POV: Kael Darkflame (Age: 6)Location: Forest Perimeter Training Ground, Gravedge
The sun hadn't yet broken the mist as Kael stood barefoot on the dew-soaked grass, Broodfang resting across his back like a slumbering beast.
Garron had told him, "Your weapon is an extension of your body, but your affinity is an extension of your will."
Today, Kael would test both.
He exhaled slowly.
The scythe hummed in rhythm.
System Update — Skill Focus Training: Initiated
🧠 Selected Focus: Shadow Affinity (Moderate)🔄 Supplementary Focus: Scythe Flow
➤ Passive Buff Applied: Instinctive Adaptation II➤ Mental Strain Cap: 35%➤ Training Objective: Learn Shadow Wreath Form (Unstable)
Estimated Growth Yield: +3% Affinity | +0.7% Weapon Mastery | +2 Trait XP
Kael extended his palm, as Garron taught him, and called to the dark.
"Not as a master, not as a servant — but as one who remembers you."
At first, nothing.
Then... the shadows moved.
Tiny whips of dusk coiled from beneath nearby trees, pulling toward his fingertips, wrapping around his arms. They didn't burn. They embraced.
He stepped forward, dragging the scythe in a low arc — and the shadows followed the blade.
His system buzzed.
Skill Fragment Detected:
🌑 Shadow Wreath: Level 0Description: Envelops user or weapon in cloaking darkness, enhancing evasion and stealth. Control required to avoid backlash.
Progress: 3%Danger Level: Manageable (Mild feedback strain)
Kael gritted his teeth. He felt pressure behind his eyes — like thoughts trying to become instincts too quickly.
Then—crack.
A pulse.
And the shadow lashed backward, slicing cleanly through a standing log ten meters away.
Kael blinked. He hadn't meant to attack.
"It responds to emotion," he murmured. "Not commands."
He stepped into stance again.
This time, he focused not on control — but on intention.
_________________________________________________________-
POV: Selene Frost (Watching from the ridge)
She'd been watching for hours.
Kael didn't notice her. He never did when he trained.
And that bothered her more than it should have.
She saw him call shadow without fear. Without spell scrolls. Without chants. The way only a bloodborn could.
"He's a monster," she whispered. "But he doesn't even realize it yet."
Her system flashed a prompt.
System Suggestion — Action Triggered
💠 Combat Bond: Active➤ Auto-Sync Available: Sparring Session
Boosts growth of synergy traits and parallel technique development.
➤ Tag Skill Potential: Echo Veil (Locked)
Selene stepped forward.
"Let's see how much you've learned."
_____________________________________________________
POV: Kael
He turned as she dropped from a tree branch like a silent phantom.
Selene's silver-bladed daggers gleamed faintly in the morning haze. Her expression unreadable.
"You're early," Kael said.
"I've been watching."
He nodded. "Want to spar?"
Selene didn't answer. She lunged.
System Notification – Training Combat Initiated
Opponent: Selene Frost➤ Class: Shadow Dancer (Hidden – Pre-Awakening)➤ Weapon: Twin Ether Daggers
Combat Mode: Non-LethalRewards: Affection Points, Trait XP, Sync Potential
Kael spun Broodfang low to block her sweep. She twisted, flipping over him, blades cutting toward his blind spot.
But he moved before she struck. Instinct.
She landed behind him, a breath slower than she expected.
"You're faster," she muttered.
"You too," Kael replied.
They clashed again.
And again.
In perfect rhythm.
Like two halves of a blade.
___________________________________________
POV: Garron (From the Forge Window)
The old forgemaster watched the two shadows dancing in the trees.
"They're becoming dangerous together," he said aloud.
His system buzzed.
System Alert — Observer Notice:
Combat Bond Progress: Tier 2 ApproachingTrait Link Potential: High
⚠ Risk Factor: Emotional Fusion Detected
"One will sharpen the other. Or break them both."
____________________________________________
POV: Kael
After a dozen exchanges, Selene struck true — her dagger brushing the edge of his collar.
Kael froze.
"You're holding back," she said flatly.
Kael didn't deny it.
"I don't want to hurt you."
Selene stared at him.
Then stepped back.
"You will, eventually."
__________________________________________
POV: Unknown Entity — Depths of Lower Realm
In a ruined temple buried beneath Deathspine's western cliffs, something stirred.
A creature older than kingdoms. A sleeper bound by faded wards.
It opened one eye.
"The Reaper breathes again…"
Its system interface lit with ancient glyphs.
And it began to rise.
______________________________________________
POV: Kael (That Night)
He sat alone beside the forge, Broodfang resting beside him. The shadows danced slowly around the firelight.
He didn't sleep much anymore.
Because when he closed his eyes…
He saw a face.
A girl. Silver hair. Red eyes.
"Sister…"
He clutched his locket.
And swore under his breath:
"I'll find you."
"I'll bring our family back."
"Then I'll burn the sky."
End of Chapter 11