Veil of Sparks

Kael's steps were uneven as he exited the Trial Vault, his legs heavy and his breath still coming in short gasps. The faint crackle of his Spark played across his fingertips, more controlled than before, sharper. It was as though the relic fragment he'd absorbed had amplified the energy inside him, syncing it more closely to his heartbeat.

He paused by a stone column just outside the vault's entrance, leaning against it as the wave of exhaustion hit him. His body screamed for rest, but his mind was racing, replaying the chaotic moments of the trial.

The relic fragment was still fresh in his thoughts. When he'd touched it, the power had surged into him, resonating with his Spark like a second heartbeat. It wasn't a weapon, not directly—it was more like an amplifier, a shard of raw Thread energy that heightened his Spark's connection to the Celestial Grid.

Even now, Kael could feel the difference. His lightning wasn't just a wild, uncontrollable force anymore. It responded more intuitively, reacting to his emotions and movements with a precision he hadn't experienced before.

It wasn't a game-changer—at least, not yet. The fragment's boost felt subtle, like a tool he hadn't fully figured out how to use. But it was something. A step forward.

The central plaza stretched before him, a chaotic mix of triumph and despair. Recruits who had passed the trial moved in small groups, their voices loud and animated as they swapped stories. Others lingered near the edges of the plaza, their heads down or their expressions hollow—those who hadn't made it.

Kael moved through the crowd quietly, clutching the hilt of his dagger as he weaved past clusters of recruits. His glowing badge, still clipped to his shirt, marked him as a survivor of the Resilience Trial.

The large screens hovering above the plaza displayed a scrolling list of names, glowing faintly against the evening sky. Kael's eyes searched the display until he found his:

217. Kael Throne. Passed.

The sight brought a flicker of relief, but it was short-lived. His number was one of hundreds still listed, and he couldn't shake the weight of what that meant.

"Stop looking so grim, Sparky."

Kael turned sharply at the sound of the familiar voice. Allara stood a few feet away, her dark braid messy and her tunic streaked with soot, but her grin was as sharp as ever.

"You've got to stop sneaking up on me," Kael said, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward.

Allara shrugged. "Not my fault you're so easy to startle."

Kael rolled his eyes but didn't argue.

"Nice work in there," she said, nodding toward the Trial Vault behind him. "You made it out in one piece."

"Barely," Kael muttered.

"That makes two of us," Allara replied, smirking. She glanced at the faint sparks playing along Kael's fingers. "Your Spark looks different."

Kael hesitated. He hadn't told anyone about the relic fragment—it didn't seem like something worth advertising. "I guess the trial pushed me harder than I thought."

Allara raised an eyebrow but didn't press.

A sharp chime rang out across the plaza, silencing the chatter of the crowd.

Kael's eyes were drawn to the Celestial Spire, its crystalline surface glowing brighter as the sound echoed through the air. At its base, an amplified voice carried over the plaza:

"Attention, recruits. The fourth trial will begin shortly. Please proceed to your assigned staging areas for further instructions."

Kael exhaled slowly, his chest tightening. The announcement had an almost clinical detachment, as if the speaker didn't care that hundreds of lives were riding on the outcome of these trials.

"Well," Allara said, adjusting the strap of her satchel, "guess it's time to see what fresh hell they've got planned for us."

Kael managed a weak chuckle. "Yeah. Can't wait."

Kael's assigned staging area was a large chamber beneath the Celestial Spire, its interior dimly lit by the faint glow of Thread conduits embedded in the walls.

Recruits filed in silently, their faces a mix of exhaustion and determination. Kael stayed near the back, leaning against a cool metal pillar as he watched the others gather in small groups.

The air was thick with tension. Conversations were hushed, their tones clipped and nervous.

Kael couldn't help but feel out of place among the other recruits. Many of them looked confident, their weapons gleaming and their Sparks humming faintly in the charged air. Even the ones who seemed unsure still carried themselves with a kind of practiced resolve.

Kael glanced down at his own dagger, its edge nicked and worn.

"You keep staring at that thing like it's going to bite you," Allara said, appearing at his side.

Kael sighed. "It just doesn't feel like enough."

"Join the club," Allara said, twirling a faintly glowing relic bracelet around her wrist. "I'd kill for one of those fancy relic weapons some of these guys have."

Kael nodded but stayed quiet. The relic fragment buzzed faintly in his chest, a reminder that he wasn't completely outmatched. Not yet, anyway.

The low murmur of conversation died as the sharp sound of boots echoed through the chamber.

Kael turned to see a tall figure approaching, his emerald-green eyes scanning the room with a sharp intensity.

Evan Cross.

Kael's stomach tightened. Even in the dim light, Evan looked like he belonged in a different league. His polished armor caught the glow of the conduits, and the insignia of the Academy on his chest seemed to shine brighter than anyone else's.

Evan moved through the room with an air of quiet authority, pausing occasionally to speak with recruits. He didn't linger, his conversations short and efficient.

Kael lowered his gaze, hoping to avoid notice. But the sound of approaching footsteps made his chest tighten.

"Throne."

Kael glanced up, his heart pounding. Evan stood a few feet away, his piercing gaze locked on Kael.

"You were in the Resilience Trial," Evan said, his tone even.

Kael nodded cautiously. "Yeah."

"You took down a construct," Evan continued, his expression unreadable.

Kael hesitated, gripping his dagger tightly. "I got lucky."

Evan studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Luck doesn't last long in these trials. Keep that in mind."

Kael wasn't sure if it was a warning or advice, but the words hung heavy in the air. Evan turned and walked away without another word, leaving Kael to stare after him.

"Well, that was tense," Allara said, her tone light but her eyes curious.

Kael sighed. "I don't think he likes me."

"Or maybe he sees you as competition," Allara said, smirking. "That'd be fun."

Kael wasn't convinced.

Another chime echoed through the chamber, drawing everyone's attention.

"Recruits," the voice announced. "The fourth trial is about to begin. Please proceed to the designated platforms for transport."

Kael exchanged a glance with Allara, who gave him a faint nod.

"Let's not die," she said.

Kael managed a weak smile. "Good plan."

As they stepped onto the glowing platforms, Kael felt the hum of Thread energy intensify beneath his feet. He gripped the hilt of his dagger tightly, his chest tightening as the light around him began to intensify.

The voice returned, calm and detached.

"Trial initializing. Transporting recruits to the testing ground."

Kael's vision blurred as the light engulfed him.