The entire village gathered around the old oak tree.
At its base lay a creature — twisted, black, and unnatural. Its body looked like smoke frozen into shape, and its eyes glowed with a faint purple light.
"Shadow spawn…" one elder whispered.
Kael felt a strange pull toward it.
Like it was calling him.
Suddenly, the creature's eyes snapped open.
It stared directly at Kael.
And then—
It spoke.
"...Heir…"
The ground trembled.
Before anyone could react, a burning mark appeared on Kael's hand — dark, glowing, alive.
The elders stepped back in horror.
"That mark…" one of them said shakily."It belongs to the Shadow Crown."
Kael didn't understand.
But deep inside…
Something awakened.