For several seconds, nobody spoke.
The Awakening Hall was completely silent.
Olivia stared at Evans.
"Why me?"
Evans didn't know what to say.
The voice had specifically called her the Girl of Light.
The old instructor suddenly grabbed Olivia's shoulder.
"Come with me."
Evans stepped forward.
"Where are you taking her?"
"Somewhere safe."
"I'm coming too."
The instructor shook his head.
"No, Evans."
Evans's expression hardened.
"Then I'm not letting her go."
Leon stepped beside him.
"I agree."
The instructor looked at both boys.
"This isn't a game. Whatever is beneath this building has already recognized Olivia's power."
Olivia looked at Evans.
"He's right."
Evans turned toward her.
"Olivia—"
She smiled slightly.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine."
But Evans noticed something.
Her hands were shaking.
She was afraid.
---
The Hidden Chamber
The instructor led Evans, Olivia, and Leon through a secret passage beneath the Awakening Hall.
At the end was a massive stone door.
Strange symbols covered its surface.
The instructor placed his hand against the door.
"Only the head instructors know about this place."
The door opened.
Inside was a circular chamber filled with ancient books and glowing crystals.
Olivia stepped inside.
Immediately, every crystal began shining.
WHOOM!
Golden light filled the room.
The instructor stared in disbelief.
"The chamber recognizes her."
Evans looked around.
"What does that mean?"
The instructor walked toward an ancient pedestal.
"It means Olivia's awakening wasn't an ordinary awakening."
He opened a large book.
"The Light Power has existed for thousands of years. But only a handful of people have awakened its true form."
Olivia looked at him.
"What's the true form?"
The instructor turned the book around.
There was an ancient drawing of a woman surrounded by brilliant golden light.
Beneath the drawing were the words:
THE LUMINA.
Olivia whispered the name.
"Lumina..."
The instructor nodded.
"The original wielder of Light."
Evans stared at the drawing.
"Was she connected to the Shadow Sovereign?"
The instructor became silent.
Then he turned the page.
There were two figures.
One surrounded by darkness.
The other surrounded by light.
The Shadow Sovereign and the Lumina.
Olivia's eyes widened.
"They fought together."
"Yes," the instructor said.
"Then why was he sealed?"
"We don't know."
Evans pointed at the next page.
"What about this?"
There was an illustration of a gigantic dark creature.
The creature had six eyes and enormous wings.
The instructor's voice became quiet.
"That is the Void."
Leon frowned.
"The Void?"
"An ancient entity that existed before the kingdoms were created."
The instructor closed the book.
"The Shadow Sovereign was blamed for summoning it."
Evans shook his head.
"But my vision showed him fighting it."
"Perhaps your vision showed the truth."
Suddenly—
BOOM!
The entire chamber shook.
Olivia's light flickered.
Evans's shadow expanded.
Leon immediately summoned lightning.
"Someone is here."
A loud crash came from above.
Then another.
The instructor's face became serious.
"They found us."
"Who?" Olivia asked.
The instructor looked toward the door.
"The Shadow Hunters."
Evans frowned.
"Who are they?"
"An organization created to eliminate anyone who awakens forbidden abilities."
His eyes moved toward Evans.
"And they have been searching for the next Shadow wielder for years."
Evans clenched his fists.
"So they're coming for me."
The instructor shook his head.
"No."
He looked at Olivia.
"They're coming for both of you."
The stone door suddenly exploded.
BOOOOOOM!
A group of masked warriors entered the chamber.
Their leader stepped forward.
He wore a silver mask and carried a long black sword.
"Hand over the Shadow wielder and the Lumina."
Evans stepped forward.
"No."
The masked leader tilted his head.
"Then you will all be considered enemies of the kingdom."
Leon raised his hand.
Lightning crackled.
"Looks like we're going to have another fight."
Olivia stood beside Evans.
Golden light surrounded her.
Evans smiled.
His shadows rose from the ground.
"Together?"
Olivia nodded.
"Together."
The masked leader raised his sword.
"Kill them."
The Shadow Hunters charged.
And Evans's first real battle was about to begin.