The moment the words "Activate skill: Shadow Lord" left Kael's lips, the world responded.
His blood-red eyes ignited, glowing brighter than ever like burning rubies drenched in fury. The shadows surged, forming a storm around him, and then.
Boom.
A powerful pulse erupted from Kael's core. The air twisted.
The mana in the cave bent to his will.
> System Alert: Domain Unlocked — Eclipse Domain (Locked Potential: 7%)
Black tendrils of shadow lashed outward, coating the entire cavern in a pitch-black dome of darkened reality. Everything outside ceased to exist inside, only Kael and the Golem remained.
Kael's once-white hair flowed down his back, now a deep abyssal black, darker than even the shadows themselves.
The golem, sensing something was terribly wrong, lunged bringing down its massive leg to crush him.
But Kael was gone.
Or rather...
The golem's leg hit the ground, separated at the knee.
The beast turned too late.
Shadows surged, clinging to its body, restraining its arms like chains. Its crystal core flared in panic, attempting a final strike.
Kael appeared in front of it, eyes cold, his black sword dripping with darkness.
Slice.
A clean line across the golem's chest. Its core split.
Its eyes dimmed.
The A-rank guardian collapsed into pieces.
The domain flickered, then shattered like glass.
Kael stood amidst the rubble, barely conscious. His sword dropped. His hair slowly faded back to white, his aura diminishing.
> System Alert: Shadow Lord skill deactivated.
Status: Severe exhaustion.
Kael fell to his knees, then onto his side.
"Too much…" he murmured, breath shaky.
The last thing he saw was the black sword, glowing gently on the pedestal.
Then...
Darkness.