The Dreamer's POV

In the grim Castle of Darkness, seated upon a massive throne that seemed as ancient as time itself, Monarch of Darkness Kollungr brooded.

The magnificent but gloomy dark throne room was filled with the oppressive air of dread, a palpable sense of foreboding that settled over everything like a heavy fog.

Positioned in an orderly manner around the room were the unmoving dark knights, their armor reflecting no light, their eyes hidden behind visors, giving away no hint of emotion.

They were an eternal guard, unmoving and unwavering.

Kollungr's deep eyes, piercing through the shadows, narrowed as he felt a sudden shift in the energies of the world. It was subtle, nearly imperceptible, but it was there.

A ripple in the fabric of reality, a dissonance in the harmony of existence.

"This is suspicious," he murmured, his voice a deep rumble that echoed through the hall. "Something stirs in the world, something unknown and unseen."

His hand, gnarled and strong, closed around the armrest of his throne, his mind turning over the possibilities.

Was it a new power awakening? A hidden threat emerging? Or something else entirely?

He had ruled the Castle of Darkness for centuries, and he had seen many things come and go. But this felt different, a nagging itch at the back of his mind, a sense of unease that he could not shake.

"Perhaps," he mused, his voice trailing off as he stared into the distance, "I will need to observe this some more. There are forces at play here that I do not yet understand."

The room remained silent, the dark knights offering no comment, no movement. The only sound was the distant howl of the wind, a lonely cry in the night.

Kollungr's mind continued to churn, the tension in the room growing, the grim reality of uncertainty weighing heavily upon him.

With an air of grim determination, Kollungr raised his hands, dark energy swirling and coalescing around him.

The very shadows of the room seemed to tremble, drawn toward his powerful presence. His eyes glowed with an inner fire, and his voice, laden with ancient authority, began to chant in a language forgotten by time.

"Rise…"

The floor of the throne room seemed to ripple, shadows melding and twisting, becoming something more.

Slowly, dark forms began to emerge, their shape taking on a nightmarish quality, fluid and yet solid, an enigma of darkness and malice.

The Dark Spawns, as they were known, were grotesque in their appearance. Their bodies were a swirling mass of black, like liquid obsidian, constantly shifting and changing, yet holding a vaguely humanoid shape.

Faces were a twisted visage, eyes like burning embers, mouths filled with sharp, jagged teeth that seemed to grin and snarl at the same time.

They moved with an unnatural grace, gliding rather than walking, their movements a dance of shadows and terror.

They were creatures of darkness, born of Kollungr's will, extensions of his power, and they radiated an aura of menace and doom.

Kollungr looked upon his creations, satisfaction in his eyes.

"Travel to the coordinates I have imputed within you," he commanded, his voice resonating with the Dark Spawns. "Investigate the locations where the earliest shift in energy was felt. Do not interfere, only observe, and return to me with what you find."

The Dark Spawns bowed, a fluid motion like a wave of darkness, and then, one by one, they vanished into the shadows, off to do their master's bidding.

Kollungr sighed, a sound filled with weariness and concern. He looked out into the distance, his mind troubled by the unknown.

He wondered what Iysa, his annoying colleague, was up to, and if she too had felt the shift in the energies.

He hoped that the situation at hand didn't prove dangerous, but deep in his heart, a sense of foreboding told him that something significant was unfolding, something that could change the very fabric of their world.

With a final, lingering glance at the spot where the Dark Spawns had vanished, he turned away, his mind already moving on to the next challenge, the next threat.

The throne room was once again still and silent, the shadows resuming their eternal vigil, waiting for the return of the Dark Spawns and the revelation of the mystery that lay hidden in the darkness.

*********

In the sprawling Headquarters of the Nine-Headed Dragon Alliance, the very walls exuded power and authority.

Intricate tapestries adorned the vast hall, depicting mythical creatures and legends long past, a testament to the grandeur of the organization.

Dominating the chamber were the nine imposing thrones, each an artistic marvel, a fusion of rare gemstones and precious metals, radiating an aura of sovereignty and dominion.

Seated on these thrones were the Nine Heads of the Alliance, all shrouded in dark, heavy robes, their faces hidden, a symbol of their enigmatic and unified identity.

Their presence filled the room with an oppressive weight, demanding respect, submission even.

