Strange Visions

"If that's all that happened, then you may leave," Ark said, addressing Lian and Elios in his office. The two of them stood and were about to leave when Ark added, his tone sharp and threatening, "One more thing... don't speak about this incident to anyone." Both nodded in acknowledgment and left the office silently.

The pair walked across the academy courtyard, the tension between them palpable. Finally, Lian broke the silence. "You were reckless during that fight."

Elios, clearly irritated, responded, "I couldn't just let that guy toy with us like we were children!"

Lian's frustration boiled over as he jabbed a finger into Elios's chest. "Don't let your pride take precedence over your life!" His tone dropped as he added gravely, "Life is unique and can be lost in an instant. Don't put trivial things above your own survival."

His voice carried the weight of personal loss, a haunting specter that seemed to follow him even now. Unable to face Elios any longer, Lian turned on his heel and left without another glance.

Elios stared at the spot where Lian's finger had pressed against his chest, his hand brushing it lightly. A pang of guilt coursed through him. He lowered his head and muttered softly, "I'm sorry... my friend."

Lian made his way to the training grounds, his mind still churning with emotion. He needed to vent his frustration after the events of the day. Instead of heading to the area where he trained with Lena, he stopped in front of a different door. Above it, the words "Combat Simulator" were inscribed.

Curiosity and a need for distraction drove him to step inside. The room was filled with advanced simulation machines, each promising a hyper-realistic combat experience. Without hesitation, Lian entered one of the pods and initiated the program.

In an instant, the world around him shifted. He now stood in the middle of a ruined city, flames consuming the remnants of skyscrapers. The acrid stench of smoke filled his nostrils, and the desolation mirrored his own inner turmoil.

Before him stood a humanoid figure, tall and imposing, with pale, almost white skin and massive, razor-sharp red horns. It was a Kyn.

Even though Lian knew it was just a simulation, the sight of the creature sent his pulse racing, and the familiar hatred surged within him.

Without hesitation, Lian summoned Oblivion. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance between them and swung his sword in a wide arc aimed at the Kyn's neck. But the creature was faster. It raised a metallic forearm, its texture unnatural and gleaming, deflecting the blade with a sharp, grating sound.

The Kyn smirked, its expression cold and mocking, as if taunting Lian's fury. In one swift motion, it shoved Oblivion aside and delivered a powerful kick to Lian's chest, sending him sprawling across the cracked asphalt.

"You're far too weak to face me, human," the Kyn sneered, its voice deep and laced with disdain.

Lian gritted his teeth, staggering to his feet. His eyes burned with rage as he lunged forward again, attacking with a relentless flurry of strikes. Each swing of Oblivion carried raw emotion, anger, grief, and desperation.

The Kyn parried his blows effortlessly, analyzing his movements like a predator toying with its prey. With a sudden spin, the creature evaded a strike and drove its elbow into Lian's face, knocking him off balance. Before Lian could recover, the Kyn followed up with a brutal punch to his stomach, leaving him gasping for air on the ground.

"You're nothing more than a child, playing with a weapon you don't understand," the Kyn said mockingly, towering over him.

"Lian, calm yourself!" Oblivion's voice echoed in his mind, urgent and commanding. "Your rage is clouding your judgment. It will destroy you!"

"I don't need your advice," Lian muttered, spitting blood as he forced himself up again. He refused to let the creature win.

This time, he channeled the shadows that surrounded him. They writhed like living entities, slithering across the ground and reaching for the Kyn like serpents. Surprised, the creature slashed at the shadows with blades that emerged from its forearms, cutting through them with ease.

"This is your power? How pathetic," the Kyn mocked as the blades on its arms began to glow with a sinister red energy.

Lian let out a roar of frustration, pushing the shadows further. They thickened and grew claws, striking at the Kyn with wild ferocity. One managed to land a blow, sending the creature staggering back. But instead of falling, the Kyn's smile vanished, replaced by a glare of genuine annoyance.

"Ah, so there's more to you," the Kyn said, its tone shifting to one of intrigue. "Show me what you're really capable of, human."

The anger and darkness within Lian grew uncontrollable. His vision blurred, and his thoughts became disjointed. The power of the shadows surged, enveloping his body entirely and forming a chaotic version of the Void Armor, its design more unstable and menacing.

"Lian, STOP!" Oblivion shouted desperately. "You're pushing too far. This will consume you!"

"I WON'T STOP!" Lian screamed, his voice filled with raw emotion. "I WILL DESTROY HIM, JUST LIKE THEY DESTROYED MY FAMILY!"

The shadows exploded outward, obliterating everything in their path. The Kyn finally showed a trace of fear as Lian's enhanced form surged toward it. Oblivion struck with such force that it shattered a nearby building. The Kyn was sent flying into the rubble, its arrogance shattered.

But the shadows continued to grow, spreading uncontrollably and consuming everything around them. Lian was no longer in control.

Suddenly, a surge of energy pulled him into an empty void. He found himself in a dark expanse, surrounded by fragments of memories. In the distance, he saw a massive figure wielding Oblivion.

The figure radiated power, standing in the vacuum of space. In an instant, a colossal beast, larger than a moon, emerged from a portal. The creature, with countless writhing limbs, exuded pure terror.

With a single motion, the figure swung Oblivion, obliterating the monstrosity entirely.

Lian stared, overwhelmed by what he was witnessing. This being, made entirely of shadow, turned its faceless gaze toward him.

A cold, commanding voice echoed in his mind. "You're meddling with power you don't understand, human. My strength is no toy. If you wish to wield it, be prepared to pay the price."

The void around him shattered like glass, and Lian snapped back to reality.

He found himself kneeling on the ground, the simulator's interface displaying a message:

"Congratulations, Student Lian Alvarez. Simulation Complete: Victory Achieved."

Despite the apparent victory, Lian was drenched in sweat and overwhelmed by an excruciating pain coursing through his body.

"You must learn to control yourself," Oblivion said, its voice heavy with warning. "If you continue like this, you'll destroy yourself before achieving anything."

Ignoring the warning, Lian asked, his voice trembling, "What was that? What did I just see?"

Oblivion was silent for a long moment before replying. "I don't know."

Elsewhere, in the academy's command room, Lena watched a screen showing Lian's simulation. A sly smile spread across her face as she murmured, "I knew it."