The heavy silence of the warehouse hung thick in the air, the scent of blood, oil, and gunpowder still lingering like a memory of violence. The only movement came from the swirling shadows that coiled around Alexander's feet, whispering in a language only he could understand. The battle was over, but the air remained charged with the remnants of the abyss's presence.
At his feet, Dimitri Kovac had fallen—but he did not remain dead.
The abyss had claimed him, molded him, reborn him in the image of its master. Now, Kovac's form was different, his once flesh-bound body now infused with the essence of darkness itself. His armor-like plating shimmered with an unnatural sheen, his limbs wrapped in an ever-shifting mass of abyssal energy. His fingers flexed, testing the strength of his new form, the darkness pulsating like a second skin, living and breathing with his movements. The most striking change, however, were his eyes. Gone was the cold, calculating gaze of a war-hardened mercenary. In its place burned twin pools of deep violet, the unmistakable mark of the Shadow Monarch's dominion.
And yet, despite his transformation, Kovac remained still, kneeling before Alexander, waiting. His body language was devoid of resistance, an instinctual acknowledgment of his new existence.
[System Notification]
"A newly extracted shadow requires a designation. The Monarch may bestow a name, solidifying its existence under his rule."
Alexander studied the figure before him. Kovac had been many things—an assassin, a tactician, a leader of men. He had fought, adapted, and even in death, his final moments had been those of a warrior unwilling to yield. There was strength in him, even now, something that made him a valuable addition. But a nameless shadow was incomplete.
A fitting addition to his growing army deserved a name worthy of the power he now wielded.
Alexander took a slow step forward, the soft echo of his boots against the concrete the only sound in the cavernous space. The weight of his new power thrummed in his chest, an undeniable force that demanded acknowledgment. He had granted Kovac a second life—but this time, it was under his rule.
He spoke, his voice carrying an authority that left no room for dispute.
"You once thrived in the darkness, Kovac." His violet gaze bore into his new creation. "Now, you are Noctis. The night is yours to command."
The effect was immediate.
The abyss rippled, responding to the act of naming as though it, too, recognized the significance of the moment. The energy surrounding Kovac's shadowed form pulsed, dark tendrils curling tighter around his body before settling into place. A deep, resonating hum filled the air, as if the abyss itself had spoken in approval. The flickering remnants of light in the warehouse seemed to dim further, swallowed by the weight of the power now cemented in the being before him.
Then, slowly, Kovac—Noctis—lifted his head.
His eyes gleamed with newfound understanding, his voice now stripped of all hesitation, carrying a depth that resonated with loyalty beyond mortal constraints. "I accept this name, my king." He pressed a fist to his chest, his form kneeling deeper in a show of unwavering allegiance. "I am Noctis, and I serve only you."
Alexander exhaled, satisfied. The transformation was complete. He could feel the bond, stronger than anything he had known before. Noctis was no longer simply a man who had fallen to the abyss—he was part of it, and part of him.
Vasili stood silently nearby, his expression impassive, yet there was a flicker of something in his eyes—approval, or perhaps recognition. Noctis was the second of their kind, but he would not be the last.
With Vasili and Noctis now at his side, his army was beginning to take shape. Two warriors, both deadly in life, now even more so in death. The foundation of something far greater had been set.
And this was only the beginning.
The world was vast, filled with powerful men who believed they controlled the shadows. Crime lords, assassins, secret organizations that thrived in the dark—they all thought they were the true masters of the night.
But soon, they would learn.
The true master of the abyss had arrived.
_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️