The next day dawned with a tense energy hanging over the training facility. Ethan woke up early, his body still sore from the fight with the Abyssal Stalker, but he felt a new resolve. He was officially part of the Awakened now, and that meant his life had truly changed. There was no going back.
After a quick breakfast in the sparse mess hall, he met Sarah and Commander Kane in the main training room. Kane stood with his arms crossed, his gaze as sharp as ever. Beside him was a tall woman with striking blue eyes and an air of calm confidence.
"This is Commander Maya Lin," Kane said, gesturing toward the woman. "She'll be overseeing today's training. Maya's one of the most experienced Awakened in the base, and she specializes in reconnaissance and stealth tactics."
Ethan offered her a respectful nod. "Good to meet you."
Maya's gaze was piercing as she looked him over, as though assessing every flaw and strength. "So, you're the new Eclipse Reaper," she said, her tone even. "Dark-magic classes are rare—and dangerous. You'll need strict discipline to control that power."
Ethan swallowed, nodding. "I understand."
"Good," she replied. "Today, we're testing your limits. If you're going to survive in this world, you need to understand exactly what you're capable of—and what you're not." She handed him a small, silver pendant. "This is a Mana Stabilizer. It'll help you maintain control over your abilities in high-stress situations."
Ethan took the pendant, its cool surface smooth against his fingers. He slipped it around his neck, feeling a faint pulse of energy radiate through him. It was subtle, almost calming.
Maya nodded in approval. "With that, you'll be able to channel your abilities more precisely. Now, let's get started."
---
They moved to a new area of the facility—an underground training arena lined with thick walls and reinforced glass observation windows. The floor was marked with various lines and circles, and strange devices were positioned throughout the space.
"This is the Shadow Chamber," Maya explained. "It's specifically designed for training dark-magic users like yourself. Here, you can test your abilities without holding back."
Ethan's eyes widened as he took in the chamber. It felt strange, almost as if the air was thicker, charged with energy. He could sense his own shadows responding to the environment, almost as if they were eager to be unleashed.
"Let's start with the basics," Maya said. "Show me what you can do."
Ethan nodded, focusing on his breathing as he extended his hand, letting the familiar shadows flow from his fingertips. He willed the darkness to take shape, forming a spear similar to the one he'd used against the Abyssal Stalker. It solidified, humming with energy as he held it steady.
Maya circled him, observing closely. "Good form," she commented. "But I need you to go further. Channel more power. Dark classes have immense potential, but they require a balance of control and intensity."
Ethan concentrated, pouring more of his energy into the spear, feeling its weight grow as the shadows thickened. The spear's edges sharpened, and it took on a darker, almost tangible aura that seemed to pulse in time with his heartbeat. He felt the thrill of power in his veins, but he also sensed the danger, the edge where control could slip.
"Hold it steady," Maya instructed. "Dark energy is volatile, and it'll respond to your emotions. If you lose focus, it will turn against you."
Ethan took a steadying breath, reining in his excitement. He could feel the shadows stabilizing, his control holding firm. With a final effort, he launched the spear across the chamber, watching as it embedded itself into a metal target with a loud clang, leaving a faint trail of darkness in its wake.
"Excellent," Maya said, her tone approving. "Now, try something more advanced. Dark magic isn't just about weapons. You have the ability to manipulate shadows in different forms."
Ethan looked at her, intrigued. "Like… illusions?"
"Exactly," she replied, a faint smile touching her lips. "But it's more than that. The shadows respond to your intent. You can cloak yourself, make yourself almost invisible if you focus. Try it."
He closed his eyes, reaching out to the shadows around him. He pictured himself blending into the darkness, becoming part of it. The energy responded, enveloping him in a cool, comforting embrace. When he opened his eyes, he could feel that something had shifted; the shadows were clinging to him, wrapping around him like a second skin.
"Now move," Maya instructed.
