The atmosphere in the Dominion Elite Academy's dining hall was bustling with noise; the chatter of voices mingled with the clinking of spoons and forks against plates. This hall wasn't just a place for meals—it was also a symbol of status and hierarchy that permeated every corner of their lives at the academy. Every student here had a clear rank, whether Inferus, Medius, or Primoris, and their privileges and amenities were regulated accordingly. Rael, as an Inferus student, was only permitted to sit at the back of the hall—the area furthest from the luxurious food and honour.
In front of him, his meal was incredibly simple: a piece of stale bread and a thin, nearly flavourless soup. But when he looked toward the Primoris tables at the front of the hall, his eyes were drawn to a completely different spread. There, the students of the highest rank were served fresh, steaming bread, ripe fruits, and juicy meats, filling the air with a tantalising aroma. The difference was like a barrier dividing worlds, reminding Rael that in this academy, hierarchy was inescapable, and rank determined one's survival.
A student beside him, his face bitter with frustration, whispered, "Look at them, acting like kings. Just because they were born into higher ranks, they get all the advantages."
Rael nodded slightly but did not comment. He realised that these privileges extended beyond food or seating; they symbolised the power enforced by the Holy Council. In the back of his mind, Rael wondered: were those in front truly superior just because of the privileges they'd had since birth? Or was this simply a power game that trapped each of them in their predetermined roles?
At the edge of the table, Eira sat calmly, looking at her meal without a hint of jealousy or discontent. Driven by curiosity, Rael asked her quietly, "Doesn't any of this bother you, Eira?"
Eira gave a slight smile, calm as ever. "We're here to become warriors, not to chase luxuries," she replied with confidence. "In the end, this food won't make us any better on the battlefield. It's all down to our training and determination."
Eira's words left a deep impression on Rael. The girl wasn't just calm; she had a wisdom that was surprising for someone her age. Despite her small frame, her perspective was deeper than most, as though she could see something beyond the visible world.
After breakfast, the students of the Dominion Elite Academy slowly made their way to their first theory class, each heart filled with curiosity and a hint of nervous anticipation. That day, they were scheduled to learn about the threats lurking beyond the Aegis Wall. Rael walked among his classmates, glancing around with a faint, pressing anxiety. He knew that today's class would bring them closer to something they had only known from terrifying stories: vicious creatures called Gloomspawn.
The classroom where they would begin their lesson looked dark and ominous, creating an unsettling sense of mystery. The grey, cold walls were dimly lit by the weak glow of hanging lamps on the ceiling. The air inside felt heavy, as if it bore the shadows of stories long hidden beyond Dominion's walls. The students sat in silence, each focusing their attention toward the front of the room.
The quiet atmosphere was broken by the sound of the door opening and heavy footsteps echoing across the floor. A towering instructor entered, each step radiating an aura of strength and authority that was undeniable. His face was cold and expressionless, yet his piercing gaze seemed to cut through each student, instilling a sense of unease in their hearts. Rael swallowed, feeling a strange shiver ripple through his body.
The instructor stopped at the front of the room, looking at them for a moment, as if gauging each student's mental resilience. "Welcome to your first theory class on Gloomspawn," he said, his voice firm and commanding. "You are here to learn about our greatest enemy. The enemy that waits beyond the Aegis Wall—creatures known as Gloomspawn."
With one motion, the instructor activated the projector, which immediately displayed an image of a black-furred creature on the large screen before them. The creature had glowing red eyes and sharp fangs protruding from its mouth, as though ready to tear into its prey at any moment. A few students were startled at the sight, and even Rael couldn't suppress a feeling of horror at the image.
"This is a Vilehound," the instructor introduced the creature with a calm detachment, as though it were an ordinary animal to him. "It's one of the mid-sized Gloomspawn, moving swiftly on four legs, much like a large wolf. Vilehounds often act as scouts within Gloomspawn packs, with keen hearing and scent to track humans. Although it is considered a low-ranking creature, never underestimate its capabilities."
Rael looked at the image with a pounding heart. The Vilehound appeared savage and vicious, even as a picture. He began to understand why Dominion needed such formidable walls for defence. These creatures, even though they might be just one of many types of Gloomspawn, were a threat not to be taken lightly. Rael's eyes lingered on the details of the Vilehound's body—its rough fur, taut muscles, and those fiery red eyes filled with predatory intensity.
The instructor proceeded to show image after image of other creatures, providing descriptions of each type of Gloomspawn with precise and unwavering detail. The students listened intently, jotting down notes, feeling a mixture of fear and awe growing within them. Rael sensed that this was more than just a lesson; it was an introduction to the world they would soon face, a world full of challenges.
"And this," continued the instructor, showing an image of a larger, humanoid creature, "is a Graveclaw." The Graveclaw had a towering frame with long, sharp claws and a back lined with sharp spines. "It has immense physical strength and serves as a warrior within Gloomspawn groups. Graveclaws typically attack with brutal force, destroying everything in their path. However, it has a weakness on its face, which is the most vulnerable part of its body."
