The First Step into the Dark World

Kael Draven walked behind Zareth, the mysterious Guardian of the Outcasts, as the forest grew darker and darker. Every step he took seemed to bring him closer to something unknown… and dangerous.

After several minutes of walking, they finally emerged from the thicket and found themselves before a city hidden in the mountains. It was not like the elegant, bright capitals Kael had seen in books—this city seemed to have grown in the shadows.

The streets were narrow, the houses made of dark stone and ancient wood. Twisted towers rose above the rooftops, purple lanterns casting a ghostly light. The air was thick with magic, but not the pure, regulated kind of the academies. The energy here was raw, dangerous, and uncontrollable.

Kael stopped. "Where the hell are we?"

Zareth smiled. "Welcome to Nocturnia. The city of exiles."

A place without rules

As they entered, Kael noticed that the people here were… different. Magi in ragged robes, warriors in broken armor, mercenaries with cruel smiles.

A man with a scarred face walked past him, his red, glowing eyes watching him. A silver-haired girl with wolf ears whispered to a hooded companion as she pointed at Kael.

"Don't let your guard down." Zareth patted him on the shoulder. "There is no law here. Only power."

Kael swallowed hard. Had he ended up in a den of criminals?

But he couldn't go back. The Academy had already condemned him. This dark world could be his only refuge… or his grave.

The Arena of Survival

Zareth led him to a large, circular building, the sound of battle and shouts coming from it. When Kael entered, he saw a huge underground arena, lit by enchanted torches.

In the center of the arena, two men were fighting. One was a colossus with a huge sword, the other a wizard who used fireballs. The duel was brutal. There were no rules.

Kael gasped when he saw the wizard get hit in the chest by the sword. The man fell to the ground, gasping as blood spread beneath him.

The crowd cheered.

"What the hell is this place?" Kael asked.

Zareth looked at him with a smile. "This is your first test."

Kael's eyes widened. "What?"

Zareth nodded, and two hooded men grabbed him by the shoulders, pushing him toward the center of the arena.

"No, wait!" Kael struggled, but it was too late.

The iron doors closed behind him.

In front of him, another young man was already drawing a sword.

The fight had just begun.

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