The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest as Kai led Wan out of the Tenebri village. The air felt thick with anticipation, as if the very forest was holding its breath. The deeper they ventured, the darker it became, the trees crowding around them, blocking the light. Kai's eyes were sharp, scanning the dense woods, but his voice remained calm as he spoke to Wan.

"Your trial today is simple," Kai said, his tone serious. "You'll hunt a lesser beast. It's the lowest rank of beasts in this world, but don't be deceived. Even they are dangerous. Do not underestimate them."

Wan nodded, trying to hide the knot of nervousness forming in his stomach. The thought of fighting any beast—no matter how 'lesser'—sounded daunting. He was still new to the ways of Shade, and his previous training with Kai had been tough, but nothing like this.

Kai continued, "These beasts might be the weakest, but they still possess strength and cunning. They are predators, born to fight and survive. You are no longer a child learning from the elders. You must prove yourself."

They walked for a while in silence, the rustling of leaves underfoot the only sound accompanying them. Eventually, Kai stopped in a clearing and gestured for Wan to look around.

"This is where you will begin," Kai said. "You must find and hunt a lesser beast before nightfall. Return with proof of your victory, or do not return at all."

Wan's heart pounded in his chest as Kai turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving him alone.

Taking a deep breath, Wan focused. His senses sharpened as he called upon the Shade, the power pulsing faintly within him. He didn't have much time. The sun was setting quickly, and the forest was already beginning to grow dimmer.

He moved cautiously through the underbrush, his eyes darting from shadow to shadow. He could feel the presence of the forest, the weight of it pressing on him. It wasn't long before he heard the first signs of movement—a low growl, barely perceptible. His heart skipped a beat.

Suddenly, from behind a large tree, the beast emerged.

It was monstrous, its body rippling with muscle, covered in matted fur that shimmered with an oily sheen. The creature's eyes were glowing amber, and its fangs were long and sharp. The beast was much larger than Wan had expected—easily four times his size, with claws that could rip through stone. Despite its size, it moved silently, as though the shadows themselves were part of its body.

It was a lesser beast, yes—but even the lowest-ranked beasts could be deadly. And this one was terrifying.

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The beast snarled, baring its teeth, and lunged at him with incredible speed. Wan barely had time to react, throwing himself to the side as the creature's claws sliced through the air where he had just stood. The ground where he had been standing cracked under the force of its strike. His heart raced as the beast pivoted and came at him again.

Wan scrambled to his feet, his breath coming in sharp gasps. He tried to summon Shade, but the creature was relentless. It charged, and Wan barely had time to raise his arms to defend himself. The beast's claws scraped against his forearm, sending a jolt of pain through his body.

He couldn't afford to be distracted by the pain. Wan grit his teeth, focusing. He summoned the shadows, drawing on his training. A tendril of dark energy shot from his hand, striking the creature's side. It hissed in pain, but the beast barely faltered. It swung around, its tail whipping toward him like a steel-bladed whip, catching him in the chest and knocking the wind out of him.

He fell hard, gasping for air. His body burned from the effort, his muscles screaming for relief, but there was no time to rest.

The beast was on him again, its jaws snapping just inches from his face. Wan's instincts kicked in, and he rolled out of the way, barely dodging the crushing bite. His heart hammered in his chest, and his hands were slick with sweat. He needed more—he needed control.

"Focus" he whispered to himself, forcing his mind to calm.

In the moment of clarity, Wan called on the Shade once more. This time, he focused not just on his energy but on the flow of shadows around him. He pulled the darkness into his hands, shaping it into something more. The swirling mass of energy began to form into a sphere, a tiny black hole that hummed with power.

The creature roared and lunged again, but Wan was ready. He thrust his hand forward, releasing the Singularity with all his might. The small orb shot forward, crashing into the beast's chest.

At first, the beast struggled against the pull of the Singularity, its claws scraping at the ground as it tried to resist. But the power of the Shade was overwhelming. The orb expanded, sucking in everything around it—trees, dirt, and air—drawing the beast toward its center. The ground trembled as the beast howled in fury, but it was no match for the force of the Singularity.

Wan's body trembled as the orb spun faster and faster, the beast caught in its gravitational pull, its fur and flesh being torn away by the sheer force. The creature fought, thrashing against the darkness, but it was helpless.

In one final, desperate effort, the beast lunged toward Wan, its claws raking through the air. But it was too late. With a burst of energy, the Singularity collapsed in on itself, pulling the beast into its center. The shadows swallowed it whole, and with a final screech, the creature disappeared leaving only small pelts of fur.

Wan staggered back, exhausted and covered in sweat. His head swam from the effort, and his limbs felt like lead. He had done it, but the toll it took on him was immense.

He dropped to one knee, breathing heavily, his body trembling from the fight. The forest around him was silent once more, save for the fading echoes of the battle.

"You did well," Kai's voice suddenly came from behind him.

Wan turned to find Kai standing at the edge of the clearing, his expression unreadable.

"The lesser beast is the lowest rank, yes," Kai said, his tone softening. "But it's not to be taken lightly. The fact that you survived proves that you are growing stronger. But remember this: control is everything. You are not yet finished with your journey."

Wan nodded, feeling a sense of quiet pride wash over him. He had passed his first trial. But this was only the beginning.