Chapter 296 — Naming the Shadows
The Hollow was quiet that morning, the sun casting long streaks of gold over the rooftops. Kael walked through the stone streets toward Selina's workshop, his boots echoing softly. Inside, the room was a chaotic haven of arcane symbols, half-finished constructs, and tomes pulsating faintly with energy. Selina looked up from a cluttered table, her sharp eyes immediately finding him.
"You're early," she said, a teasing smirk on her lips. "What brings the Hollow's champion to my corner of chaos before sunrise?"
Kael's expression was serious. "I need to get stronger. My chaos magic, my swordsmanship—they must be integrated. Raw power isn't enough. I want control, precision, and finesse. And you're the only one who can teach me that."
Selina tilted her head, studying him. "Control chaos? Ambitious. Most come for constructs or spells. Few come for mastery over themselves. And yet here you are. Fine. But understand this: chaos obeys intent, not brute force. Without focus, it consumes."
"I know," Kael said. "I've seen what happens when it's unleashed recklessly. I want it to obey me, not destroy me—or the Hollow."
Selina's eyes sparkled with interest. "Very well. But there's one lesson you must grasp immediately: names give power. Every strike, every spell, every manifestation of your energy needs a name. The name focuses intent, gives it weight. Without it, your attacks are mere flailing shadows. With it, they become instruments of your will."
Kael considered this. "So the name gives the magic form, makes it obey me?"
"Precisely," Selina said. "It's the difference between flinging energy blindly and shaping it into a force that resonates with your purpose."
Kael nodded slowly. "I understand. Let's begin."
Selina gestured to his Magisteel sword. "We'll start with channeling chaos energy through the blade. Every strike you make must have intent, and every intent must have a name. Not simple words—words that resonate with the essence of your power."
Kael lifted his sword. He could feel the chaos energy humming in the air, restless and untamed. Selina whispered a series of incantations, and the blade thrummed with controlled energy.
"Now, name it," Selina prompted.
Kael paused, thinking deeply. "Oblivion," he said, feeling the chaos energy coil tightly around the sword. He swung downward, and the strike pulsed with concentrated power, energy arcs forming with sharp precision instead of wild flares.
Selina's eyes gleamed. "Better. The energy listens because it recognizes purpose. Let's continue."
Hours passed as Kael trained. Each attack was paired with a name:
Dark Nebula — an attack that takes a toll on its caster, draining it of intense energy. This attack combines shadow and Chaos magic to create a tear in the space where its cast, creating a black hole like effect.
Everburn — a downward slashing motion that uses black flames, this attack burns their target until they're nothing but ashes
Veil Slash — a sneak attack that allows Kael to blend into his enemies shadow and gurentees a direct hit. (Used on a single target, perfect for assassinations)
Shadow Blind — a thrusting attack that leaves the user paralyzed, using shadow magic to stop the electrical signals in the users brain. This attack doesn't always kill.
With each strike, Kael felt the power bend to his will. His movements became a dance of swordsmanship and chaos energy, flowing as one.
Selina circled him, occasionally correcting posture or guiding energy flow. "Remember: names are power, but emotion is the catalyst. You are not just wielding energy—you are embodying it. Your intent, your thought, your voice—they shape the strike."
Kael's body ached, sweat pouring down his face, but his mind was clear, focused. For the first time, chaos energy felt like an ally instead of a threat.
Selina finally stepped back. "Tomorrow, we'll take this further. You'll combine attacks into sequences, each strike named, each resonant with your will. Only then will you truly merge sword and magic."
Kael sheathed his Magisteel sword, a sense of purpose thrumming in his chest. "I'll be ready."
"And Kael," Selina added, her voice softening, "each name is a promise. A promise to your magic, to your enemies, to yourself. Wield it wisely."
Outside, the Hollow's wind stirred the rooftops, but Kael barely noticed. His mind raced with sequences and names, each syllable sharpening his intent. "Oblivion Fang… Void Reaver… Eclipse Veil… Nether Spike…" he whispered, the words tasting like power on his tongue.
For the first time in years, he felt control, focus, and strength. The path forward was clear: master his chaos, name his strikes, and wield his sword as an extension of his will. The Hollow, his people, and those he loved would benefit from this mastery. And Kael would not fail them.