The morning came really fast.
Kael hardly slept. Not because he couldn't sleep,. His body just wouldn't let him. Every time he closed his eyes he felt it again. That presence. That power. That thing inside him... Watching. Waiting.
By the time Kael got to Training Sector Alpha, the others were already there. Rex was. There were flashes of lightning around his arms. Lyra was leaning against her spear talking to Eryndor, who seemed calm as always. Aurora stood alone eyes closed and her aura was making the temperature around her go down.
Then Kael felt it. A change in the air. The Elite Squad. Aiden Luxor was standing in the center talking calmly with Professor Orion. Kaelithra Vex was sitting on a pillar playing with a glowing rune. Rivena Drakos was leaning against the wall, arms. Her expression was sharp.
Eryndor stepped away from Lyra. Joined his team. The moment Kael stepped in all eyes turned to him. Especially one. Kaelithra. She smiled slowly. "Well... If it isn't the one." Lyra frowned. "Don't start." Kaelithra ignored her her eyes locked on Kael. "I've been wanting to test you."
Rex smirked. "He's mine." Aiden raised a hand calmly. "Enough." The tension eased a bit. "For today " Aiden continued, "we'll be doing a combat evaluation." Rex cracked his knuckles. "Finally." Lyra spun her spear once. "About time." Kael stayed quiet watching.
Orion stepped forward. "This is not a spar." His voice echoed across the field. "You will fight against opponents than you." He paused. "Your goal is not to win. It is to survive... And adapt." Kaels eyes narrowed a bit. Adapt...
Orion turned. "Aiden." The haired boy nodded. "I'll go first." He stepped into the center of the field. Golden light spread around him. "Whos coming?" Rex stepped forward instantly. "Me."
Lyra sighed. "Of course."
Rex vs Aiden
The barrier went up. The moment it did Rex moved. CRACK! Lightning exploded as he dashed forward. His speed was insane. His punch aimed for Aidens face.. Aiden didn't move. "Radiant Guard." A thin layer of light formed. Rexs punch hit. BOOM. The shockwave spread across the field.. Aiden stood still. Unshaken.
Rexs eyes widened a bit. "...Not bad." Aiden raised his hand. "Your turn is over." Light burst outward. Rex was pushed back instantly. He slid across the ground stopping himself with difficulty. "...Tch." He smirked. "This is fun." The fight continued. Lightning vs Light. Speed vs control.. The difference was clear. Aiden wasn't just stronger. He was more experienced.
After exchanges Rex dropped to one knee. Breathing heavily. "Enough " Orion said. The barrier disappeared. Rex stood up slowly. "...I'll surpass you." Aiden nodded calmly. "I'll be waiting."
Lyra vs Rivena
"Next " Orion said. Lyra stepped forward. "I'll go." Rivena pushed herself off the wall. "Don't hold back." The moment the barrier went up Rivena slammed her hand down. "Summoning Magic: Iron Guardian." The massive beast appeared instantly. Lyra didn't hesitate. She dashed forward. Her spear clashed with the beasts armor. CLANG. The force pushed her back.
She adjusted immediately. Spinning. Striking from angles. Fast. Precise.. Rivena remained calm. "Too predictable." The beast attacked. Lyra barely dodged. The ground shattered beneath her. She gritted her teeth. "...Damn it." She pushed forward again. This time. Faster. Her spear glowed brighter. She landed a hit. A crack appeared on the beasts armor. Rivenas eyes narrowed a bit. "Better."
Then the beast roared. Power surged. Lyra was thrown back. She landed sliding across the ground. "Match over " Orion said. Lyra sat up breathing heavily. "...I'll get stronger." Rivena turned away. "You better."
Kaels Turn
Silence filled the field. Orion looked at him. "Kael." Kael stepped forward. His heartbeat was steady.. Inside. Something stirred. "Your opponent..." Orion paused a bit. "...Kaelithra Vex." Lyras eyes widened. "Wait-" Rex smirked. "This is going to be good." Kaelithra stood up slowly. A dangerous smile on her face. "Oh... I've been waiting for this."
She stepped into the arena. Runes began to appear around her. Dark. Unstable. Beautiful. "Try not to break quickly " she said softly.
Kael vs Kaelithra
The barrier went up. Silence. Then Kael moved first. Blue energy surged. He dashed fast. Focused. He aimed a strike. But "Too slow." Kaelithra disappeared. Kaels eyes widened. She reappeared behind him. A rune formed in her hand. "Forbidden Magic: Pulse Break." BOOM. Kael was thrown forward. He crashed into the ground. Pain shot through his body.
He stood up immediately. "...Again." Kaelithra smiled wider. "That's better." She raised her hand. Runes multiplied. "Lets see how long you last." The battlefield twisted. Gravity shifted. Space bent. Kael struggled to move. "What... Is this..." "Reality " she replied. ". Broken." Kael forced himself forward. Step by step. His body resisted.. He didn't stop. Blue energy surged stronger.
Then that glow appeared again. Inside his chest. Faint.. There. Kaels eyes sharpened. He pushed harder. The pressure cracked. He moved. Fast. Faster than before. He reached her.. Struck. Kaelithra blocked. But her eyes widened a bit. "Oh?" Kael pressed forward. His attacks became sharper. Stronger. More precise.
The energy around him began to change. Darker. More dangerous. The runes around Kaelithra flickered. For the time. She stepped back. "...Interesting.". Then she raised both hands. "Enough playing." The runes exploded. A massive wave of forbidden energy slammed into Kael. BOOOOM. The arena shook. When the dust cleared. Kael stood there. Barely. Breathing heavily.. Still standing.
Kaelithra stared at him. Then she smiled. "...You're not normal." Orion raised his hand. "Match over."
Aftermath
The barrier disappeared. Kael stumbled a bit. Lyra rushed toward him. "Are you okay?!" "...Yeah " he replied. Rex looked impressed. "...You actually pushed her." Aiden nodded a bit. "You adapted quickly." Kaelithra walked past Kael. Then stopped beside him. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "That thing, inside you..." "It's dangerous." She smirked. "I like it." Then she walked away.
That night. Kael stood alone again. His body hurt. His mind raced.. One thing was clear. He was getting stronger. Slowly.. Surely. He placed his hand on his chest. The glow appeared again. Stronger. Longer. "...Soon..." The voice whispered. Kael closed his eyes. "...I'm ready.". Somewhere deep inside. Something ancient began to awaken.