Ethan took a cautious step, noticing that his movement seemed almost silent, the shadows absorbing his footsteps. He moved again, faster this time, crossing the chamber with a strange, silent grace. The sensation was surreal, as if he were gliding through the air, undetectable.
"Good. Remember that feeling," Maya said, nodding in satisfaction. "With practice, you'll be able to hide in plain sight, even in broad daylight. It's one of the most valuable skills for an Eclipse Reaper."
Ethan grinned, the thrill of discovery fueling his confidence. But Maya's expression turned serious.
"However, there's a cost," she said. "The shadows require energy, and they will drain you quickly if you're not careful. Dark classes have a tendency to… overconsume. It's easy to burn out."
Ethan nodded, feeling a pang of weariness settle over him. He hadn't realized how much energy he'd already expended. The shadows seemed to amplify his power, but they also demanded a toll.
"You'll learn to gauge it over time," Maya continued. "It's all about balance. Now, let's move on to defensive techniques."
She walked him through several exercises, showing him how to use the shadows to create barriers, to deflect attacks, and even to absorb the energy of an incoming blow. Each technique required intense focus and a deep connection with the dark energy he wielded. By the end of the session, he was exhausted but exhilarated, his understanding of his abilities growing with every passing minute.
---
Later, Ethan collapsed onto a bench in the locker room, barely able to keep his eyes open. His body felt heavy, drained, but there was a quiet satisfaction humming beneath his exhaustion. He had made progress, real progress.
As he sat there catching his breath, Sarah entered, a smirk on her face. "You look like you've been put through the wringer."
He chuckled, wincing as his sore muscles protested. "I had no idea this would be so intense."
She sat beside him, tossing him a bottle of water. "Maya's a tough teacher, but she knows her stuff. If anyone can help you master the shadows, it's her."
He took a long drink, feeling the cold water revive him. "I'm just glad I didn't mess up too badly."
"Trust me, you're doing fine," Sarah said, her expression softening. "Most new recruits barely manage a shadow blade on their first day, let alone all that illusion work. You're stronger than you realize."
Ethan felt a warmth in his chest at her words. It was strange, but being part of this team, surrounded by people who understood what he was going through—it made the struggle worthwhile.
Just as he was about to respond, the alarm blared through the facility, a shrill, piercing sound that echoed down the halls. Sarah's face instantly hardened, her eyes narrowing.
"That's the alert for an incoming gate breach," she said, springing to her feet. "Come on, we've got to get to the control room."
Ethan's fatigue vanished, replaced by a surge of adrenaline. He followed Sarah down the hall, his heart pounding as they joined the other Awakened converging on the control room. The screens along the walls showed live feeds from outside the facility, where a swirling portal was opening in midair, crackling with dark energy.
Kane was already there, his gaze fixed on the largest screen. "We've detected a gate breach in the city center," he said, his tone grave. "This one's bigger than any we've seen recently."
Maya joined them, her expression tense. "Is it stable?"
Kane shook his head. "Not yet, but it's growing fast. We've got reports of several creatures already emerging. It's likely this one leads directly to a high-level realm."
Ethan swallowed, feeling a cold dread settle in his stomach. He'd only just begun to understand his powers, and now he was being thrown into a potentially lethal situation.
Kane turned to the assembled group, his gaze steady. "All right, listen up. We're splitting into teams. Maya, you'll take the recon squad and gather intel on the breach's stability. Sarah, you and Ethan will lead the containment team. Our priority is to keep any creatures from spilling further into the city."
Sarah nodded, her expression determined. Ethan took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. This was it. His first real mission.
Kane's gaze softened as he looked at him. "Ethan, you're ready for this. Remember what you learned in training, and rely on your team."
Ethan nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "Understood, sir."
As they prepared to move out, Sarah shot him a reassuring glance. "Stick close to me, and we'll get through this."
He managed a small smile. "I'll be right behind you."
They joined the containment team, strapping on their gear and heading toward the exit. As they approached the gate breach, Ethan felt a familiar, unsettling energy ripple through the air, stronger and darker than anything he'd felt before.