"Unlike the Dream Realm, which acts as a distorted reflection of reality, the Shadow Realm is fundamentally different in structure and nature. The Dream Realm mirrors the physical world, albeit in a fractured and apocalyptic state. However, geography, architecture, and environmental structures can still be recognized."
The image shifted again showing a city, twisted and half collapsed, but still clearly a city. Then, the image dissolved.
In its place, an endless void stretched across the display.
"This," the researcher said, "is merely a simulated view of how the shadow realm has been described to us. Unfortunately, since recording equipment and the like aren't exactly able to enter, all we have so far is what it has been described as."
A faint ripple moved across the projection, like something flowing beneath the surface.
"The Shadow Realm is very much unlike the dream realm. It is not a copy of reality, but rather, its own domain."
The second instructor stepped in and gestured toward the display as new details began to form within the darkness.
Shapes and structures. If they could even be called that.
The ground appeared first, though it did not look like ground in any conventional sense. It shifted slightly, like a surface that could not decide if it was solid or fluid.
"The Shadow Realm is composed entirely of shadow matter," the second researcher explained. "The ground is shadow. The atmosphere is shadow. Even what could be described as the sky is simply a continuation of this same substance."
The display zoomed outward.
In the sky there was a black shape. The only visible projection of what one might call a star. It was a sun. A black sun that hung in the sky. The simulation made it seem as if the black sun projected no light, but at the same time, there was something akin to shadow light, raining down on the landscape.
Beyond that, there were no stars or any other light source of any kind. Only a vast, uninterrupted black landscape.
"And yet," the first instructor continued, "despite being composed of shadow, the environment is not entirely intangible. It exists in a paradoxical state."
The projection flickered as a simulated figure attempted to step onto the shadow ground. Their foot passed through it. Then, in another frame, the same figure stood firmly on the surface.
"Tangible," the instructor said.
"Intangible."
"Both states exist simultaneously."
A faint murmur spread through the room and even Jaune narrowed his eyes slightly trying to understand how it worked.
"That is why," the second researcher added, "physical bodies, by default, are unable to interact with the Shadow Realm."
The simulated figure vanished entirely.
"Without the appropriate rune or connection, the Shadow Realm simply does not acknowledge physical existence."
The words settled heavily.
"Only awakened individuals with shadow type runes are capable of interacting with that environment in a meaningful way."
The screen shifted again. A new diagram appeared showing two overlapping layers, one faintly visible above the other.
"This leads us to the next critical concept," the first instructor said. "The Shadow Realm is divided into two primary layers."
They pointed to the upper layer.
"The Surface Shadow."
Then to the lower.
"And the Deep Shadow."
The diagram expanded.
"The Surface Shadow is where all shadows from the physical world exist. Every shadow cast by every object, every person and every structure is connected to this layer. Curiously enough, this layer is also, for some reason, connected to the dream realm, although, not much research has been able to uncover why that is the case."
A faint ripple passed across the upper section of the diagram.
"Contrary to my previous statement, this layer can be accessed."
Jaune leaned forward slightly.
"Physical bodies can interact with the Surface Shadow," the instructor continued. "However, this interaction is somewhat limited and requires specific conditions."
The second researcher picked up the explanation.
"Shadow type runes possess abilities that allow users to traverse or manipulate this layer. Either by using shadows as constructs or... more importantly in this context, manifests as what is perceived as teleportation."
A few people in the room shifted at that.
"If a shadow rune user has reached a sufficient level of mastery or comprehension," the researcher continued, "they can extend this traversal to include others."
A new simulation appeared and one figure grasped another. The shadows beneath them stretched showcasing that both figures vanished and reappeared in a different location.
"This is not true teleportation," the instructor clarified. "It is movement through the Surface Shadow layer."
The image slowed down, revealing the process in greater detail. The figures seemed to sink into the shadow beneath them, then glide across a darkened plane before emerging elsewhere.
"They are traversing the interconnected network of shadows that exist across the world."
Jaune's mind flickered back instantly to Raven and that feeling when she had brought him through a shadow teleport. That strange sensation of movement through something that was not quite like space.
He had never questioned it deeply at the time, believing it to have simply been something akin to teleportation.
But now…
It made sense. He could almost recall it more clearly. The darkness had not been empty. It had felt like a place and a space. A space between spaces.
'Interesting.' Jaune thought to himself.
The instructor continued.
"However, the Deep Shadow layer operates under different rules."
The diagram shifted again, focusing on the lower section.
"This is the true layer of the Shadow Realm."
The display darkened further, the imagery becoming even more abstract.
"This layer simply cannot be accessed by physical bodies, under any circumstances. The laws governing the Deep Shadow simply prohibit physical existence from entering or even interacting with the landscape in any meaningful way."
