shadow Ascendants

Ren's body still hummed with the energy of the trial, his muscles sore but invigorated. The Shadow Monarch's power flowed through him, filling him with strength, but also a sense of purpose. He had passed the trial, but what came next?

The throne room around him was silent, the only sound the faint whisper of the shadows that seemed to dance at the edges of his vision. His gaze fell to the throne once more. It was no longer just a seat—it was a symbol.

He had inherited not just power, but a legacy.

"The Shadow Monarch didn't just rule the shadows… He ruled the world."

His thoughts turned to the kingdom. The land beyond the ruins. His inheritance was not merely to be a monarch of shadows, but a ruler of the realm. There were kingdoms to be claimed, wars to be waged, and beasts to be slain.

"I will need allies. Resources. A foundation."

He stood, his thoughts now focused on the future. Ren approached the massive pedestal where the Abyss Knight had once stood. With the Monarch's Will coursing through him, he could feel the presence of the land itself, pulsing in rhythm with his own heartbeat.

His mind began to take shape—he would build his kingdom from the ground up, starting with the shadows and spreading his influence until all who lived on this land would bend the knee to him. But to do that, he would need to train, fight, and conquer.

"I will be ready."

Three months later

Ren had left the ruins and traveled deep into the wilderness of the Shadow Realm, a place where beasts roamed wild, mystical creatures battled for dominance, and the land itself seemed alive. He had taken the first steps to carve out his kingdom, but it was far from easy.

He had already clashed with several beasts—wild wyverns, shadow hounds, and even a raging earth titan. But each victory, though hard-won, brought him closer to his goal.

He had learned to control his newfound abilities, his Monarch's Will sharpening his command over shadows. Yet, every time he defeated an enemy, he couldn't help but feel the same gnawing hunger within him. Power was his goal, but it was becoming clear—he would need more than strength to achieve godhood.

"The gods… They are my true opponents. To claim their throne, I must be stronger than I ever thought possible."

Ren paused at the edge of a cliff, looking down into the valley below. A massive army of magical beasts marched through the land, their growls shaking the earth. These creatures, many of them immense in size, hulking and terrifying, had been terrorizing the nearby villages.

Ren's heart quickened. This was the moment he had been waiting for—the chance to test his full potential against an invading force.

"I will conquer them. Not for revenge, not for power alone. But to carve my future."

A Battle for Dominion

The beasts charged, their bodies clashing against the earth with bone-shattering force. A manticore, its tail lashing like a whip, was the first to approach. Ren's eyes narrowed as he summoned his shadow claws, his aura swirling with dark energy.

"Here we go."

He leapt forward, his speed increased by the shadows that coiled around his feet. The manticore's tail lashed at him, but Ren dodged effortlessly, using the shadow to move faster than the beast could react. With a swift strike, he tore into the manticore's leg.

The beast howled in pain but continued its assault, swiping with its claws. Ren used his Shadow Claw to parry the strike, but the sheer strength of the beast forced him back. He staggered, gritting his teeth as his body screamed in protest. It had been a while since he faced something this strong.

"I won't back down."

Ren gritted his teeth and summoned the power of the Monarch's Will. A wave of dark energy burst outward, enveloping the manticore and forcing it to the ground. But Ren was already on top of it, his claws tearing into the beast's throat before it could react.

[Shadow Absorption: Activated.]

With a burst of energy, the manticore's life force was drawn into Ren's body. He felt his power increase, a familiar surge that made his senses sharper, his body stronger.

But there was no time to rest.

More beasts were closing in, and Ren had to keep moving. His kingdom wasn't going to build itself.