The royal hall fell silent after King Theron's words.
But this silence felt different… not just fear—more like waiting.
The marble floor was covered with fallen soldiers. Some were unconscious, others were quietly groaning in pain. Their armor reflected the flickering torchlight, while shadows moved slowly around Vail's feet… almost like they were alive.
Vail stood in the center of the hall, his sword still in his hand.
His eyes looked calm… but behind that calm, there was something dark. Something that hadn't been there just hours ago.
King Theron spoke again, his voice steady but firm:
"I asked you… who are you?"
Vail didn't answer right away. He looked down first… then at the soldiers… then back at the king. He let out a slow breath.
"I'm…"
He paused for a moment.
"Just someone who arrived late."
Donvan frowned, still on one knee.
"Late?"
He looked up at Vail.
"You killed the advisor… took down half the royal knights… and you're saying you're late?"
But Vail didn't even look at him. His eyes were fixed on the throne. On the king. On that family that had almost lost everything just moments ago.
"If I had arrived a few minutes earlier… none of this would have happened."
Silence filled the room again.
Princess Mira was the first to speak.
Her voice was soft, but clear.
"You… saved us."
Vail glanced at her slightly.
She looked about mid-teens, wearing a dark blue royal dress. Her wide eyes were full of both fear… and curiosity.
But Vail didn't reply.
He looked away again, almost like he didn't want to hear it.
"Maybe," King Theron said.
Then he slowly stepped down from the throne. His footsteps were quiet… but everyone in the hall could hear them.
He stopped a few meters away from Vail.
The king was tall, his hair starting to gray a little, but his presence was still strong.
He looked at Vail with sharp eyes.
"But the real question isn't why you saved us."
He paused.
"It's how."
The shadows around Vail's feet shifted slightly.
The king noticed. Everyone did.
"My king… this man is using—" Donvan started, but stopped. He wasn't even sure what he had seen.
"The shadow," the king said calmly.
A quiet murmur spread among the soldiers.
Shadow… that wasn't just a normal word. It belonged to old legends.
Vail slowly raised his head and looked at the king.
For a brief moment… it felt like the king knew something.
"I've read many ancient books," King Theron said, gesturing toward the shadows.
"And this power… it's not a normal mark."
The whole hall froze.
Donvan stepped forward.
"My king… do you mean—"
"Not now," the king said, raising his hand.
Then he looked back at Vail.
"I owe you my life… and my family's."
He paused.
"But I'm also the king of this kingdom."
His voice grew slightly stronger.
"And I won't allow an unknown power to walk freely in my palace without an explanation."
Vail's expression didn't change.
"I didn't come to ask for permission."
Some of the soldiers flinched at his boldness.
But the king didn't get angry. Instead, he gave a small smile.
"I see."
Then he stepped closer.
"Answer me one thing… are you our enemy?"
Silence. Even the torches seemed to calm down.
Vail looked down again… then raised his eyes.
"No."
He paused, then added quietly:
"But I'm not your ally either."
The room went still.
"That's enough!" Donvan snapped.
He finally pushed himself up despite his exhaustion and raised his sword.
"My king, this man is dangerous! We can't let him—"
Before he could finish…
The shadow moved.
It rose behind Vail like a dark wave.
The soldiers stepped back.
But Vail didn't attack.
"Calm down," he said quietly.
It wasn't clear who he was talking to… Donvan, or himself.
He lowered his sword slightly and looked at the king.
"I came here for one reason."
He paused.
"It's done."
The king frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Before Vail could answer—
A sound echoed from the corner of the hall.
Slow clapping.
"Beautiful… really beautiful."
Everyone froze.
Heads turned toward the shadow near one of the massive pillars.
Someone was standing there… in the darkness.
No one had noticed him before.
He stepped forward.
The torchlight slowly revealed his face.
A thin man… wearing a long black robe.
And on his chest… a strange silver mark.
The king's expression changed instantly.
"You…"
The man smiled.
"Yes, my king."
He bowed slightly.
"Seems like our plan failed."
"One more traitor!" a soldier shouted.
But the man didn't care.
His eyes were locked on Vail… shining with interest.
"I didn't expect to see this."
He pointed at the shadows around Vail and stepped closer.
"Honestly… I really didn't."
Vail didn't move.
But the shadow beneath him grew deeper.
"Did you know, my king…" the man said, glancing at the king,
"…that the legends say this power…"
Then he looked back at Vail.
"…was the reason entire civilizations fell?"
Some of the soldiers shivered.
But Vail spoke calmly:
"And who are you?"
The man smiled wider.
"Good question."
He bowed slightly.
"My name… is Arkan."
Donvan froze.
"Arkan?!"
One of the soldiers shouted:
"He's the leader of the Shadow Network!"
Whispers spread across the hall.
The Shadow Network… one of the most dangerous secret groups in the kingdom.
But Arkan looked amused.
"I was hoping the coup would go smoothly…"
He glanced at the spot where the advisor had fallen.
"But it seems our new friend here… ruined it."
He stepped closer, now just a few meters away from Vail.
"But I'm not angry."
He smiled.
"In fact… I'm curious."
The air in the hall felt heavy.
The soldiers were tense.
The king watched in silence.
And Vail…
just stared at Arkan with no expression.
"Do you know how many years we've searched for this power?" Arkan said.
He paused.
Then quietly:
"The Shadow Mark."
The entire hall froze.
Donvan looked at the king in shock.
The king didn't move, but his eyes narrowed.
Vail… said nothing.
Arkan's smile grew.
"So… it's true."
He whispered:
"It has returned."
The shadow behind Vail shifted slowly.
But Arkan raised his hands.
"Relax."
He let out a small laugh.
"I'm not here to fight."
Then he looked around.
"Not today, at least."
He stepped closer one last time, then leaned slightly and spoke in a low voice only Vail could hear:
"But when your journey begins…"
He smiled coldly.
"…we'll be waiting."
Then—
Black smoke exploded around his body.
"Stop him!" a soldier shouted.
But when the smoke faded…
Arkan was gone.
Silence filled the hall once again.
But this time… it felt much heavier.
The king slowly looked at Vail.
"Seems like your arrival… will bring more trouble than I expected."
Vail didn't answer.
He looked down… then at the shadows around his feet.
And he remembered the ink's words:
"From here… your journey of pain begins."
He closed his eyes for a moment.
Then opened them.
And said quietly:
"It already has."