Shadowreach had never felt more oppressive than it did that evening. The mist hung thick between the crooked buildings, swallowing the dim glow of lanterns, turning familiar alleys into a labyrinth of shadows. Kael moved cautiously, every nerve alert, hands still faintly humming with the residual power of the artifact he had absorbed.
"This way," Lysandra whispered, leading him through a narrow passage. Her eyes scanned the rooftops above, sharp and calculating. Kael followed, still trembling slightly from last night's training, but determined. He was learning, and for the first time, he felt he had a chance.
Then a flash of light cut across the alley, followed by a familiar, sharp laugh. Kael froze.
"Well, well… look what we have here," a voice drawled, smooth and condescending.
Kael turned to see a figure leaning casually against a wall, arms crossed. Dorian. Noble-born, flawless in every movement, his golden hair catching the faint light as he smirked down at Kael. His eyes glimmered with innate magic, a soft aura of power radiating from him.
"You're the thief who touched the artifact, aren't you?" Dorian said. "The one making all the noise in Shadowreach. You really should know your place."
Kael's pulse quickened. "I'm not afraid of you," he spat, though his hands trembled. He could feel magic coursing through him, unsteady and wild, but potent.
Dorian's smirk widened. "Oh, you should be. That power of yours… it's dangerous, yes. But inexperienced. That will get you killed."
Without warning, Dorian raised his hand, and a wave of golden light shot toward Kael. He barely had time to react, summoning a flicker of flame in his hands. The attack deflected, scorching the wall behind him. Sparks rained down as Kael stumbled backward, realizing the magnitude of the power Dorian wielded effortlessly.
Lysandra's voice cut through the chaos. "Focus, Kael! Control your fear. Let the magic flow—don't fight it!"
Kael gritted his teeth, summoning the warmth in his veins. The fire surged, twisting into a shield around him. Dorian's eyes narrowed, and he raised both hands. A second wave of light collided with Kael's flames, sending a shockwave that rattled the rooftops.
The fight escalated quickly, magic and light exploding around them. Kael absorbed and redirected bursts of energy, learning in real-time the limits of his newly acquired power. Each flicker, each pulse, demanded precision and concentration, and mistakes were costly. Sparks singed his hair, wind buffeted him, and for the first time, he felt real fear—fear that he could fail and die.
But Kael also felt something new: determination. He had always survived on instinct and cleverness, but this—this was a test of who he could become. He let the warmth flow through him, letting the stolen energy guide his movements. A bolt of fire shot from his hands, striking Dorian's shield and forcing the noble to stagger.
"You're… stronger than I thought," Dorian muttered, eyes narrowing. "But raw strength isn't enough."
Kael pressed the advantage, pushing the limits of his control. He absorbed a small portion of Dorian's magic mid-attack, feeling the alien power surge through him. Pain lanced through his chest, but the thrill of command coursed behind it. He retaliated with a precise, controlled strike, forcing Dorian to leap back.
Breathing heavily, Kael stepped back, hands glowing faintly. "I'm not weak," he said, voice steady despite exhaustion.
Dorian's expression was unreadable, though his aura flickered. "Not… yet. But your inexperience will be your downfall, thief."
Before Kael could respond, a shadow flitted across the rooftops. Veilmaster's agents—silent, deadly—were watching. The tension in the air tightened like a wire, reminding Kael that his duel was far from the only danger tonight.
Lysandra grabbed his arm. "Enough for now. Retreat. You've done well, but this is only your first real test. You need more control before facing him again—or worse."
Kael hesitated, glancing back at Dorian, whose smirk had returned. "I'll get stronger," Kael muttered, determination blazing in his chest. "Next time… I won't run."
Lysandra's hand tightened over his. "Good. That fire in you… don't lose it. But remember, raw strength isn't enough. You must master the rules of magic, or you will fall."
As they disappeared into the shadows of Shadowreach, Kael's thoughts churned. Dorian was a formidable opponent, but he had glimpsed the potential of his own power. And somewhere in the dark, Veilmaster's influence continued to stretch, reminding him that every step forward carried risk—and that survival would demand far more than skill alone.
The night was far from over, and Kael's journey had only just begun.