The hum echoing on the upper floor of the mansion shattered the silence of the night. The wind howled like an ancient spirit wandering the corridors. After Alison and William left the dark room, no one spoke. They just walked up the stone stairs with heavy steps. Alison's eyes still had not forgotten the images she had seen in the orb. His mother's scream, the altar covered in blood, and that promise: "Either kill or save."
Everything was spinning in his head. He knew now that she wasn't just an ordinary girl. He was the child of both darkness and light. William stood at the end of the long corridor. In front of the door, there was a seal with black mist swirling inside it. "Put your hand here," he said. "If your lineage is true, the door will be opened." Alison hesitated. "What if it doesn't open?" "Then you don't belong here," said William. But there was more fear in his voice than harshness. Alison took a deep breath and put her hand on the door. Suddenly, the seal glowed with a crimson light, the door trembled and slowly opened. A warm air spread from inside, the smell of ancient spells and cursed prayers. When they entered, there were old portraits hanging on the walls.
Human figures with blackened faces and burnt eyes... And in the middle, a throne. There was neither human nor animal on the throne. A shadow. He only had eyes, as if he were looking through an endless night. Alison stepped back. "What is this—" Shadow spoke. His voice came from a hundred places at once. "At last... he has come. The child of light and darkness... The seal has been broken." Alison's heart pounded. "You… who are you?" Shadow chuckled. "I... am your father." That word froze the room. Alison's eyes widened. "You're lying," he shouted. "No," said the shadow. "Your mother sealed me away. When you were born, half of the darkness passed into me and half into you.
That's why I called you. Because only you can complete me." William immediately stepped forward, his voice sharpening. "Get back from him! You're just a curse, a relic!" The shadow's gaze turned to William. "Ah... little wizard. You still think you're a protector. But I know what's inside you. Darkness flows in your veins too. One drop of my blood is enough, and I'll take you too." William's face tightened. Alison turned to him in surprise. "What does he mean?" William clenched his teeth. "I... I come from a line of wizards under your father's command. Those who served him centuries ago. But I broke that chain." Shadow laughed and the hall shook. "Did you break the chain? You are still sealed by my darkness, William Damien. And now that seal is awakening." William's eyes suddenly turned black and he fell to his knees. Dark veins swelled on his arms, and black smoke rose from his forehead.
Alison screamed. "William!" The shadow whispered: "You can save him, girl. But you will give me something in return... Your light." Alison hesitated, but there was pain in William's eyes. Darkness was swallowing him. He stretched out his hands trembling, his tears glistening. "What are you saying," he shouted, "William William, look at me, please look at me, I won't let anything happen to you… release him!" Shadow remained silent, then laughed in a mocking tone. "You look so much like your mother. Okay, deal." Alison shouted, "Okay, as long as nothing happens to him, please let him go," she said while tears were flowing from her eyes. Alison opened her palms. He called for the light from deep within his heart. A pure white energy flowed out from his body. It was so bright that even William had to close his eyes. But when the light reached the shadow, suddenly something happened.
Shadow screamed, but this time it was filled with joy, not anger. "Ah… sweet purity! Just what I expected!" William suddenly opened his eyes. "No! Alison stop!" But it was too late now. The shadow absorbed his light. A sphere-like energy wave surrounded Alison and knocked her to the ground. William fell to his knees, his hands shaking. "Alison!" At that moment, the shadow disappeared, leaving only a whisper: "You complete me. Soon the darkness will be reborn." William ran to Alison. The girl's body was cold, but her eyes remained open. It was no longer that silver, but was shining with a blue mixed with darkness. "What… happened to me?" whispered Alison. William looked away. "Your light is no longer pure. You carry your father's darkness with you." The girl sat up with difficulty. "So… have I been both a savior… and a destroyer?" William lowered his head and put his hand on her hair. "No matter what you are, I will protect you." Alison looked up, her eyes shining. "No. I'm not the one you need to protect anymore. From now on, I will fight the darkness inside you." William stood back in surprise. "Little wizard... you don't know what you're doing." Alison stood up slowly. "You okay William?" William smiled, taking Alison's face between his hands. "I'm fine, thanks to you." Then Alison said with sadness and anger: "I know. Because I am no longer the child of my father, but of my own destiny." William smiled, but there was both fear and admiration in his eyes. "That's why no one will stop you." At that moment, a roar arose from the distance.
The sky cracked and lightning struck the mansion. And a figure emerged from the darkness: the Shadow Lord was returning, but this time in his own body. William drew his sword and stood in front of Alison. "Are you ready?" Alison's voice was a whisper but firm. "No. But we are together... that's enough." And at that moment the two of them stood side by side. Darkness in one, light in the other. Two opposite souls, one destiny. The sky was split open. And the war had finally begun.