The words carried a finality.
"Only shadows can pass through."
That statement drew a stronger reaction. A hand raised from one of the attendees.
"How exactly are we supposed to enter then?" the person asked. "If only shadows can go in?"
The instructor nodded slightly.
"A good question."
They gestured back to the diagram.
"As stated earlier, shadow rune users can traverse the Surface Shadow layer while bringing others with them. This allows for movement across locations in the physical world."
Then their hand moved downward.
"However, entry into the Deep Shadow requires a different process."
The image shifted. The figures from before appeared again, but this time something changed. Their physical forms remained behind. What moved forward instead…
Were their shadows.
The silhouettes detached from the ground, stretching and shifting before slipping into the deeper layer.
"When entering the Deep Shadow, only the shadow aspect of an individual is capable of crossing the boundary. The physical body remains behind."
A quiet tension spread through the room.
"This creates a unique state of existence. Participants are both present and absent. Connected to their bodies, yet separated from them."
Jaune frowned slightly.
That sounded… dangerous.
Well... it was probably about as dangerous as traversing into the dream realm, anyhow. In both scenarios they'd have been leaving their bodies behind.
"And because of this," the researcher continued, "the risks involved are… complex."
The second instructor nodded.
"In some ways, you are safer. Your physical body cannot be directly harmed within the Deep Shadow."
A pause.
"In other ways, you are significantly more vulnerable. Because... it has already been discovered that you shadow is directly connected to your soul."
The implication hung in the air. If something happed to their shadow... No one needed to say it out loud.
Jaune leaned back in his seat, his thoughts turning inward.
Raven's ability.
His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest. It explained everything. Why it felt different from his own teleportation rune and why it carried that faint sense of distance.
Jaune exhaled quietly.
The explanation clicked into place in his mind with surprising clarity. For once, the strange mechanics of runes actually made sense.
At least…this part did.
His gaze drifted back to the holo screen as the instructors continued their lecture.
The Shadow Realm.
"Now, as for the process of entry," the first researcher began, their tone shifting into something more reassuring, "you don't need to concern yourselves too heavily with the technical aspects. We have already developed the necessary methods to facilitate safe separation between your physical bodies and your shadows. This has been made possible through a combination of specialized technology and the assistance of experienced shadow rune users."
The holo screen flickered briefly, showing a schematic that was far too complex to fully absorb at a glance.
"The process itself is stable," the second instructor added. "Entry and exit procedures have been tested multiple times under controlled conditions. While the Shadow Realm presents many unknowns, the act of entering and returning is not one of the risks you need to worry about."
A quiet wave of relief moved through the room. Not entirely comforting, but enough to take the edge off.
"We will have multiple high proficiency shadow rune users assigned to this expedition," the first instructor continued. "They will be responsible for guiding transitions between layers and ensuring that no one becomes… misplaced."
There was a brief pause at that word. Misplaced felt like a very polite way of describing something far worse.
"In any case," the instructor said, brushing past it, "let's move on to more advanced topics."
The screen shifted.
Darkness gathered once more, but this time it did not remain empty. Shapes began to emerge, forming silhouettes that slowly sharpened into something more defined.
"The entities you may encounter within the Shadow Realm."
Four figures appeared side by side.
Jaune's eyes narrowed slightly as he leaned forward, his attention sharpening.
The first was… simple.
A humanoid shape. Proportions nearly identical to that of a normal person. If anything, it looked like what one might expect a shadow to look like if it were given form and volume. Smooth, featureless, and entirely black, yet unmistakably human-like.
The second made that one seem almost comforting by comparison.
It was tall.
Its body was stretched unnaturally thin, limbs elongated to an almost skeletal degree. Its frame seemed barely capable of supporting its own height, yet it stood upright regardless. The projection labeled it at approximately seven meters.
Its arms hung low, nearly brushing the ground. Its head tilted at an angle that was... simply put... creepy.
Jaune felt a faint tension settle in his shoulders.
The third figure was the complete opposite. Where the second was thin, this one was massive. Broad, muscular and dense with power.
It had six arms.
Jaune's eyes widened slightly at that, his gaze flickering instinctively toward Pyrrha. She had already turned to look at him, and for a brief moment, they shared the same thought without needing to say it out loud.
Raven.
The resemblance was too close to ignore. The structure of the arms, the posture, even the way the projection held itself. It mirrored the form Raven sometimes took when she utilized her shadow abilities at a higher level.
Jaune turned his attention back to the screen, his thoughts already moving.
There was certainly a connection. Or… perhaps not a direct one.
