After their first official mission, the Dominion Elite Academy buzzed with rumours about what had happened in the Green Zone. Whispers floated through the corridors and training halls, dissecting the events in the field, analysing each team's strengths and weaknesses. Rael sat in the dining hall with other students from Umbra, though his mind drifted far away, recalling every tense moment spent beyond the wall. In a distant corner, Luca, Kian, and Mira were deep in conversation, their faces serious as if re-evaluating every move they'd made.
Eira, Rael's housemate known for her sharp tactics and keen observation, turned her gaze from the other students and looked at Rael thoughtfully. She exhaled softly, then gave his shoulder a gentle tap.
"Rael, what did you make of the mission yesterday?" she asked, her voice calm, her eyes studying his face as if searching for any hidden signs of what might be weighing on his mind.
Rael paused, allowing himself to sink into memories of that intense moment when they had almost fallen prey to the sudden Vilehound attack. He frowned, his expression pensive, before answering slowly, "The mission was a success… but those Vilehounds… they were more dangerous than I expected. If it weren't for our teamwork, things might have turned out very differently."
Eira gave a faint smile, leaning back in her chair with a nod. "That's why we're here, Rael. The world outside the Aegis Wall isn't a place for the weak. It won't show us any mercy," she replied, her tone steady, almost as though she had accepted that reality long ago.
Rael nodded slowly, letting Eira's words sink in. He understood now—the tension he had felt beyond the wall was only the beginning of a much greater threat, one they would have to face time and again.
In the Umbra Training Room
After breakfast, Rael and the other students from Umbra were directed to their special training room. It was a vast space, with twisting dark corridors and silent traps ready to test their patience and agility. Master Elyon stood there, his posture rigid, his gaze sharp as always, radiating an authority and discipline that couldn't be questioned.
"You completed your first mission well," Master Elyon began, his voice filling the room, weighty and charged with deep meaning. "However, remember, that mission was only the beginning. Out there, the enemy won't give you a second chance. There will be no room for even the smallest mistake."
Master Elyon's gaze swept over each student before him, scrutinising their strengths and weaknesses one by one. He paused, letting his words sink into each of them.
"Today, we'll delve into the art of silent movement and leaving no trace," he continued. "This is the skill that sets Umbra apart from the other houses. In the field, your task is to become invisible shadows, unheard observers, and unseen guardians."
Rael took a deep breath, preparing himself for the training. Along with the other students, he moved into the training corridors, lined with silent traps and hidden sensors. A single misstep would trigger a faint sound—a failure signal that would attract unwanted attention in a real field situation.
Rael began moving slowly, each step calculated, every inch of ground checked carefully. He remembered the lessons he had been taught—how each step must be deliberate, calm, and fully focused. As he progressed further down the corridor, tension rose within him, the awareness that one misstep could lead to significant consequences.
Eira watched from the far end of the corridor, her gaze fixed intently on Rael's movements. She turned to Jarin, a capable and sharp Umbra student, standing beside her.
"Rael has potential," Eira whispered, her eyes still focused on Rael as he worked his way through the obstacles with ease. "He learns quickly."
Jarin gave a slight nod, his gaze never leaving Rael. "True, but this is only the beginning. The world beyond the wall won't allow for mistakes this small."
Rael reached the end of the corridor with only one minor error. The soft sound of a triggered sensor made him sigh in quiet frustration. He looked at Master Elyon, hoping for some acknowledgment from his mentor, but Elyon's expression remained unchanged.
"Do it again," Master Elyon ordered, his voice calm but firm, as if perfection were the only acceptable standard for Umbra.
Rael took a deep breath, nodding without protest. He returned to the start, beginning the exercise anew. This time, his steps were even more cautious, his focus deeper, determined not to repeat his previous mistake. He understood that this exercise was not just about mastering a technique or navigating a single corridor, but about ensuring that when the time came, he would be ready to face dangers far greater than the traps in this training hall.
After several attempts, Rael finally completed the training flawlessly. Sweat trickled down his forehead, but a deep satisfaction filled him. Master Elyon approached, giving a barely perceptible nod, enough to let Rael know his effort was appreciated.
"You're improving, Rael," Master Elyon said, his voice lower than usual, almost as if he meant the words just for him. "But remember, out there, shadows run deeper than you might imagine. Study each step with care. Never let your guard down."
Rael nodded respectfully, taking the words as a warning. He felt as though Master Elyon's words carried a deeper significance, hinting at a threat hidden in the unknown, perhaps even greater than the menace of the Gloomspawn.
As Rael pondered, Eira approached, touching his shoulder. "You did well," she said with a small smile. "Umbra is proud of you."
"Thank you, Eira," Rael replied, his eyes full of determination. "But I know… out there, we need more than just technique. We need something… stronger within us."
