"If what you say is true," Kyle stated, his voice steadying in the crushing silence of the abyss, "then I accept your proposal. But I do so only if you agree to my terms."
The Dark Lord's form flickered, the onyx-black skin swirling like a dying star before settling into a stillness that felt more dangerous than its motion. "What are your terms?" the voice resounded, vibrating directly into the marrow of Kyle's bones.
"First of all," Kyle began, his gaze unyielding, "you will answer all of my questions."
The entity, wearing Kyle's own face, tilted its head, offering a hollow, mocking stare. "Very well. Ask what you will." It waved a hand, a gesture of dismissive grace.
"Who or what are you?"
The Dark Lord's posture stiffened, a flicker of genuine irritation crossing its features. "Why are you so interested in my origin?"
"Answer the question. Are you some kind of god?"
The figure's composure cracked, a surge of palpable frustration radiating from the throne. "Do not belittle me with such a pathetic label. And no, I cannot answer that—not now. In due time, you will understand."
"You said you would answer my questions!" Kyle countered, his pulse quickening.
"I said no such thing," the entity retorted, its patience visibly fraying into a sharp, jagged edge. "If you have no other inquiries, then give me your reply."
"Why are you helping me?"
"You are an essential, irreplaceable part of my plan."
"I have never met you before. What could I possibly have to do with your design?"
"Everything," the entity whispered, the word heavy with ancient intent. "You have everything to do with it."
"And what if I refuse?" Kyle's eyes narrowed, his gaze locking onto the figure's void-like eyes.
"Then you will come to regret that decision more than you can possibly fathom."
A chill raced down Kyle's spine. He instinctively stepped back, his hand snapping out to conjure an ice blade—but as he reached for the power, he found nothing. The very concept of magic was absent in this realm, an empty space where his power should have been.
"Do you think petty tricks like that would work on me?" the entity asked, sounding genuinely amused.
Kyle tried to retreat, but the distance between them vanished; with every step back he took, the figure was closer, until it stood only a few feet away. "If I wanted to hurt you, would I have saved you? Your existence at this very moment is evidence of my intent."
"Lia—"
Kyle's sentence was cut short by a sound like tearing silk. A sharp, searing agony bloomed in his chest. He looked down to see a hand—*his own hand*—driven through his ribcage, clutching his heart. His jaw locked, dislocated by the sudden, brutal shock, rendering him unable to scream. Darkness swallowed the room, silence drowning his senses as blood geysered from his chest. He fell, his consciousness snapping like a frayed rope.
*Thump.*
Kyle hit the ground, but he was suddenly standing again. The pain remained as a phantom echo, his breath shallow, sweat slicking his skin. The entity stood before him, wearing a smirk that didn't reach its eyes.
"As I said, I could kill you at any moment if I wished. Should I demonstrate again?"
Kyle stood frozen, his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird. The memory of the pain—the cold, the wetness, the sudden cessation of life—was burnt into his nerves.
"No," Kyle rasped, his voice trembling but firm. "I believe you."
"Oh, well," the entity sighed, its expression shifting into something that almost looked like disappointment. "It cannot be helped."
Kyle paused, a flicker of confusion cutting through his terror. *Did he just sound... sad?*
"Do you have any other questions?" the entity asked, the moment of vulnerability gone.
"How long have I been here?"
"Around a month. You were out for quite some time." The entity tried to suppress a laugh at Kyle's stunned expression. "Do not worry; time moves differently here. On the other side, only a minute or two have passed."
The entity retreated, receding back to the throne. It looked comically small, a child perched upon a seat meant for a titan. Kyle couldn't help a dry, bewildered laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" the entity snapped, puffing its cheeks out in a display of childish indignation, which only made Kyle laugh harder.
The being shifted, its form rippling and expanding until it took on a more mature version of Kyle's likeness. "In the absence of other questions, I require your answer."
Kyle's expression sobered. "I agree that I need to become stronger, and quickly. But I will achieve that strength on my own terms."
"As I warned you before," the Dark Lord replied, his eyes darkening, "you will come to regret this stubbornness."
"I doubt it."
"Well, in that case, how about a parting gift?"
Before Kyle could protest, the mist erupted. Golden runes blazed into existence, searing themselves into his skin—one on his chest, one on his back, and one on the palm of his hand. Kyle's scream tore through the abyss as the pain became excruciating. It felt as if he were being cast into a forge, his flesh melting away, only to be forcibly knit back together by the agonizing heat of the runes.
When the pain finally subsided and the mist dispersed, the entity remained, watching him with detached interest.
"When your body is strong enough, the power inside the runes on your chest and back will activate."
*Great,* Kyle thought, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. *All that suffering for a power I can't even touch.*
"As for the one on your palm," the entity continued, ignoring his disdain, "go to Stormcove Academy. A weapon awaits you there."
"How will I know the weapon? I don't even know what it looks like."
"When you are near it, the rune will react, drawing you toward it. There are other things I have prepared for you; they will be of assistance. When the time comes, you are to refer to me as the Dark Lord of the Abyss."
The mist coalesced behind Kyle, tearing open a jagged, glowing gate.
"When you leave here," the Dark Lord commanded, "stop Cerci from falling for the Demon Lord's tricks."
Kyle walked toward the gate, but paused, looking back over his shoulder. "Quick question. Do you enjoy looking like me?"
The Dark Lord blinked, his expression blank. "What do you mean? This is how I look."