Only I Can Weild A Forgotten Shadow Magic

The Void wouldn't leave my thoughts. Even after the conversation with the shadow construct ended, its words hung over me like a storm cloud. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't focus.

"Where shadows are born," it said. Like it was more than just some dimension or magical force—it felt alive.

I sat on the floor of my apartment, the orb resting in front of me on the coffee table. Its light had dimmed, but I could still feel it pulsing faintly, like it was keeping time with my heartbeat. Sparky was pacing back and forth in front of the couch, ranting about something I wasn't fully listening to.

"This is insane," he said, throwing up his hands. "We've got shadow monsters popping out of nowhere, you're chatting with magical prisons, and now there's this whole Void thing? What does that even mean? Are we going to get sucked into some creepy alternate dimension? Because, if so, I'd really like a heads-up."

"Sparky," I said, rubbing my temples, "can you take a breath for, like, two seconds?"

"I'd love to, Kai, but the last time I relaxed, we got ambushed by clawed nightmares in an abandoned hospital."

He wasn't wrong, but I didn't have the energy to argue. My head was spinning, and I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, staring down into something I couldn't fully understand.

The System had been quiet since the encounter with the shadow construct, but I needed answers.

"System," I said, breaking the silence. "What happens if the Void fully breaks into this world?"

[Event probability unknown. The Void's influence is largely theoretical, though significant destabilization of reality is expected.]

"'Destabilization of reality,'" Sparky repeated, his voice rising. "What the hell does that mean? Is the world going to explode? Are we going to turn into shadow people? I need specifics here!"

The System, unbothered by Sparky's panic, continued in its usual monotone:

[The Void is a dimension of pure shadow energy, incompatible with the material world. Its integration into this reality would result in widespread disruption of physical and magical laws.]

"So… apocalypse."

[Highly likely.]

"Cool. Love that for us," Sparky muttered, flopping onto the couch and burying his face in his hands.

I stared at the orb, trying to piece everything together. The wards were failing. The Void was breaking through. And I—someone who barely understood how to control their powers—was somehow in the middle of it all.

The shadow construct's words echoed in my head again: Perhaps you could be more.

"System," I said, leaning forward. "How do I strengthen my connection to the shadows? How do I… become more?"

Sparky's head shot up. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. What are you talking about? You're not seriously thinking about taking advice from a shadow monster, are you?"

"I'm thinking about survival," I said, not looking at him. "If the Void's coming, I need to be ready. Right now, I'm not."

"Kai," he said, his voice softer now, "this… this isn't just about power. That thing in the Void—it's messing with your head. You can't trust it."

"Maybe not. But it knows more than we do. And if I can use that knowledge to stop whatever's happening, I have to try."

Sparky didn't say anything, but the look on his face said enough. He thought I was making a mistake.

I turned my attention back to the System.

"Well?"

[Increasing shadow manipulation proficiency requires exposure to higher levels of shadow energy. Warning: such exposure may carry significant risks, including corruption and loss of control.]

"Define 'corruption.'"

[Corruption refers to the overintegration of shadow energy into the host, resulting in physical and psychological changes. Symptoms may include altered perception, loss of emotional stability, and eventual transformation into a shadow entity.]

Sparky stood up, his hands on his hips. "See? This is exactly what I'm talking about. You're playing with fire here, Kai. Literal shadow fire."

I ignored him, my focus locked on the orb. The System's warning was clear, but so was the reality of our situation. If I didn't get stronger, I wouldn't survive what was coming. None of us would.

"Sparky," I said, standing up, "I need you to trust me on this."

He stared at me for a long moment, his jaw clenched. Finally, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Fine," he said. "But if you start turning into one of those things, I'm zapping you. No hesitation."

"Fair enough."

I picked up the orb, its faint light flickering in my hands.

"System," I said, "how do I safely increase my shadow energy exposure?"

[Recommended method: controlled absorption of residual energy from containment core. Process requires focus and precise manipulation of shadow flow.]

"Sounds… manageable," I said, more to myself than anyone else.

"You sure about this?"

"No," I admitted. "But we're out of options."

I sat down on the floor, cradling the orb in my hands. Closing my eyes, I focused on the shadows around me, letting them flow toward the orb.

At first, nothing happened. Then, slowly, I felt a pull—a connection forming between me and the core. The shadows inside it stirred, and a cold, tingling sensation spread through my arms.

I took a deep breath, focusing on keeping the flow steady. The shadows were wild, chaotic, but I could feel them responding to me, like a river bending to its banks.

"Kai?" Sparky's voice sounded distant, like it was coming from the end of a tunnel.

"I'm fine," I said, though I wasn't sure if that was true.

The cold was spreading, seeping into my chest, my head. I could feel the energy coursing through me, sharper and more powerful than anything I'd ever felt before.

For a moment, it was exhilarating. I could sense every shadow in the room, every flicker of darkness. It was like I was connected to something infinite, something vast and unknowable.

But then the cold turned to fire.

Pain shot through me, and the connection faltered. The shadows lashed out, wild and uncontrolled. I heard Sparky shout something, but I couldn't make out the words.

The orb's light flared, blindingly bright, and then—

Everything went dark.

---

When I came to, the first thing I noticed was the silence. The orb was gone, its pedestal shattered.

"Kai!" Sparky was leaning over me, his face pale. "Are you okay?"

I sat up slowly, my body aching. "I think so."

"What the hell was that?"

I looked at my hands, half-expecting them to be claws or something. But they looked normal—mostly. The shadows around me felt different, though. They weren't just there; they were part of me.

"It worked."

"What worked?" Sparky said, his tone exasperated. "You nearly killed yourself!"

I stood up, the shadows curling around my feet. "I'm stronger now. I can feel it."

Sparky shook his head. "Yeah, well, let's hope it was worth it. Because if you're wrong about this, we're all screwed."

"...?!"