The air was cold and damp, the mist curling through the forest like ghostly tendrils as Revan followed Kael deeper into the wilderness. They had set out at dawn, Kael insisting that their training could no longer be confined to the ruins. Revan wasn't thrilled about the early start, nor the prospect of what awaited him. Kael had promised something called "the first trial," and the cryptic warning had left Revan uneasy.
"You're not going to tell me what this trial is, are you?" Revan asked, breaking the silence.
Kael glanced over his shoulder, his trademark smirk in place. "And ruin the surprise? Where's the fun in that?"
Revan rolled his eyes but didn't press further. He knew better than to expect straight answers from Kael. The man seemed to delight in keeping him off balance, though Revan suspected there was a method to his madness.
The forest grew darker as they moved deeper, the canopy above thickening until only slivers of light filtered through. The sounds of birds and insects faded, replaced by an eerie stillness. Revan felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, his instincts screaming that something was wrong.
"Stay sharp," Kael said, his voice low. "We're entering the Wraithwood. It's… not exactly friendly territory."
"Wraithwood?" Revan echoed, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of the dagger Kael had given him. "That doesn't sound reassuring."
Kael chuckled. "It's not. This place is saturated with residual Abyssal energy. Makes it a breeding ground for all kinds of nasties. Perfect for what we need."
Revan's grip tightened on the dagger. "And what exactly do we need?"
Kael stopped, turning to face him. "A test. You've learned to resist the pull of the Abyss, but now you need to prove you can wield it. That's what this trial is about—channeling your power in the face of real danger."
Revan frowned. "And by 'real danger,' you mean…?"
Kael gestured to the forest around them. "The Wraithwood is home to shadowspawn—creatures born of the Abyss. They're drawn to people like you, marked by the Abyssal Seal. If you can hold your own against one of them, you'll know you're ready for the next step."
Revan's stomach twisted, but he forced himself to nod. He couldn't back down now. "Alright. What do I do?"
Kael pointed to a clearing up ahead, where the mist seemed thicker, almost alive. "Head in there and wait. It won't take long for something to find you. When it does, you use your power to deal with it. I'll be watching, but I won't step in unless I absolutely have to."
Revan hesitated, but Kael's expression was resolute. This was the trial, and there was no avoiding it. Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the clearing.
---
The air in the clearing was heavier, thicker, as though the very atmosphere were infused with malice. Revan stood in the center, his heart pounding. He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, just as Kael had taught him. The mark on his chest pulsed faintly, responding to his intent.
Minutes passed, the silence stretching thin. Revan began to wonder if Kael was playing some kind of trick on him. But then he felt it—a chill that cut straight to his bones, followed by the faintest whisper of movement in the mist.
He opened his eyes and saw it. A shadowy figure emerged from the fog, its form shifting and amorphous. It had no discernible face, but its glowing red eyes burned with malevolence. The creature was small at first, no larger than a dog, but as it moved closer, it grew, its shape twisting and expanding until it towered over him.
Revan's breath caught in his throat. The shadowspawn radiated an aura of pure hatred, and he could feel it pressing against his mind, a suffocating weight that threatened to overwhelm him.
"Focus!" Kael's voice rang out from somewhere beyond the mist. "Don't let it intimidate you. Draw on your power!"
Revan clenched his fists, his mind racing. The creature lunged, its shadowy form shifting into a mass of tendrils that lashed out at him. He dodged to the side, barely avoiding the attack, and instinctively reached for the mark on his chest.
The pulse of power was immediate, a surge of cold energy that spread through his body. Shadows coiled around him like living things, responding to his will. He focused on the creature, imagining the shadows striking out like blades.
Dark tendrils shot from his hands, colliding with the shadowspawn's mass. The creature recoiled, its form flickering and unstable. But it wasn't defeated. It roared—a sound that echoed in his mind more than his ears—and charged again.
Revan gritted his teeth, pouring more energy into his attack. The shadows around him grew denser, forming a protective barrier that absorbed the creature's strikes. Each clash sent shivers through his body, the Abyssal energy demanding more of him, pushing him to his limits.
"You're doing it!" Kael shouted. "Keep going! Don't let up!"
The creature reared back, its form twisting into a spiked monstrosity. It lashed out with a massive claw, and Revan barely managed to block the blow with his barrier. The force sent him stumbling, and he fell to one knee.
Pain shot through his body, but he forced himself to stand. He couldn't afford to lose. Not now. Summoning every ounce of willpower, he focused on the mark, drawing more energy than before. The shadows surged, coalescing into a massive spear that hovered above him.
With a shout, he hurled the spear at the creature. It struck true, piercing its core. The shadowspawn let out a deafening screech, its form collapsing into a swirling mass of darkness before dissipating entirely.
Revan stood in the clearing, panting and drenched in sweat. The shadows around him receded, and the mark on his chest dimmed. He had done it. He had faced the Abyss and won.
Kael emerged from the mist, clapping slowly. "Not bad," he said, a note of approval in his voice. "You handled yourself better than I expected."
Revan glared at him, too exhausted to feel triumphant. "You could've warned me how hard that would be."
Kael shrugged. "What would've been the point? The Abyss doesn't come with warnings. You did well, though. You're starting to understand what it means to wield that power."
Revan sighed, leaning against a tree for support. "So… what's next?"
Kael's smirk returned. "Next, we make things harder."
Revan groaned, but despite his exhaustion, he couldn't help feeling a flicker of determination. He had survived the first trial, and though the path ahead was daunting, he was ready to face it.