The Rise of the Lost

Kalm examined the black garments that had wrapped themselves around his body—as if they were alive.

They were soft, smooth, and warm, nothing like the living shadows they appeared to be.

He looked them over, then lifted his eyes to the queen, who had regained her usual composed expression.

A moment later, he realized he'd been staring at her in a rather strange way.

*"What am I even doing...?"*

For a moment, he forgot that he was in serious trouble.

The warrior had died, and he was still alive—by some miracle… or maybe the queen had known what she was doing from the start.

And then there was the second issue: the embarrassment he'd caused himself just seconds earlier.

He lowered his gaze to the floor and spoke, trying to sound calm:

"Ah… I… I'm really sorry about… uh… you know… please forgive me..."

His words stumbled, and his mind failed to find a proper way to recover.

He had just met one of the most stunning and majestic women in the world, and their first meeting had been awkward and weird, leaving him trying to shrink into himself.

Noticing the mix of embarrassment and fear in his eyes, the queen let out a light chuckle.

"It's alright," she said gently. "What happened, happened… and it wasn't your fault to begin with."

She stepped forward, and with a wave of her hand, the shadows lifted the fallen warrior's body and carried it away. The blood on the floor vanished, along with the scent and the sight of death.

Her lips parted, and she spoke:

"So, you're the challenger."

She took another step forward, now standing before Kalm, and asked in a warm, inviting tone:

"You wouldn't mind answering a few of my questions, would you?"

Kalm stared at her for a moment, heart pounding, his mind struggling to stay focused and composed.

He took a deep breath, his chest rising, then exhaled slowly.

Doing his best to appear cooperative and respectful—anything to stay alive—

He forced a small, polite smile.

"Of… of course, Your Majesty. I'm actually in need of some answers too, if you wouldn't mind, Your Grace."

The queen gave him an approving smile.

Then, as if by magic, shadows moved from the walls and formed two chairs and a small circular table.

She sat down gracefully and gestured for him to join her.

Then she spoke first:

"First, do you mind telling me your name and how you ended up here? I'm quite curious."

Kalm sat down, gently feeling the chair and table beneath his fingers before looking at her.

"My name is Kalm, Your Majesty.

A week ago, I started hearing whispers in my head—strange whispers.

They weren't frightening or comforting, but they left me… how can I put it… confused.

One moment, I'd thank the gods for being alive, and the next, I'd beg demons to take my soul.

That kind of thing…"

He paused, then continued:

"After a week of that state, I realized the world had chosen me.

So I went to take something called the Awakening Trial—

a kind of test held by something called the Voice of the World itself.

That's how I ended up sharing a connection with that warrior… exactly three days ago."

Kalm explained quietly and succinctly, then waited for the queen's reaction.

The elegant woman studied him, her gemstone eyes deepening in thought.

After a brief silence, she gave him a soft, measured smile and spoke in her gentle tone:

"Well done on enduring, little Kalm.

I understand the general picture now—

and I also understand why you were sent here, specifically."

Kalm's eyes widened. For the first time, he felt a flicker of hope in his miserable situation.

His mind calmed a little, and he reminded himself to behave with perfect politeness.

Just because the woman in front of him was acting kindly didn't mean she was on his side…

Maybe she'd end him once she got the information she needed.

He thought for a moment, then asked:

"Your Majesty, if it's not too much to ask… would you be willing to share what you know with me?"

The queen looked directly into his eyes, her smile fading. She spoke with a tone of deep respect:

"It seems you're one of the Chosen, little one…

And whether that's for better or worse depends on your fate.

But it appears you've been chosen to inherit the legacy of *The Lost One* himself."

Kalm's mouth dropped open, his body trembling from the gravity of her words.

He muttered to himself:

"The Lost One's legacy…"

The beautiful queen turned her gaze to the shadows in a thoughtful way, and then said clearly:

"When the Lost One and his partner vanished, they each left behind a remarkable weapon.

Both of them are in my kingdom.

They're kept in a massive, dark cavern beneath the earth.

I never understood why they were there… or why we could never wield them.

But now it all makes sense."

She fell silent for a moment, studying Kalm's frozen expression.

