CHAPTER 7: Blood and Shadows
550 Words
The courtyard was quiet, too quiet. Every instinct in May’s body screamed that this wasn’t a test. Not like before. This was real.
Xander leaned casually against a floating column, smirk tugging at his lips, while K and Ze observed silently.
Zayn stood closer to May, shadows coiling tightly around him, his gaze sharp, unreadable, lingering on her in a way that made her pulse quicken.
“You know the rules,” Zayn said, low, almost a growl. “Control your momentum. Don’t underestimate it. One misstep could get you killed.”
“I know,” May shot back, fists clenched, determination burning in her chest. “I’m not going to die. Not today.”
Xander chuckled. “Bold words. Let’s see if you can back them up.”
A tremor ran through the ground, and the shadows thickened. From them, a B-rank monster emerged, larger than anything she had faced. Claws like jagged blades, eyes molten with fury, its roar shaking the courtyard.
Fear clawed at her stomach, but she didn’t falter. Not again. Not like last time.
The first strike came fast, sweeping across the courtyard. She rolled instinctively, bending momentum around her movements. Sparks of energy danced where her hands redirected the force.
Zayn stayed close but didn’t interfere, letting her make the moves herself. His eyes never left her, sharp and tense, as if willing her to survive.
You can do this, she reminded herself. I survived before. I can survive again.
The monster struck again, faster, more aggressively. May dodged, countered, moved in ways she didn’t even know she could. Fire, earth, water, and energy rippled around her as the Oathbound observed. Xander’s smirk faltered, K’s arms crossed tighter, Ze’s calm eyes betrayed faint admiration.
Finally, with one precise strike, she hit the monster’s core. It roared, collapsing into shadows, dissolving completely. Her chest heaved, bruises spreading across her body, sweat dripping from her temples.
“You did it,” Xander said quietly, more impressed than he let on.
K nodded once. “Potential realized. Today, you learned the difference between control and instinct.”
Zayn’s voice came low, almost a whisper, but it carried weight. “You survived. Again… but understand this, May. The monsters will only grow stronger. This isn’t just training anymore.”
She met his gaze, standing tall despite the exhaustion. “I know. But I’m not afraid. I can fight my battles, Zayn. I can survive.”
For the first time, his shadows loosened slightly, a flicker of trust in his eyes. “Good… but don’t think I’ll ever stop watching.”
May smirked faintly. “And I wouldn’t want you to.”
The shadows at the edge of the courtyard shifted, slow and deliberate, almost sentient. Watching. Waiting.
Ze’s voice was calm, cold. “The darkness is awakening. The seals will not hold forever. Something… stirs.”
Xander’s smirk faded. “I felt it too. Stronger than anything we’ve trained against.”
Zayn’s jaw tightened. His gaze darted toward the far reaches of the Realm. “This is only the beginning. The monster king, Kaelthorn… he’s stirring. And May… you’ll be part of the reason he rises.”
May’s stomach twisted at his words, but determination flared hotter than fear. Then I’ll be ready. I have to be ready.
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