Darkness.
That was the first thing Adrian felt.
Not fear.
Not pain.
Just… silence.
It wrapped around him like a void, endless and heavy. No sound. No light. No sense of time.
Then—
A voice.
"…You called."
Adrian's eyes snapped open.
He wasn't in the courtyard anymore.
He stood in that place again.
The same endless darkness.
The same presence.
Towering before him.
Those black, glowing eyes stared down at him.
Adrian's chest tightened.
"…I didn't call you."
The shadow shifted slightly.
"…But you accepted me."
Adrian clenched his fists.
"I had no choice."
The presence let out a low, echoing sound—almost like amusement.
"…There is always a choice."
Adrian shook his head.
"Then take it back."
Silence.
For a moment, nothing moved.
Then—
"…No."
The answer was immediate.
Cold.
Final.
Adrian's breath caught.
"…Why?"
The shadow moved closer.
"…Because you are already becoming me."
"No," Adrian said firmly.
But even as he said it—
He felt it.
The power.
Still lingering.
Still growing.
"…You felt it, didn't you?" the voice whispered.
"…The strength… the control…"
Adrian hesitated.
Just for a second.
"…Yes."
The shadow's presence deepened.
"…And you want it again."
Adrian's heart pounded.
"I—"
He stopped.
Because he didn't know how to answer.
The shadow leaned closer.
"…You will choose me again."
Adrian's voice dropped.
"…No."
But this time—
It sounded weaker.
---
Back in the Real World
"Adrian."
A voice cut through the darkness.
Familiar.
Close.
"Adrian—wake up."
Adrian's eyes snapped open.
Light flooded his vision.
He blinked, disoriented.
"…Kai…?"
Kai was right in front of him.
Close.
Closer than usual.
His expression tense.
Relieved.
"You're awake."
Adrian sat up slowly.
His head throbbed.
"…What happened?"
Kai exhaled quietly.
"You collapsed after the fight."
Adrian frowned.
"…The Harbinger…"
Kai nodded.
"You destroyed one."
Adrian stared at his hands.
"…I remember."
Fragments of the battle flashed through his mind.
The power.
The control.
The voice.
His chest tightened.
"…It talked to me again."
Kai's expression darkened.
"…What did it say?"
Adrian hesitated.
"…That I accepted it."
Silence.
Kai didn't respond immediately.
"…And?"
Adrian looked down.
"…It said I'd choose it again."
Kai's jaw tightened.
"That won't happen."
Adrian looked at him.
"You don't know that."
Kai met his gaze.
"I do."
Adrian let out a weak breath.
"…You're really stubborn."
Kai didn't deny it.
"Yes."
A small, tired smile appeared on Adrian's face.
"…Good."
Silence settled between them.
But it wasn't heavy this time.
Just quiet.
Adrian shifted slightly—
And winced.
"…My arm…"
Kai followed his gaze.
The mark.
It had changed.
It was darker now.
The lines sharper.
More defined.
Adrian's stomach dropped.
"…It's getting worse."
Kai didn't deny it.
"Yes."
Adrian swallowed.
"…Am I losing?"
Kai leaned slightly closer.
"No."
Adrian frowned.
"It doesn't feel that way."
Kai's voice softened.
"You're still here."
Adrian blinked.
"…Barely."
Kai shook his head.
"Enough."
Their eyes met.
And for a moment—
Everything else faded.
Adrian looked away first.
"…What about the others?"
Kai stood up slightly, giving him space.
"They're preparing."
"For what?"
Kai's expression hardened.
"For the next attack."
Adrian sighed.
"Of course."
Kai looked back at him.
"You shouldn't be fighting right now."
Adrian immediately shook his head.
"No."
Kai frowned.
"Adrian—"
"I'm not sitting out," Adrian said firmly.
Kai crossed his arms.
"You almost lost control."
"And I didn't," Adrian shot back.
Kai stepped closer.
"This time."
Adrian stood up slowly, despite the pain.
"Then I'll make sure there isn't a next time."
The mark pulsed faintly.
As if reacting to his words.
Kai noticed.
"…You're pushing yourself."
Adrian met his gaze.
"I don't have a choice."
Kai's voice dropped.
"You do."
Adrian shook his head.
"No… I don't."
Silence.
Then Adrian spoke again.
Quieter.
"If I don't get stronger…"
A pause.
"…I'll lose anyway."
Kai didn't respond.
Because he knew—
Adrian was right.
Riven's voice suddenly cut in from behind.
"Well, look who's awake."
Adrian turned.
Riven leaned against the doorway.
Arms crossed.
"Try not to die again. It's inconvenient."
Adrian frowned.
"I wasn't planning to."
Riven smirked slightly.
"Good. Because we're not done."
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"What now?"
Riven's expression shifted.
Serious again.
"The Harbingers didn't retreat."
Adrian's heart sank.
"…What do you mean?"
Riven stepped forward.
"They're still out there."
A pause.
"Waiting."
Adrian felt a chill run down his spine.
"For what?"
Riven looked directly at him.
"For you to wake up."
Silence filled the room.
The mark on Adrian's wrist pulsed again.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Like a heartbeat.
And for the first time—
Adrian understood something clearly.
This wasn't just a battle anymore.
It was a countdown.
And whatever was coming next—
Was waiting for him.