Final Exams

Sweat poured relentlessly from Aelorin's body as he evaded one sword strike after another. Each swipe of ShiVak's wooden blade carried the force of a seasoned warrior, her movements fluid yet precise. Aelorin commanded his shadow to intercept the attacks, the inky darkness rising to meet the blade's path. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough—enough to slow the strikes down just long enough for him to dodge by the barest of margins.

It had been a grueling month since Aelorin discovered his innate trait. ShiVak, their relentless instructor, had spent weeks drilling him and Klaine on mastering their abilities. Now, they faced her final lesson, an exam meant to push them beyond their limits. Yet, ShiVak had chosen not to use her own trait, making the task even more challenging. Her sheer skill with the sword alone was enough to keep Aelorin on edge.