The heart of the Shadewalk was quieter than Cael expected. Shadows clung to the walls and ceiling like smoke, shifting with every step. His own footsteps sounded louder than normal, echoing back at him. The relic's power under his skin hummed softly, alert, alive.
"…more… feed… take it…"
He tightened his fists but didn't pull back. The sound was strange, almost comforting, like it was part of him now.
Ahead, the corridor split into three paths, each dimmer than the last. Shadows flickered along the walls, forming shapes that made him pause for a brief moment. Then, deliberately, he picked the middle path.
The walls seemed to breathe subtly, moving almost like living things. Shadows along the floor reached out, forming half-figures of his peers, but Cael ignored them. Each swing of his blade sent illusions dissolving into smoke, leaving a faint shimmer from the relic behind.
A scream echoed down the corridor. This time it was real.
Cael moved toward it calmly, his senses alert. Shadows parted for him as if they recognized him, and he arrived to find a trainee pinned by writhing dark tendrils. Their eyes were wide, filled with panic.
"Please… help me!" the trainee called.
Cael didn't hesitate. A single, precise cut through the shadows freed the trainee. They collapsed on the floor, trembling and grateful, glancing up at him with a mix of awe and fear.
Cael didn't say anything. He simply walked past, leaving them alive. This was not cruelty. He had learned to focus, to act without letting hesitation slow him down.
The deeper he went, the louder the whispers became, soft and persistent:
"…more… stronger… take it…"
The final chamber was empty—or so it appeared. Shadows gathered in corners, shifting subtly, watching him. Cael stepped forward carefully, aware that the real test was not strength but control.
Then a voice echoed in the room, steady and firm:
"Cael."
It wasn't Brenn. Not any of the instructors. This voice was calm, deliberate, older.
"I see you," it said. "And I see what you've become."
Cael didn't respond. Fear had no place here. He focused on the energy from the relic, the hum in his veins steadying him.
The shadows seemed to hesitate, retreating slightly, and the whispers softened:
"…take it… everything…"
Cael exhaled slowly. This trial wasn't about breaking him. It was a reflection of his potential, a mirror showing what he could become if he kept pushing forward.
A small, controlled smile appeared. Not cruel, not boastful—just confidence.
He wasn't a trainee anymore. Not really. He was someone sharper, faster, more aware. And he was ready to keep moving forward, one step at a time.