Tim groaned as he trudged down the path leading to the academy's main training grounds, "Prison is beginning to seen like a luxury right about now." He grumbled under his breath. His bruises from yesterday's training session still ached, and he'd barely managed five hours of sleep, his mind racing with visions of strange creatures and glowing energy.
As he reached the training field, he stopped, eyes wide. The grounds sprawled out before him, far more elaborate than he'd imagined. There were sparring rings carved into stone, agility courses dotted with hurdles and obstacles, and even an area where thick metal blocks floated mid-air. Students gathered in clusters, both Ashari and Krane, each chatting excitedly about the Unity Trial.
"Alright, new guy." Brandon's voice cut through the chatter, and Tim turned to see his roommate standing beside him, arms crossed. "You and I are partners for this session. Try not to get in the way."
Tim's eyebrows shot up. "Partners? You mean I'm supposed to work with you? That's cute. Should I hold your hand through the obstacles?"
Brandon sighed, his expression hardening. "This isn't a joke, Tim. Unity Trials are about synergy. Without it, you'll end up knocked out, or worse."
"Bring it on," Tim scoffed, trying to mask his nerves with bravado. He glanced over to where Brayden and Anika were stretching together, looking like the perfect team. Brayden flashed him a smirk, as if to say, You're in over your head.
"Let's get this over with," Tim muttered.
Tim and Brandon stepped up to the first part of the course, a pathway riddled with massive stone barriers, low-hanging branches, and glowing traps that flickered ominously. The air around them buzzed with anticipation as the instructors gave the signal.
Brandon immediately took charge, shifting into a larger, muscular form with bear-like strength and claws. "I'll clear the obstacles. Just stay alert and call out any traps."
Tim rolled his eyes, darting ahead. "I don't need a babysitter."
But just as he said it, his foot hit a barely visible tripwire. A cloud of sparks erupted around him, sizzling against his skin. Brandon was by his side in an instant, claws slashing through the sparks and pulling Tim clear.
"Still think you don't need a babysitter?" Brandon growled, barely masking his irritation.
"Fine," Tim muttered, brushing off the singe marks on his arm. "I'll try…not to set off any more booby traps."
As they moved through the course, Tim's impulsive nature clashed with Brandon's methodical approach. They argued every other step—Tim charging ahead, Brandon cautioning him to hold back. The rest of the students watched in amusement, whispers spreading through the crowd as they witnessed Tim's rocky first day in the trial.
At the end of the obstacle course, a final trial awaited: a hulking, nightmarish creature with scales like armor, summoned by the instructors. It let out a bone-rattling roar that made Tim's stomach flip.
"This is insane," Tim whispered, eyes wide.
"Stay back," Brandon ordered, morphing again, this time into a sleek, wolf-like creature. He lunged at the beast, sharp claws and fangs bared, but the creature fought back with terrifying force, sending Brandon sprawling.
Tim's mind raced. He reached out instinctively, calling upon his Air powers. With a deep breath, he focused, feeling a gust of wind gather in his palms. But when he released it, it came out in a weak puff, barely enough to make the creature blink.
"Oh c'mon, this worked before" Tim groaned
The beast charged him, claws scraping against the ground. He jumped back, panic rising. Brandon growled, shifting back to his human form to shield him. "This isn't a playground, Tim! Focus!"
"Oh gee I didn't notice, and here I was thinking the monster was a large teddy about to give me a hug."
Tim clenched his fists, taking a shaky breath. Focus. He closed his eyes, remembering the power he'd felt earlier—raw, surging energy waiting to be unlocked. He let his breath settle, feeling the air swirl around him.
When he opened his eyes, he threw his hands forward, releasing a concentrated blast of wind that struck the creature square in the chest, pushing it back just enough for Brandon to leap in and finish the fight.
The beast crumbled into shadows, dissipating into the air as the instructors signaled the end of the trial. Tim collapsed onto his knees, panting, while the crowd murmured in surprise and…maybe a hint of admiration.
"Well," Brandon said, extending a hand to Tim with a reluctant grin. "Guess you're not completely useless."
Tim took his hand, smirking. "Coming from you, I'll take that as a compliment."
As the day drew to a close, Tim found himself alone in his dorm room, staring up at the ceiling. The aches and bruises throbbed, but there was a new feeling beneath it all—something that surprised him.
Maybe, just maybe, he was more than a street kid from the human realm. And maybe this place h
eld something he'd never had before: a chance to belong.