Chains of Lightning

Kael stood before the Overseer's throne, his body still aching from the battle. His muscles twitched, electricity sparking at the edges of his fingers—a reminder of the power he had awakened.

The Overseer's silver eyes locked onto him, expectant.

"Swear loyalty to me, and I will give you power beyond your imagination."

The words hung in the air, weighty, suffocating.

To many, this might have seemed like an offer of salvation. A chance to escape the Crucible, to thrive instead of simply survive.

But Kael knew better.

Chains could be forged from power just as easily as from steel.

He kept his face unreadable. If he refused, he would suffer. But if he accepted, he would become a pawn—just another tool for the Overseers to wield.

He had to choose carefully.

Beside him, Ryven's expression was unreadable. But his fingers tapped a slow rhythm against his leg, a signal.

A warning.

Kael's mind raced. The Crucible had been a test, yes—but what if it wasn't just for strength? What if the Overseer had been gauging his will?

Does he want a soldier? Or something else?

Kael met the Overseer's gaze.

"I will fight." His voice was steady. "But not as a servant. If I rise, it will be on my own terms."

A low hum filled the chamber. The Overseer studied him, the lines of glowing circuitry on his face pulsing slightly.

For a moment, Kael thought he had just signed his own death sentence.

Then, the Overseer smiled.

"Fascinating."

A snap of fingers.

The restraints around Kael's wrists clicked open.

"Then fight."

The First Lesson

Kael and Ryven were led out of the Overseer's throne room, into an underground training chamber unlike anything Kael had seen before.

The floor hummed with raw electromagnetic energy, currents of power flowing through the walls.

At the center of the chamber stood a woman—tall, lean, dressed in black armor that crackled with controlled surges of electricity.

She turned, eyes locking onto Kael.

"You're the one who caused a stir in the coliseum," she said.

Kael recognized her. Serra Voss.

The Stormblade of Velkaar.

One of the strongest gladiators to ever emerge from the arenas.

And now, she was standing in front of him.

"If you're going to survive here, you need control," Serra said. "And I'm going to break you until you learn it."

Kael barely had time to react before she struck.

A flash of blue lightning filled his vision.

The next second, he was on the ground, his body screaming in pain.

Serra stood over him, expression unreadable.

"Too slow."

Kael gritted his teeth and forced himself back up.

This wasn't a test.

This was the first lesson.

And he had no choice but to learn.