A vast cavern carved from black stone, the training hall beneath the Void Family estate was adorned with shimmering void symbols that appeared to absorb the light. The Void's power subdued the flames of the torches, which flickered weakly against the oppressive atmosphere. Kael stood in the center of the hall, his hands linked behind his back, his keen eyes examining the room. Lord Varyn Voidbreaker, his father, entered with his customary air of authority, his heavy boots resonating in the silence. Two figures followed him: Elder Marek, who maintained his stern expression, and Kira, who bore a faint grin of mirth. Varyn initiated the conversation with a steady yet incisive tone, "Kael, today is the commencement of your training." Our family has never experienced such a level of vitality. However, unbridled authority is a liability. You are required to overcome it, or it will ultimately lead to your demise. Kael nodded, his countenance unintelligible. "Father, I comprehend." Varyn responded, "That is satisfactory." He gestured toward Kira. "You will commence with combat strategies." Kira will evaluate your foundational abilities and your capacity to control the Void. Kira advanced, her garments swaying as she assumed her position across from Kael. She gave him a slight nod, and her smirk gradually transformed into an expression of seriousness. "Do not hesitate," she advised. Kael revealed a subtle smile. "I will not." A Skill Assessment In the center of the hall, they circled each other smoothly. Kael fixed her gaze on Kira, scrutinizing her every movement and weight fluctuation. She moved with the assurance of an individual who had accumulated years of experience, her aura erupting with controlled Void energy. Kira initiated the attack, propelling a blade of shimmering Void energy toward Kael as her palm sliced through the air. The attack grazed past him and dissipated against the runic walls as he sidestepped deftly. Kira immediately responded with a series of attacks, each one more precise and rapid than the previous one, without hesitation. Kael evaded and parried with calculated and efficient movements. He did not waste energy; he calculated each movement and step. However, he was cognizant of his vulnerability. Kira's command of the Void was significantly more sophisticated than his, and she executed her attacks with the precision of a symphony. "Is that all you have, little cousin?" She taunted, her leer returning. Kael's pupils contracted. He permitted a fraction of the power of the fragment of nothingness within him to emerge. The atmosphere surrounding him appeared to undergo a transformation, becoming increasingly dense and stagnant. The alteration momentarily disrupted Kira's momentum, causing her to stumble. Kael attacked. His palm released a wave of nothingness that rocketed forward, absorbing the space between them. Kira leapt back, her Void energy erupting in a defensive manner; however, the surge disrupted her aura, leaving her vulnerable. She acknowledged, her voice tinged with both astonishment and respect, "Impressive." "However, refrain from becoming arrogant." She transformed her attacks into a blur of Void energy as she lunged once more, this time with greater speed. The two energies collided in bursts of force that sent tremors through the air as Kael countered with the power of his fragment. Each danced with precision and force, challenging the other. Varyn's voice eventually penetrated the hall. "Enough." The auras of both combatants dissipated as they stepped back, causing them to freeze. Kira's breathing was consistent, despite the faint sheen of perspiration that glistened on her forehead. Kael's chest rose and descended at a slightly faster pace, but he maintained a similar level of composure. Kira returned her expression as she stated, "You have improved." "Nevertheless, there is still a considerable distance to cover." Kael cocked his head. "So do you." Kira laughed with a light and genuine tone. The Reality of the Void Varyn approached Kael, his expression inscrutable, as Kira stepped aside. The tone of his voice was neutral as he stated, "You maintained your position against Kira." "That is a significant accomplishment." However, your power remains untamed and unrefined. Understanding the Void's substance is essential for its mastery. Varyn extended his hand to Elder Marek, who approached with a diminutive black orb in his hand. The orb's surface was awash with an infinite depth as it pulsed faintly. Marek clarified, "This is a Void Nexus." "It contains a fragment of pure Void essence."It is your responsibility to align with it and to comprehend its rhythm and essence. It will resist you, as all genuine power does. However, you will acquire knowledge as a result of that resistance. Upon reaching out, Kael retrieved the orb. The instant his digits touched its surface, a surge of energy swept through him, and his surroundings dissipated into darkness. The infinite expanse of the Void reborn him, suspending him in a state of emptiness. However, the fragment of Nothingness within him responded differently this time. It pulsed, extending out toward the Void Nexus as if it recognized something familiar. The two forces engaged in a chaotic ballet as their energies collided. Kael's mind was striving to keep up as he clenched his teeth. The Void was immense and unyielding, an ocean of power that threatened to submerge him. However, he perceived a rhythm within the chaos—a subtle flow that directed the currents. He concentrated on that rhythm, allowing it to direct him. Chaos gradually dissipated, and the conflicting energies settled into harmony. Their resonance heightened the connection between the Void Nexus and the fragment of Nothingness. Upon regaining consciousness, Kael was once again in the training chamber. The orb in his hands remained motionless, its pulsing light having diminished. Marek carefully examined him. While his tone was cautious, he stated, "You achieved your goals more quickly than I anticipated." "However, this is merely the initial phase." Kael, the Void is infinite. Its depths are beyond the comprehension of even its wielders. Kael nodded, his mind whirling with potentialities. The fragment within him had revealed another layer of potential, another path to investigate. Kael's father placed a hand on his shoulder as the elders departed, leaving him and Varyn alone. "You have performed admirably today," Varyn stated, his tone being more subdued than usual. "However, Kael, exercise caution.Your power is a virtue and a curse. It will draw in adversaries from both within and outside the family. Kael met his father's gaze with a composed expression. "Allow them to enter." I will confront them. A faint smile curled Varyn's lips, but a hint of concern clouded his iris. "You remind me of myself at your age," he stated. "However, do not allow your ambition to obscure your vision. There is always an individual who is more cunning or powerful. Please bear that in mind. Kael nodded, but he couldn't help but ponder inwardly: could there really be anyone stronger if the fragment of Nothingness was truly his? Kael stood alone in the vacant hall, his hands clenched into fists, as his father departed. He could sense the fragment's movement within him, which propelled him forward. "This is merely the beginning," he murmured to himself, his voice reverberating in the silence. Regardless of the consequences, Kael was certain that he would shape his destiny with his own hands.