The underground chamber shook violently.
Evans stood several meters away from Leon, watching lightning dance around his body.
Leon smiled.
"You can't keep running forever."
Evans wiped the dust from his jacket.
"I wasn't running."
"Then what were you doing?"
"Testing my ability."
Leon frowned.
"Then test this."
Lightning exploded from his hands.
CRACK!
Evans immediately stepped into the nearest shadow.
WHOOSH!
The lightning struck the floor where he had been standing.
Evans appeared behind Leon.
He swung his arm.
A blade of darkness formed around his hand.
Leon turned just in time.
CLANG!
Lightning and shadow collided.
The force pushed both boys backward.
Evans stared at his hand.
"What's happening?"
The shadow blade disappeared.
Leon looked equally surprised.
"You created a weapon from your shadow."
Evans smiled.
"Looks like I have another ability."
Leon tightened his fists.
"I've trained for years to control my lightning."
Evans shrugged.
"I've had my power for less than an hour."
Leon became furious.
"Don't compare yourself to me!"
He released a massive burst of lightning.
The entire chamber lit up.
Evans knew he couldn't dodge this one.
The shadows beneath him began moving.
He heard the mysterious voice again.
"Use me."
Evans froze.
"What?"
"Trust the darkness."
The lightning came closer.
Evans closed his eyes.
"Fine."
The shadows rose around him.
A black barrier formed.
BOOOOOOM!
The lightning struck.
The entire chamber was covered in smoke.
Leon stared ahead.
"Did I..."
The smoke cleared.
Evans was still standing.
His clothes were damaged, but he was unharmed.
Leon stared at him.
"How?"
Evans looked at the dark barrier surrounding him.
"I don't know."
The barrier disappeared.
Then the door opened.
The Royal Awakening Guard rushed inside.
"What happened here?"
Leon immediately pointed at Evans.
"He attacked me!"
Evans looked at him.
"What?"
The guard looked between them.
"Both of you, stop."
Before anyone could say anything else, the entire building suddenly shook.
A deep sound came from beneath the floor.
BOOM.
The guard's expression changed.
"That's impossible."
Another tremor.
This time, a crack appeared across the floor.
Evans stared at it.
A faint black light emerged from below.
The mysterious voice returned.
"It is waking."
Evans stepped backward.
"What is waking?"
The guard looked at him.
"You heard it too, didn't you?"
Evans nodded.
The guard's face became pale.
"We need to get everyone out of here."
---
The Awakening Hall
Students were rushing toward the exits.
Olivia searched desperately through the crowd.
"Evans!"
She couldn't see him.
Then she heard someone behind her.
"Olivia!"
She turned.
Evans ran toward her.
"Evans!"
She immediately rushed over.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Olivia looked at his damaged clothes.
"You don't look fine."
Evans laughed.
"I had a little fight."
"With who?"
"Leon."
Olivia's eyes widened.
"You fought Leon?"
Before Evans could answer, the ground shook again.
Olivia grabbed his arm.
"What is happening?"
"I don't know."
Suddenly, Olivia's palm began glowing.
Golden light spread across her arm.
Evans's shadow reacted immediately.
Darkness wrapped around his hand.
The two powers touched.
BOOM!
A wave of energy exploded around them.
Everyone in the hall froze.
Olivia looked at Evans.
"What just happened?"
Evans stared at their hands.
"I don't know."
The golden light and black shadow began twisting together.
For a brief moment, Evans saw something.
A massive door.
Two symbols were carved into it.
One represented Light.
The other represented Shadow.
And beneath them were ancient words:
WHEN LIGHT AND SHADOW STAND TOGETHER, THE SEALED ONE SHALL RETURN.
Then the vision disappeared.
Evans stumbled backward.
Olivia caught him.
"What did you see?"
Evans looked at her.
"A door."
"What was behind it?"
Evans hesitated.
"I don't know."
A voice suddenly came from across the hall.
"You two."
They turned.
The old instructor from the awakening ceremony stood several meters away.
His face was filled with fear.
"Do you know what you've just done?"
Evans shook his head.
The instructor whispered:
"You've activated the ancient seal."
Silence filled the hall.
Evans looked at Olivia.
Olivia looked back at him.
Then the ground beneath the Awakening Hall split open.
A gigantic black symbol appeared beneath them.
And from somewhere deep underground...
something laughed.
The Shadow Sovereign had begun to awaken.