The Dweller-in-Darkness was the leader of the Soul Eaters, creatures with the ability to absorb and feed on souls. Thousands of years ago, the Dweller and its army attempted to destroy Ta Lo until they were imprisoned inside a mountain by the Great Protector. Millennia later, the Dweller tricked Xu Wenwu into releasing it, deceiving him into believing that his deceased wife Ying Li was the one trapped behind the seal. After being freed by Wenwu and taking his soul, the Dweller attempted to drain the souls of Ta Lo's people. After a fight with the Great Protector, the Dweller was killed by Shang-Chi using the Ten Rings.