Chapter 17: Shadows of Deception

Days passed after the special training session with Magister Varyn, and Kaelen noticed a subtle change in the academy’s atmosphere. The council’s interest in students with Dark energy abilities seemed to intensify, their focus shifting toward those who showed potential for “advanced missions.” Kaelen’s cautious alliance with Alden was growing stronger, but so was the scrutiny from instructors and the council itself. He knew he had to tread carefully.

One evening, as Kaelen sat alone in the Tower of Shadows, a faint pulse emanated from the relic he and Alden had hidden. It lay concealed within a thick cloth in his cloak pocket, safely shielded from the watchful eyes around him. He pulled it out carefully, the dark crystal glimmering faintly as he inspected it.

The energy within it had depleted slightly, its once-strong glow dimmed after the sessions they’d used it for. The relic’s influence had given Kaelen sharper control over his Dark abilities, but he sensed the risk of relying on it too heavily. Yet it was a risk he felt necessary to take; the power it granted him could be the only way to stay ahead of the council.

Lost in thought, Kaelen almost didn’t hear the soft footsteps echoing through the tower. He looked up just as Alden entered, his expression grave.

“Have you felt it?” Alden asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kaelen nodded, keeping his voice low. “The council’s attention has shifted. They’re more interested in us than ever.”

Alden’s gaze darkened. “And there’s more. I’ve overheard instructors discussing plans for a major assignment—something involving the higher-ranked gates. They’re considering sending students to map out specific areas within these dangerous gates.”

Kaelen tensed. Higher-ranked gates were leagues beyond what students were typically allowed to enter. The creatures within could kill most mages in seconds, and the energies that pulsed within these realms were unstable and treacherous. This wasn’t just a mission—it was a test, one that could easily become a death sentence.

“They’re using us to explore the gates before they risk themselves,” Kaelen said, his voice edged with disgust.

Alden nodded. “It’s exactly as we suspected. The council believes the relics might allow us to survive longer in these high-level gates, to find something specific within them.”

They stood in silence, the weight of the council’s ambitions settling heavily over them. Kaelen knew they had to move carefully, to balance their quest for strength with the dangerous expectations placed upon them.

“We need to be ready for whatever they throw at us,” Kaelen said finally. “We should continue training with the relic, but sparingly. If we drain it entirely, we’ll lose any advantage it gives us.”

Alden agreed, his eyes sharp. “We’ll stay ahead of them—gather strength, prepare for what’s coming. And if we’re sent into the gates, we’ll find a way to turn their plans against them.”

An Unexpected Revelation

The following day, Kaelen attended his classes with heightened awareness, sensing that the council was watching him more closely than ever. As he moved through the halls, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted within the academy.

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Later that afternoon, Kaelen was approached by Mara, who wore a troubled expression. She gestured for him to follow her to a quiet corner of the training grounds, away from prying ears.

“Kaelen, I’ve been hearing rumors,” Mara said, her voice low and urgent. “The council is planning to open a high-ranked gate for students soon, but they’re being selective about who will go in. They’re looking for those who can handle… unstable energies.”

Kaelen’s stomach sank. He and Alden were exactly the kind of students the council wanted for this mission.

“Have you heard who’s been chosen?” Kaelen asked carefully.

Mara nodded, her eyes filled with concern. “Your name has come up, as well as Alden’s. They see you both as… experiments, as if your ability to wield Dark energy makes you better suited for whatever lies in those gates.”

Kaelen’s mind raced. This was confirmation of what he and Alden had feared. The council was preparing them for something much bigger, something they hadn’t anticipated. He would need to warn Alden, but he also couldn’t afford to show his hand to the council.

“Thank you, Mara,” Kaelen said, grateful for her warning. “This… helps.”

Mara hesitated, as if weighing her next words. “Kaelen, I know you’re hiding something. I don’t know what your plan is, but whatever it is, be careful. The council doesn’t tolerate defiance.”

Kaelen looked her in the eye, feeling a mixture of gratitude and caution. “I understand. But trust me, I know what I’m doing.”

Mara nodded slowly, giving him one last searching look before she left. Kaelen felt the weight of her warning, knowing that each step he took brought him closer to the council’s trap.

A Night of Training

That night, Kaelen and Alden met again in the Tower of Shadows, each sensing the tension in the air. Kaelen relayed Mara’s warning, and Alden’s expression darkened.

“They’re preparing to send us into a high-level gate,” Alden said, his voice tight with anger. “They won’t care if we come back alive or not, so long as we bring back information.”

Kaelen nodded. “But if we can harness the relic’s power, we might have a chance. We need to prepare as best as we can.”

They set to work, focusing on amplifying their Dark abilities through the relic. Kaelen allowed the relic’s energy to infuse his energy heart, feeling its power settle within him, making his skills sharper and more potent. The boost to Nightcaller allowed him to summon shadows with increased precision, each movement fluid and controlled.

Alden, too, felt the relic’s influence, his Dark skills becoming more focused. He practiced his defensive abilities, creating barriers of shadow that were thicker, more resilient against attacks. The relic was strengthening their abilities, but with each use, its glow grew fainter, the energy within it diminishing.

“Let’s not overuse it,” Kaelen cautioned, pulling back from the relic’s influence. “We’ll need every bit of power it can give us if we’re forced into that gate.”

Alden nodded, his gaze steady. “We’ll save it for when we need it most. But Kaelen… if the council suspects that we’ve been hiding this relic, they’ll come for us.”

Kaelen’s eyes hardened. “Then we make sure they never get the chance. We’ll be ready for whatever they have planned.”

The Council’s Call

A few days later, Kaelen received a summons from the council. The message was brief, commanding his presence in one of the council chambers at dusk. He knew this would be the moment they had prepared for—the council was about to set their plans into motion.

He met Alden just outside the chamber doors, both of them exchanging a silent nod of understanding before entering the room. Inside, several council members sat in a semi-circle, their expressions masked by shadows. Magister Lorn and Varyn were among them, their gazes sharp and piercing.

“Kaelen, Alden,” Lorn began, his tone cold. “You have been chosen for an advanced mission. A high-ranked gate will be opened, and you are to enter it, along with a select group of students.”

Kaelen kept his face impassive, hiding his unease. “We’re honored to serve the academy,” he replied carefully.

Varyn’s gaze lingered on him, as if searching for any sign of resistance. “This mission will test your abilities beyond anything you’ve encountered. The council believes you two possess unique qualities suited for this task.”

Kaelen inclined his head respectfully, but inwardly he felt a surge of anger. They saw him and Alden as tools, as disposable assets to probe the depths of the high-ranked gates. But he forced himself to remain calm, his resolve strengthening.

“We’ll be ready,” Kaelen said evenly.

“Good.” Lorn’s expression didn’t soften. “You leave tomorrow at dawn. Prepare yourselves accordingly.”

Kaelen and Alden were dismissed, the weight of the council’s orders settling over them as they left the chamber. Once outside, they exchanged a glance, each understanding the stakes of what lay ahead.

“We’ll need every advantage we have,” Alden murmured, his voice low. “This mission is more than just a test—it’s a trap.”

Kaelen nodded. “Then we’ll use it to our advantage. We’ll enter the gate, but we’ll do it on our terms.”

That night, as Kaelen prepared for the mission, he felt a sense of calm settle over him. The council thought they held control, but he and Alden were ready. The relic was a powerful asset, and with it, they could tip the scales in their favor.

Tomorrow, they would step into a gate that few had survived. But Kaelen was resolved. He would navigate the council’s schemes, harness the power he’d cultivated, and return stronger than ever.

The council’s game was about to turn against them.