"It seems the purpose of your trial… is to obtain them. Or at least one of them.

But…"

Kalm's body tensed at the *but*, and he quickly asked:

"Your Majesty, but what…?"

She sighed and replied:

"You're as good as dead, little one.

The cavern is a giant maze of death, filled with beasts from Rank One to Rank Five—

horrific creatures no elite warrior could survive for a full day.

And you… you haven't even awakened your powers yet.

Which means this is nothing more than a suicide mission…"

Kalm leaned on the table, his body trembling from the chill that crept through him.

'A suicide mission… What kind of twisted nonsense is this? Aren't trials supposed to push young ones forward, not slaughter them?'

He felt more helpless and fragile than usual, his heart skipping a few beats.

Since it was a trial, he didn't have a set deadline—be it a week, a month, or even a year.

But Kalm couldn't grow stronger or awaken his power until he completed the trial. Which meant that no matter how much he trained, he wouldn't surpass an average human…

And judging by the state of the outer kingdom, he didn't have much time before it collapsed.

He grabbed his head with both hands, rubbing it hard.

'Isn't… isn't this just unfair? What am I supposed to do now…?'

But again, when had life ever been fair—especially for him?

Seeing the fear and despair taking over his expression, the queen raised a single finger and gave him a smile so breathtaking it could topple kingdoms.

"Kalm, you're desperate—and death is what awaits you on that journey.

So… what would you say to a little deal with me?"

Kalm lifted his eyes toward the graceful woman, studying her soft expression.

It was the kind of face that couldn't lie or deceive—pure and gentle in its sincerity.

After a few seconds, he replied:

"I'm willing, Your Majesty… but as you know, I have nothing to offer in return."

She nodded, then raised two fingers on one hand.

"First, I'll help you myself.

I'll go with you into the cavern to retrieve the two items.

And second—and most importantly—I'll make sure we do it while you stay alive.

Just one piece… You'll be under my protection, under my wing, for the entire journey."

She fell silent for a moment, then lowered her fingers and raised two from the other hand.

"In return, I want you to inherit my legacy—my aspect.

And also… to kill me yourself."

Kalm's eyes widened and his heart pounded so violently that he nearly fell from his chair.

He looked at the graceful woman with a strange mixture of awe and dread, then asked hesitantly:

"Y… Your Majesty, I can understand your first condition, since it benefits me as well…

But… the second? I… I simply can't comprehend it…"

The soft smile on her face slowly darkened, and shadows filled her eyes.

Kalm glanced around to see the shadows in the chamber reacting to her frown, shifting in strange ways.

The queen spoke—her tone now darker, contradicting her beauty:

"Kalm, shadows represent death—eternal rest.

As Queen of Shadows, I'm the very embodiment of death and rest…

But ironically, I can't give myself that rest.

That's why I want you to inherit me, and the power of shadow—to grant me peace.

It's entirely for my own sake."

Kalm stared at her, finding it hard to grasp the pain behind her words.

He turned his gaze away to the black walls, trying to calm his racing heart.

At last, he spoke in a hesitant voice:

"I'll do what I can, Your Majesty."

Without saying anything more, the queen stood.

At that very moment, the table and shadowy chairs vanished.

"Then let's go retrieve those items.

Unfortunately, we don't have time."

Kalm's expression shifted into something more resolute.

He realized that hesitation—or letting his emotions run loose—would only get him killed.

Now that the beautiful woman who called herself the Queen of Shadows was by his side,

all he had to do was trust in her strength.

Strangely enough, he found that easy to do.

Even though they'd only spoken once and he hadn't even seen what she was capable of,

something deep inside told him he could trust her—not just as a person, but in the strange power she wielded.

*Shadows… If she wants me to inherit them, she'll show me what they can really do in battle.*

He raised his gaze to her and stepped up to stand beside her.

"Yes, my queen. Let's go."

She gave him a soft smile as shadows wrapped around her body.

Her elegant black dress dissolved, and in its place, a suit of armor formed from the same deep shade—

It covered her completely, yet followed every curve of her form, highlighting her grace and beauty in a way that let imagination run wild.