Chapter 11: The Shadow Within

Chapter 11: The Shadow Within

The morning light bled through the cracks of the blinds, casting golden streaks across Silas's face. His emerald eyes flickered open, gaze distant, his mind already on the battles ahead.

He moved through his routine mechanically—brushing his teeth, showering, dressing in his usual black attire. Breakfast was simple: tea, toast, bacon, and eggs. Sustenance, nothing more.

Once finished, he stood before the massive stone door at the far end of his shop. Unlike the mundane world outside, this portal led elsewhere—to a pocket dimension of endless darkness, a space forged by his own magic for one purpose.

He placed a hand on the door, and a pulse of energy rippled outward. The stone glowed faintly, cracks forming along its surface. With a deep rumble, the gateway opened.

Stepping through, Silas vanished from Gotham.

Training dimension

The Training Dimension stretched into infinity—a vast, mist-covered void with a single stone platform at its center. The air was thick with an eerie, oppressive stillness, like a battlefield before the first drop of blood.

Silas exhaled.

With a single motion, his shadow detached from his body, twisting and morphing into ten dark figures. Their crimson eyes ignited like burning coals. These weren't ordinary clones. They were extensions of himself—fast, ruthless, and nearly as powerful.

"Come."

The moment he spoke, the shadows attacked.

The first came from the left, sword slashing horizontally. Silas leaned back, the blade missing him by a hair. Another clone lunged from behind—he pivoted, ducking as a third clone hurled a Shadow Spear at his chest.

He extended a hand.

The air cracked. An invisible force seized the spear mid-flight, reversing its trajectory. It shot back like a bullet, impaling the third clone, which let out a distorted hiss before dissolving into mist.

Eight left.

Two shadows moved in unison, their hands forming sigils—Hellfire erupted in a violent spiral, consuming the space in flames.

Silas reacted instantly.

"Shadow Teleportation."

His form flickered. One moment he was engulfed in fire, the next—he emerged from another clone's shadow, his blade already descending. The clone barely had time to react before the sword carved through its body, dissipating it into nothingness.

Seven left.

A shadow wolf lunged at him, its fangs aiming for his throat. Silas sidestepped and countered—his hand shot forward, psychic energy bursting from his palm. The wolf was thrown back mid-air, crashing into another clone.

"Dark Wings."

Black, ethereal wings erupted from his back, launching him skyward. Below, the remaining clones gathered, their hands raised in unison.

"Shadow Cage."

The ground beneath them trembled. Their own shadows stretched upward, forming a massive orb of darkness around them. It shrank with each passing second, compressing—squeezing—crushing.

Silas narrowed his eyes.

"Purple Flame Cannon."

A blinding torrent of violet fire erupted from his palm, spiraling downward into the cage. The flames devoured the shadows inside, their screams fading into nothingness.

Silence returned to the battlefield.

Silas landed softly, his wings dissolving into mist. His crimson eyes slowly faded back to emerald. He exhaled, rolling his shoulders.

Still not enough.

There were stronger enemies out there—beings who wouldn't fall so easily. Batman. The League of Shadows. The supernatural horrors lurking beneath Gotham.

And if he was to stand at the top… he needed more.

The Meeting

Returning to his shop, Silas pushed open the door. The comforting scent of old books and fresh coffee greeted him. And at the center of the room, sitting cross-legged on a chair, was Emma—a book in her hands.

She looked up, blinking at him.

For a moment, he was puzzled. Then it hit him.

Right. I told her I'd train her.

He stepped forward, arms crossed.

"So, you came."

Emma hesitated, then slowly closed the book, nodding.

Silas observed her carefully. She was trying to act confident, but her fingers gripped the book just a bit too tightly. Her breathing was steady—forced. She was nervous.

He said nothing.

Instead, he smirked slightly.

"Very well. Let's begin your first lesson."

To Be Continued…

(A/N: this chapter is mainly to showcase Silas's abilities in combat. But, also how is the fic going.)