Days at the Dominion Elite Academy passed like the sweep of winter wind—swift, sharp, and cold. Rael rose each morning before dawn, when even the sun's rays dared not pierce the mist cloaking Dominion. Each day began with the same step, one filled with discipline and resolve, as he joined other students from House Umbra in the training hall. Here, under Master Elyon's cold, unwavering gaze, they honed their bodies, spirits, and resolve. In those bleak shadows, Master Elyon showed no leniency; each exercise was executed with absolute precision and calm, as if they were shaping the shadows themselves.
One morning, as the sun slipped behind thick clouds, Rael and the other Umbra students were introduced to their primary weapon—the Shadow Blade. Master Elyon stood before them, the dark-hued blade in hand, a unique weapon that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. Its anti-reflective coating rendered it invisible in darkness, making it ideal for covert combat. Master Elyon swung the sword in a silent arc, cutting through the air as if sound itself retreated. "This sword," he said in a low, firm voice, "is not just a weapon. It is your shadow. In darkness, it must become an extension of your body and mind, moving without trace and striking without sound."
Rael carefully took hold of the blade, feeling the ergonomic grip that perfectly matched his hand. It was light, easy to control, and seemed designed to meld with his movements. He swung the blade slowly, testing its balance, sensing the silence that accompanied every arc. In that moment, he felt as though he was holding the darkness itself—a force that could both protect and haunt.
Master Elyon also introduced the Silent Cord, Umbra's secondary weapon. This cord was light yet strong, with hooks at both ends. Elyon explained that the Silent Cord was versatile, useful for scaling high structures or setting discreet traps to slow enemies like the Gloomspawn. Rael tested the cord's tension, realising how lightweight it was yet incredibly sturdy. He imagined using it in the shadows, drifting between buildings or trees without a sound, moving like an untouchable shadow.
Training continued day after day. Master Elyon watched every movement with a piercing gaze, and to Rael, each session was more than just repetition or physical testing. He knew each motion was a key, one by one shaping him into more than a student—into an unseen but lethal shadow.
For students from other houses, each had its own specialised weapons. For House Bellator, they were given the Ambush Rifle, a ranged weapon equipped with a silencer and long-range optics. Ideal for sharpshooters, it was fitted with specialised ammunition, including incendiary and armour-piercing rounds to combat thick-skinned Gloomspawn. Rael observed how the Bellator students adjusted to their weapons, learning to control each shot with precision, ensuring no bullet would go to waste.
Students from House Auctoritas wielded the Tactical Hammer—a heavy weapon with an air chamber in the head that delivered forceful impacts, enough to crack a Gloomspawn's hardened skin. Each swing of the hammer carried a formidable strength, and Auctoritas students trained to wield it in fierce combat scenarios. Rael could see the determination in the Auctoritas students' eyes as they practised with the hammer, as though the weapon symbolised the strength they wished to unleash on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Ingenium, the house known for their ingenuity and technical skill, were equipped with Dart Launchers, a compact mechanical device that fired poisoned or paralysing darts. This weapon allowed them to disable foes from a distance without engaging directly. Rael observed them tinkering with the device, adjusting range and firing strength with meticulous calculations, as if each action was an experiment measured to perfection.
Beyond primary weapons, each student was also equipped with auxiliary tools designed to handle critical threats outside the Aegis Wall. They carried Flash Grenades, which emitted blinding bursts to disorient foes temporarily; Smoke Bombs, which cloaked areas in thick haze to obscure movement; and Ultraviolet Torches, capable of illuminating Gloomspawn trails or blood. For Rael, these tools weren't just equipment but a lifeline, offering a slim hope against the savage creatures beyond.
Each time training ended, Rael felt exhaustion settle into his muscles, but there was a satisfaction that words couldn't capture. The weariness stemmed not only from physical strain but from a drive that pushed him to his limits, both mentally and physically. Rael realised that each day was a test, not merely to train his muscles or resilience but his resolve. With each swing of the blade, each silent step, he felt himself drawing closer to what he was meant to become as a student of House Umbra.
. . .
That morning, after an intense training session, Rael walked to the fountain's edge to wash himself. The cold water touched his skin, washing away physical fatigue and dissolving the tension that had settled in his body. Around the fountain, other Umbra students gathered, exchanging light conversation, the occasional laugh a testament to bonds forged in the midst of rivalry and pressure.
