Chapter 5: The First Descent

The chamber fell into silence after Veylan's words.

Orion kept his posture steady, but his mind raced. He had spent his whole life as an outsider, but now he was something worse—Forsaken.

Selene watched him with careful eyes. Kastiel stood like a statue, unreadable. Ash looked entertained, as if waiting to see how Orion would react. And Veylan... Veylan didn't care. He had already judged Orion, and the verdict wasn't in his favor.

"Your trial begins now," Veylan said.

Orion stiffened. "Trial?"

Selene took a step forward. "The Veil doesn't just mark you. It tests you."

Ash smirked. "And trust me, most don't pass."

Orion swallowed. He knew better than to ask what happened to those who failed.

Kastiel finally spoke, his deep voice commanding. "We will not waste time training someone who isn't strong enough to survive. The Veil chooses, but not all of its choices are worthy."

So that was it.

This wasn't just a test. It was a death sentence for the weak.

Orion clenched his fists. They wanted to see if I would break.

I won't.

Veylan turned toward the shadows near the edge of the chamber. The symbols on the walls flickered as if reacting to his presence.

"Step forward," he commanded.

A low, guttural sound echoed.

The darkness stirred.

Orion's breath hitched as a figure emerged—not human. Not fully.

It moved on all fours, its body twisting unnaturally. Black veins pulsed beneath ashen-gray skin. Its face was hollow, its mouth stretched into something almost human, but… not.

Selene's voice was steady. "A Hollowed."

Orion's blood ran cold.

He had seen one before—on the other side of the Veil.

But that one had been hunting him. Now… they expected him to fight it.

"Survive," Veylan said. "Or join it."

---

The Trial Begins

The Hollowed moved fast—too fast.

Orion barely dodged as its claws slashed through the air, missing his throat by inches. He stumbled, cursing.

Think.

He had no weapon, no training. Just instincts and whatever the Veil had done to him.

The creature twisted toward him, its black, hollowed eyes locked onto his.

It lunged.

Orion reacted—too slow.

Pain tore through his shoulder as claws raked his flesh. He hit the ground hard, vision blurring.

Get up.

The Hollowed screeched, its mouth opening unnaturally wide, revealing rows of jagged teeth.

Orion pushed himself up, his muscles screaming.

Selene's voice rang in his mind.

"The Veil does not mark the weak."

Then prove it.

Orion's fingers curled into the dust beneath him.

The mark on his arm burned.

The Hollowed lunged again.

This time, Orion moved without thinking.

His hand shot up—grabbing the creature's throat mid-air.

For a second, the Hollowed thrashed, snarling.

Then—black tendrils erupted from Orion's fingers.

The Hollowed's body convulsed. It let out a distorted, inhuman shriek.

Orion's mind exploded with images—flashes of something dark, ancient, hungry.

And then—silence.

The Hollowed collapsed, its body crumbling into dust.

Orion gasped for air. His entire body trembled.

What… what had he just done?

---

The Awakening

Veylan stepped forward, looking down at the dust where the Hollowed had been. His violet eyes gleamed.

"Well." A pause. "That was unexpected."

Orion looked at his hands. The black veins were receding, fading beneath his skin. He swallowed.

Selene knelt beside him. "You used it."

Orion's voice was hoarse. "Used what?"

"The Veil's gift."

A heavy silence settled over them.

Ash let out a low whistle. "Haven't seen a newbie survive like that in a while."

Kastiel frowned. "It wasn't just survival." His sharp gaze turned to Orion. "He consumed it."

Orion's pulse stuttered. "Consumed?"

Selene hesitated, then said, "You didn't just kill it, Orion. You took its essence. That's not something just anyone can do."

He exhaled shakily. "And what does that mean?"

Veylan's lips curled into the ghost of a smirk.

"It means you're either the strongest Forsaken we've seen in decades…"

A beat of silence.

"…Or the most dangerous."

---

Shadows Watch

Orion didn't sleep that night.

He sat alone in the chamber, his mind replaying the fight. The way the Hollowed had fallen apart in his hands. The way the Veil had responded to him.

What am I becoming?

He flexed his fingers, half-expecting to see those black tendrils again. Nothing.

The shadows in the room seemed… deeper now. As if something watched from the dark.

A whisper drifted through the chamber.

Orion stilled.

Not real. Just your mind playing tricks.

He turned—only to find someone standing there.

Selene.

She was watching him, her expression unreadable.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asked softly.

Orion exhaled. "Would you, after what happened?"

She didn't answer right away. Then—"No."

A pause.

Then, she stepped forward and placed something in his hands.

A dagger.

Sleek. Dark steel. Strange runes etched into the blade.

Orion looked up. "What's this?"

Selene's gaze was steady. "Your next fight won't be as easy."

Orion tightened his grip on the blade.

Easy? That was easy?

Selene turned to leave, but stopped at the doorway.

She glanced back, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Be careful, Orion."

He frowned. "Of what?"

Selene hesitated. Then, quietly—

"Of what the Veil wants from you."

She left him alone with that thought.

And for the first time since stepping into this world—

Orion felt afraid.

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