Rael felt himself pulled deeper into this world of threats. The Graveclaw wasn't only ferocious but displayed intelligence that made it more dangerous than a mere wild beast. Looking at the creature's image, Rael realised that Dominion's defences weren't just barriers; they were fortresses holding back the catastrophe waiting on the other side. The Graveclaw seemed like an enemy just biding its time, waiting to breach Dominion's boundaries should their walls falter.
The instructor continued, this time displaying an image of the Shadowmaw, a large creature with pitch-black skin that could camouflage itself in darkness. "This creature is a silent hunter," he said, his voice lower, almost a whisper. "It moves without making a sound and can stalk its prey from the shadows. Shadowmaw is extremely dangerous in the dark, but it has a major weakness—its eyes are sensitive to light. A single flash can disorient it."
Rael felt a chill as he imagined a Shadowmaw hidden in the darkness, waiting to strike with a deadly bite. This creature was a nightmare brought to life, and its limited vulnerability didn't diminish the threat it posed. Shadowmaw offered them an important lesson: that a silent enemy could be more deadly than one seen.
Next came an image of the Nightfiend, which, according to the instructor, was one of the rarest and most powerful Gloomspawn. "The Nightfiend is the highest evolutionary form of Gloomspawn," the instructor said. "It possesses intelligence, extraordinary speed, and unique ability—it can fire sharp bone spines from its arms. However, its weakness lies in its head, where the skin is softer."
Rael couldn't imagine how they would confront a creature like the Nightfiend, which appeared to lack mercy and seemed designed to dominate the battlefield. This creature resembled a ruler among Gloomspawn, a representation of the darkness that ceaselessly threatened Dominion. Every detail about the Nightfiend reflected a deeper danger, a threat that couldn't be fought with physical strength alone but required perfect precision and strategy.
Finally, the projector displayed an image of the highest-ranked Gloomspawn—the Elder Shade. With a towering body standing four metres tall, its black skin gleaming and red eyes radiating a terrifying aura, the Elder Shade sat at the top of this dark food chain. The instructor introduced the Elder Shade in a lower, yet more reverent tone. "The Elder Shade is an exceptionally intelligent creature, almost human in its strategic capabilities. It can command other creatures and only appears when Gloomspawn feel genuinely threatened."
Rael diligently took notes, ensuring he missed nothing. The instructor looked at them all, his gaze unwavering, before saying, "The Elder Shade's weakness lies in its mouth, the only part of its body that isn't as hard. But don't expect this weakness to give you much of a chance; it rarely opens its mouth, and no one has ever returned alive from encountering it."
The instructor's words echoed in the silence of the room, adding a layer of tension that left the students momentarily stunned. In an instant, Rael understood that this lesson wasn't just theory; it was preparation for life beyond the wall, full of threats. They weren't being trained merely to be strong, but to understand and respect the dangers lurking outside.
As the class neared its end, the instructor projected a map of Dominion and the surrounding zones, marked according to threat level: Green Zone, Yellow Zone, Red Zone, and Black Zone. The instructor explained that the further they ventured from the Aegis Wall, the greater the threat awaiting them.
"The Green Zone is the safest perimeter area, where Gloomspawn are rarely seen and only appear occasionally," the instructor explained. "But the further you are from the Aegis Wall, the more dangerous the zones become."
The instructor pointed to the Yellow Zone. "This zone is more challenging, where Gloomspawn like Vilehound and Shadowmaw roam frequently. This is where advanced training will eventually take place."
Then his finger moved to the Red Zone. "This area is filled with Graveclaws and Nightfiends. Only Primoris students or experienced warriors are allowed here, and there is a small chance that an Elder Shade may be encountered."
Finally, he indicated an area beyond the Red Zone, almost entirely blacked out on the map—the Black Zone. "This is the most dangerous area, a forbidden zone decreed by the Holy Council, and for Dominion, this is the final frontier."
The instructor looked at them sharply, letting his last words resonate in the silence of the class. "Remember, each of you will face these creatures one day. Failing to understand them means failing to survive."
Rael took a long breath, letting each of the instructor's words sink into his mind. In this academy, they weren't just training to be strong or skilled; they were being trained to understand and face Dominion's greatest fears—the creatures waiting beyond the Aegis Wall. For Rael, each lesson raised more questions, not only about the creatures but about Dominion itself.
When the class ended and the students began to leave, Rael remained seated for a moment, staring at the image of the Elder Shade still displayed on the screen. Somewhere in the depths of his mind, he sensed that all of this was not just training to defend Dominion. He was preparing for something much larger and far more mysterious.
With a heart pounding between fear and excitement, Rael rose from his seat and followed the other students out of the class. Yet he knew that this journey had only just begun. He wasn't sure what lay ahead, but one thing was clear—each step he took brought him closer to the hidden truths behind Dominion's high walls.