"Even in Darkness, Your Most Loyal Shadow Disappears."
Kikoshin, Rioyin, and Kaory lay sprawled across the dorm floor, utterly exhausted. They'd scrubbed, dusted, and organized every inch of the room until it gleamed.
"Finally… we're done," Kikoshin sighed in relief.
"I cleaned more than you," Rioyin boasted.
"Don't start fighting again," Kaory groaned, rubbing her temples.
They closed their eyes, ready to drift into much-needed sleep—when suddenly, Nagatho Soo emerged from the shadow in the corner of the room like a wraith stepping out of the void.
He surveyed the dormitory with slow, deliberate steps—running a finger along shelves, checking for dust, inspecting every corner.
"Excellent work," he admitted.
All three disciples exhaled in unison.
"Training begins tomorrow," Nagatho said, his lips curling into an unsettling smile.
At those words, Kikoshin, Rioyin, and Kaory sat bolt upright, eyes locked on Nagatho as he turned and walked out without another word.
"Training?" Kikoshin murmured, brow furrowed. "I wonder what kind of training…"
Rioyin opened his mouth to snap back—
—but Kaory clamped a hand over his mouth before a single insult could escape.
"Don't. Say. Anything," she warned through gritted teeth.
The next morning, the three stood deep in the forest.
Towering trees stretched toward the sky, their leaves lush and green. Strange fruit hung from the branches—violet with crimson speckles, alien and ominous.
They followed a map Nagatho had left them, searching for the site of their first lesson.
After a long trek through winding paths, they reached a clearing—a perfect circle ringed by ancient trees.
"We're here," Rioyin announced.
"Where'd that guy disappear to?" Kikoshin muttered.
"He's not 'that guy'—show some respect, Kikoshin," Kaory scolded.
"Since when did you become his personal guard?" Rioyin teased.
"That guy's a straight-up psychopath with serious mental issues," Kikoshin declared.
Sunlight blazed overhead, casting sharp shadows beneath every object—and because the sun shone directly behind them, their shadows stretched out ahead.
And from Kikoshin's own shadow, Nagatho Soo rose.
Kikoshin yelped and fell backward. Rioyin stumbled back several steps, eyes wide.
"The best friend of a shadow… is the light," Nagatho said tonelessly, gazing up at the sky.
"How did you do that?!" Rioyin demanded, voice trembling between fear and awe.
"You simply make peace with the darkness," Nagatho replied, still not looking at him.
"Rule number three," he continued, crossing his arms, "Close the gap in your shadow."
He turned to them, eyes sharp. "Listen well."
Kikoshin slowly got to his feet.
"You were chosen by fate to walk the Path of Shadows," Nagatho began. "As you know, many realms exist—but four uphold the balance of this world."
He raised a finger.
"Ignis—the Realm of the Adas. They regulate magic, ensuring it doesn't corrupt and consume everything."
A second finger.
"Agramanthyus—the Third Realm. Its people wield the gift of summoning beings from the underworld—entities imprisoned during the Holy War."
A third.
"Elion—home to the most fearsome warriors. The Second Realm."
Then, his voice dropped, heavy with warning.
"And last… Osbad. Feared by all. A mystery. No one knows what truly lies within. Those who enter… never return."
His gaze swept over them.
"You, unfortunately, were chosen not for glory—but for suffering. On the Path of Shadows, it's simple: kill… or be killed."
Kaory's eyes shimmered with tears. "So… you sacrificed a lot to become the warrior you are now?"
Kikoshin and Rioyin stared at her, stunned.
"Tears don't fill a river," Nagatho said coldly.
"But they cleanse the soul," Kaory whispered, wiping her cheeks with her forearm.
For the briefest moment—less than a heartbeat—Nagatho's expression flickered with something like surprise. Then it vanished, replaced by his usual impassive mask.
"No time to waste," he said, striding toward the center of the clearing.
As he stepped into the circle, a ring of black shadow flared to life around him—edged with faint, flickering crimson flames.
"To step into this circle," Nagatho declared, voice resonant and grave, "is to accept your path… and your fate."
Kikoshin swallowed hard.
"You may try to flee the darkness," Nagatho added, "but the sun does not always shine."
Without hesitation, Rioyin stepped forward—and crossed into the circle.
"I'm ready," he said firmly, fists clenched.
"You must learn to live in the dark," Nagatho warned, "or the dark will devour you."
Kaory took a slow, deep breath… and walked in.
Kikoshin stood frozen—until a memory flashed before his eyes: his mother's face, warm yet distant. Tears welled up.
And then, with a choked sob, he ran into the circle.