The air in the cave felt thicker, colder, as if the very walls were listening. Elara knelt on the ground, the first scroll that read "Shadow Manipulation" laid out before her.
The ancient parchment was worn and fragile, yet the ink of the symbols was as vibrant as the day it had been written. Dark, swirling characters—unfamiliar and mesmerizing—seemed to pulse with a life of their own, inviting her to unlock their secrets.
Lucian stood nearby, his arms crossed as he observed her. His presence was unnerving, a reminder that she was not alone in this descent into darkness.
"There are eight types of dark arts ranging from low to high level. But as of now you need to learn the stage one art: Shadow Manipulation. After you master the basics, we'll proceed to the next stage." His voice echoed in the cave as he introduce her to the dark arts.
Elara take a deep breath as she readied her state of mind, nodded and signaled him to start.
"To begin," he instructed, his voice calm but commanding, "you must clear your mind. The shadows will not come to you if your thoughts are scattered. They demand focus."
Elara closed her eyes, inhaling deeply as she tried to block out the whirlwind of emotions and thoughts racing through her mind. She could still feel the lingering presence of the blood pact, an unsettling connection between herself and Lucian that hummed just beneath her skin.
But she pushed it aside, focusing instead on the sound of her own breath, the cold stone beneath her knees, and the subtle movement of the shadows around her.
"Feel the darkness," Lucian's voice broke through the quiet. "It is all around you. It has always been there, waiting. You need only reach out and command it."
Elara exhaled slowly, extending her hand outward. She felt the air grow colder, the shadows around her seeming to shift in response.
It was subtle at first, like the soft ripple of water when a stone is dropped. But as she concentrated, she felt the shadows gather, swirling toward her fingertips like a dark, living mist.
"Good," Lucian murmured, his tone filled with approval. "Now, shape it. Bend it to your will."
Elara's brow furrowed in concentration as she visualized the darkness solidifying. Slowly, the mist thickened, coalescing into a small, shadowy orb that hovered above her hand. It flickered and pulsed, as if testing her resolve, but she held it steady, willing it to remain in form.
"Very good," Lucian said, his voice betraying a hint of surprise. "You're learning quickly. Now, the true test. Use that orb to create an illusion. Picture something—anything—that you wish to deceive the eye."
Elara's mind raced. She thought of her past, of the cruel girls who had tormented her at the temple. Their mocking faces flashed before her, and in that moment, she felt a surge of anger.
With a determined breath, she focused on the image of one of the girls, the one who had led the others in their cruelty.
The orb in her hand trembled, then began to shift. Slowly, a ghostly figure took shape before her, a shadowy reflection of the girl from her memories. The illusion was imperfect, hazy and transparent, but it was there—alive in the darkness she had summoned.
Lucian's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he watched. "Excellent. You've grasped the basics of shadow manipulation. With time, your illusions will become more solid, more real. But for now, this will suffice."
Elara stared at the shadowy figure, a mixture of awe and fear swirling inside her. This was power—raw, untamed power—and it was hers to command. But at what cost?
"Remember," Lucian said, stepping closer to her, his gaze piercing. "The darkness is not your ally. It is a tool, a weapon, and like all weapons, it can turn on you if you are not careful."
Elara nodded, feeling the weight of his words. She knew she had only scratched the surface of the dark arts, but already she could sense the dangers lurking within. The shadows were alive, and they would not be tamed easily.
As she stood, the shadowy figure she had conjured faded away, dissolving back into the darkness. The cave was silent once more, save for the faint, ever-present hum of dark magic in the air.
Lucian watched her, his expression unreadable. "You've done well today, Elara. But this is only the beginning. There is much more to learn—and much more to lose if you fail."
Elara met his gaze, feeling a surge of determination. "I won't fail."
Lucian's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "We'll see."