Chapter 3: Shadows Learn to Bite
The training fields behind the Guild were nearly empty at dawn. Only the sound of Kael’s blade echoed, steel slicing through the cold air.
Or rather—it would have echoed, if not for the black wolf pup running circles around him, barking at every swing.
Kael (panting): “Shade. For the love of all the gods—stop distracting me.”
The pup barked louder, then lunged at his feet, nearly tripping him mid-swing. Kael stumbled, cursed, and dropped his stance entirely.
Kael (glowering): “You’re supposed to be a shadow beast. Not a… shoe-chewing menace.”
Shade proudly trotted over with Kael’s bootlace dangling from his mouth.
---
As the sun climbed, Kael pushed harder. Each swing of his blade now left behind a faint trail of black mist, a lingering echo of the abyssal power flowing through him. When he focused, that mist coiled around him—living, writhing—and extended like claws, slicing deeper than steel.
It felt intoxicating. And terrifying.
Kael paused, staring at his own hand as tendrils of shadow wrapped around his fingers. The dungeon’s whispers still echoed faintly in his skull.
"Successor… Heir to the shadows…"
He clenched his fist until the mist dissipated.
---
A slow clap broke the silence.
Kael stiffened, turning sharply—only to find Seraphine leaning against the fence, a faint smile playing at her lips.
Seraphine: “I see you’re keeping busy.”
Kael frowned. Why was she always showing up when he least wanted witnesses?
Kael: “Spying on people this early? Thought healers preferred cozy beds.”
Seraphine (smirking): “Someone has to make sure you don’t slice yourself in half. Or trip over your… very fierce wolf.”
Shade barked proudly, tail wagging. Then immediately faceplanted into Kael’s dropped boot.
Kael groaned.
Kael: “…I hate my life.”
---
Before he could retort further, a shadow loomed over them.
It was Rylan Veyr, captain of the Silver Spear squad—the Guild’s golden boy. Tall, polished armor, smirk carved permanently onto his face.
Rylan (mocking): “So this is the ‘sole survivor.’ Training already? Brave… or desperate.”
Kael’s grip on his sword tightened.
Kael (flat): “You need something, Veyr?”
Rylan (grinning): “Guildmaster wants proof you’re not hiding something. You’ll join me on today’s culling mission. We’ll see if you’re worth keeping… or branding.”
His gaze flicked to Seraphine, then back to Kael, smirk widening.
Rylan: “And if you get in my way, I won’t hesitate.”
Kael said nothing. His silence was sharper than any blade.
---
The mission was simple—or so it seemed. A small infestation of lesser shades in the forest outskirts. Rylan’s squad marched in gleaming formation. Kael followed behind, Shade trotting at his side like an overeager scout.
But the “lesser shades” were more dangerous than reported.
The trees themselves bent under the weight of black mist. Figures crawled from the roots, whispering in forgotten tongues. The other hunters faltered—but Kael felt a strange calm. The abyss recognized him.
He stepped forward, shadows coiling around him.
Kael (low, to Shade): “Let’s hunt.”
---
The battle was chaos. Rylan’s spears flashed, but the swarm grew. Hunters were dragged screaming into the dark.
Kael raised his hand—and his shadow stretched, splitting into wolves, tendrils, blades of night. Shade howled, and the abyss answered, tearing through the shades with savage precision.
The hunters froze, terror and awe mixing in their eyes.
Hunter (whispering): “He… he commands the dark…”
Kael ignored them. His focus narrowed to the fight, to the intoxicating rhythm of blade and shadow. For the first time, he felt alive.
---
When the last creature fell, silence descended.
Rylan stepped forward, his spear tip aimed at Kael’s throat.
Rylan (cold): “You think that power makes you one of us? No. It makes you a threat.”
Before Kael could respond—Seraphine’s voice cut through from the treeline.
Seraphine (sharp): “Put that spear down, Veyr. He just saved your squad.”
She stepped into the clearing, cloak rustling. Her eyes flicked to Kael—concern and… something softer lingering there.
Kael averted his gaze quickly, but Shade immediately trotted over to her and licked her hand.
Kael (deadpan): “Traitor.”
Seraphine laughed softly.
Seraphine: “Maybe he just knows who the kinder master is.”
Kael felt heat creep up his neck. He turned away, pretending to clean his blade.
---
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