The night after Priyanshu returned from the Black Lotus Forest, the imperial capital buzzed with unease.
Strange omens had occurred during the day: birds flying backward, the river briefly turning crimson, and a three-eyed crow seen perching atop the temple. The ministers whispered of curses, the priests trembled in fear, and even the Empress secluded herself in her chambers.
But in a hidden part of the capital—beneath the abandoned shrine of the Ancients—someone was waiting.
A man knelt on one knee in the darkness. His armor was stitched together from black-scaled demonic hides, and a mask shaped like a wolf covered his face. Behind him, a dozen other masked warriors stood motionless like shadows.
As Priyanshu descended into the shrine through a hidden tunnel, the masked man bowed deeply.
"Your Shadow General greets the True Master."
Priyanshu smiled. "Ravan, it's been a long time."
Ravan lifted his head. His eyes glowed faintly under the mask.
"When you vanished ten years ago, we obeyed the last command—to slumber and wait. The moment you absorbed the Black Lotus Domain, the seal lifted. The entire Shadow Division is at your service once more."
[System Alert: Hidden Organization 'Shadow Division' Reactivated]Loyalty: 100%Influence: Low (Currently Hidden)Potential Growth: Cataclysmic
Priyanshu's smile deepened. "Then it's time to begin the real game."
He stepped forward and unfurled a map of the Pritampur Empire on the stone table.
"Here's what we'll do. First, spread rumors of a masked rogue cultivating forbidden techniques in the eastern provinces. Blame the Third Prince's faction. Next, arrange 'bandit attacks' on important grain routes—but let the Second Prince's men be the ones caught with the stolen supplies."
Ravan nodded, his voice deep and respectful. "Divide and conquer?"
"No," Priyanshu said with a chuckle. "Frame and collapse. I want them to destroy themselves trying to defend their own names."
He turned to the shadows behind Ravan. "And what of the recruits?"
One of the female shadows stepped forward. Her voice was melodious but sharp. "A hundred orphans trained under your old curriculum. Fifty passed. Twenty possess latent spiritual roots. Three show signs of domain awakening."
Priyanshu nodded. "Excellent. I'll personally test the three with domain signs. Send the rest to the outer sects under false names. Let them rise naturally. We'll activate them when the time is right."
[System Alert: Shadow Web Initiated – 1% Empire Influence Acquired]New Passive Unlocked: Thread of Control – See invisible karmic threads between people. Manipulate weak minds.
The mask on Ravan's face seemed to shimmer with pride.
"One last thing, Master," Ravan said. "The Elders of the Hidden Temple sent a message. They sensed your aura returning. They say... the Heir of the Abyssal Throne walks again."
Priyanshu's expression turned cold. "Then they remember me."
"Yes."
Priyanshu looked up at the old statue of a forgotten god above them—half-broken, covered in dust.
"Good. Let them prepare their offerings," he whispered.
The time was coming when gods, devils, kings, and heroes would kneel.
Not to righteousness.
But to the hidden villain behind everything.