(Seth seeks knowledge, but nothing in this world comes without a price. The leader of The Unseen is willing to share the hidden truths of the world, but only if Seth proves himself worthy. A test awaits—one designed to strip away the weak, to expose his true nature. And in the midst of the trial, something stirs within him. Vorrath, the Dread Beast, watches. Waiting. Whispering.)
This chapter contains brutal combat, psychological horror, and internal struggles. Themes of power trials, manipulation, and a growing internal darkness are heavily present. Reader discretion is advised.
?? SYSTEM NOTICE: ? HOST HAS INITIATED WORLD INFORMATION EXCHANGE. ? NEW KNOWLEDGE LOCKED BEHIND A TRIAL. ? WARNING: FAILURE MAY RESULT IN DEATH OR WORSE.
Seth remained still as the leader of The Unseen leaned forward, resting her chin on her interlocked fingers.
"You wish to know who truly controls this world?"
Her voice was calm, but layered with unspoken meaning.
"Knowledge is not free, Seth Valerian. You understand that, don’t you?"
Seth’s lips curled slightly.
"Of course."
She tapped her fingers against the stone throne, eyes never leaving his.
"Then prove yourself worthy."
Seth raised an eyebrow.
"A test?"
The leader smiled.
"The world is a series of trials, Seth. Those who survive them shape the future."
She gestured with a lazy flick of her hand, and the doors behind her opened.
A new space stretched beyond them—dark, pulsing, unnatural.
Seth’s instincts flared.
Something was wrong about that place.
"Enter," the leader said, her voice carrying weight. "Pass, and I will give you what you seek."
Seth exhaled slowly.
Fine.
He stepped forward, into the abyss.
?? SYSTEM NOTICE: ? HOST ENTERING HIGH-THREAT ENVIRONMENT. ? UNKNOWN ENTITY PRESENCE DETECTED. ? WARNING: INTERNAL ENTITY ACTIVATION IMMINENT.
Darkness surrounded him.
The door behind him vanished, leaving only an endless void.
Then—a sound.
Drip.
Drip.
Blood?
No.
Not blood.
Something thicker, colder, crawling.
Seth moved forward carefully. His footsteps echoed too loudly, as if the ground beneath him wasn’t solid.
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Then—a whisper.
"Weak."
Seth froze.
The whisper was not external.
It was inside him.
"You think you can walk this path alone?"
The air shifted.
And then—the ground beneath him cracked.
Something emerged.
It was him.
But not him.
A reflection of himself, twisted, corrupted.
Its skin was ashen, veins blackened, its grin stretched too wide.
"You are nothing without me."
Seth’s breath sharpened.
This wasn’t just a test.
This was a battle for control.
?? SYSTEM WARNING: ? [Vorrath, the Dread Beast] IS ACTIVATING. ? HOST CONTROL AT RISK. ? BATTLE IMMINENT.
Seth steeled himself.
He had fought monsters, men, gods.
But this—this was different.
This was himself.
And behind that twisted reflection, lurking in the shadows of his mind—Vorrath watched.
The air thickened as the beast’s voice rumbled deep within him.
"You struggle."
Seth gritted his teeth.
"You fight against what you are."
The reflection tilted its head.
"You will break eventually."
Then—it lunged.
Seth barely dodged.
Claws raked across the space where his throat had been, tearing the very fabric of the void.
His own shadow fought against him.
No.
Not his shadow.
His fate.
And Vorrath was pushing him toward it.
?? SYSTEM ALERT: ? HOST IS RESISTING INTERNAL TAKEOVER. ? FORCEFUL SUPPRESSION REQUIRED.
Seth moved.
Faster. Sharper. More violent.
His blade sliced into the twisted version of himself, but it did not bleed.
Instead, it laughed.
"You will beg for my power soon enough."
Something inside Seth snapped.
He grasped the creature’s face—
And crushed it against the void.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Until the laughter ceased.
Until the whispering faded.
Until Vorrath’s presence receded.
Seth exhaled, stepping back.
The darkness stabilized.
And the door opened once more.
The test was over.
And he had won.
?? SYSTEM NOTICE: ? TRIAL COMPLETE. ? KNOWLEDGE UNLOCKED. ? WORLD POWER STRUCTURES REVEALED.
Seth stepped back into the chamber.
The leader of The Unseen watched him closely.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then—she nodded.
"You survived."
Her smile returned.
"Now, let us begin."
And so, the world’s true secrets would be unveiled.
?? SYSTEM NOTICE: ? HOST HAS PASSED THE TEST. ? NEW KNOWLEDGE AVAILABLE. ? WARNING: INFORMATION COMES WITH CONSEQUENCES.
End of Chapter 4: The Trial of Shadows
?? Author's Note: This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and settings are purely imaginary. This novel contains dark themes meant to enhance the story and character development. Reader discretion is advised.
