Veil of Sparks

The late afternoon sun bathed the Celestial Spire in golden light, its rays filtering through the towering glass panels of the atrium. The quiet hum of the Thread conduits seemed softer now, a distant background melody to the subdued voices of the recruits scattered throughout the space.

Kael sat at the edge of a low stone planter, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands loosely clasped. The glow of his participant token pulsed faintly from where it hung around his neck, a reminder of the trial he'd survived. The exhaustion from the Thread Convergence Trial lingered in his muscles, but his mind felt sharper, more aware, as though the ordeal had unlocked a part of him he didn't yet fully understand.

The relic fragment in his chest hummed faintly, its presence growing more familiar. Kael closed his eyes, focusing on the steady rhythm of its energy as it intertwined with his Spark. The sensation was comforting, like a quiet reassurance that, for now, he was still moving forward.

"Still brooding, Sparky?"

Kael opened his eyes to see Ren standing nearby, his ever-present smirk firmly in place.

"I'm not brooding," Kael muttered, leaning back slightly.

Ren shrugged, twirling his spear lazily as he walked closer. "Sure. You just look like someone who's been contemplating the mysteries of life for the past hour."

Kael shook his head but didn't argue.

Ren plopped down beside him, setting the spear against the planter's edge. "So, what's eating you? Still thinking about the trial?"

Kael hesitated, his gaze drifting to the faintly glowing conduits embedded in the floor. "A little. I mean, I passed, but…"

"But you're wondering if it's enough?" Ren finished, raising an eyebrow.

Kael nodded, his shoulders sagging slightly. "There's so much I don't know. Every trial feels like I'm barely keeping up, and now with the final one coming—"

"Stop," Ren said, cutting him off.

Kael blinked, startled.

Ren leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he glanced sideways at Kael. "You're not alone in this, Sparky. Every single person here is questioning whether they're good enough. Even the ones who strut around like they own the place."

Kael frowned, thinking of Evan Cross. The golden boy of the Academy seemed unshakable, a beacon of confidence that everyone else was expected to measure up to.

Ren seemed to read his thoughts and chuckled softly. "Yeah, even him. Trust me, nobody's invincible."

Kael tilted his head. "You sure about that?"

Ren's grin widened. "Absolutely. Some people are just better at hiding their cracks."

Their conversation was interrupted by a faint chime that echoed through the atrium. Kael straightened, his pulse quickening as a glowing panel materialized in the air above them, displaying scrolling text.

Announcement:

Final Trial: Celestial ConfrontationLocation: Southern Concourse, Training Arena AlphaTime: Dawn Tomorrow

The murmurs of recruits filled the atrium, their voices a mix of excitement and apprehension. Kael's stomach twisted as he read the words, the weight of the final trial pressing down on him like a physical force.

Ren let out a low whistle, leaning back with an exaggerated stretch. "Dawn, huh? They really want us to earn it."

Kael nodded mutely, his thoughts racing.

The final trial was infamous in Rise of Arclight, a large-scale simulation designed to mimic a real Umbral incursion. Recruits would be divided into teams and tasked with defending a designated area from waves of constructs and shadow creatures, all while navigating shifting objectives and environmental hazards.

Kael clenched his fists. In the game, it had been hard enough as a well-equipped, over-leveled player. Here, with his limited abilities and worn dagger, it felt impossible.

"You're overthinking again," Ren said, nudging Kael's arm.

Kael glared at him. "Can you stop saying that?"

"Not until you stop doing it," Ren replied, grinning.

Kael stood abruptly, his body protesting the movement after so much time spent sitting. "I need to move. Clear my head."

Ren raised an eyebrow but didn't object. "Suit yourself, Sparky. Don't get lost."

Kael shot him a half-hearted glare before turning and heading toward the training grounds.

The training grounds were quieter than usual, the earlier flurry of activity replaced by scattered recruits practicing alone or in small groups. The air buzzed faintly with residual energy, and the faint scorch marks and cracks on the stone platforms bore testament to the intensity of the day's preparations.

Kael found an empty corner near the edge of the grounds, where a jagged outcrop of rocks offered some privacy. He unsheathed his dagger, the familiar weight of it grounding him as he began running through basic strikes and defensive maneuvers.

The motions were automatic, his muscles moving on instinct as his mind drifted.

He thought of the glowing patterns in the convergence chamber, the way the currents had pulsed against his Spark like living things. He thought of the relic fragment, its subtle but undeniable influence sharpening his abilities.

And he thought of the final trial, the looming challenge that would decide whether he had a place in the Academy—or if he'd fall short like so many others.

Kael exhaled sharply, his dagger slicing through the air with a faint crackle of lightning.

"Trying to cut through your nerves?"

Kael spun, startled by the voice. Allara stood a few feet away, her hands on her hips and a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"Do people around here not believe in announcing themselves?" Kael muttered, lowering his dagger.

Allara chuckled, stepping closer. "Sorry. Thought you could use the company."

Kael hesitated but nodded. "Fair enough."

Allara tilted her head, studying him. "You're worried about tomorrow."

Kael's grip on the dagger tightened. "Wouldn't you be?"

"Of course," Allara said, sitting on a nearby rock. "But worrying doesn't help. It just gets in the way when it matters most."

Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not just the trial. It's everything. The way this world works, the expectations, the constant pressure…"

Allara leaned forward, her gaze steady. "You've made it this far, haven't you? That's not luck, Kael. That's you."

Kael blinked, her words catching him off guard.

"You're stronger than you think," Allara continued, standing. "And tomorrow, you'll prove it—to yourself, if nothing else."

Kael watched her walk away, her braid swinging slightly as she disappeared into the shadows of the training grounds.

For a long moment, Kael stood in silence, the weight in his chest easing slightly.

He turned back to the rocks, raising his dagger as his Spark crackled faintly along the blade.

One step at a time.