Chapter 24 - The Voice in the Dark

Darkness. Endless. Heavy. Silent. Riven stood still—barefoot, breath slow, eyes searching. There was nothing around him. No trees. No sky. No ground he could fully understand. Just… water beneath his feet. Still. Reflective. Endless. "…Where am I…?" His voice echoed—but not far. Like the space itself swallowed sound. A drop fell somewhere. Plip. The ripple spread across the black water. Then— Chains. He heard them. Faint at first. Then louder. Clank… Clank… Clank… Riven's body tensed. "…Who's there?" Silence. Then— A voice. Deep. Rough. Ancient. "…Oi…" Riven froze. His eyes widened slightly. The voice didn't come from one direction. It came from everywhere. "…Shit head…" The tone was mocking. Heavy with something dangerous. "…Little kid…" Riven clenched his fists. "…Show yourself." A low chuckle echoed. Not friendly. Not human. "…You don't get to command me." The water beneath Riven's feet trembled slightly. The darkness ahead began to shift. Something moved within it. Something big. Very big. Two lights appeared. Red. Glowing. Watching him. Riven's breath hitched. "…What the hell…" The eyes blinked once. Slowly. Then— The shape behind them shifted slightly—but never fully revealed. Like the darkness itself was hiding it. Or protecting it. Chains stretched across the void—thick, heavy—binding something massive behind the shadows. "…So…" The voice echoed again. "…You finally noticed." Riven stepped back slightly. Not out of fear—but instinct. "…Who are you?" Silence. Then— A grin. Not visible—but felt. "…You already know." Riven's heart beat faster. The chakra. Naruto's chakra. It stirred inside him slightly. Reacting. The voice deepened. "…You've been using something that doesn't belong to you." Riven frowned. "…It was given to me." A pause. Then a sharp laugh. "…Given?" The chains rattled violently. The water rippled harder. "…You think power works like charity?" Riven's eyes hardened. "…Then what do you want?" Silence. The red eyes narrowed slightly. "…Simple." A pause. Heavy. "…Wake up." Riven froze. "…What?" The voice growled slightly. "…You're sleeping." The entire space trembled. "…Using scraps…" The chains tightened. "…Borrowed strength…" The eyes burned brighter. "…And calling it yours." Riven clenched his fists tightly. "…I fought for that power." The voice snapped instantly. "…No." The sound echoed like thunder. "…You survived with it." A pause. Then—lower, colder. "…There's a difference." Riven didn't speak. Because deep down— He knew. The beast shifted slightly. The chains creaked under its movement. "…If you want to use that chakra…" A pause. "…Then conquer it." Riven's eyes narrowed. "…Conquer?" A low chuckle echoed again. "…Control it… or it will consume you." The water beneath him began to ripple violently now. The air felt heavier. Harder to breathe. "…You felt it, didn't you?" The voice whispered now. Right next to him. "…That moment…" Riven's eyes widened slightly. The Rasengan. The power. The overwhelming surge. "…That wasn't you." The red eyes flickered again. "…That was him." Silence. Heavy. Unavoidable. Riven's breathing slowed. "…Then teach me." The chains stopped moving. Completely. The darkness stilled. "…Teach me how to make it mine." A pause. Long. Then— The beast laughed. Not mocking this time. But… interested. "…You've got guts." The red eyes moved slightly closer. "…But guts alone won't save you." The chains suddenly pulled tight— A massive pressure filled the space. Riven dropped to one knee instantly. "…Ghh—!" His body shook under the weight. "…This is chakra." The voice echoed. "…Raw. Untamed." The pressure increased. Riven's vision blurred slightly. "…If you can't stand…" The beast's voice lowered. "…You don't deserve it." Riven gritted his teeth. His hands pressed against the water. "…I… won't… fall…" The pressure grew heavier. Crushing. Relentless. His arms trembled. His body screamed. But he didn't collapse. "…Heh…" The beast chuckled softly. "…Good." The pressure stopped instantly. Riven gasped for air. His body shaking—but still standing. Barely. The red eyes watched him silently. "…Then listen carefully, kid." The voice turned serious. No mockery. No games. "…Next time you come here…" A pause. "…You don't talk." The chains rattled softly. "…You fight." Riven's breath hitched. "…Fight… you?" A slow grin formed in the darkness. "…No." The eyes glowed brighter. "…You fight yourself." Silence fell again. The space began to crack slightly. Like glass breaking. The dream was ending. "…Wait—!" Riven stepped forward. "…Who are you?" The voice faded slowly. "…Someone you'll regret meeting…" A pause. Then— "…And someone you'll need to surpass." The red eyes dimmed. "…If you want to live." Darkness shattered. Riven's eyes snapped open. He was back. In his room. Breathing heavily. Sweat covered his body. His heart pounded violently in his chest. "…That…" He looked at his hands. They were still trembling. "…wasn't just a dream…" The chakra inside him stirred again. Different this time. Wilder. Unstable. Alive. Riven exhaled slowly. His gaze hardened. "…Conquer it…" He clenched his fist tightly. "…Fine." A quiet pause. "…I will." Outside, the night remained silent. But inside him— Something had awakened. Something dangerous. And it was watching. 🔥