As Wan descended the mountain, his surroundings gradually transformed from rocky paths to dense forests, and then finally to fields dotted with wildflowers. The air was thick with a peculiar energy he couldn't quite place, a strange sensation that prickled along his skin. Each step brought him closer to the village he had glimpsed from the cliff, and by midday, he found himself standing at its outskirts.
Small, simple houses were scattered along a dirt road, their roofs tiled with dark slate. Villagers moved with quiet efficiency, their expressions sharp and watchful. They wore long, flowing robes, each with a peculiar emblem stitched over the heart: a swirling shape resembling the shadows cast by flickering lanterns. This place was different—he could feel it in the air. The people here held an aura of strength, something both intimidating and alluring.
As Wan stepped forward, a few villagers paused, turning to stare at him. Whispers traveled through the crowd, but he couldn't make out the words. Before he could approach anyone, a young man blocked his path, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"You don't belong here," he said, folding his arms. The young man's tone was firm but not hostile, though his gaze held an edge. "Who are you, and what do you want with our village?"
Wan hesitated, feeling the weight of all the unanswered questions he carried. But he wasn't here to make enemies.
"I don't know who I am," Wan admitted, looking down at his torn clothes and bruised arms. "I don't know how I got here, either. All I want is a place to rest—and maybe some answers."
The man studied him closely, eyes flickering with something like recognition. "Answers are earned, not given. Especially here." He paused, then motioned for Wan to follow. "Come with me. The elders will decide what to do with you."
Wan nodded, keeping his guard up as he followed the man through the village. The atmosphere grew tense as they walked; he could feel the gazes of the villagers on him, wary and curious. Finally, they stopped before a grand hall, carved from dark stone and decorated with intricate patterns. Inside, a group of elders sat in silence, their eyes closed as if in meditation. They radiated an aura of power even Wan could feel—an energy deep and almost shadowed.
The young man cleared his throat. "This stranger was found at the edge of the village," he announced. "He claims to have no memory and seeks shelter and guidance."
One of the elders opened his eyes, regarding Wan with a penetrating gaze. "You come here alone and without memory. An unusual thing," he said, his voice low and calm. "And yet, I sense something in you. A potential for Shade."
"Shade?" Wan repeated, the word unfamiliar yet strangely resonant.
"It is the lifeblood of this nation," the elder explained. "The power that flows through all Tenebri—seen and unseen. Those of us who cultivate it are known as Shadesmiths, or simply cultivators. It is the path we walk, and it is not for the faint of heart."
Wan swallowed, feeling an unexpected pull toward the idea. He had no memory of his life, no sense of who he was or where he came from, but the idea of learning this power, of finding purpose here, sent a spark of hope through him. "Can you… teach me?"
The elder raised an eyebrow. "Our ways are not meant for outsiders, especially those who stumble upon us by chance. But I sense that fate has brought you here for a reason." He paused, studying Wan thoughtfully. "If you wish to learn, then first, you must prove yourself worthy."
Before Wan could respond, the elder nodded toward the young man who had led him here. "Kai, take him to the training grounds. Let him understand what Shade truly is."
Kai nodded, a small smile breaking through his stern expression. "Follow me, then."
They exited the hall and crossed the village until they reached a clearing surrounded by ancient trees. Kai stopped and faced him, his expression turning serious again. "Shade isn't something non-Tenebrians just use. It's a force that demands balance. Our strength comes from knowing how to control it."
Wan nodded, unsure of what to expect. But Kai was already stepping back, raising a hand. Shadows seemed to gather around his fingers, swirling and solidifying until they formed a faint, dark aura. He moved with practiced grace, each step and strike releasing a pulse of energy that resonated through the ground.
"This is Shade in its purest form," Kai said, his voice steady. "It's more than power—it's connection. You draw from the shadows, from the energy that exists in every living Tenebri." He gestured to Wan. "Try it."
Wan closed his eyes, focusing on the sensations around him, trying to reach for whatever it was Kai had tapped into. At first, there was nothing. Just silence. But then, slowly, he felt a tingling in his fingertips, a faint pulse that seemed to hum from within. He held onto it, letting it grow stronger, until he could almost see a dim light gathering around his hand.
But just as he began to feel confident, the energy flickered, slipping away. His knees buckled as exhaustion hit him, and he barely caught himself from collapsing.
Kai glared, his hand extended reluctantly. "Ambitious, aren't you? Fine. But Shade isn't for the reckless. Show me if you're really worth the elders' approval—and be ready to work harder than you ever have."
Wan took his hand, breathing heavily but feeling a strange sense of exhilaration. "Then I'll work hard," he said, determination igniting in his eyes. "I'll learn this power, no matter what it takes."
Kai's smile widened, a glint of approval in his eyes. "Then welcome, stranger. Let's see if you truly have the spirit of a Shadesmith."