The Han family house was silent and powerful, surrounded by hills under dim light always.
The big training room inside felt charged with ancient power, the crescent moon symbol of the Han family casting long shadows upon the walls covered with polished stone. Chen Han bowed before his father, Han Zhiyuan, whose deep look reflected countless years of knowledge and heavy determination.
Something that separated them was held in a richly black case with moving dark patterns like the impression of a breathing creature.
"Chen Han," said Zhiyuan with a firm serious voice. "For many years, our family has protected the Cloak of Umbral Tide, such a power item. It's yours to use today, but remember-it's not given; it's a responsibility you have to prove yourself capable of holding onto."
Chen's heart started racing when Zhiyuan flung open the lid, revealing a cloak that seemed to soak up all the light in its surroundings and emit it slightly like it was alive. Its dark, flowing fabric sparkled as if it were made of midnight itself.
Zhiyuan looked serious. "The Cloak gives your shadow power more strength. It lets you become stealthy and guarded. Skills such as Shade Strike and Eclipse Step will come easily only if you learn to use the Cloak well. If you struggle, the shadows will take over, leaving nothing left.".
Chen stretched out, his hands steady even as he felt himself drawn tight. As the fabric made contact with his fingers, he got a chill down his spine, as if an inner power that had lain dormant was stirring.
I know, Father," said Chen sternly, but resolutely. "I will not fail.".
Zhiyuan leaned forward slightly, his expression unreadable. "Good. Begin immediately. The Patriarch himself will witness your performance during the exams. Bring no dishonor to our name.
The Trials of Shadow
He walked down into the shadow training grounds: a great big, empty room with flickering lights so dim it had this otherworldly glow to it. And there, surrounded by ancient stone and a feeling of somber intent, he put on the Cloak of Umbral Tide and steeled himself for what was ahead.
First off was Eclipse Step, a special shadow technique that made him disappear into the darkness and pop up behind his opponent. The Cloak sped his movements but at the cost of his energy.
Every try was thus a stern test of skill and determination.
Standing before a line of enchanted dummies, Chen closed his eyes and muttered to himself, "It's about timing. Too slow, and I'll be caught. Too fast, and I'll lose control."
He opened his lungs and went forward, spending stamina for the Cloak. His body flared and then vanished into darkness. The next instant, he appeared behind the first dummy and made the perfect Shade Strike that broke it into pieces.
"Yes!" Chen exclaimed, his voice full of excitement. But before he could celebrate further, the Cloak closed over him, sucking away at his energy like a starved animal. He felt himself stumble and his vision blurred.
You celebrate too early, a cold voice broke the silence. Chen turned quickly to see his father coming out from the shadows, arms crossed and staring firmly at him.
"The Cloak is not to be taken up willy-nilly," Zhiyuan snapped. "To wield it, one must be controlled and demonstrate deference. If one lets it take its natural course, then one is but just a pawn of the shadows. Again."
Chen clenched his fists, teeth gritted in frustration. "I will prove it. Just watch."
Making the Blade of Shadows Better
Chen spent weeks mastering the Cloak's power. He was working very hard to find the right balance between control and chaos. The magically made training dummies were faster and more erratic than real enemies, and it took Chen some time to change his approach.
During an exhausting training, he attempted to chain together a few moves. He moved out of sight in the Eclipse Step and re-emerged in mid-air, turning as he struck with the Shade Strike, hitting two dummies simultaneously.
He was panting, but he could feel the Cloak was somehow synchronizing with his body.
Good. But it's not enough, you need to be swifter and more concentrated," he thought to himself quietly, his face veiled with sweat.
He created a challenging training situation by pretending to be a person avoiding magical arrows shot at different times while hitting moving targets. The pressure was too much as, due to the Cloak, he had become faster and quicker and made a wrong move sending him to the ground, missing the arrow that broke a pillar nearby.
"I won't stop," Chen said angrily, pushing himself up to stand.
Not knowing this, Zhiyuan hid in the shadows and, with a serious expression on his face, smiled slightly.
"Getting better faster than I thought," Zhiyuan murmured to himself. "Perhaps he is ready."
A Time to Reflect
Finally, after a training session, Chen fell on the cold ground, panting with breath. He was tired but felt an immense success.
He gazed up at the dark ceiling, his two hands grasping hard on the edge of the Cloak.
Softly, yet with vast, firm determination, he said: "I am ready. for the exams the Patriarch's judgment. I am ready". And then there was a shadowy voice coming from the shadows.
"You're closer than you think, Han. But remember, the road ahead is dangerous. These exams are just the beginning. Prepare for what's coming." Chen nodded in silence, with an iron determination within.
Surrounded by shadows, he weighted his family legacy on his back; yet he was accepting of it. Though they might push him to the breaking point, they also fashioned a spirit not easily broken.