Kito and Lysar struggled to their feet, exchanging a glance filled with pain, determination, and relief. They had survived their first encounter with Myria, and it was clear that they both had much to learn from her. It was now time to prepare for the journey ahead.
Kito limped back to the village, feeling the weight of the day's events in his battered body. Upon arriving at his family's home, he found Nerio, his grandfather, waiting for him at the doorstep, wearing a smile that was both wise and worried.
"Kito, how are you feeling?" asked Nerio, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"I'm fine, Grandfather," replied Kito, trying to mask the pain coursing through his body.
After the harsh lesson inflicted by Myria, Kito and Lysar spent the night recovering from their injuries. The young man understood the importance of this trial and realized how fortunate he was to train with someone like Myria. He was determined to give his best and progress quickly.
The following morning, Kito went to his grandfather Nerio's home to discuss the next steps and learn the details of the upcoming training. Nerio warmly welcomed him and served him a soothing cup of tea before starting to speak.
"Kito, I am proud of you for accepting the challenge Myria has thrown at you. However, you must know that the training will be difficult and demanding. Myria is an extremely powerful dark mage, and she will spare no effort to teach you everything she knows," Nerio explained seriously.
"I am ready, Grandfather. I will do whatever it takes to improve and master the dark magic," replied Kito with determination.
After talking at length with his grandfather and receiving his wise advice, Kito returned home to pack his belongings for his departure. His parents gave him a final hug, filled with love and pride, while he assured them that he would do his best to succeed.
In the evening, Kito and Lysar headed to the meeting point set by Myria at the edge of the forest. The night was dark, starry, and slightly cold, but it did not prevent the two companions from feeling a comforting warmth in their hearts, mingled with anticipation.
Upon arriving, Myria was already waiting for them, draped in her black cloak and surrounded by a mysterious and powerful aura. She observed them for a moment before speaking, her voice evoking both sternness and authority.
"Are you ready?" she simply asked, scrutinizing the two companions. Kito nodded with determination, while Lysar stood proudly by his side.
"Very well," replied Myria with a satisfied smile. "Before we leave, there is something you must know, Kito. The dark magic you will learn is not just a simple technique to master. It is also a part of yourself that you must tame and accept. One reason it has such a bad reputation is that it can cause you to sink into despair, madness, or worse."
Kito listened carefully to Myria's words and nodded, understanding that he would have to face his own fears and doubts to progress in his learning, and that it seemed far more complicated and dangerous than he initially thought.
Without another word, Myria turned and opened a dark portal, resembling a mirror of shifting shadows. She invited Kito and Lysar to follow her through the passage, which would lead them to the Sanctuary of Shadows.
Kito and Lysar exchanged a look of bewilderment, shivering at the darkness that surrounded them. Despite their apprehension, they followed Myria through the portal, leaving behind their past lives and bravely venturing into the unknown. The portal closed behind them, engulfing the clearing in a heavy, mysterious silence.
The Sanctuary of Shadows unfolded before their astonished eyes, revealing a strange and enchanting place. The coldness of the area was palpable, and a sense of lurking danger permeated every corner. The ground seemed saturated with darkness, and the trees surrounding the sanctuary, as dense as stone walls, were distorted and twisted by an unsettling force.
At the heart of this sanctuary stood a large black building, resembling a ruined temple, its stones seemingly imbued with ancient malevolence. Macabre sculptures adorned the walls, and shadows danced sinisterly around the crumbling columns. The structure appeared both solid and ready to collapse at any moment, adding to the oppressive atmosphere of the place.
Myria turned to Kito and Lysar, scrutinizing them carefully, as if measuring their reaction to the hostile environment.
"Do not be destabilized by the Sanctuary of Shadows," she told them, her deep voice resonating in the icy air.
"Here, the rules of the real world no longer apply. Darkness is everywhere, and it can either consume you or make you stronger. If you want to survive and progress, you will have to learn to tame the fear and despair that haunt these places."
Kito and Lysar listened to Myria's words, understanding that their will and mental strength would be as important as their physical training in this hostile environment. They silently promised themselves not to yield to the terror that was slowly creeping into them, but rather to confront and master it.
Myria then introduced them to the sanctuary and its facilities, showing them where they would sleep, eat, and rest. The rooms were dark and austere, with only a few candles to illuminate the most remote corners. The food was simple and unappetizing, and the atmosphere in the common areas was tense, as if the shadows themselves were waiting to pounce on the occupants at any moment.
Kito frowned as he looked at the rations Myria had presented to them. He had never been particularly picky, but this food seemed far from what he was used to eating.
"Is this all we eat here?" he asked, intrigued and somewhat disconcerted.
Myria, who had observed Kito's reaction, displayed a half-smile. "This is a sanctuary, not a royal palace, Kito. The food here is designed to keep you alive and healthy, not to please you. You will learn to appreciate its simplicity over time."
Kito nodded, understanding that life at the Sanctuary of Shadows would be very different from what he was used to. Despite this, he was determined to adapt and make the most of this experience.
Myria, on the other hand, was a woman of few words but conveyed a strong and unyielding personality. She seemed both harsh and fair, demanding the same excellence from herself as from her students. She had a certain aura that inspired both respect and fear, and Kito couldn't help but feel intimidated by her.
However, there was also a certain charm to her, a captivating aura that made her difficult to ignore. Her long black hair and piercing blue eyes gave her face an enchanting air, while her fitted clothes accentuated her slender, graceful figure, supporting her generous curves. Despite her seductive appearance, Myria seemed more concerned with mastering dark magic and teaching her disciples than with her looks.
"Your training will begin tomorrow morning, at dawn," Myria announced, looking at them with a stern gaze. "Until then, rest and meditate. Do not forget what I have told you."