The door opened with a resonant creak, and a human entered, casual in modern attire that displayed a culture not known on Mage'Earth.

He was from Earth, you see. But the Alliance Heads probably didn't know of that bit.

The boy's presence was a stark contrast to the ancient ambiance of the room.

He wore a smile, carefree and confident, his black hair styled effortlessly, his eyes filled with intelligence and something unreadable.

"You guys," he greeted, his voice tinged with amusement, "I just came to tell you that I won't be around for a while, so don't bother trying to contact me."

The room seemed to hold its breath, and then one of the Heads, his voice like the cold, dark wind, asked, "Where are you going, young one?"

It was a marvel that none of the members in the room chastised the brat, who barely looked like a teenager, for addressing them so flippantly.

The smile on the young boy's lips deepened, a spark in his eyes.

"You don't need to know," he said, his tone light but firm. "I've given you enough tools to last for some time, provided you aren't too wasteful."

Several of the Heads bristled at his words, their voices rising in anger and criticism. It seemed this was the limit.

"Do not forget your place, boy!" one of them hissed.

But with a casual wave of his hand, the young man flexed his energy, a wave of power that washed over the room, silencing them instantly.

"I am not your subordinate," he reminded them, his tone laced with a warning. "We are in a partnership. I provide you with Special Items, and in return, you give me a share of your profit, information, and influence."

The central figure among the Heads, a person of considerable presence and control, spoke in a calm, composed voice.

"We have not forgotten the deal, young one. We intend to honor it."

The young man's smile returned, gentler now, yet still holding a trace of defiance.

"I appreciate it," he said, his voice a mocking parody of sincerity.

"Welp, later then."

And with that, he vanished, leaving the room filled with a strange emptiness, the very air tingling with the residual energy of his presence.

The Nine Heads exchanged glances, annoyance and frustration evident in their eyes, the young man's arrogance a thorn in their pride.

But they had said nothing, for they knew the value of the partnership, the strength it brought to their Alliance.

With the brat gone, though, they were rife with comments to release.

"Tch…"

With the departure of the young man, the atmosphere thickened with tension, annoyance, and an undercurrent of worry.

"That kid…"

His abrupt and nonchalant exit had left a lingering void, a dissonance that echoed through the cavernous hall.

"He has become too arrogant," one of the Heads growled, his voice dripping with discontent.

"His lack of respect is intolerable."

Another chimed in, his tone laced with resentment. "That brat treats us as if we are his servants. Does he not know who we are?"

A ripple of agreement moved through the assembly, discontent swelling like a storm, the very air seeming to darken.

The central figure, seated on a throne adorned with a masterful fusion of obsidian and gold, raised his hand, silencing the murmuring voices.

His aura exuded an innate authority, a power that commanded attention.

"We must not lose sight of our purpose," he said, his voice calm but filled with conviction. "That boy's attitude is inconsequential. What matters is what he can provide us. His tools and information will assist us in our goal to seize control of the world."

He paused, letting his words sink in, his eyes surveying the room, keen and wise.

"Our desire, our ambition, will be fulfilled. That brat is but a means to an end. We will use him, and when the time is right, we will discard him."

His words settled over the chamber like a heavy blanket, bringing a reluctant acceptance. The Heads nodded, their faces a mixture of understanding and continued annoyance.

That's right. They just had to endure.

It was only a matter of time.

…

Meanwhile, the young boy, who had been listening to the exchange from afar, merely smirked, a sly glint in his eye.

He shrugged, his posture relaxed, but his mind alert and calculating.

"They think they'll use and discard me?" he mused, almost to himself, his voice filled with amusement. "Well, we'll see about that. I'll use and dump them first."

He chuckled softly, his thoughts already moving on, a web of strategies and maneuvers forming in his mind.

He was a player in a game of power and control, and he knew the rules well.

The game was far from over, and he was far from done. In the shadows and the light, in the silence and the noise, the players moved and planned, each with their own agenda, each with their own roles.

"You're all just a bunch of extras. I'm the Main Player here."

The world was a chessboard, and the pieces were in play.

"As if the world's best pro gamer would lose in this RPG world!"

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[A/N]

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Looks like a lot is going on now…

Thanks for reading.

Cheers!