Lu Sang's footsteps echoed in the chamber, each step heavier than the st as the weight of his decision settled on him. The newly awakened power pulsed within, foreign yet intoxicating. He could feel the dark energy coursing through his veins, as if a piece of the Bck Hand's essence now resided inside him.

  The hooded figures parted, forming a path to an archway at the far end of the chamber. Beyond it, a deeper darkness awaited—one that even the unnatural glow of the symbols could not penetrate. Lu Sang’s soldiers hesitated, their unease palpable, but they remained steadfast, awaiting their general’s command.

  Cao Suyin moved beside him, her voice low. "You’ve taken the first step, General, but this path is perilous. The Bck Hand’s masters dwell in a pce far darker than this. Their power is ancient, far beyond what you’ve seen today."

  Lu Sang’s eyes narrowed. "I didn’t come this far to falter. If they control the rebellion, I will root them out and destroy them."

  "Bold words," Cao Suyin said, her lips curling into a faint smile. "But understand—once you meet their masters, there may be no turning back."

  Without another word, Lu Sang motioned for his soldiers to follow as they moved through the archway. The air grew colder, and the oppressive energy thickened, making each breath feel bored. It felt as though the darkness itself was alive, pressing in on them, watching their every move.

  They descended deeper into the cave, the torches casting flickering light on the jagged walls. The chanting from the chamber behind them faded, repced by an eerie silence that gnawed at their nerves.

  After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at a vast cavern, much rger than the one before. In its center stood a massive bck obelisk, its surface smooth and gleaming like polished stone, but somehow darker than the surrounding shadows. Strange, pulsating veins of energy ran through it, connecting to a series of runes etched into the ground, forming an intricate web of ancient symbols.

  At the base of the obelisk stood three figures, taller and more imposing than the ones they had encountered earlier. Their robes were adorned with sigils that seemed to shimmer in and out of existence, and from beneath their hoods, Lu Sang could sense a malevolent intelligence that far surpassed the others.

  The central figure raised a hand. "You come seeking power, General. But do you understand the true nature of the forces you’ve allied yourself with?"

  "I understand enough," Lu Sang replied, though the uncertainty in his chest grew with each passing moment. "I’ve made my choice."

  "Choices are fickle things," the figure said, its voice low and resonant, like the rumble of a distant storm. "Once made, they shape you, mold you into something new. You stand on the edge of transformation, but you still cling to your humanity, your loyalty. These things will weigh you down."

  Lu Sang felt the weight of the figure's words, but he steeled himself. "I will do whatever it takes to protect the Empire. That is my only loyalty."

  "Even if it means becoming something other than human?" the figure asked, stepping forward. "Even if it means sacrificing your soul?"

  Before Lu Sang could respond, the figure extended a hand toward him. From the obelisk, tendrils of dark energy shot out, wrapping around him, binding him in pce. The energy wasn't like before; it was colder, more intense, and as it seeped into him, he felt his very essence being pulled, twisted.

  His soldiers shouted in arm, raising their weapons, but Cao Suyin held up a hand to stop them. "This is the test," she whispered, her eyes locked on Lu Sang.

  The dark energy burrowed deeper into Lu Sang, probing his thoughts, his memories, his fears. He saw fshes of his life—his rise through the ranks, his loyalty to the Empress, the countless battles fought in her name. And then, he saw the future—visions of war, of death, of his Empire in ruins. But in those visions, he saw something else: himself, standing victorious, wielding a power greater than any army, a power that could crush the Bck Hand and all who stood against him.

  The temptation was overwhelming.

  The tendrils tightened, and Lu Sang gritted his teeth as pain ripped through him. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he thought he might lose himself entirely. But then, something deep within him stirred—a flicker of resistance. His hand clenched around his sword hilt, and with a surge of willpower, he pushed back against the darkness.

  The tendrils recoiled, snapping back to the obelisk. Lu Sang colpsed to one knee, gasping for breath, his body trembling from the exertion. But he was still himself.

  The central figure regarded him with interest. "You resist. Impressive. Few have the strength to reject the full embrace of the darkness."

  Lu Sang stood slowly, his eyes hard. "I will use your power, but I will not be consumed by it."

  The figure chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound. "So you believe. But the seed has been pnted, General. The power is yours, but it will grow... and one day, it will demand a price."

  Lu Sang’s gaze never wavered. "That day is not today."

  "Perhaps," the figure said, stepping back. "But know this—the war you seek to end is far more complex than you realize. The rebellion is merely a piece of a much rger game. And now that you’ve entered the fray, you will be a pyer—whether you wish to be or not."

  Cao Suyin moved beside him, her expression unreadable once more. "The Empire's fate is now tied to yours, General. The Bck Hand has given you power, but you will need more than strength to win this war."

  Lu Sang nodded, his resolve hardening.