The training hall was nothing like Adrian expected.
It wasn't just a room.
It was a battlefield.
Wide, circular, and surrounded by towering walls covered in glowing symbols, the space pulsed with controlled energy. The floor beneath them was marked with intricate patterns, designed to contain and redirect power.
Adrian stepped inside slowly, his eyes scanning everything.
"…This place feels intense."
Kai walked in beside him.
"It's meant to be."
Riven leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed.
"If you lose control here, the damage stays contained," he added. "Mostly."
Adrian frowned.
"…Mostly?"
Riven smirked.
"You'll see."
Adrian didn't like the sound of that.
Kai stepped into the center of the arena and turned to face him.
"Today isn't about strength," Kai said. "It's about control."
Adrian nodded, though his nerves were already building.
"Right… control."
Kai raised his hand.
"Show me your shadows."
Adrian took a breath.
He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing.
The mark on his wrist pulsed faintly.
Then—
Dark energy began to gather in his palm.
Slow.
Steady.
The shadows formed, curling like smoke around his fingers.
When Adrian opened his eyes, they flickered faintly with darkness.
"…Okay," he said quietly. "I've got it."
Kai watched closely.
"Good. Now maintain it."
Adrian nodded.
But the moment he tried to hold it—
The shadows reacted.
They pulsed harder.
Stronger.
Unstable.
Adrian's breath hitched.
"…It's getting stronger."
Kai didn't move.
"Don't fight it. Guide it."
"I'm trying!"
The shadows surged suddenly, expanding outward.
Adrian stumbled back.
"I can't hold it steady!"
The mark on his wrist glowed brighter.
The energy intensified.
Riven straightened slightly.
"…That's not normal."
Kai stepped forward.
"Adrian, focus on my voice."
Adrian's vision blurred.
"I… can't—"
"Look at me," Kai said firmly.
Adrian forced his eyes up.
Kai stood directly in front of him now.
Calm.
Steady.
"Breathe," Kai said.
Adrian inhaled shakily.
The shadows flickered.
"Again."
Adrian exhaled.
The energy steadied—just slightly.
"That's it," Kai said.
"Don't let the power control you. You control it."
Adrian clenched his jaw.
"I'm trying…"
The shadows shifted again.
This time—
They changed shape.
Not a blade.
Not tendrils.
Something new.
They formed around Adrian's arm like armor.
Dense.
Solid.
His eyes widened.
"…What is this?"
Kai's gaze sharpened.
"You're evolving your ability."
Adrian blinked.
"…Evolving?"
Before he could process it—
The energy spiked again.
Stronger than before.
Too strong.
The armor cracked.
Then—
Exploded outward.
A shockwave burst from Adrian's body.
"Kai—!"
Kai reacted instantly.
His own shadows surged forward, clashing against Adrian's energy and forcing it back.
The ground cracked beneath them.
The symbols on the walls glowed brighter, containing the impact.
Adrian dropped to one knee.
Breathing hard.
"I… lost it again…"
Kai stepped closer.
"No."
Adrian looked up.
"You held it longer this time."
Adrian frowned.
"…That didn't feel like control."
Kai shook his head.
"It was progress."
Riven pushed himself off the wall.
"Well, that was entertaining."
Adrian shot him a look.
"I almost blew up the room."
Riven shrugged.
"Details."
Kai ignored him.
Instead, he crouched beside Adrian.
"You felt the shift, didn't you?"
Adrian nodded slowly.
"…Yeah."
Kai's eyes softened slightly.
"That's your power adapting."
Adrian stared at his hand.
"…It felt… stronger."
Kai nodded.
"It is."
Adrian hesitated.
"…Is that a good thing?"
Kai didn't answer immediately.
Before he could—
A loud alarm echoed through the hall.
Sharp.
Urgent.
Everyone froze.
Riven's expression changed instantly.
"…That's not good."
Kai stood up quickly.
"What is it?"
One of the hunters rushed into the room.
"They've breached the outer barrier!"
Adrian's heart dropped.
"…They?"
The hunter's voice was tense.
"Multiple Harbingers."
Silence.
Then—
Riven cursed under his breath.
"How many?"
"Three confirmed… maybe more."
Kai's eyes darkened.
"They came faster than expected."
Adrian stood up, despite the exhaustion.
"…They're here because of me."
Kai looked at him.
"Yes."
Adrian clenched his fists.
"…Then I'm not sitting this out."
Kai frowned.
"You're not ready."
"I don't have a choice," Adrian shot back.
The mark on his wrist pulsed.
As if agreeing.
Kai stared at him for a moment.
Then—
He nodded.
"…Stay close to me."
Adrian gave a small, determined smile.
"When do I not?"
Riven grabbed his weapon.
"Well then," he said, a grin forming.
"Let's go greet our guests."
The alarms continued to echo through the base.
Shadows shifted violently along the walls.
And as they ran toward the exit—
Adrian felt it.
The pull.
Stronger than ever.
The Void was closer.
Closer than it had ever been.
And this time—
It wasn't just watching.
It was coming.