The next morning, I woke up with a headache and a stiff neck, probably from flopping onto the moss floor the night before. Kristina, of course, was already up, bouncing on her bed like a tiny whirlwind of energy.
"Come on, Knight Kristopher," she called, arms crossed with a mischievous grin. "Time to finish what we started yesterday!"
I groaned. "I think the shadows are still sore from the beating we gave them."
"Shadows don't get sore. Only weaklings do. You… might be one," she said, teasing.
I threw a pillow at her. "Not funny!"
She dodged easily, laughing. "Everything's funny if you survive it."
Grandma appeared in the doorway, a knowing smile on her face. "You two are ready. Today, the shadows will come at you differently. They will learn. Adapt. Test you. Are you prepared?"
Kristina grabbed my hand. "We've got this. Together."
I sighed, holding her hand tightly. "Yeah… together."
We stepped into the training room—the space still shifted into the forest and castle we created yesterday. The shadows were gone, at least for now, leaving the air tense and quiet. I could feel it: they were watching, waiting, learning.
Grandma handed us the stones again. "Focus on your core. Control comes first. Imagination comes second. But remember—fear can twist even the strongest mind."
Kristina held hers close to her chest. "Got it. No fear. Only power and awesome castle walls."
I muttered, "And giant hands that throw shadows."
Grandma ignored me. "Now… begin."
We closed our eyes and centered ourselves. The forest shimmered, the castle glowed. But before we could even open our eyes, the shadows returned. They moved differently this time—faster, more deliberate. They weren't just leftover fears anymore; they were learning from us, mimicking our strategies.
Kristina raised her hands, summoning the glowing barriers. "Keep the walls tight! Don't let them inside!"
I concentrated, bending the trees to block one of the shadows that darted under the castle walls. One shadow twisted around the branch like a snake. I imagined the tree gripping it, but it slipped free, hissing at me.
"Not fair! They learned!" I shouted.
Kristina laughed. "Good! That means we're good. Now use your brain, not just your muscles!"
I took a deep breath, picturing paths leading shadows away from the castle into a maze of light. The shadows hesitated, moving slower as if unsure. Kristina sent spikes from her castle walls, pinning a few against trees.
A shadow lunged at me unexpectedly. I tripped over a mossy root and fell flat on my face again. Kristina stopped, laughing so hard she nearly toppled her castle walls.
"You okay, Knight Kristopher?" she teased.
I groaned. "Yes! Totally fine! Just… checking if the floor is soft enough for shadows to bounce off."
She rolled her eyes. "Right… let's pretend you meant that."
Even Grandma chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Even in battle, laughter keeps the mind sharp. Fear can be as dangerous as shadows."
I peeked up at Kristina. "You think we can ever get used to this?"
She smirked. "Not really. That's the point."
As the shadows adapted, Grandma instructed us to do something new. "Imagination is your weapon—but don't forget: it can be shaped into offense and defense. Kristopher, you've been strong with environmental control. Kristina, your barriers are excellent. Now, try combining them."
Kristina narrowed her eyes. "Combine? Like… fusion?"
"Exactly," Grandma said. "Your powers together are stronger than each alone. Try it."
I took a deep breath. I imagined a giant glowing hand rising from the moss, like I had yesterday, but this time it carried Kristina's castle walls with it, like a shield and weapon combined. Shadows lunged, and the hand spun, throwing the glowing fortress forward like a battering ram.
Kristina squealed in surprise. "Whoa! That's… insane!"
The shadows screeched, scattering in all directions. For a moment, I felt unstoppable. Kristina and I glanced at each other, grinning despite the sweat and dirt.
"Teamwork," she whispered.
"Yeah… teamwork," I replied, feeling proud.
After the battle, the forest faded back to the bedroom. I looked at Kristina, catching my breath. "Do you think the shadows will keep coming like this?"
She frowned. "I think… they're learning. Not just from us. Someone—or something—is making them smarter."
Grandma's expression darkened. "Yes. There are forces in the world that don't want you to master your power. They watch. They wait. And one day… you will face something much stronger than these shadows."
Kristina shivered slightly. "Stronger than shadows?"
"Yes," Grandma said softly. "Much stronger. But today, you survived the first real test. That is the most important thing."
I nodded slowly. Somewhere deep down, I felt it too. The shadows weren't just practicing—they were preparing. For something worse. Something beyond us.
Mom came in with breakfast. "I hope you two didn't destroy the house again."
Kristina grinned. "We almost did, but Knight Kristopher saved the day!"
I threw a spoon at her. "I only saved it because you screamed like a banshee!"
She dodged. "Tough luck! You should be faster!"
Grandma shook her head, smiling faintly. "The two of you… chaos and order combined. But that is exactly why the Bouie bloodline survives."
Kristina nudged me. "See? We're legendary already."
I sighed. "I just hope the shadows don't file complaints."
By the end of the day, I realized something: training isn't just about power. It's about control, imagination, and knowing your partner—Kristina. The shadows are growing stronger, smarter, more persistent, and somehow… they're only the beginning.
Mom, Grandma, and Kristina are all counting on me. But more than that, I know someone else is waiting—someone who doesn't care about rules or fun… someone who put the curse on Kristina.
Malachor.
And soon… we'll have to face him.