Chapter-21 Meeting The Shadows

Lysandro adjusted the final touch on Frederique's outfit, a dark, elegant ensemble of midnight hues with subtle crimson accents that made her pale skin and blood-red hair stand out even more. He stepped back, tilting his head with a satisfied grin as he examined his work.

"There. Magnificent. Now, remember, my little monster, you are not merely a Redcap tonight. You are a force. Walk with purpose, with pride. Show them they should fear you."

With a dramatic flourish, he gestured toward the heavy doors as they creaked open. On the other side, a figure awaited... pale, sharp-eyed, and draped in a cloak stitched with strange tools. The captain of the Shadow Corp. Wordlessly, he beckoned her forward. Frederique took a steady breath and stepped into the dark, the echo of her boots the only sound accompanying her descent into the heart of the Night Court's most dangerous circle.

Frederique followed the captain deeper into the fortress, her heavy boots echoing against the ancient stone floor. The air smelled faintly damp, a mixture of moss, earth, and old magic that seemed to seep from the very walls. The corridors twisted in unnatural ways, bending into spaces that felt far too large or too narrow, a reminder that the Night Court's fortress obeyed no natural geometry.

At last, they reached a large chamber where the rest of the Shadow Corp waited. It was a circular training hall, dimly lit with flickering purple lanterns. The walls were lined with weapons... many too strange to have human origins... and the scent of blood was faint but ever-present, staining the stones with a history of violence.

Seven figures stood before her, spread out in a loose formation.

The captain, a Nocker, stood at the center. His skin was pale, almost gray, with a face lined like weathered stone. His long, bony fingers constantly twitched, and a belt heavy with tools and strange, clicking devices hung from his waist. A mechanical bird perched on his shoulder, its gemstone eyes gleaming. He regarded Frederique with a calculating stare, lips curling into a smug smirk.

"So," he began, voice sharp and nasal. "The Redcap. You survived the King's test. Hmph. Let's see if you're worth the effort."

To his right was a cat-like Pooka with pale violet fur brushing her ears and sharp golden eyes. Her movements were fluid, almost lazy, but there was a watchfulness in her gaze as she sized up Frederique.

Beside her stood another Pooka... fox-like, with russet hair, deep emerald eyes, and a sultry smile. The fox Pooka radiated confidence, her curves accentuated by the sleek black leather she wore, a predatory air clinging to her.

The massive troll stood further back. This one was not Groff. His stony skin was mossy green, and his eyes a deep, swampy brown. He was bulkier, yet his stance was controlled, his arms crossed over his chest. A slow, assessing stare made it clear he was not to be underestimated.

Next to him coiled a snake-like Sluagh, pale and gaunt, with long, thin limbs and milky eyes. His black robes whispered as he shifted, a faint smell of decay lingering around him. At his side hung vials of strange poisons, and his long fingers flexed, almost caressing the air.

The Sidhe was perfection embodied... tall, lean, with flowing frosty hair and icy blue eyes that seemed to pierce straight through Frederique. Her blue robes shimmered with frost, and delicate ice formed wherever her steps touched the ground. She radiated arrogance, as if her presence were beneath her.

And then there was the last. The corrupted fey. Once a Boggan, his body was a molten mockery of its former self. Obsidian skin cracked with veins of glowing lava. His face was twisted, half-burned and fused with the fiery spirit that now inhabited him. The heat that radiated from his presence was palpable.

Frederique could feel their scrutiny. Their curiosity. Their... fear.

' They think you're dangerous,' Frideria whispered inside her mind. ' Show them they're right.'

The captain spoke again, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"This is the Shadow Corp. You've met us now. We deal with... problematic elements. Cleaning, disposal, extermination. Each of us earned our place here through blood and mastery. Prove you belong."

The Sidhe sneered. "A Redcap? Should we expect you to solve everything with your teeth, little savage?"

A snarl curled on Frederique's lips, but Frideria's voice was steady.

'Bite her. Just once.'

Frederique didn't bite... but she took a step forward, eyes narrowing.

"You expect me to apologize for what I am? I'm here because your King decided I was worth it. If you disagree, we can settle it now."

The Sidhe raised a hand, conjuring a blade of pure ice.

"Enough." The troll's voice was deep and calm, stopping the tension cold. "She earned her place. Show some respect."

The captain nodded. "Agreed. You're here for a reason. We don't question the King's choices... but we do question if you're ready for this level of work. Training begins now."

The members spread out.

Frederique watched as the training began. The cat-like Pooke leapt onto the walls, claws digging into the stone, moving with unnatural feline grace. She batted at a suspended training dummy while her mentor, the fox-like Pooka, conjured shimmering illusions of flames that danced around the edges of the room... testing reactions, control.

The troll demonstrated his power next, summoning a swamp-like pool of murky water in the center of the room, the liquid expanding unnaturally fast. He waded into it, disappearing with startling speed before reappearing behind Frederique without a ripple.

The Sluagh whispered something, his voice like a dry rasp. A ghostly figure rose from the shadows behind him, hissing in distorted, painful wails... illusions born from old curses.

The Sidhe conjured a dozen ice blades, flinging them into targets with precise, mechanical perfection.

The corrupted Boggan, however, simply stood back, lava dripping from his hands, burning the stone at his feet. Controlled, dangerous.

Frederique observed, but did not move.

The captain finally turned to her. "Well? Show us what you can do, Redcap."

Frederique bared her teeth. Her nails sharpened into black claws, but she didn't extend them fully. Instead, she stepped into the training circle and, without warning, sank her teeth into the steel frame of a weapon rack.

The metal screeched as her teeth crushed through it. Sparks flew. She tore off a jagged piece and spat it onto the ground.

The cat-like girl blinked. "Whoa."

The Sidhe raised a brow but said nothing.

The cat Pooka tilted her head. "Uh, why don't you use... you know, magic?"

Frederique hesitated. "What do you mean?"

The fox Pooka crossed her arms. "Your Art. Your power. We all have our Art, Redcap. What can you do?"

Frederique faltered. Frideria stirred uneasily inside her.

'We don't know, do we?'

The captain sighed. "She hasn't learned yet." He gestured to the group. "That's your next lesson, then. Art. Each of us wields magic differently. Yours will be unique. But it won't be handed to you. Shadow Corp Art is earned. And we'll see if you can learn it."

Frederique nodded. The challenge was clear.

And she intended to rise to it.