The seal on his palm glowed ominously as shadows gathered around him, twisting and shifting like an eager pup reunited with its master. The darkness congealed, taking the vague shape of a man, his features obscured, his presence suffused with an aura of overwhelming majesty.
A voice, deep and resonant, emerged from the shadows.
"You truly are the chosen one."
Julius's breath caught in his throat. Who is this?!
Before he could react, the woman beside him gasped, her voice trembling with certainty.
"It's you, my Lord! How could I not recognize your voice?"
The shadowed figure turned to her, then spoke once more.
"Call her by her name," it commanded, as if addressing something beyond mere mortals.
In that instant, Julius understood. He uttered her name—one that reflected her silver, serpent-like elegance. The woman's eyes widened in disbelief, then filled with shimmering tears of joy.
"You… you remembered."
The shadowed figure chuckled softly. "How could I forget? I was the one who named you." Then, with an air of finality, he continued, "It is good that you are here. Assist him."
Her expression turned resolute. "Assist him? In what?"
"There isn't much time," the shadow's voice grew distant, flickering like a candle in the wind. "I am but a fragment of energy, set to awaken only when the heir truly believes. Listen well, Heir—this Forbidden Throne, use it to thwart the Dark King's schemes. You have inherited the power of the Five Monarchs. When you reach the Eighth Circle, you will wield their might fully, bending reality itself to your will."
The shadow turned back to the woman. "I leave him in your care."
She hesitated, then asked the question that burned within her. "Are you and the Five Monarchs… truly dead?"
A heavy silence followed. Then, the shadow responded, "Perhaps we have perished, but we have not lost. We have you, our heir."
Its gaze settled on Julius.
"The answers you seek will come in time. But remember—trust no one. And seek out a man known as 'The Foolish Jester.' He will aid you."
The shadow's form began to dissolve, its voice fading into nothingness.
"Julius… You must live two lives that do not belong to you. Know that the Dark King is watching. Be cautious, and remember—the power of the throne depends on the faith of your believers. Be the god they yearn for… If you reach the Eighth Circle, we may yet meet again."
Then, it was gone.
—
Julius stood frozen, his mind a storm of questions.
Why was he chosen as the heir?
Why was he brought to this world?
What did it mean to 'live two lives'?
Had he truly inherited the power of the Five Monarchs, not just the Shadow Deity?
Who was this Foolish Jester?
And why did the throne's power rely on faith?
Before he could gather his thoughts, the woman stepped forward, her form shifting. The remnants of shadow peeled away, revealing a strikingly beautiful figure—her silver hair cascading like liquid metal, her gaze now filled with a quiet reverence.
Julius inhaled sharply. But… she was cut in half by the Sky Deity's spear. How is she here?!
She met his bewildered stare with an almost amused calmness. "I can regenerate… given enough time."
Then, without hesitation, she knelt before him, her entire being radiating devotion and unwavering loyalty.
"You are the heir to the Monarchs. I shall serve you until the Dark King is no more."
Julius eyed her warily. Her sudden shift in allegiance… was unsettling.
She murmured to herself, "If this is my Lord's will, then I shall ensure his heir fulfills it."
Then she spoke aloud. "You do not yet grasp the weight of your power. You know nothing of magic, of what it means to be divine. First, return to your throne. You must begin by becoming the god this world desires."
Julius clenched his fists. God? Me?
Yet, despite the overwhelming burden, for the first time… he did not feel alone.
He took a step forward, then another, climbing the towering staircase that led to the Forbidden Throne. It loomed high above, an imposing structure that seemed almost unreachable. He longed to reach it instantly—
And in the blink of an eye, he was there.
His breath hitched. What?! How did I get here?
Then, realization struck. He recalled the Shadow Deity's words.
"Here, you may do as you please."
Julius's heart pounded. Does this realm obey my will?
He glanced at the ruined hall, the shattered walls, the destruction left behind by the past battle. Testing his theory, he willed the room to restore itself—
And in an instant, the cracks vanished, the hall renewed as if untouched by time.
His eyes widened. It's real…
His gaze landed on a towering stone statue—an idol of the Sky Deity. A ridiculous idea struck him. He willed the statue to stand on one leg.
And without hesitation, the divine figure obeyed.
A shudder ran through him. Even the legend of the Sky Deity… bends to my will?
From below, the woman watched, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
"It is good that you are learning to control your power, my Lord," she said, head bowed in deference. "But do you not think it is… excessive to make the Sky Deity stand on one leg?"
Julius exhaled, realizing how absurd he had been. With a thought, he returned the statue to its original stance.
"Perhaps I got carried away… My apologies."
She shook her head. "You need not apologize to anyone. You represent the Five Monarchs themselves."
Then her expression grew serious.
"My Lord, though you possess power equal to the Dark King, you cannot yet influence the real world, can you?"
Julius stilled. She was right. Here, he ruled. But beyond this realm… he was still powerless.
He let out a cold breath. "I can hear the prayers of those who worship the Shadow Deity. They appear as glowing blue stars… yet, it seems they have stopped praying long ago. Only that child, Caleb, still believed. And yet, you chose to possess him. Why?"
She smirked. "I did nothing to him. I merely lingered within his body because he held magic potential. He could become a sorcerer—so I remained within him."
Julius narrowed his eyes. "A chosen one?"
"Indeed," she continued. "When he was ensnared by his father's crime, the cursed artifact nearly killed him. Had I not intervened, he would have perished. But waking from my slumber drained his body, so I returned to dormancy. Yet, when your shadow was awakened… so was I."
Julius processed her words. She had hidden all this time… but why?
"Will you remain inside him?" he asked.
She chuckled. "I no longer need to. I hid only until I found my Lord. Now that you stand before me, my battle can finally begin."
Her eyes gleamed with determination.
"I will aid you. I will seek out the remaining Shadow Faction and unite them under your rule."
Then, her voice sharpened.
"What you need most now… is power. You must reach the Eighth Circle and gain the faith of believers."
She met his gaze with unshaken resolve.
"Not just the followers of the Shadow Deity. You must restore faith in all Five Monarchs. No… you must become something greater."
Julius's blood ran cold.
I… am to embody all Five Monarchs?
He had thought he would take the role of the Shadow Deity. But now, it was clear.
He would surpass them all.
A new god.
One beyond the Five.
But if so…
What name would this god bear?