The training halls beneath Lunareth were nothing like the open arenas above. These chambers were carved into the white stone of the mountain itself, glowing with runes that pulsed like a heartbeat. Only those chosen by the royal family were ever allowed inside.
Today, Shoko stood in the center of the ancient room, staring at the complex circle beneath his feet.
Ariandel adjusted her cloak and walked around him. "This is the Threadforge. It is where elves once shaped their magic into pure form. You are the first outsider to set foot here."
Shoko traced the patterns with his eyes. "It feels alive."
"It should," Velion said from the entrance. "These runes are older than our kingdom. They respond to those with rare potential."
Elyndra appeared from behind him, smiling softly. "Which means they like you."
Shoko felt heat rise to his cheeks. "I hope so…"
Ariandel placed a hand on his shoulder. "You will not be alone through this. Just breathe and follow my guidance."
Shoko nodded, inhaling deeply.
He raised his hands and summoned his threads. They flowed from his fingertips in smooth silver streams, more stable than before. He felt more in control now, more aware of every strand.
Ariandel observed closely. "Good. Your control is improving."
Shoko concentrated and shaped the threads into a sphere. This time, the structure held cleanly. He steadied it with both hands.
Velion watched with narrowed eyes. "Notice his stance. Balanced. This boy is adapting faster than any student I have ever seen."
Elyndra whispered, "He learns fast… too fast."
Ariandel heard her but said nothing.
Shoko lowered the sphere and let it dissolve into light.
"Alright," Ariandel said. "Now try something harder. Separate your threads into two forms."
Shoko blinked. "Two?"
"Yes," she said. "One hand creates an offensive thread. The other creates a defensive one. Most mages can only focus on one purpose at a time. You will learn both."
Shoko's expression sharpened. "I can try."
He lifted his right hand, letting threads pool in a tight, dense spiral like a blade. Then his left hand extended thinner lines, forming a soft, shield-like web. His arms trembled from the effort.
He gritted his teeth. "I am doing it…"
Ariandel stepped closer. "Focus on your breathing. Slow. Consistent."
He steadied himself. The tremor eased. Both forms stabilized.
Velion exhaled deeply. "Unbelievable."
Shoko smiled proudly. "I did it!"
Elyndra clapped, eyes bright. "I knew you could."
But suddenly the threads flickered.
A cold whisper drifted through the room.
"You are still too slow."
Shoko froze. His defensive web collapsed. His offensive thread surged outward in an uncontrolled burst.
Ariandel quickly seized his wrist. "Shoko! Stay with me!"
Shoko gasped, voice trembling. "He is back again…"
Velion raised a protective barrier. "Prepare yourselves."
The air shimmered.
Behind Shoko, a faint figure appeared. Not fully formed, but visible enough to send a shock through the room.
Tall. Transparent. Wings of golden light. A white and gold outfit that flowed like celestial silk. And a mask covering its eyes, leaving only a faint glow beneath.
The masked entity spoke without moving its mouth.
"You are still bound. You have yet to awaken the second thread."
Shoko took a step back, heart dropping. "Why are you here… What do you want?"
The figure tilted its head. "I want what you will become."
Ariandel pushed Shoko slightly behind her. "You stay away from him."
Velion summoned a blade of pure light, his voice hard. "If you interfere again, spirit or not, I will cut you down."
The masked being did not react.
It simply lifted a hand and touched its own chest.
In response, Shoko felt a sharp pain in his own.
He gasped and collapsed to one knee. "Stop… stop…"
Ariandel grabbed him tightly. "Let him go!"
Elyndra ran forward, tears forming. "Please! Leave him alone!"
The masked entity turned its head slowly toward her.
Its voice echoed.
"You know more than you speak."
Elyndra froze in place. Her hands shook. "You… you are not supposed to appear yet. You are early."
Velion's eyes widened. "What did you say?"
But the masked being ignored the others. It reached toward Shoko, but instead of touching him, it touched the air, like plucking an invisible thread.
The Threadforge reacted immediately.
Runes on the ground flared.
Lines of power spun around the masked figure and Shoko both, connecting them through a single shimmering strand.
Ariandel shouted, "Velion, cut it!"
Velion brought his lightblade down onto the connection, but the strand simply passed through the blade like mist.
The masked figure whispered, "Awaken."
Shoko screamed.
Silver and gold threads burst from his hands like an explosion.
Elyndra shielded her eyes. "Shoko!"
Ariandel held him tightly as radiant energy spilled across the room. The runes activated fully, casting swirling lights around the chamber.
Then, as suddenly as it began, the masked entity stepped back. Its form faded, little by little.
Before disappearing completely, it spoke one last time.
"You cannot escape your truth."
Then it vanished.
Silence crashed into the room.
Shoko trembled uncontrollably. Ariandel wrapped both arms around him, holding him steady.
"Shoko, look at me. Are you alright?"
He blinked slowly, chest rising shakily. "I… I felt something. Something new."
Velion lowered his blade. "What did you feel?"
Shoko lifted his right hand.
A single thread hovered above his palm.
Not silver.
Not gold.
Both.
A dual-colored thread, swirling together like two rivers merging into one.
Shoko whispered, "I think… this is the second thread."
Ariandel stared in awe. "A hybrid focus… impossible."
Elyndra swallowed hard. She knew exactly what it meant. In the book, only one person was ever supposed to unlock that thread.
Shoko.
But not yet.
Not this early.
She knelt beside him. "Can you control it?"
Shoko closed his eyes, focusing. The thread steadied, glowing brighter.
He opened his eyes with a new resolve.
"Yes. I can control it."
Velion nodded slowly. "Then your training must change immediately."
Ariandel helped Shoko stand. He wobbled, but stayed upright.
Elyndra touched his arm gently. "You are stronger than you think."
Shoko gave her a tired smile. "Thanks. I am going to need that strength."
Velion stepped forward.
"Everyone must prepare. Whatever that being wants… it is not done with him."
Ariandel placed a hand on Shoko's cheek, voice soft but firm.
"You are not facing this alone. Not ever."
Shoko looked at all of them. Ariandel, Elyndra, Velion.
And he felt something he had not felt in years.
Belonging.
He clenched his fist around the new swirling thread.
"I am ready to learn. Whatever it takes."
And the runes beneath him glowed in response.