The meditation chamber buzzed with activity, a stark contrast to the usual solemn silence that accompanied seekers as they delved into the collective consciousness. Today, however, was different. Word had spread quickly—Kael Veylin, the boy who had once been dismissed as hopeless, had finally gained knowledge. Whether it was true or exaggerated didn't matter; what mattered was the ripple it sent through the room.
As Kael entered, he could feel the weight of dozens of eyes on him. Some stares were curious, others mocking, but none were kind. Jarek, ever eager to assert his dominance, leaned against a pillar near the entrance, smirking openly.
"Well, well," Jarek drawled loud enough for everyone to hear, "look who decided to show up. Guess even failures can get lucky sometimes."
A few snickers rippled through the crowd, but Kael ignored them, keeping his head down as he moved toward his usual spot in the back of the room. He wasn't here for their approval—not anymore. Still, the whispers followed him like ghosts:
"What do you think he got? Something useless, probably."
"Maybe he cheated. You know how desperate people like him get."
"I heard he stumbled onto something dark… dangerous."
Kael clenched his fists, forcing himself not to react. Let them talk. Their words no longer held the power they once did. Not after last night.
But then came the ones who weren't content with mere speculation. A group of older students approached him, their expressions smug and predatory. One of them, a burly teenager named Ryn, stepped forward, cracking his knuckles theatrically.
"So, Kael," Ryn said, his voice dripping with false camaraderie, "everyone's saying you've finally pulled something from the void. Care to share?"
Kael met his gaze evenly, though his pulse quickened. "It's nothing worth talking about."
Ryn's smile faltered slightly at the lack of fear in Kael's response, but he recovered quickly. "Come on now. Don't be selfish. If you don't tell us willingly…" He trailed off, letting the threat hang in the air.
The other students closed in, forming a loose circle around Kael. For a moment, panic flared within him—not because of the physical danger, but because of the attention. If they pressed too hard, if they forced him to reveal even a fraction of what he'd discovered…
And then, instinctively, he reached for the shadows.
At first, it was subtle—a faint chill that crept into the air, making the hairs on everyone's arms stand on end. The golden threads of light that usually danced freely in the meditation chamber seemed to dim, as though recoiling from an unseen force. Whispers began to fill the space, low and distorted, overlapping in languages no one present understood. Shadows stretched unnaturally along the walls, twisting into shapes that resembled clawed hands reaching out.
"What the hell is this?" one of the students muttered, stepping back nervously.
"It's freezing in here!" another exclaimed, rubbing her arms vigorously.
Ryn glanced around, his bravado wavering. "Stop messing around, Kael! This isn't funny!"
But Kael remained silent, his focus unwavering. The fear within him swelled, feeding the darkness until it felt alive, pulsing with energy. The whispers grew louder, more insistent, echoing off the stone walls like a chorus of unseen voices. Shapes began to form in the shadows—indistinct, fleeting, but undeniably menacing.
One of the students screamed, breaking the tension. The group scattered, fleeing toward the exits without looking back. Even Ryn hesitated only briefly before bolting, his earlier confidence shattered.
When the room returned to normal, Kael exhaled slowly, his hands trembling from the effort. He hadn't intended to scare them—not exactly—but part of him couldn't deny the satisfaction of seeing their arrogance crumble. Still, the encounter left him uneasy. Each use of his abilities took a toll, carving away pieces of himself he wasn't sure he could recover.
---
Master Eryndor watched the scene unfold from the far side of the chamber, his expression unreadable. When the last student had fled, he stepped forward, addressing the remaining seekers gathered there.
"That will be enough for today," he announced, his voice cutting through the lingering murmurs. "All of you have gained sufficient knowledge to move on to the next stage of your training. Representatives from several prestigious academies will arrive shortly, and I expect each of you to conduct yourselves accordingly. Impress them, and you may secure a place among their ranks."
The announcement sparked a wave of excitement and anxiety among the students. Academies were the pinnacle of a seeker's education, offering access to advanced teachings, rare resources, and unparalleled opportunities. To attend one was to ensure a future filled with respect and influence.
For most of the students, this was everything they had worked toward. But as Kael listened, he felt detached, almost numb. What place could someone like him have in such institutions? His knowledge wasn't born of the collective consciousness—it came from the void, from whispers and shadows that defied explanation. Would anyone understand? Or would they see him as a threat, just as those students had moments ago?
Eryndor's gaze swept over the room, pausing briefly on Kael before continuing. "Prepare yourselves," he said firmly. "Your futures depend on what you show these visitors. Do not disappoint me."
With that, he turned and left, leaving the students to whisper excitedly amongst themselves. Plans were made, alliances formed, strategies discussed—all in hopes of standing out when the time came.
Kael lingered behind, watching silently as the others dispersed. Mira's voice echoed in his mind, sharp and scolding: "Don't bring trouble here." Yet trouble seemed to follow him wherever he went, whether he wanted it to or not.
As he finally rose to leave, he caught sight of Master Eryndor standing outside the chamber, observing him thoughtfully. There was something in the older man's expression—curiosity, perhaps, or suspicion. Either way, it sent a shiver down Kael's spine.
Whatever happened next, one thing was certain: the days ahead would test him in ways he couldn't yet imagine. And the shadows within him were growing restless.