.
But this time—
It held.
Adrian stepped forward.
A Harbinger lunged at him.
He reacted instinctively.
His arm moved—
And the shadows struck.
Fast.
Precise.
The attack hit.
The Harbinger staggered.
Adrian's eyes widened.
"…I did it."
But then—
The mark flared.
Pain shot through his arm.
"Ah—!"
The shadows surged uncontrollably.
Stronger.
Wilder.
"Adrian!" Kai shouted.
Adrian dropped to one knee.
"I… can't hold it—!"
The voice returned.
Louder than before.
"…Let go…"
"…Stop fighting…"
"…Become—"
"NO!" Adrian shouted.
The shadows exploded outward again.
This time—
Bigger.
More violent.
They pushed everything back.
Friend and enemy alike.
Kai was forced to step back.
"…Adrian…"
Adrian's breathing slowed.
Too slow.
His eyes flickered again—
Dark.
Empty.
The Harbingers stopped.
Watching.
"…Yes…"
One stepped closer.
"…This is your true self…"
Kai moved instantly.
"No."
He cut through the space between them, appearing in front of Adrian.
"Adrian. Look at me."
Adrian didn't respond.
The shadows continued to rise around him.
Unstable.
Dangerous.
"Adrian!" Kai's voice was sharper now.
Still nothing.
The mark glowed brighter.
The darkness deepened.
Kai clenched his jaw.
"…Don't make me do this."
Riven shouted from the side.
"Kai! If he loses control—!"
"I know!"
Kai stepped closer.
Ignoring the violent energy.
Ignoring the danger.
Until he stood right in front of Adrian.
"…You said you wouldn't run," Kai said quietly.
No response.
"You said you'd fight."
Adrian's fingers twitched.
The shadows flickered.
Kai took one more step forward.
Close enough—
To reach him.
"…So fight," Kai whispered.
And then—
He grabbed him.
Pulled him forward.
Adrian's eyes widened slightly.
"K…ai…?"
The shadows faltered.
Just for a moment.
Kai didn't let go.
"Stay with me."
Adrian's breathing shook.
"I… can't…"
"Yes, you can."
The mark pulsed.
Fighting back.
The voice screamed louder.
"…LET GO—!"
Adrian clenched his head.
"Make it stop!"
Kai's grip tightened.
"I'm right here."
The shadows trembled.
The darkness cracked.
Adrian gasped—
And the energy collapsed.
Everything went still.
Silence fell across the battlefield.
Adrian sagged forward.
Kai caught him.
"…I'm here," Kai said quietly.
Adrian's voice was weak.
"…I hate this."
Kai didn't respond.
But he didn't let go.
Around them—
The Harbingers had stopped attacking.
They watched.
Observing.
Learning.
Then—
Slowly—
They began to retreat.
One by one.
Melting back into the darkness.
Riven lowered his weapon slightly.
"…They're pulling back again."
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"…No."
Riven frowned.
"What?"
Kai's voice dropped.
"They're not retreating."
A pause.
"They're waiting."
Adrian's grip tightened weakly on Kai's shirt.
"…For what…?"
Kai looked down at him.
His expression dark.
Serious.
"For you to break."
Silence.
The mark on Adrian's wrist pulsed again.
Soft.
Steady.
Patient.
And for the first time—
Adrian realized the truth.
This wasn't a battle he could win by force alone.
Because the real fight—
Was inside him.