Veil of Sparks

Kael's grip tightened on his badge as he moved toward the western courtyard, his heart racing with a mix of nerves and excitement. The first trial had been close—too close. If his opponent had been a little faster or a little sharper, Kael would've been watching the rest of the Recruitment Festival from the sidelines.

But he'd made it.

And now, standing at the edge of the sprawling Endurance Trial, Kael couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. He knew this course.

Or at least, he thought he did.

The layout was familiar, with its shifting platforms, shimmering barriers, and glowing runes. It had been one of the early challenges in Rise of Arclight, a trial designed to weed out players who lacked patience or precision.

Kael's fingers brushed the hilt of his dagger as he studied the course, his mind racing through memories of his countless playthroughs.

There were traps hidden among the obstacles, he knew that much. Areas where the runes would destabilize, sending platforms plummeting or barriers flaring unexpectedly. But there were also opportunities—hidden pockets of Thread energy that could amplify a Spark or recharge stamina.

In the game, they'd been optional bonuses. Here, they could mean the difference between passing and failing.

As Kael waited in line, recruits began to take their turns on the course. Some navigated the obstacles with impressive skill, their Sparks lighting up the air as they leapt and dodged with practiced ease. Others weren't so lucky, stumbling or misjudging their timing and falling into the glowing pits below.

Kael's focus narrowed as he watched the patterns of the shifting platforms and flickering barriers, mentally mapping the safest routes.

"You're staring pretty hard," said a voice beside him.

Kael turned to see a girl with dark hair tied back in a braid, a faintly glowing bracelet on her wrist.

"Uh, yeah," Kael said, startled. "Just… trying to figure it out."

She smirked. "Good luck with that. The course doesn't play fair."

Kael offered a faint smile. "I've noticed."

"Allara," she said, offering a hand.

"Kael." He shook it, noting the callouses on her fingers—proof of someone who'd trained hard.

"You make it through the first trial?" Allara asked.

"Barely," Kael admitted.

"Same here," she said, her smirk softening into a grin. "Here's hoping we both get lucky twice."

Kael nodded, though his thoughts were already drifting back to the course.

When Kael's number was called, his stomach churned with a mix of anticipation and dread.

He stepped forward to the starting platform, the faint hum of the Thread conduits beneath his feet making his Spark buzz faintly in response.

An attendant handed him a glowing token, its surface etched with intricate runes. "This represents your Spark," the attendant said, their tone brisk. "Lose it, and you're disqualified. Finish the course with it intact, and you move on. Understood?"

Kael nodded, gripping the token tightly.

The attendant stepped back, raising a hand. "Begin!"

Kael surged forward as the platform beneath him shifted, tilting slightly as if to throw him off balance. He adjusted quickly, his movements steady as he leapt onto the first beam.

The faint memory of the course layout guided his steps. He knew the beam would wobble halfway through, and sure enough, it jerked sharply to the side as he reached the middle. Kael dropped to one knee, stabilizing himself before pushing forward.

The next section was a series of rotating platforms, their surfaces glowing with alternating patterns of blue and red. Kael remembered the trick: the blue areas were safe, while the red ones would destabilize under his weight.

He moved carefully, hopping between the platforms and avoiding the red zones. Sparks flickered faintly along his arms as his focus deepened, the energy coursing through him helping him react faster.

Halfway through the course, Kael spotted his first opportunity.

A faint glow pulsed beneath one of the barriers, almost imperceptible amid the chaos. In the game, it had been a Thread Reserve, a hidden pocket of energy that could temporarily boost a player's stamina.

Kael hesitated. Going for the reserve would mean taking a risk—diverting from the main path and squeezing through a narrow gap in the barriers.

It's worth it, he thought, tightening his grip on the token.

He shifted his path, ducking under one of the shimmering barriers and leaping onto a small platform that pulsed faintly with energy. As he landed, the Thread Reserve activated, sending a surge of warmth through his body.

Kael felt his fatigue ebb slightly, his muscles rejuvenated by the energy. The token in his hand glowed brighter, and his Spark crackled faintly in response.

"Okay," he muttered, his confidence growing. "One step at a time."

The final stretch of the course loomed ahead, dominated by a sheer wall marked with glowing runes. Kael's heart sank as he studied it.

In the game, this section had been notoriously difficult. The wall's runes would react to a player's Spark, forming handholds and footholds based on their timing and control. Mess up the rhythm, and the runes would flicker out, forcing a fall.

Kael took a deep breath, channeling his Spark into his hands. The lightning crackled faintly, arcing along his fingers as he pressed them against the wall.

The runes responded, glowing brighter as a series of steps appeared.

Kael climbed quickly, his movements deliberate as he timed each surge of energy to match the wall's rhythm. Sweat dripped down his face, and his arms burned with the effort, but he didn't let up.

Finally, with one last push, Kael pulled himself over the edge of the wall and onto the final platform.

The crowd erupted into cheers as he landed, collapsing onto his back with the token still clutched tightly in his hand.

"217," the attendant called out, their voice carrying over the noise. "Pass."

Kael stared up at the sky, his chest heaving.

Two trials down. And with his knowledge of the game, he knew where the next chance for a power-up lay.