Chapter 13 – The Seal of Power
In the heart of Nexan, an ancient castle's great hall was enveloped in an ominous silence. Only a faint creaking sound could be heard. of torches echoed through the vast chamber. Upon the obsidian throne sat Hükümran Impernos, his crimson cloak pooling like spilled blood beneath his feet. The flames reflected in his golden eyes, filled with restrained fury. He was waiting.
The double doors swung open.
Neros entered — his armor scorched, his expression grim, his breathing steady despite the wounds on his arms. He knelt immediately.
"My king..."
Impernos leaned forward, his voice slicing through the silence.
"Was the mission a success, Neros? Did you kill the boy?"
Neros hesitated for a moment, then answered, "Yes, my king... I mean, I fought him. But that boy... he is not ordinary. He wields power that shouldn't belong to someone of his age or experience. He—"
Impernos raised a hand. "Enough. Did you at least mark him?"
Neros lowered his head. "Yes, my lord. The seal was placed upon his chest, as you ordered."
A faint smile curved Impernos's lips. "Good. Then the real hunt begins."
He stood, the hall shaking under the weight of his presence. "This boy... this Morde... he may not realize it yet, but that seal will tie his fate to mine. Let him grow. Let him struggle. The stronger he becomes, the more that power will serve me when the time comes."
Neros frowned. "But, my king... if he grows too strong, the seal might break."
Impernos turned to him, his expression darkening. "Not yet. His strength is still insignificant. For now, let him live. Watch him. When the time is right—bring him to me alive."
"Yes, my king," Neros said, bowing deeply.
As Neros left the hall, Impernos whispered to himself, "This world has forgotten fear. It's time they remember what a Hükümran truly is."
One Day Earlier
The scene shifted.
The burning sands of İelian's southern border stretched endlessly. The sun was merciless. A lone figure walked across the dunes — Morde. His coat fluttered with every gust of hot wind. His shadow trailed long behind him, dark and alive, like something sentient.
He muttered to himself, "Finally... the border. If I can cross to Nexan, I'll be out of the World Government's reach. Just need a ship."
Ahead, the faint outline of a coastal town shimmered through the heat haze. The Ielian Port — heavily guarded, crawling with soldiers and merchant fleets. Morde's expression hardened.
"Can't afford to be seen."
He crouched behind a row of crates, observing the guards' patterns. Then, in a flash, his shadow stretched and snapped at one of the sentries' ankles, dragging the man silently into the darkness.
Morde whispered, "Sleep tight."
He slipped into the port, his movements soundless. The docks were alive with murmurs — sailors and pirates whispering of a new rumor spreading like wildfire.
"Did you hear? Captain Neyvar's ship hasn't been seen for a month."
"They say he was killed."
"No, fool. He was taken. A black fog swallowed his fleet whole."
"Bullshit. Neyvar doesn't die that easy."
Morde smirked to himself. "Pirates, rumors, chaos... this world never changes."
He found a small trade vessel, unguarded and rocking gently with the tide. "Perfect."
In one motion, he leapt aboard and untied the ropes. The boat drifted into the dark sea, the sound of shouting fading behind him.
Five hours later, the waves had grown violent. A storm was brewing.
"Great," Morde muttered. "From soldiers to drowning — just my luck."
Lightning cracked across the sky, illuminating a cave hidden within the cliffs of Nexan's coastline. "That'll do."
He steered the small craft toward it, anchoring just inside before collapsing against the stone wall.
As the storm raged outside, Morde closed his eyes. "How do I get stronger... strong enough that no one ever controls me again?"
Then, from within the depths of his mind, a voice — deep, ancient, echoing — spoke.
"I have an offer for you."
Morde's eyes snapped open. "Who's there!?"
"You already know who I am. I am the darkness that saved your life countless times. The one who dwells within your soul."
"The power inside me?" Morde whispered.
"Exactly. Without me, you'd be dead. But listen carefully — if you fall, I fall too. So I'll make you a deal."
"What kind of deal?"
"Let me borrow your body when you die — just for a short time. In return, I'll make sure you never lose again. You will become unstoppable, feared by kings, hunted by gods. This world will tremble at your name."
Morde clenched his fists. "Why should I trust you?"
"You already have. Every time you used my strength, you invited me deeper into your soul. The deal only makes it official."
A silence followed. Morde's heartbeat echoed in his ears. Power, dominance, freedom — all of it within reach.
He smirked. "Fine. You've got yourself a deal."
"Good," the voice hissed. "Then let us begin your evolution..."
Present Time — Kai's Third Stage
Meanwhile, in Waterfall Valley, Kai stood before his mentor, soaked from his training. The old man nodded in approval.
"Well done, Kai. You've completed the first stage. Now it's time to move on to the third—the true test of a warrior."
Kai smiled. "Finally! What's next?"
"In this stage," the old man said, "you will learn new skills. You will learn to master your abilities, to make them obey your will. The sharper your control, the more deadly your power."
Kai straightened, determination shining in his eyes. "I am ready."
The old man raised his finger. "Then prepare yourself. You will have to fight me again and again until you can unlock your hidden powers at will."
Kai grinned. "I was born ready, old man."
"Then let's begin!"
The mentor thrust out his palm. "Light Strike!"
A brilliant beam exploded from his hand, slicing through the air. Kai rolled to the side, barely dodging as the light carved through the stone behind him.
"Focus," he told himself. "Last time, I created a wall without even meaning to... if I can just—"
He stretched out his hands, but nothing happened. The next blast came faster — BOOM! — and Kai was forced to leap backward.
The old man shouted, "Good! You're learning to react faster! Again!"
He formed five radiant chains. "Chains of Purity!"
The glowing links snapped forward like whips. Kai clenched his fists and countered — "Soul Punch!"
Two chains shattered, but three wrapped around his arm and waist, pulling him off balance.
Then another Light Strike followed, and Kai braced for impact—
But at the very last second, a translucent barrier of spirit energy flared around him, forming a Soul Veil. The light dispersed harmlessly.
Kai blinked. "What the—did I just—?"
The old man's eyes widened. "Yes! That's it, Kai! You manifested a defensive ability. You're learning!"
Kai stood tall, breathing hard, sweat dripping from his chin. "Then let's keep going!"
Meanwhile — Hortex Naval Base
Far away, at the Hortex Main Fleet Headquarters, chaos erupted. Soldiers whispered in panic as Vice Admiral Doberman returned — wounded, his coat torn, his face pale.
"He's back... look at him!"
"Did he lose?"
"No way... not him."
Doberman walked through the metallic halls, ignoring their stares, until he reached the office of Fleet Admiral Kaizen. He stopped, took a deep breath, and knocked.
"Enter," came a calm but heavy voice.
Inside sat Kaizen — sharp-eyed, unreadable. Around him were five admirals, including the hot-tempered Terizla and the composed Reyes.
When Doberman entered, silence fell.
Kaizen spoke first. "So. I take it you failed."
Doberman's jaw tightened. Sweat formed at his temples.
Terizla slammed the table. "You're the Vice Admiral of our northern fleet! You don't fail!"
Reyes intervened calmly. "Enough, Terizla. Let him speak."
Kaizen leaned forward, eyes like daggers. "Report, Doberman. Tell us everything — about the boy named Kai."
At that very same moment, across the continents, the tides of destiny were shifting.
Morde and Kai — two forces rising from opposite sides of chaos — were unknowingly walking the same path toward a future that would shake the foundations of their world.