Chapter 4
The Serpent's Shadow
Snake, Shulk's second-in-command and trainer of the elite Cloaks, reports on recent activity. His loyalty is absolute, but the nature of the Cloaks remains a closely guarded secret, even from most Daggers.
The air in Shulk’s private chamber, carved deep into the obsidian heart of the Dagger Clan’s island, hummed with a low, resonant energy. It was a sound that settled into the bones, a constant reminder of the raw power that flowed through their people, and through him, their leader. Outside, the perpetual twilight of their island offered a stark contrast to the vibrant hues of the other realms, a testament to their formidable nature. Shulk, clad in the simple, dark leathers that were the uniform of his clan, stood before a vast, polished obsidian table. His gaze,