The Down of a Fallen Kingdom

Chapter 0020: The Trial of the Disciples – Earning the Shadow King's Trust!

**Raiden stood among the warriors, his heart steady as the Shadow King surveyed them from his throne.**

Tonight, the strongest would be chosen to serve in the inner sanctum—the closest circle to the King… and the black crystal.

**This was his way in.**

But first, he had to survive the Trial.

The Shadow King's Challenge

"Power is not given," the Shadow King's voice echoed through the chamber. "It is earned."

He gestured toward the courtyard, where five massive, cloaked figures stepped forward. Their faces were hidden, but the air around them crackled with dark energy.

"Defeat them," the King commanded. "Show me your worth."

The warriors around Raiden exchanged tense glances. These were no ordinary fighters.

 **They were Shades—elite enforcers of the Shadow Dominion. Half-men, half-monsters, bound to the King's will.**

**And Raiden had to fight them.**

The Battle Begins

Before Raiden could react, a Shade lunged at him—lightning fast, claws swiping for his throat.

**He barely dodged, rolling aside as the creature's strike shattered the stone floor.**

Another Shade came from behind, swinging a jagged blade. Raiden blocked just in time, the impact rattling his bones.

**Too strong. Too fast.**

If he fought them head-on, he wouldn't last long.

**He needed a strategy.**

Using the Shadows

**Then he noticed something—their movement.**

The Shades weren't just attacking blindly. They were moving in sync… connected.

**Bound by the same dark energy.**

Raiden dodged another attack, then deliberately stepped between two Shades—forcing them to adjust.

**Their hesitation was his opening.**

With a fierce spin, he slashed his sword through the nearest Shade's exposed flank.

**Black mist burst from the wound, and the creature howled in rage.**

The others flinched—reacting as if they had felt the pain too.

**Raiden smirked.**

"They share the same link," he realized. "Which means if I take down one… I can weaken them all."

Breaking the Chain

**Now, Raiden had a plan.**

He feinted left, then spun low, driving his blade deep into the injured Shade's chest.

**The creature convulsed… then collapsed into ash.**

The remaining Shades staggered—momentarily dazed.

**Raiden didn't hesitate.**

He leaped forward, cutting down the second, then the third, using their shared weakness against them.

**In moments, the last Shade crumbled, leaving only silence.**

The Shadow King's Verdict

The Shadow King watched, expression unreadable.

Then, after a long pause…

**He laughed.**

"Interesting," he mused. "You fight like one who understands the darkness."

He leaned forward, eyes gleaming.

**"You will make a fine disciple."**

The chamber erupted in cheers as the Shadow King gestured for Raiden to step forward.

**He had done it.**

He was now one step closer to the crystal… and to ending the Shadow King's reign.

The Inner Sanctum – Secrets of the Black Crystal!

**Raiden had won the trial. Now, he was walking straight into the heart of darkness.**

Two armored guards led him through the fortress's winding corridors, deeper than he had ever gone before. The air was thick with power, humming with an unseen force.

**And at the center of it all was the Shadow King's greatest secret.**

The Forbidden Chamber

The heavy doors groaned open, revealing a cavernous hall. At its heart, suspended above an altar of obsidian, pulsed the black crystal.

**It was enormous, at least twice the size of a man, its surface swirling with shadows.**

Raiden could feel it. A hunger. A presence.

**This was no ordinary relic.**

**This was alive.**

A Dark Revelation

"Magnificent, isn't it?"

Raiden turned to see the Shadow King himself standing at the altar, gazing at the crystal with something that almost resembled admiration.

"It is the source of my power," he continued. "The heart of the Dominion. And soon… it will be yours as well."

Raiden's fists clenched. He had to play the part.

"What must I do?" he asked.

The Shadow King smiled. "You must be chosen."

**He gestured to the crystal. "Let it judge you."**

The Trial of Shadows

**The moment Raiden stepped forward, the crystal pulsed.**

A deep, guttural whisper filled the chamber—a language not meant for mortal ears.

**Then the shadows moved.**

Dark tendrils lashed out, coiling around Raiden's arms, his legs, his throat. Cold seeped into his bones.

**Then—pain.**

Visions flashed before his eyes. Wars. Blood. Fire.

He saw himself kneeling before the Shadow King… his body consumed by darkness… his soul no longer his own.

**This was not just a test. It was a choice.**

**Submit… or resist.**

Raiden's Defiance

**No.**

**He would not be consumed.**

Gritting his teeth, Raiden focused—channeling his will, forcing the shadows to bend to him, not the other way around.

**The tendrils recoiled. The whispers faded.**

And then… silence.

When Raiden opened his eyes, the crystal was no longer fighting him.

**It had accepted him.**

The Shadow King's gaze darkened. "Interesting."

**He had passed the test… but he had also drawn suspicion.**

Now, more than ever, he had to be careful.

The Shadow King's Suspicion – A Deadly Game Begins!

**Raiden stood before the Shadow King, the crystal still pulsing ominously behind them.**

He had passed the trial. He had earned the King's favor.

But Raiden knew better than to trust the false promises of immortality. Every move was being watched.

