The day began in shadow. Kael awoke to find his cell bathed in an unnatural darkness, the kind that seemed alive. Zeth stood in the corner, arms crossed, the glowing runes on his skin faintly illuminating the space.
"Rise and shine, Drayce," Zeth said with a smirk. "Today, we delve into the Void."
Kael sat up, his body still sore from the trial in the forest-like illusion. His mind, however, was sharper than ever. The Void hadn't just tested his strength—it had forced him to think critically under pressure, to turn the odds in his favor.
Still, questions gnawed at him. He stared at Zeth, his gaze unyielding. "Before we start, I want answers. What exactly is the Void? Why does it feel… alive?"
Zeth tilted his head, considering. "Fair enough. You're playing with fire, after all—it's only right you know what it is."
Zeth began pacing, his voice low and deliberate.
"The Void is not just a source of power; it's a realm, an entity, a force that exists beyond our understanding. It is the shadow behind the stars, the silence between heartbeats. Where most energies—mana, elemental forces—are predictable and finite, the Void is chaotic and infinite."
Kael frowned. "Then how can anyone control it?"
Zeth paused, turning to face him. "Control is the wrong word. You don't command the Void—you negotiate with it. You offer it pieces of yourself: your fear, your pain, your desires. In return, it grants you its power. But the Void is greedy. Take too much, and it will devour you."
Kael felt a shiver run down his spine. "And the shard? What role does it play?"
Zeth's lips twitched into a faint smile. "The shard is a fragment of the Void, a vessel that allows you to channel its energy. Without it, your body would burn out in seconds. But the shard has its own will, its own… personality. The more you use it, the more it will try to bend you to its will."
Kael's hand brushed against the shard in his pocket. It felt heavier now, as if it had been listening.
"And the chains?" Kael asked.
"The Void Chains are the foundation of Void magic," Zeth explained. "They are both a weapon and a binding force. They can restrain your enemies or amplify your power, but they demand precision. Use them recklessly, and they will turn on you."
Zeth stepped forward, pulling Kael to his feet. "Enough theory. It's time for practice. If you're going to survive the games Adrian has planned for you, you need more than brute strength—you need strategy."
Kael followed Zeth as the shadows warped around them, transporting them to a training ground that defied logic. Floating platforms of obsidian drifted in an endless void, connected by shifting chains.
"Your task is simple," Zeth said, gesturing to a glowing sigil on the farthest platform. "Reach the sigil. The Void will do everything it can to stop you."
Kael nodded, his jaw set.
The moment he stepped onto the first platform, the air grew heavy. Tendrils of shadow slithered toward him, each one moving with predatory intent. Kael summoned the Void Chains, the black tendrils coiling around his arms like living armor.
The first tendril struck, and Kael countered with a whip of the chains. The impact sent a shockwave through the platform, but the tendrils didn't retreat—they multiplied.
Think, Kael told himself.
He noticed the tendrils avoided the light emanating from the sigil. An idea formed in his mind.
Kael lashed out with his chains, not aiming at the tendrils but at the platform itself. The force shattered the edge, causing a cascade of light from the broken fragments. The tendrils recoiled, giving him a narrow path forward.
He sprinted to the next platform, but the Void adapted. The tendrils grew faster, their movements more erratic. One wrapped around his ankle, pulling him toward the edge.
Kael gritted his teeth, focusing his will. The Void Chains reacted, severing the tendril in a burst of shadowy energy.
By the time he reached the sigil, his body was drenched in sweat, but his mind was sharper than ever.
Zeth appeared beside him, clapping slowly. "Not bad. You're starting to understand."
Kael glared at him. "That wasn't just a test of strength—it was a test of patience."
Zeth nodded. "Exactly. The Void rewards those who think before they act. If you charge in blindly, it will consume you. But if you outsmart it, you can bend it to your will."
Kael took a deep breath, the weight of the lesson sinking in. "So this is what you meant by 'negotiation.' It's not about power—it's about control."
Zeth smiled faintly. "Now you're learning."
Their training was interrupted by the sound of alarms echoing through the citadel. Zeth's expression darkened.
"It seems Adrian has made his move."
Kael felt a surge of adrenaline. "What now?"
Zeth grabbed his arm, his voice urgent. "Stay sharp. Adrian's not just after your life—he's after the shard. If he gets it, he'll have the Void's power at his command."
Kael's mind raced. Adrian didn't strike unless he was sure of victory. If he was attacking now, it meant he had a plan—a trap Kael needed to avoid.
Zeth vanished into the shadows, leaving Kael alone. The alarms grew louder, and Kael knew he had no choice but to face whatever was coming.
As he stepped into the corridor, he saw them—Adrian's elite guards, armed with weapons glowing with runes designed to suppress Void magic.
Kael's heart pounded. He was outnumbered, outarmed, and still learning to control his powers. But this time, he wouldn't fight recklessly.
Adapt. Outsmart. Survive.
The first guard lunged, and Kael ducked, using his chains to pull a nearby chandelier down onto the group. The impact scattered them, giving him a moment to think.
He darted into a side passage, using the shadows to mask his movements. The guards pursued, but Kael led them into a dead end—a trap he had set with broken beams and loose stones.
When the dust cleared, Kael stood victorious, his mind sharper and his resolve stronger.
As Kael caught his breath, the shard in his pocket pulsed violently. A voice echoed in his mind, cold and seductive.
"You're learning, Kael. But there is so much more you could be."
Kael ignored the voice, but he couldn't deny its allure. The power was growing, and so was the temptation to embrace it fully.
But for now, he focused on the immediate goal: surviving Adrian's schemes and proving to the world that he was more than a pawn.