It was just as likely that Raven had drawn inspiration from these entities, consciously or otherwise. If shadow rune users could interact with this realm, then exposure to its inhabitants might influence how their abilities manifested.
Still…
It was interesting.
The fourth figure was the most unsettling of them all. It did not hold a proper shape.
At least, not a consistent one.
It shifted constantly, its form rippling like liquid darkness struggling to decide what it wanted to be. One moment it sprouted elongated arms that sharpened into blade like extensions. The next, those limbs collapsed and reformed into writhing tendrils. For a brief instant, something resembling the head of an animal surfaced from its mass, only to be reabsorbed moments later.
It was… unstable. Or perhaps fluid was a better word.
Jaune frowned slightly as he studied it. For reasons he couldn't immediately place, it reminded him of something.
An amalgamation Grimm.
Not exactly. The differences were obvious. Amalgamation Grimm didn't shift like this once formed. Their shapes were set, even if those shapes were unnatural combinations.
But the concept…
The way this thing seemed to borrow forms. Mimic structures. Construct itself out of fragments.
It was similar enough to feel familiar.
"…These are the most commonly observed entities within the Shadow Realm," the instructor's voice cut through his thoughts.
"They are collectively referred to as Stalkers."
The label appeared beneath each figure.
"While their appearances may vary, these general forms have been consistently reported by shadow rune users who have entered the Deep Shadow layer."
The second researcher stepped forward slightly.
"You should not assume that these are the only types you will encounter. Variations exist, and there may be entirely different classifications that we have yet to document. One of your duties, when entering, is to document the other variations."
The images rotated slowly, giving everyone a clearer view of each entity.
"Now, there are several important factors you must understand regarding your state within the Shadow Realm."
The projection shifted again, this time displaying a humanoid silhouette that looked… thinner and less defined.
"When you enter the Deep Shadow, you will not possess your physical body. That means your Body stat, as defined within the Nightmare System, will not apply."
A few people shifted at that.
"You will not have the same physical strength, durability, or endurance that you are accustomed to."
The statement landed heavily.
"However," the instructor continued, "this does not mean you are completely defenseless."
The silhouette on the screen flared slightly, faint patterns lighting up across its form. "Your rune abilities will remain functional. "And so will your Aura stat and your Will stat. However, they will both be limited in the same way reality limits your stats. That is to say... you will have 10% of your dream capabilities."
Jaune's fingers tapped lightly against the armrest again.
That made sense.
If the body wasn't present, then what remained was the essence of the individual. Their mind, their intent and their connection to their runes.
"In addition," the second researcher said, "you will not have access to the Nightmare System while within the Shadow Realm. Which means, no system interface, or stat tracking. And, obviously, no rune acquisition through standard means."
No safety net and no structured progression. Just… whatever the Shadow Realm decided to offer.
"Which brings us to another critical point," the first instructor said.
The screen shifted once more, the four Stalkers returning to view.
"The concept of ranks, as you understand it, does not exist within the Shadow Realm."
"There are, however, indications that strength and capability can be developed."
The image zoomed in on one of the Stalkers before distorting slightly, as if dissolving into the surrounding darkness.
"Encounters with these entities appear to play a role in that process."
A faint emphasis lingered in their voice.
"In simpler terms… eliminating Stalkers may contribute to your growth within that environment."
Jaune's eyes sharpened slightly. So there was a system. Just not one that had been properly understood yet.
"Unfortunately," the instructor continued, "due to the limited amount of data we have, the exact mechanics of this progression remain unclear."
A small, almost wry smile crossed their face.
"That is where all of you come in."
The implication was obvious. They weren't just participants. They were researchers and field data collectors.
"The expedition has multiple objectives," the second researcher added. "One of the primary goals is to determine whether abilities, enhancements, or other forms of power obtained within the Shadow Realm can be retained upon returning to the physical world… or even transferred to the Dream Realm."
If something like that were possible… It would change everything.
"We need data," the instructor said plainly. "Reliable, repeatable, and detailed observations. Additionally, you will be responsible for cataloguing the environments within the Shadow Realm."
Markers began appearing across the projection.
"Mapping terrain. Identifying stable zones. Recording any notable phenomena."
More markers.
"And most importantly… establishing preliminary outposts."
Jaune raised an eyebrow slightly at that.
Outposts?
"Future expeditions will rely on the groundwork you establish," the instructor explained. "Safe entry points. Navigational references. Potential fallback zones."
They weren't just going in to explore. They were going in first. The vanguard. The ones who stepped into the unknown so others could follow with a clearer path.
Jaune mused in his own thoughts while his gaze lingered on the shifting projection of the Shadow Realm.
A place without light and structure. Without rules that made immediate sense.
And soon…
They would be stepping into it.