The Game of Lies

As the last of the shadow tendrils faded into the air, the Shadow King gave him a sharp smile. "You did well."

Raiden bowed his head respectfully, maintaining his composure. "Thank you, my Lord."

But the King's eyes never left him. "Tell me, Raiden…" he began, his voice a soft whisper in the stillness, "Why did you choose to resist?"

Raiden's pulse quickened. The question wasn't casual. It was a probe.

"I am no servant of darkness," Raiden said evenly. "I fight to keep my soul."

The Shadow King's smile grew darker. "A noble sentiment… but one that won't keep you alive in my Dominion."

Raiden forced himself to remain still. "I understand, my Lord."

The Silent Threat

The King stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "You are clever, Raiden," he said softly, "But do not think you can deceive me. I know what lies behind those eyes."

Raiden's heart raced. Had the King already figured him out?

The King leaned in closer, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "You may have earned your place here, but you will not leave with your soul intact."

**Raiden met his gaze, unwavering. "We shall see, my Lord."**

The Shadow King let out a soft chuckle. "Indeed, we shall."

The Plot Thickens

As the Shadow King turned away, Raiden's mind raced. The King knew.

He had seen through the façade, through the act of loyalty Raiden had put on for the past few weeks. The time for deception was quickly running out.

And so, Raiden made a decision. He could not stay in the heart of the Dominion much longer.

He needed an edge. A weapon strong enough to destroy the Shadow King's crystal.

**And there was one place he had yet to explore—the hidden library of the Dominion.**

The Secret Library

Lyra had mentioned it in passing. A forbidden library, deep within the fortress.

This place was said to hold the secrets to the Dominion's rise, the Shadow King's origins, and perhaps even a way to destroy the very crystal that fueled his immortality.

But getting in would not be easy. The library was heavily guarded, protected by dark magic and traps meant to keep out intruders.

Raiden had no choice. He would have to find a way in and uncover its secrets before it was too late.

The Hidden Library – Secrets and Traps Await!

**Raiden's resolve hardened as he silently moved through the shadowed hallways of the fortress.**

Tonight, he would uncover the Dominion's darkest secrets—or die trying.

The library was located at the farthest corner of the fortress, tucked behind layers of defenses. Its existence had been whispered about in the halls of power, but few knew of its true purpose.

**The King had kept it hidden for a reason.**

The Entrance

Raiden finally arrived at a massive door, intricately carved with symbols that seemed to shift in the dim light. This was the library's entrance—guarded by magic and steel.

He glanced around, ensuring no one was near. The guards were on the other side of the fortress, preparing for another of the King's public demonstrations.

**Perfect.**

Raiden pressed his hand to the door, feeling the pulse of ancient magic beneath his skin. It was locked with a complex enchantment.

He drew on his growing mastery over the shadows, his connection with the crystal. With a whisper, he began to unravel the layers of the lock.

The door creaked open, revealing the hidden sanctuary.

The Library of Shadows

Inside, the air was thick with dust, the shelves stretching high into the darkness above. Rows upon rows of ancient tomes, scrolls, and artifacts lined the stone walls.

**This place was a trove of forgotten knowledge.**

Raiden moved deeper into the chamber, the silence oppressive. Each step seemed to echo louder than the last.

He needed to find the right texts—the ones that held the key to the Shadow King's weakness.

Uncovering the Truth

After hours of searching, Raiden finally found what he was looking for. A black-bound tome, covered in strange symbols.

He opened it carefully, the pages crackling under his touch. The book spoke of an ancient ritual—the only known method to sever the bond between the Shadow King and his crystal.

But the price…

**It was steep.**

The ritual required the life force of a willing sacrifice—someone whose soul was tethered to the crystal's dark power. The ritual could only be completed at the peak of the King's power, during the eclipse of the twin moons.

A Dangerous Decision

Raiden's mind raced. The ritual was possible. But who would sacrifice themselves for the greater good?

He closed the book with a heavy heart, knowing that this was the only way to defeat the King. But even with this knowledge, the risk was immense.

The shadowy figures who had guided him thus far, the enemies he had made along the way, and even the King's most trusted disciples—all would be in his path.

But one thing was clear: Raiden could not do this alone.

A Whisper of Betrayal

As he was about to leave, the faintest sound reached his ears.

**A whisper in the darkness.**

"You should not have come here, Raiden."

Raiden spun, his hand reaching for his sword. "Who's there?"

From the shadows emerged a figure—a tall, cloaked woman with piercing red eyes.

**Lyra.**

The Choice Before Him

Lyra's eyes locked onto his, her expression unreadable. "You shouldn't have come."

Raiden's pulse quickened. "Why? What do you know?"

She stepped closer, her voice low and dangerous. "The library holds more than just the truth. It holds a trap—a way for the King to find out who's searching for his secrets. He already knows you're here."

Raiden's heart sank. "Then we don't have much time."

She nodded, her gaze flicking to the door. "You'll have to leave before the guards return. But don't trust anyone—not even me."

With a final glance, Lyra vanished into the shadows, leaving Raiden standing alone.

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(To be Continue...)