The Empty Throne
Kaito stood atop the Tower of Eternity, bathed in a dark aura that swirled like a storm around him. He had finally achieved what no mortal, mage, or god had ever accomplished. The power of the universe itself flowed through his veins, bending to his will like a servant bowing before its master. He could feel the heartbeat of the world, hear the hum of ancient forces long forgotten.
Yet as he stood there, gazing out over the vast kingdom of Veloria and the lands beyond, something gnawed at him—an emptiness that even his newfound power could not fill. The world seemed smaller now, fragile in comparison to the boundless strength he possessed. He could crush mountains with a thought, split the sky with a gesture. But there was no one left to challenge him, no further heights to scale.
Is this it? Kaito wondered, his voice swallowed by the wind.
The very thing he had sought all his life—the ultimate power—now felt hollow. The endless hunger that had driven him, that had pushed him to abandon his humanity, seemed quieter now, almost silent. But in that silence, he found no satisfaction.