Chapter 16: Rising Shadows

Lahsiv left the Apex arena with an unshakable sense of control. The experience in the Abyss had changed him in ways that were difficult to explain. He had faced himself—his darker, more primal urges—and come out victorious. Yet, he couldn’t shake the lingering warning of the Abyss: Control is fleeting. The power he now held, this mastery over shadow, was not to be taken lightly. It was a tool, a weapon, but one that could turn on him if he lost focus.

As he made his way back through the Academy grounds, the usual activity of the other students seemed far beneath him now. They were still struggling with basic training, unaware of the deeper forces at play in the shadows around them. Lahsiv knew he had risen above them. He was beyond the ordinary conflicts of the Academy, though he knew they would come to him sooner or later.

For now, his goal was clear: continue to grow, explore the limits of his newfound powers, and keep his distance from those who might seek to interfere with his plans. That included both students and instructors alike.

Later that evening, as the sun began to set, Lahsiv found himself standing on the same balcony he had frequented in the days before. The stone beneath his feet was cool, and the night air carried a chill that felt familiar, comforting even. He stood in silence, his mind replaying the events of the day. The dark crystal, the battle with his own shadow, and the warning that still echoed in his thoughts—all of it was swirling together, forming a new direction for his path.

He was not alone for long.

A soft sound behind him, the faintest creak of the door, alerted him to someone’s presence. He didn’t need to turn to know who it was. Elira. Her steps were cautious, but there was no hesitation in her approach this time. She had grown bolder, perhaps emboldened by their last encounter or by her own survival in the Academy’s latest trial.

“Lahsiv,” she said quietly, stepping onto the balcony beside him. Her eyes briefly scanned the horizon before resting on him. “You’ve been… distant since the trial.”

He glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “Distant? You mean focused.”

Elira folded her arms, her gaze unwavering. “You went into the Abyssal Hall alone, didn’t you? You found something.”

Lahsiv didn’t respond immediately, instead letting her question hang in the air. He studied her for a moment, deciding how much he should reveal. Elira had proven herself useful, and her instincts were sharp, but she was still an unknown variable. If she was trying to pry into his power, he needed to be cautious. Yet, her persistence hinted at her desire for survival—and maybe something more.

“Yes,” Lahsiv said finally. “I did find something. But you already knew that.”

Her lips tightened into a thin line, and she nodded. “The shadows… they’ve been following you. There’s something different about you since that day. I’ve noticed it.”

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Lahsiv remained silent, his mind calculating. He knew Elira wasn’t foolish enough to think she could challenge him, but her curiosity could become dangerous if left unchecked.

“What is it you want, Elira?” Lahsiv asked, his voice calm but with a hint of warning.

She met his gaze, her eyes flashing with a mix of fear and determination. “I don’t want to be left behind. I know the others—Valen, Reya, Lira—they’re all scheming, trying to outmaneuver each other. They’ll come for you, too, when they feel threatened. I’ve seen the way they look at you.”

Lahsiv smirked. “Let them try.”

Elira stepped closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “I’m not like them. I don’t want to fight you, but I also don’t want to be caught in the middle of their games. You’ve been rising faster than anyone expected, and that puts a target on your back. I need to know if I can trust you—or if I should be looking for another way out.”

Lahsiv stared at her for a long moment, his mind working through her words. She was being honest, at least for now. She didn’t want to challenge him—she wanted protection. In exchange, she would likely provide useful information, keep him one step ahead of the others.

“You can trust me,” Lahsiv said slowly, his tone measured. “But don’t mistake that for loyalty. I won’t protect you unless you prove yourself valuable.”

Elira exhaled, her tension easing slightly. “I can work with that. Just… don’t leave me in the dark.”

Lahsiv turned back to the horizon, his eyes narrowing as the shadows deepened with the coming night. “The darkness is where you’ll find the truth, Elira. Remember that.”

She nodded, though her expression remained uncertain. Without another word, she turned and left, her footsteps fading into the night.

The next morning, the Academy was abuzz with rumors of the Abyssal trials. Word had spread quickly that the top students had faced something far beyond the usual training. The whispers of strange encounters and dark powers hung in the air, unsettling many of the students who hadn’t been involved. The tension was palpable, and Lahsiv could feel the eyes of the others on him as he moved through the courtyard.

They were watching, waiting for him to make a move. Valen, Reya, Lira—they were all likely planning their own paths to the top, but none of them had faced what Lahsiv had faced. None of them had walked through the Abyss and come out with its power at their command.

But they weren’t the only ones watching.

As Lahsiv passed through the training grounds, he caught sight of Kaelor standing near the edge, his eyes following Lahsiv’s every movement. The instructor’s expression was unreadable, but Lahsiv knew there was more than simple interest behind that gaze. Kaelor had seen what the Abyss could do. He had seen Lahsiv’s rapid rise, and now he was watching to see how far it would go.

Lahsiv wasn’t concerned. He had long suspected that Kaelor had his own connection to the Abyss. There was a reason the instructor had led the trials, why he had guided them into the darker parts of the Academy. But Lahsiv didn’t plan on waiting for Kaelor to reveal his true motives.

Instead, he would continue to push forward.

That afternoon, Lahsiv returned to the secluded training grounds where the Apex class often trained in private. He needed to hone his new abilities—Shadow Dominion and the deeper control over Dark Karma that the crystal had unlocked. There was no room for hesitation now. He needed to master these powers before the others had a chance to catch up.

Drawing his sword, Lahsiv focused on the shadows around him. He could feel them now, like extensions of himself, waiting for his command. With a thought, the shadows shifted, curling around his body like living tendrils. They moved as he willed them, creating weapons, barriers, anything he needed.

He moved through the training exercises effortlessly, his control over the shadows growing more precise with each movement. But as he pushed deeper into his power, he felt a faint tug—a pull from the Abyss itself. It was subtle, barely noticeable, but it was there.

Control is fleeting.

The warning echoed in his mind, but Lahsiv ignored it. He wouldn’t lose control. The Abyss may have its own will, but he was stronger. He would master it.

As the sun began to set, Lahsiv finished his training and sheathed his sword. His body ached from the effort, but his mind was clear. The shadows obeyed him now. The Abyss had granted him a power that none of the other students could match, and he would use it to rise above them all.

But as he left the training grounds, he felt a presence watching him once again.

He turned sharply, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, but there was no one there. The shadows were still, the air quiet.

Yet, Lahsiv knew that something—or someone—was lurking just beyond the edge of his perception.

The Abyss was watching.

And this time, it wasn’t alone.