The academy had granted its students a rare week-long holiday—a chance to step away from rigorous training and return to their roots. For Kade, this meant going back to the small orphanage where he had grown up. Nestled on the outskirts of a peaceful town, the orphanage was a place of warmth and bittersweet memories, far removed from the chaos of his recent life.
As Kade stepped through the gates, he was greeted with the familiar sight of children playing and caretakers bustling about. The air was filled with laughter, and for a brief moment, the burdens he carried felt lighter.
"Kade!" one of the younger children shouted, running up to him. Soon, a group surrounded him, bombarding him with questions about the academy. Among them was Mira, his childhood friend, her face lighting up as she approached.
"Look who's back," she said with a teasing smile. "The academy's big shot."
Kade chuckled. "Big shot? Not quite. Just here to escape the madness for a while."
They spent the day reminiscing about old times, with Kade helping with chores and sneaking in moments to train his inner core in private. The shadowy energy within him had grown stronger, yet it still felt wild and untamed. He knew he needed more control—a way to channel the power effectively.
As evening approached, Mira suggested, "Why don't we have a picnic tomorrow? We haven't visited the riverside in ages."
Kade hesitated but saw the eager faces of the children. "Alright," he agreed, "but you're carrying the baskets."
The next day, they ventured to the river just outside town. The tranquil waters sparkled under the sun, and the group spread out a blanket on the grass. Laughter filled the air as they played games, shared food, and recounted stories from their childhood.
By the time they returned to the orphanage, the sky was painted in hues of orange and pink. Exhausted from the day's activities, the children quickly settled in for the night. But Kade couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. During the picnic, he had felt eyes on him, an unseen presence lingering in the shadows.
Later that night, he decided to investigate. Leaving the orphanage quietly, he wandered toward the park where he had sensed the disturbance. The streets were deserted, bathed in the pale glow of the moon. Kade's steps were light, his senses sharp.
Near the park's entrance, he felt it again—the unmistakable sensation of being watched. He deliberately moved to a bench and sat, pretending to relax. In reality, he extended his shadow energy, creating a clone of himself on the bench while he hid nearby.
Moments later, a cloaked figure emerged from the shadows, cautiously approaching the clone. The figure reached for something under their cloak but froze when a voice broke the silence.
"Are you surprised? It's a clone of myself," Kade said, stepping into view.
The cloaked figure spun around, immediately taking a defensive stance. Kade blocked their escape route, his voice firm. "I won't let you leave until you tell me why you're following me. What do you want?"
The figure didn't respond, their posture tense. The standoff grew heavier with each passing second until a sudden scream shattered the silence.
The cloaked figure seized the opportunity, darting into the shadows. Kade gritted his teeth. "Damn it!" he muttered, chasing after the sound of the scream.
In a dimly lit alley, Kade found two thugs cornering an elderly woman. She clutched her bag tightly, terror etched on her face.
"Leave her alone," Kade commanded, his voice cold.
The thugs turned, sneering. "And what's a kid like you going to do about it?"
"You really don't want to find out," Kade replied, stepping closer.
The fight was swift. The thugs underestimated him, their crude techniques no match for his training and shadow abilities. Within moments, they were disarmed and tied to a nearby pole. Kade called the town guards, ensuring they would face justice.
The elderly woman approached him, her hands trembling. "Thank you, young man. I don't know what I would have done without you."
She pressed a small token into his hand. It was old and intricately carved, with a faint glow emanating from its surface. "This is for your kindness," she said.
Kade examined it, unsure of its significance, but pocketed it nonetheless. "Stay safe," he said, watching as she disappeared into the night.
Back at the orphanage, Kade lay on his bed, staring at the token. The events of the night replayed in his mind: the cloaked figure, the scream, the token. Nothing seemed connected, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that it all tied back to him somehow.
In the quiet of the night, he resolved to uncover the truth. Whatever was happening, he knew it was only the beginning.