Echoes of Twilight - The Riftwalker Chronicles

Chapter 2: Shadows of Doubt

The day ends as quickly as it begins. The sky changes from a brilliant blue hue to an orange and pink display before the darkness takes over and covers us like a blanket. The courtyard is still lit, however. In Radiant Expanse, there is no such thing as darkness, our world is constantly filled with the warm glow that emanates from the conjured lights that float above my head.

As the students disperse from the courtyard, I linger for a moment, soaking in the comforting radiance of the city. Radiant Expanse is a marvel of engineering and magic, a beacon of light and innovation in a world plagued by darkness.

Tall spires reach towards the sky, their surfaces adorned with intricate carvings and shimmering glyphs that pulse with energy. Bridges crisscross between buildings, weaving a tapestry of light that dances with every movement.

The city is alive, bustling with people from all walks of life. Merchants peddle their wares in the bustling marketplaces, while scholars debate the finer points of magical theory in the grand libraries. Everywhere I look, there is a sense of purpose and vitality, a testament to the resilience of the people who inhabit this city.

I feel the brush of the last few students making their way out of the academy into the streets. I take a deep breath and follow suit. Shea left the academy a while ago, she had more important matters to attend to. Or an important person no less.

We joined the academy at the same time, both looking for a sense of purpose amidst the chaos of the world. Neither of us had experienced much in the way of companionship before then, our lives marked by solitude and isolation.

But from the moment we met, there was an instant connection between us - a shared understanding that transcended words and barriers. Shea's vivacious personality and boundless optimism were a beacon of light in the darkness, drawing me in with her warmth and sincerity.

It was hard at first, not being able to talk with her like other pairs would, but she wouldn't let my muteness stop her from talking my ear off. She learned the basic signs from an old tome in the library and from there, we formed our language and way of communication.

Even with limitless communication with Shea, it is hard to navigate without her nearby to translate for the other people. This is why I prefer to spend time alone.

I walk down the small steps with the heels of my shoes making a sound with every step. Suddenly the world is quiet, no more students milling around as curfew is about to set in. I know I should follow the herd of people returning home for the night, but I feel a draw to the open space just out of sight of the courtyard walls.

The forest lines the back of the courtyard, open for those who wish to explore it, but nobody will. Once you leave the safety of the city, you are at risk of touching shadow, becoming cursed or even worse killed. I can feel my stomach turning into knots as I consider the options. I can still feel the pain in my head, I know that a few seconds outside the city will make it go away.

Despite all the warnings in my head, the assured relief of the open air is addicting. Just for a few minutes, I think,  you've never been scared of the dark before, why be now? It's true, if my lack of speech didn't set me apart from my peers, my lack of fear certainly does. One of our first lessons in the academy is what happens should you be exposed to the darkness.

We were told the horrors of the Eclipse War, what the soldiers encountered in the darkness and the death it brought. I've heard the stories and seen the consequences through illuminations, replaying the memories of those who survived - the darkness is not to be played with. But for some reason, I feel no unease about it, no constraints of concern or fear.

It will only be for a minute, I tell myself, justifying my decision before I step out of the academy courtyard and feel a cool breeze brushing against my skin. I take a deep breath, savouring the moment of freedom. The pain in my head begins to subside, being replaced with a sense of calm and clarity.

As I wander further from the safety of the city, the shadows begin to appear, growing deeper and larger with every step. The air is suddenly filled with a palpable sense of unease. I can feel the darkness pressing in on all sides, a tangible presence that sends shivers down my spine.

The shadow's methods of attack suddenly come to mind, they are insidious and stealthy. They envelop their victims in darkness, suffocating the light within them and suffusing their bodies with a chill coldness that saps their strength.

We've always heeded the warning told to us by the Guardians, the victims of the darkness's embrace will find themselves drained of their vitality, their once-bright spirits dimmed by the oppressive weight of the shadows.

In the most severe cases, prolonged exposure to the shadows can result in death, as the light within their victims is snuffed out entirely, leaving nothing but darkness in its wake.

The memory of the assured consequences causes me to turn back towards the glow of the city and take slow steps back to the courtyard, back to the safety of the light. I may not be afraid of the darkness, but I know better than to underestimate its power.

As I continue to step forward, the pain returns with a vengeance. It doesn't remain a small annoyance of a headache anymore, instead, the pain runs down my whole body. I sink to my knees, grasping my head tightly in my hands, laying forward into the soft wet grass.

What is this?

The pain surges through me like a tidal wave, threatening to overwhelm my senses. It's unlike anything I've experienced before, a searing agony that grips every fibre of my being. I grit my teeth against the pain, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I struggle to maintain control.

As I kneel in the wet grass, just a few feet away from the polished marble floors of the academy, I tremble, helplessly. A voice whispers in the back of my mind - a voice filled with darkness but with no threat.

"Embrace the gift, the energy," it hisses, its words dripping like venom.

I shake my head, trying to banish the voice from my thoughts, but it persists growing louder and more insistent with each passing moment. Images begin flashing before my eyes - visions of darkness and destruction, of a world being consumed by an ancient force.

A warning.

Desperate to escape the torment, I reach out toward the comforting glow of the city, crawling, in agony with every movement. The light is there, I can feel its glow, warmth, the tingling sensation of it running through me. The pain threatens to consume me, to drag me down into the abyss of darkness from which there is no escape.

I can feel the light surging through each part of my body, and as suddenly as it began, the pain recedes, leaving me gasping for breath and drenched in sweat. I slowly lift my head, my vision swimming as I struggle to make sense of what just happened.

I look up and the face of a concerned Illuminator fills my vision. "Child, are you alright?" He asks calmly as he reaches for my arms. I cannot resist his grasp any more than I can stand. "Why are you past the city lines?"

I continue to gasp for air as it slowly becomes easier to fill my lungs. Desperate to convey the situation's urgency, I raise my trembling hands, fingers forming intricate signs. But as I meet the Illuminator's gaze, I realize with a sinking heart that he won't understand my gestures any more than he would understand what happened.

A sense of frustration washes over me, mingling with the fear and uncertainty that grips my heart. How can I explain the warning I've seen when I can't even communicate with those who are sworn to protect us?

With a heavy sigh, I lower my hands, the weight of defeat settling over me like a shroud. "Using words would be preferable." He says, his voice tinged with irritation as he looks down at me.

I flinch at the harshness of his tone, the sting of his words striking a raw deep nerve within me. It's a reminder of the barriers that separate us, the invisible walls that prevent me from fully communicating with those around me, and from fitting in.

As the Illuminator turns away, dismissing me with a wave of his hand, a sense of resignation settles over me like a heavy fog. It's a familiar feeling I've grown accustomed to over the years - the feeling of being invisible, overlooked and dismissed because of something beyond my control.

I gather my belongings quickly from their neat placement against the stone walls of the courtyard. I leave with quick steps, away from the apparent danger.

Still reeling from what just happened, I walk rather quickly back to my dorm, only letting my guard down the moment my door locks.