Transported in another world

mmm

The training stretched well into the morning. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the weight of the Shadow Dominion became more tangible, and each time I reached deeper into its power, I felt the edge of something darker. There was potential there, something I knew could be devastating if unleashed without caution. Still, with every passing minute, I was starting to understand it better.

By midday, we paused for a break. Amber and Mona went to check on the troops while Mia stayed behind, observing me silently. Her presence was always quiet yet commanding—like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike.

Zayn sat down beside me, his usual grin replaced with a rare look of contemplation. “You’re getting the hang of it,” he said, wiping his brow. “But I’m worried. This power… it’s not like anything we’ve encountered before.”

“I know.” I glanced at him, then back at my hands. The faint outline of shadow still lingered on my fingers. “It feels like I’m drawing from something beyond this world.”

He nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m worried about. Powers like that don’t just come from nowhere. They come with a price.”

I didn’t respond. I had already considered the cost, but I wasn’t sure what it was yet. Shadow Dominion wasn’t simply a skill I could level up like the others. It was deeper, more unpredictable. I could feel that it had its own will—its own desires.

Mia finally spoke up, her voice calm but authoritative. “You need balance, Ryu. You’ve tapped into something immense, but even the strongest webs can break if pulled too hard in one direction.”

Her analogy made sense, and I found myself nodding. “What do you suggest?”

Mia walked over to me, her long, graceful strides never making a sound. She crouched beside me, her piercing eyes locking onto mine. “You need to ground yourself. The shadows are dangerous because they thrive on chaos, fear, and uncertainty. But you have the ability to shape them, just as you shape the wind or fire. The trick is not to fight it, but to guide it.”

I absorbed her words, realizing that she wasn’t just giving advice—she was speaking from experience. The Spider Queen had once ruled an entire realm of darkness, weaving her own power into the very fabric of her kingdom.

“I’ll work on that,” I said, appreciating her insight.

Just then, a soldier came rushing toward us, his face pale.