Far across the continent, within the majestic stronghold of the Loyal Dog Organization, hundreds of elites stood in a grand chamber. Giant monitors displayed the scene at Heaven's Crest Academy — the entire sky being swallowed, the corrupted Eclipse Beast kneeling, and a black throne rising behind Priyanshu.
Gasps echoed through the room.
One young man, surrounded by golden light, stood at the center.
He was tall, noble-looking, wrapped in divine robes embroidered with the Heavenly Star Crest. His aura was calm, bright, and heroic.
Name: Arin LiorCodename: The Chosen HeroProject Rank: S+Origin: Artificial Celestial Core fused with Heaven's BlessingObjective: Destroy the Hidden Villain and restore balance
The system displayed a message only he could see.
[Mission Start: Terminate Priyanshu Yadav – Hidden Villain][Time Limit: 30 Days][Reward: Full Divine Authority – Level: Celestial Emperor][Penalty: Soul Erasure]
Arin clenched his fists.
"Why didn't you deploy me earlier?" he asked the elders.
An old man in dark robes coughed. "Because until now… he wasn't a threat to the world. Now, he's a threat to the multiverse."
Another added, "He has devoured an ancient beast… reversed spatial laws… and claimed a forbidden domain. He is no longer 'Priyanshu.' He is the Shadow Sovereign now."
Arin's eyes turned cold.
"Then I'll slay the Shadow Sovereign… and remind the world why heroes exist."
Meanwhile – Inside the Shadow Domain
Priyanshu sat on his throne, surrounded by swirling black flames and thousands of shadow serpents floating like banners of a rising empire.
Behind him stood Nyra and Ritika, their loyalty now deeper than ever.
Ritika whispered, "That throne… it's changing you."
Priyanshu didn't deny it. His voice was calm, almost detached.
"It's not just a throne. It's a Will. The darkness doesn't serve me — it is me now."
The system chimed softly.
[Warning: Hero-Class Entity Approaching (Codename: Arin Lior)][Threat Level: Extreme – Celestial Hero Core Detected][Estimated Battle Impact: Catastrophic][Recommendation: Pre-emptive Strike or Strategic Diplomacy]
He stood.
"I created chaos," he said, smiling faintly. "Now, the world sends me its best. Let's see what their 'hero' can do."
He raised his hand, forming a Shadow Mirror, and saw Arin descending through the atmosphere like a comet of golden light.
FLASHBACK: The Secret Behind the Hero Project
Years ago, the Loyal Dog Organization secretly kidnapped hundreds of talented children.
Only one survived the brutal purification: Arin.
They fused him with ancient celestial fragments, modified his soul, and removed his emotions.
They made him the "perfect" hero.
But there was a flaw.
Inside Arin, buried deep, was a part of him that wanted freedom, not justice.
A hidden rage at the world that turned him into a tool.
And that was exactly what Priyanshu wanted to exploit.
Current Timeline – Clash Begins
As Arin landed on the corrupted sky above Heaven's Crest Academy, thousands of students inside the domain trembled. Even inside the Shadow Sovereign's protection, the golden light burned.
Arin floated with ease, his eyes locked on Priyanshu.
"You are an error," Arin declared. "I was made to delete you."
Priyanshu stood tall, shadows dancing behind him.
"Delete me? You don't even know what I am."
"I know enough," Arin replied. "You're the root of every imbalance. You play with life and death like chess pieces. That ends now."
Suddenly—
[System Skill Unlocked: Paradox Duel Arena][A battlefield isolated from all timelines, no interference allowed.][Location Chosen: Twilight Sky Void – Arena Begins in 10… 9… 8…]
Priyanshu smirked.
"Looks like we're getting a private fight. Just you and me, 'hero'."
In the Arena – The First Blow
As the countdown hit zero, both figures vanished from the world.
In the Twilight Sky Void, space was painted in gray stars, and time itself slowed.
Arin moved first — a golden spear in hand, hurling it with light-speed precision.
But Priyanshu was already behind him, shadow-kicking Arin mid-air, twisting space as he moved.
The fight was beyond normal comprehension.
Planets trembled.
Systems failed.
The world outside only saw flashes of black and gold — and the feeling that gods were fighting.
System Update – Final Moments
[Hero's Light at 68% Power][Villain's Shadow at 92% Synchronization][Danger Level: Mutual Destruction Approaching]
But just as the final blow was about to land, Priyanshu stopped.
He whispered something to Arin.
And Arin froze.
Eyes wide.
Because in that moment, Priyanshu didn't attack — he gave Arin a choice.
"You don't have to be their tool," he said softly. "You're not a hero. You're a slave."
Arin dropped his spear.
Tears streamed down his face.
The system panicked.
[Warning! Hero Core Instability Detected!][Rebellion Detected! Initiating Self-Termination Protocol!]
But before it could trigger—
Priyanshu touched Arin's chest.
[Shadow Sovereign Authority: Override Protocol][Result: Hero Core Assimilated][Arin Lior Now Marked: Shadow General – Title: Broken Hero]
Chapter End Scene
In the sky, the golden light vanished.
The world waited for the hero to return victorious…
But only one figure descended from the sky.
Cloaked in shadow.
Behind him, a second figure followed — once glowing, now corrupted, loyal.
Arin had joined him.
And the world understood a horrifying truth:
The villain was winning.