The wind howled across the kingdom walls as rain began to pour—cold, relentless. The eastern gates of Velmora creaked open just wide enough to let in a crawling figure soaked in blood and mud. The captain, or what was left of him, dragged one broken leg and used the other to propel himself forward. His armor had been shattered, his eyes wild and unfocused.

  “Help him!” a guard shouted.

  They rushed forward, but before they could even lift him up, the captain’s trembling lips whispered the words:

  > “...Shadeborne… in the woods... death... darkness... Selene...”

  The name hit like a curse.

  The court healers tried to stabilize him, but his mind had already slipped beyond reason. Word spread fast. In every tavern and temple, people whispered the name Shadowborne. A legend? A demon? A god?

  But Queen Lyra already knew.

  In her throne room, she gripped her armrest tightly. Her lie had birthed a storm, and now her daughter was gone—no longer hers. She’d felt the shift, a severed link between mother and blood.

  > “Lucian,” she hissed. “You came back.”

  Meanwhile, far in the dark edges of the forest now known as The Hollow Deep, a new presence was awakening.

  Lucian stood before a glowing black monument—stone twisting unnaturally, sprouting from the cursed earth. Around him, shadow warriors knelt, silent as death. Beside him, Princess Selene, once heir to a throne, now wore robes of void-silk. Her eyes held no fear. Only worship.

  The system’s voice echoed in Lucian’s mind:

  > [SYSTEM NOTICE]

  Mission Complete: Conquer the Hollow Deep.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  New Base Construct Unlocked: Abyssal Bastion.

  Create and customize your stronghold from shadows, bones, or living stone.

  New Skill Acquired:

  Soulforge: Bind powerful souls to fuel enchantments, weapons, and constructs.

  New Shadow Companion Added:

  Elderscale, The Serpent of Hollow Deep – bound in blood and darkness.

  Stat Update:

  Level: 17

  Strength: 42

  Agility: 36

  Intelligence: 48

  Charisma: 27

  Shadow Energy: 74

  Soul Count: 3 (High-Tier)

  New Title: “The Whispering Fang”

  Selene turned to him, her voice like velvet laced with thorns.

  > “What now, Master?”

  Lucian smiled faintly. The trees trembled as the foundations of a new empire took root beneath the Hollow Deep.

  > “Now,” he said, “we prepare for war.”

  Morning sunlight filtered through the tall trees surrounding the Scotch family cabin. Birds chirped above, but there was something off about the forest today—like it held its breath.

  Lucian walked toward the door, calm and composed, as always. But he wasn’t alone.

  Beside him walked a young woman, tall, elegant, with silver hair braided neatly and violet eyes lowered respectfully. She wore a simple travel cloak Lucian had conjured for her. Her real name was Selene, heir to the Velmoran throne—now his loyal servant, bound by the system and shadow alike. But today, she would play a different role.

  Lucian knocked.

  Mrs. Scotch opened the door, surprised to see him back so early from “gathering herbs.” Her eyes quickly darted to the stranger beside him.

  “Lucian?” she asked. “Who is this?”

  Lucian gave her a warm, practiced smile. “This is Mira. She was being attacked in the forest by wolves when I found her. She’s… alone now. Her village was destroyed. I couldn’t just leave her out there.”

  Mrs. Scotch’s hand flew to her mouth. “Gods… poor thing.”

  Selene—no, Mira—bowed her head. “I’m sorry for the trouble. I’ll be gone by morning if you wish. I don’t want to intrude.”

  “Nonsense,” Mr. Scotch said, stepping into view. “You’ll stay here as long as you need. You’re safe with us.”

  Lucian’s shadow stirred behind him, pleased.

  Later, over supper, the Scotch siblings were curious. Mira answered carefully, always looking to Lucian for subtle cues. Her story—crafted by him—was of a northern town wiped out by bandits, her escape through the woods, and Lucian’s rescue.

  It worked. They pitied her, welcomed her.

  Only the eldest Rheya, watched Mira with quiet suspicion.

  That night, as everyone slept, Lucian stood in the woods with Selene kneeling before him. Her cloak now gone, her true eyes glowing.

  “You played your role well,” he said.

  “I live to serve you,” she replied.

  He placed a hand on her head, and the system chimed softly in his mind:

  [Companion Loyalty: 100% – “Mira” Integration Successful]

  The forest knew only darkness now. And with his serpent curled nearby, Lucian’s army had taken its first step into the Scotch home.

  Soon, they would be part of something much bigger. They just didn’t know it yet.