The oppressive energy of the Hollow Vale faded as the nexus crumbled, its haunting hum silenced at last. The glow that had bathed the land dissipated, leaving behind a twisted expanse of scorched earth and blackened trees. Exhausted but victorious, Kael led the group away from the nexus site, each step heavier than the last.
By the time they reached a small ridge overlooking the edge of the Vale, the group was dragging their feet. Kael spotted a clearing sheltered by a cluster of boulders and guided them there. As they settled around a makeshift fire, the flickering flames provided a much-needed reprieve from the haunting events of the day.
Everyone was quiet, the weight of what they had endured hanging heavily in the air. Kael glanced around the group—Marra's sharp eyes softened in exhaustion, Thane leaning heavily against his staff, Leena staring into the fire with a distant expression, and Corin leaning against a boulder with his usual smirk absent.
Kael sighed, realizing the moment had come to take a leap of trust.
"I think it's time I explain something," he said, breaking the silence. His voice carried an uncharacteristic seriousness, drawing everyone's attention. "About… my abilities."
Marra raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "Your abilities? Like whatever that was back there with the second you?"
Kael nodded, gripping his spear tightly. "Yeah. You've probably noticed that I've been holding back on explaining what I can do. That wasn't because I didn't trust you—I just didn't know how to explain it without raising more questions."
Leena tilted her head, her curiosity evident. "You mean the clone? And… sometimes you seem to move differently. Like faster."
Kael sighed again, glancing at Thane for a moment before turning back to the group. "It's a bit more than that. I have two unique skills: Skill Replication and Body Double. I've already explained those. But there's something else—something even bigger."
"Another skill?" Corin said, his voice tinged with mock exasperation. "You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"
Kael gave a small smile. "This one's called Inner Domain. It lets me create a space of my own—a pocket dimension, essentially. Time moves faster inside, which makes it ideal for rest and recovery. I've kept it to myself because it's still evolving, and I wasn't sure how safe it would be to use with others."
Marra leaned forward, her expression curious but measured. "You've been walking around with a pocket dimension and didn't think to mention it?"
"I wasn't ready," Kael admitted. "But after everything we've been through—and after sharing my other abilities—it feels like the right time."
Thane's eyes widened, and he gasped dramatically. "A pocket dimension? That's incredible! I had no idea you were capable of that!"
Kael narrowed his eyes at him, noticing the faint twitch of a smirk at the edge of Thane's lips. "Really, Thane? You're a terrible actor."
Thane grinned, dropping the pretense. "Alright, fine. I may have known. But I figured it wasn't my secret to tell. And hey, you kept your word—I respect that."
Marra shook her head, her lips curving into a faint smile. "I'll deal with you later, Thane. Right now, Kael, we're all exhausted. If this 'Inner Domain' of yours can give us a chance to properly rest, I say we try it."
Kael hesitated, looking around the group. "It's safe for me, but this will be the first time I've brought anyone else in. If anything feels off, we leave immediately. Agreed?"
The group nodded in unison.
Kael stood, gripping his spear as he focused on activating the skill. He closed his eyes, drawing on the faint spark of mana that lingered within him. Though his reserves were nearly drained, the Inner Domain responded instinctively, the air around them shimmering faintly.
Inner Domain Portal Activated
A glowing portal materialized in the center of the clearing, its edges rippling like liquid light. Beyond it lay a serene expanse bathed in soft, golden light. The terrain inside was smooth and open, with a gentle breeze rustling through the air. The oppressive weight of the Vale was completely absent.
"Welcome to the Inner Domain," Kael said, gesturing toward the portal. "Let's see how it works."
Marra was the first to step through, her movements cautious but confident. She paused just inside, turning in a slow circle as she took in the tranquil surroundings. "It's… peaceful. A lot better than camping out in the Vale."
Thane followed, practically bouncing with excitement. "I could spend hours studying this place! The mana flow alone—Kael, this is extraordinary."
Corin stepped through next, his expression wary. "It's a little too perfect, isn't it? Feels like we're tempting fate."
Leena hesitated at the portal's edge, glancing back at Kael. "Are you sure this is safe?"
Kael nodded, his gaze steady. "As safe as I can make it. You'll be fine."
Taking a deep breath, Leena stepped through, her tension easing as the calm atmosphere washed over her. "It feels… warm. Like the opposite of the Vale."
Kael followed last, the portal sealing behind him as he stepped into his domain. The space felt as it always did—calm, quiet, and under his control. But now, with his allies here, it felt more complete.
***
The group settled into the domain, their weariness slowly giving way to relief. Marra set her bow aside, leaning against a low hill as she closed her eyes. Thane sat cross-legged on the ground, his staff across his lap as he murmured about the energy flow. Corin inspected his daggers as usual, though his body was visibly more relaxed. Leena stayed close to Kael, her expression a mix of wonder and exhaustion.
"This is amazing," she said softly. "It feels… safe."
"That's the idea," Kael said, sitting down beside her. "We've all been running on fumes. This is a chance to recover without worrying about what's out there."
Leena nodded, her gaze distant. "I didn't think I'd feel safe again. Not after what we've been through."
"You're stronger than you realize," Kael said. "We all are. That's why we'll make it through this."
Leena smiled faintly, her shoulders relaxing. "Thanks, Kael."
***
As the group rested, Kael took a moment to reflect. Sharing the **Inner Domain** had been a leap of trust, but seeing the relief on his allies' faces made it worthwhile. They were a team now, bound by shared trials and mutual reliance. And for the first time in a long while, Kael felt a glimmer of hope.
They had survived the Hollow Vale. Together, they could survive whatever came next.