Eira nodded. "We need courage, Rael. The outside world isn't welcoming. It's harsh, unforgiving."
Rael sensed a hint of tension in Eira's tone, as though she, too, harboured the same fears. But they both knew that fear or hesitation would be of no use. They were here to be prepared, to become unseen shadows, untouchable guardians.
Night in the Library
Night had fallen over Dominion Elite Academy when Rael made his way to the library, his body tired but his mind restless. At the end of the Academy's winding corridors, the library stood quiet, the only place where the darkness was softened by the whisper of ancient pages and the aroma of age-old books. Every time Rael entered, he felt a strange calm, as if the library walls wrapped around him, shielding him from every threat outside.
He wandered through the shelves stacked with thick, leather-bound volumes, finding a quiet corner near a large window. From his seat, Rael could see the towering Aegis Wall in the distance, unwavering and steadfast beneath the moonlight. The view was both mesmerising and burdensome, a constant reminder of everything that lurked beyond—an outside world brimming with mysteries, the threat of Gloomspawn, and… something he couldn't quite define.
He pulled an old dusty book from the shelf, flipping through its yellowing pages filled with notes on strategies and tales of battles against the Gloomspawn. Each line read like the voices of past warriors, recounting struggles, sacrifices, and frozen fears. Yet, though his eyes scanned the words, his mind wandered back to the mission in the Green Zone and the Vilehound they'd encountered. The fight remained vivid in his memory, but more unsettling was the nagging feeling in his heart—that the threats out there might only be the beginning of something deeper, something concealed beneath Dominion itself.
As he drifted into thought, soft footsteps echoed behind him. Rael looked up to see Jasper Wren, the enigmatic librarian, standing not far away. Jasper, with a faint smile that seemed to hold a thousand secrets, approached Rael. The man was hard to read; something in his sharp, wise eyes made Rael feel as though he knew much more than he let on.
"You're back again, Rael," Jasper murmured, his voice full of meaning. He sat beside Rael, glancing at the book in his hands, his smile widening. "What are you looking for here at this hour?"
Rael was slightly taken aback by the question, then fell silent for a moment before drawing a deep breath. His gaze drifted out the window, settling on the Aegis Wall bathed in moonlight. "I… I'm not sure," he replied slowly. "Since the mission, I feel… there's something bigger than just the training or missions we undertake. It's as though the threats we face aren't just about the Gloomspawn, but something deeper, something hidden."
Jasper listened patiently, then gave a faint smile, like a man guarding the secrets of the world. His eyes gleamed with an unreadable light, as though Rael's words had struck a chord he preferred to keep hidden.
"You're right, Rael," Jasper said softly, his voice almost a whisper. "The Gloomspawn are a real threat, but believe me, the greatest dangers often don't come from outside. Many things happen within Dominion, hidden behind rules and hierarchy… things you can only understand once you've been here long enough." His sharp eyes shone in the dim light, as if hinting at more than his words conveyed.
Rael felt the subtle tension in his heart grow, like a fine thread pulling him towards a truth still out of reach. "What do you mean?" he asked, hoping for further clues.
But Jasper only gave a small smile, offering no direct answer. "There are truths that can't be taught, Rael. They can only be found on your own. Keep asking, never stop searching. One day, the answers may come, but they will demand more courage than mere physical strength."
Rael remained silent, gazing at Jasper with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. He knew that the man before him held more knowledge than he revealed, but he also understood that pushing for answers would be futile. Jasper's words, though cryptic, felt like a map guiding him in the darkness, as though he wanted Rael to seek answers his own way.
After a moment, Jasper rose, giving Rael a gentle pat on the shoulder, a final encouragement before departing. "Good night, Rael," Jasper said, his smile lingering as he walked away, leaving Rael alone in the quiet library.
Rael watched Jasper's figure retreat, feeling as though a vast secret had just walked away with him. When he settled back into his seat, his mind clung to their conversation, Jasper's words echoing within. Gazing at the steadfast Aegis Wall in the distance, Rael felt something taking root within him. The wall, built for protection, seemed to hide something as well, and now more than ever, Rael was certain that the real threat might lie within Dominion itself.
The night deepened, but Rael remained there, surrounded by rows of books and silence broken only by the wind outside the library. He felt as if he were standing on the threshold of something monumental, something beyond the usual training or missions for Academy students. It was an indescribable call from within, as if something were steering him towards a path larger than himself.
"In this Dominion, we're trained to be protectors, but…" Rael murmured to himself, his eyes still on the Aegis Wall. "…maybe there's something more, something beyond mere protection."
That night, Rael returned to his room with a heart filled with renewed resolve. A growing determination stirred within him, a desire not only to follow the rules and training set by the Holy Council. Inside, he felt a need to understand further, to unravel the mystery entangling Dominion and, perhaps, to seek out a hidden truth.