In the blink of an eye, four years had passed since the beginning of Xaryus and Zadius' gruesome training regime.
Andrew's methods were harsh but the rate at which the brothers grew was exponential.
Over the four-year period, Andrew shared various forms of knowledge he had deemed essential for his "Blades".
Bestowing them with a surprisingly accurate and vibrant education on the world they inhabited; Etherios.
He explained that all persons must undergo an awakening before they can be called awakened.
He stressed on the idea of never over relying on one's talent or natural gifts, constantly reinforcing the idea every chance he got.
"True strength is derived from your skills as a warrior; your spite is only supposed to strengthen that foundation."
One of Andrew's first teachings was how awakened warriors develop their cores. He explained that cores naturally develop as an awakened grows older and when they use their spite.
Another method of developing one's core was through absorbing magical roots, elixirs and the cores of slain monsters filled with high dense animus.
Upon absorbing animus into their bodies each awakened has a natural rate of conversion, where their bodies absorb animus and convert a portion of it into Kel.
Kel is a much purer form of animus that matures an awakened's core until it reaches its peak state.
When a core has been completely matured by Kel, awakened undergo another form of awakening called a breakthrough where the rank of their core increases.
As a core rises in rank, the amount of animus an awakened can store increases, as well as the density of the animus stored within them.
***
The concept of cores was briefly mentioned in the parts of the book that Xaryus and Zadius had read, so Andrew simply built upon what they already knew.
They are a manifestation of one's spite that acts as a sort of spiritual organ to contain an awakened's, animus, spite and stigma.
A core develops through a well-defined ladder of ranks; Inept, Adept, Expert, Master, Grand Master, Exalted, Legend, Mystic, Apex and Ascended.
Each rank is then further broken down into eight stages
***
The second teaching was on the topic of basic enhancement, which was a technique where the awakened would draw animus from their core's and enhance themselves with it.
Once the brothers had shown some progress in understanding the concept of enhancement, their training had suddenly become more life threatening.
Even more so when he discovered that not only did both of them possess stigmas but both possessed stigmata as well.
That day he was truly ecstatic.
Although the words that expressed the 'stigmata' ability for both brothers were dull - meaning they couldn't yet be used - the fact that they possessed the ability meant everything.
"They're truly gems… their father was right." Andrew thought briefly as he looked on at Xaryus and Zadius sparring, with very sharp daggers.
By the third year, Xaryus and Zadius had become accustomed to Andrew's character.
Mainly due to him being the only other person they interacted with for the last few years.
As time continued to pass, they began to hate him less and less. At times almost forgetting the heinous things he had done to them.
But even that was short lived.
During the fourth year of their captivity, Zadius had turned fourteen and Xaryus, thirteen.
To commemorate the occasion Andrew had purchased personal weapons for them.
Xaryus received an iron short sword and an iron dagger, whilst Zadius received two iron long daggers and a set of throwing knives.
Expectedly, they were conflicted by the 'gift' that Andrew had gotten them. They had already known that it would be followed by some sick and twisted event.
However, they weirdly felt a sliver of joy at the sight of such gifts.
Many years ago, they would have rejected something as barbaric as weapons, but they had long been molded into something more sinister than they realized.
The only thing that remained from their former selves was a deep and well-hidden hatred for Andrew.
Xaryus and Zadius humbly accepted their gifts with conflicted emotions littered across their faces.
"Go, rest." Andrew commanded with a soft smile.
Which was strange because they usually trained hand to hand combat during evenings. But an evening of rest was welcomed wholeheartedly by the two.
***
Xaryus and Zadius were laying down in the room they had woken up in so many years ago.
It was much cleaner and more comfortable than it was before.
They each had their own beds which weren't in great condition, but it was still better than the conditions of their previous home.
Xaryus had slowly fallen asleep, tired from the day's vigorous training schedule.
Zadius on the other hand couldn't help but stay awake, there was an uneasy feeling resting on his shoulders. He was accustomed to such thoughts, oftentimes his mind raced when it had no reason to.
So instead of worrying, he simply stretched out his hands and played with the shadows around him.
As he passed his hand through the darkness, the shadows became tangible like a loyal servant happily grasping at their master's hands.
His control over his [Herald of Shadows] ability had grown much stronger, but he was still limited in what he could do.
He watched the shadows closely, a strange emotion in his eyes as he twirled his fingers around.
Then, just as he suspected, he heard a strange sound near the entrance of their underground home.
It couldn't have been Andrew, for the past few weeks he had been absent during the night and present throughout the day for training.
And he wasn't one to break out of his routine so easily.
Releasing a heavy sigh, Zadius closed his eyes and steeled his resolve.
There was no longer any turning back.
***
At the dead of night, the entrance passage of Andrew's underground base slowly opened.
From it, five pairs of footsteps sloppily stepped down into the dark main chamber.
Each of the intruders slowly crept their way towards the door to Xaryus and Zadius' room, seemingly having an understanding of the layout around them.
However, they had no way of knowing that they were walking into a den of beasts that had been kept from civilization and nurtured against their will for many years.
All for a single purpose…
To kill.