As Rael scrubbed his face, a voice addressed him from behind, calm yet intense enough to make him turn immediately.
"Rael, isn't it?"
Rael looked up and saw a tall, solidly built young man standing in the doorway, his face serious and gaze unwavering. He recognised him as Luca Valen, a Bellator student renowned for his bravery and unshakeable resolve. However, Luca's face bore no smile; instead, his eyes held Rael's gaze with a sharpness that seemed to search for something hidden.
Rael nodded, slightly puzzled as to why a Bellator student had come looking for him. Luca stepped closer, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed on Rael.
"I hear you're from Pariah," Luca said slowly, though each word was clear. "An Inferus from Umbra who prefers solitude, is that right?"
Rael nodded again, still unsure of Luca's purpose. The other young man's eyes scanned him, as if seeking something unseen in Rael's outward composure. For a brief moment, Rael noticed a deep-seated scar behind Luca's gaze—a bitterness rarely seen in the other students' faces.
After a long silence, Luca exhaled deeply, his eyes still locked on Rael. "I know why you're here, Rael. You want to change your fate, don't you? Climb the ranks, gain respect, or perhaps freedom." Luca paused before continuing, "But know this—in Dominion, the higher you climb, the tighter the Council's grip on you. No one is truly free here."
Rael was silent. Luca's words struck something within, leaving a heavy impression. Luca was not just giving advice; he was issuing a warning, something deeper and darker. Rael sensed that Luca bore a wound that could not be healed by training or accolades. From the look in Luca's eyes, Rael knew this was the face of someone who had suffered an irreplaceable loss.
"Why do you care?" Rael asked slowly, trying to grasp the meaning behind Luca's warning.
Luca gave a bitter smile, though it held no mirth. It was more a grimace that concealed a grudge. "Because the Council took something from me, something more precious than they could ever give back," he answered, his voice thick with resentment. "Someone," he added, his tone dropping, laden with emotion now unmasked. "And I won't stop until they pay for every last thing they've done."
Rael was stunned, realising a truth he had long been unwilling to see. Luca's words cut like a blade through his heart, unearthing feelings he'd suppressed—the ambition that had driven him forward. The very foundation instilled in him began to feel uncertain under the weight of a whisper within.
Before Rael could ask more, Luca turned and walked away, leaving Rael bewildered and burdened with even heavier questions. Rael stood there, staring at the doorway where Luca had disappeared, a strange feeling brewing inside him, as though he had encountered a reflection of himself he had never truly known—a mix of confusion, awe, and a fear of the truth that might lie beyond.
Several days after his encounter with Luca, Rael returned to his usual training routine at the Academy. Luca's words lingered like a dark shadow, prompting Rael to wonder what might truly be hidden beyond Dominion's fortified walls. The thought unsettled him, stirring a desire to seek answers yet held back by an uncertainty that crept through his heart.
Training at the Academy intensified, especially for House Umbra students. Master Elyon introduced a new, more extreme test—moving undetected in complete darkness. This time, their training room was filled with randomly placed obstacles, hidden in pitch blackness that obscured sight beyond a few inches ahead. They were not allowed to use anything except their senses and instincts to cross the room without making a sound.
"This is the essence of an Umbra operative," said Master Elyon, his voice sharp and commanding. "In the real world, the slightest sound can invite death. Learn to vanish, to become the shadow, to move without trace."
Rael took his position, letting the darkness engulf him. In that void, there was nothing to guide him but his senses and instincts. He groped his way forward, calculating each step with care, feeling the rough and smooth textures of the floor, holding his breath each time he heard the footsteps of other students. Even the tiniest sound felt like a loud echo in the silence, adding to the tension within.
He forced himself to silence every other thought, focusing entirely on his movement. Each step had to be measured, every breath controlled. In this unseen world, he had no choice but to trust his body and instincts, letting himself move with calm, deliberate precision like a shadow.
After what felt like an eternity, Rael finally crossed the last obstacle without making a sound. His breaths were heavy, but there was a deep sense of satisfaction in his heart. This training taught him more than just technique; it also instilled patience and composure under pressure. Each session brought him closer to the best version of himself, but Luca's words continued to haunt him, seeping like poison that slowly corroded his certainty and desire to push forward.