Echoes of Twilight - The Riftwalker Chronicles

Chapter 3: Trials of Illumination

The next morning I woke up again to my Shea's eager knocks. I glance to the floor where my books lay in a disordered mess. I spent most of last night trying to keep my mind focused on studying for today's exams, but my mind kept wandering to what happened.

Every time I close my eyes I can see the images of our world being sucked into a void filled with nothing but darkness. To my surprise, there is no pain running through my head. Finally some sense of relief from the last months of pain.

I work my way out of bed and glance at my reflection in the mirror. My blonde hair has turned slightly darker, and my eyes seem almost faded. I must just be tired, I say to myself as I rush to get dressed.

I open the door to Shea, as I do every morning. Before I can say anything Shea shoves an apple in my face.

"Here, eat this. We won't have time for breakfast or we'll be late." She starts walking fast towards the academy halls, her pace much faster than the rest of the students. "Eat it on the way, let's go!" She shouts. I hear my door lock behind me as I work to move my legs even a fraction of Shea's speed.

The walk to the exam theatre is much further than any other class I've taken. I stop for a moment before reaching the steps towards the door. The sudden pain and tightness of my chest begin to set in, making it harder for me to breathe.

"I need a second," I sign quickly in Shea's direction, "Nerves."

As I enter the exam theatre, my heart pounds loudly in my chest, the weight of the impending exam bearing down on me. The theatre is bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun, the first rays of sunlight casting across the rows of chairs. It's a surreal sight, the vast expanse of the theatre seeming to stretch on forever.

I take my seat among the other students, the tension in the air could be cut through with a knife. This is our final exam, the culmination of years of study and training. As I glance around the theatre, my eyes fall on the figure of Master Marrit, standing at the front of the room flanked by the remaining academy professors.

Master Marrit is a formidable figure, his sharp gaze and stern demeanour commanding respect from all who know hum. He's a master of Luminokenisis, renowned for his skill and expertise in the manipulation of light.

I straighten in my seat, steeling myself for the challenges that lie ahead. Where is Shea, I wonder as my eyes scan the room filled with students. The Master's voice echoes throughout the theatre, breaking the silence like a clap of thunder.

"Welcome students to your final exam," he announces, his voice carrying across the expanse of the theatre, "Today, you will be tested on your knowledge and mastery of Luminokenisis. You will face a series of challenges designed to push you to your limits, and determine whether you are worthy of advancement."

I swallow hard, my nerves threatening to get the best of me. "Students, please line up behind your assigned professor, they will lead you through your assessments." His booming voice is now the only thing I hear.

Like we are all under a spell of obedience, we rise and walk towards our professors. I begin to notice the nerves of other students, the boy to the left of me is wheezing, and the girl to my right's hands are shaking.

I become painfully aware of my nerves the further we walk into the theatre. Relief hits me like a wave when I see Shea at the front of the line.

"Your first assessment will be the easiest, Precision Casting. You will demonstrate your ability to channel and manipulate light with precision, shaping it into forms according to my orders."

I watch as one by one, each student steps forward and wields a beam of light, moving their hands in different ways to change the shape of the light to exactly what is requested.

Suddenly, I am face to face with the professor, "Leora, please summon your light beam." Taking a deep breath, I summon the energy of light, feeling its prickle of warmth flow through me. I focus my mind harder than ever, visualizing the potential forms I need to create; and extend my hands before me, palms outstretched.

A beam of light emerges between my palms, slightly stronger than they were the day previous, but still weak and wavering. With steady hands, I begin to manipulate the delicate light into the required forms. I watch as the light twists and bends to my will, taking on each shape I envision.

With each movement of my hands, the forms become more defined, and more intricate, until they match the professor's exact specifications. I close my palms as the professor nods, I can see on his face that I surprised him.

"Well done, your light is still weak but you managed to make every form requested." I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in, a slight sense of pride fills me and I square my shoulders.

Our assessments continue throughout the day, some taking longer than others. Environmental Manipulation took all afternoon and resulted in two students needing to see a healer before they were allowed to continue their exams.

Exhausted and drained, we finally receive word that we have a short break before the final assessment. As we filter out of the exam theatre, the tension in the air begins to dissipate, replaced with a palpable sense of relief. Students chat animatedly among themselves, swapping stories of their experiences during the assessments and comparing notes on the challenges they faced.

I catch glimpses of familiar faces in the crowd, but without Shea by my side, I feel strangely adrift, like a ship without a rudder. I sit among a small group of students but still feel so distant from those around me. Their conversations carry over me, rather than with me, none of them glancing in my direction as if I am not there.

But there is little time for self-pity, the courtyard is abuzz with activity, students lounging on benches and sprawled out on the grass, enjoying a brief respite from the rigors of the assessments. I find a secluded spot beneath the shade of a tree and settle down, the cool grass beneath me a welcome reprieve from the heat of the day.

Closing my eyes, I let out a slow, steadying breath, allowing myself a moment of quiet reflection amidst the chaos of the day.