Veil of Sparks

Kael stumbled out of the glowing chamber, his legs unsteady beneath him. The oppressive weight of the Hunt Trial had lifted, but the tension still coiled tightly in his chest, refusing to release its grip. He took a shaky breath, his fingers brushing against the faint sparks that crackled along his arm, a constant reminder of how close he'd come to failing.

The chamber he now stood in was part of the Celestial Spire's lower annex, its smooth walls etched with flowing runes that pulsed softly with Thread energy. The sound of his boots against the stone floor echoed in the otherwise quiet space.

Around him, other recruits trickled in, their faces pale and their movements stiff. Some clutched weapons or relics tightly, as though letting go would bring the horrors of the forest crashing back into their minds.

Kael's gaze flicked toward the glowing panels on the far wall, where rows of names and numbers shimmered faintly. His breath hitched when he spotted his own:

217. Kael Throne. Pass.

The words felt heavier than they should have. He'd survived, but barely. The construct's roar, the oppressive shadows of the forest, and the relentless grind of evasion all lingered in his mind like a bad dream.

"Throne."

The voice snapped Kael out of his thoughts. He turned to see Allara stepping through the chamber's entrance, her braid fraying at the edges and her tunic streaked with dirt and scorch marks.

"You made it," Kael said, his voice rough from the trial.

"Barely," Allara replied, offering a weak grin. She tilted her head toward his arms, where faint streaks of lightning still danced along his skin. "Looks like you didn't have it easy, either."

Kael shrugged. "Not exactly a walk in the park."

Allara chuckled, though it sounded more like a gasp for air. "Understatement of the year."

They moved to the edge of the room, leaning against one of the smooth columns as other recruits continued to file in.

"Did you see anyone else out there?" Kael asked after a moment.

Allara shook her head. "Not since the start. It's like the hunters knew how to split us up."

Kael nodded, his mind drifting back to the glowing Thread Seal he'd activated in the forest. It had bought him precious time, but it had also marked him as a priority target. The hunters had been drawn to the barrier like moths to a flame.

"You're thinking too hard again," Allara said, nudging him with her elbow.

Kael blinked. "What?"

"That look on your face," Allara said, smirking faintly. "Like you're replaying every bad decision you made in there."

Kael let out a breathy laugh. "I guess I am."

"Well, stop it," Allara said, her voice firmer than before. "We passed, Kael. That's all that matters right now."

Kael hesitated but nodded.

A sharp chime rang out, silencing the low murmurs in the chamber.

Kael straightened as the glowing panels shifted, their light intensifying. The voice that followed was calm and clinical, its tone almost unnervingly detached.

"Attention, recruits. The fifth trial will commence tomorrow at dawn. You are dismissed until then. Rest well."

Kael exchanged a glance with Allara, who raised an eyebrow.

"Rest well?" she muttered. "They sure know how to make it sound easy."

Kael snorted, though his humor felt forced. "Yeah. Piece of cake."

The recruits began to disperse, some heading toward the stairwells that led back to the dormitories, while others lingered in small groups.

Kael pushed off the column, his body aching with every step. The faint hum of Thread energy in the air felt like a static charge brushing against his skin, a constant reminder of how much further he had to go.

The walk back to the dormitories was quiet. The Celestial Spire's lower halls were illuminated by soft, golden light, casting faint shadows across the polished stone floors.

Kael's room was small but functional, its walls bare save for the faintly glowing conduits that lined the corners. A narrow bed sat against one wall, accompanied by a simple desk and chair.

He sank onto the bed with a heavy sigh, the tension in his muscles slowly easing.

For a moment, he just sat there, staring at his hands. The sparks had finally subsided, leaving his skin tingling with residual energy.

The relic fragment hummed faintly in his chest, its presence subtle but constant. It hadn't just amplified his Spark—it had changed it. The lightning felt more responsive now, less wild and unpredictable. But there was something else, something he couldn't quite put into words.

How far can I push this?

Kael shook his head, forcing the thought aside. He wasn't ready for answers, not yet.

The soft knock on his door startled him.

Kael stood, his legs stiff as he crossed the room and opened the door.

Allara stood on the other side, holding two steaming mugs.

"You looked like you could use a pick-me-up," she said, handing him one.

Kael took it cautiously, the warmth of the mug seeping into his fingers. "What is it?"

"Something vaguely resembling tea," Allara said with a shrug. "Don't ask where I got it."

Kael smirked, stepping aside to let her in.

They sat in silence for a while, the faint hum of the conduits filling the air.

"You think we're ready for the next trial?" Kael asked finally, breaking the quiet.

Allara sipped her tea, her gaze distant. "Does it matter? We don't have much of a choice, do we?"

Kael nodded slowly.

For a while, they just sat there, the weight of the day pressing down on them like a physical force.

Kael's thoughts drifted to the next trial—the Thread Convergence Trial. He knew it was going to push him further than anything he'd faced so far. And with each step forward, the stakes felt heavier, the distance between himself and failure shrinking.

But for now, at least, he could rest.