The Shadow Order Book 4

Chapter 4: Shadow's Trial

The portal that Shadow created opened into the heart of Occultum, a hidden city nestled within a dimension of shadows. Occultum had always been a hub for Shadow's movements across Eldoria, a place where darkness folded into itself, making it ideal for secret passageways. But since the fall of the Free Cities and with the Shadow Order at constant risk of discovery by Stonehaven, Shadow had been forced to reduce the number and locations of these portals drastically. Every exit and entrance was chosen with care, a necessity to keep their movements concealed.

Tonight, he used Occultum as a stepping stone, exiting through a portal that led him to the outskirts of Greenhaven. As he emerged, the cool night air greeted him, the shadows of the dense forest surrounding the portal flickering as it sealed shut behind him. The moonlight barely penetrated the thick canopy above, casting the world in shades of silver and black. He moved through the underbrush with ease, barely making a sound, his dark form blending seamlessly into the shadows around him. Reaching out, he summoned tendrils of darkness that wrapped around his arms and legs, propelling him forward at incredible speed through the trees. Each leap carried him further into the forest, his figure blurring as he soared over roots and rocks, leaving no trace behind.

Eventually, the trees thinned as he approached the Adventurer Guild's headquarters, a towering structure rising against the night sky. Its stone walls loomed over the forest, their ancient surfaces covered in climbing ivy. He paused for a moment at the forest's edge, studying the tower's silhouette against the moonlit sky before taking a breath and launching himself upward. His shadow tendrils extended, wrapping around the stones of the tower's exterior, pulling him up in swift, fluid movements. The wind whispered through the gaps in the stone as he scaled the building, ascending quickly to the top floor, where he slipped through an open window and landed soundlessly inside.

Once inside, Shadow moved through the dimly lit corridor with purpose, his footsteps muffled against the carpeted floor. He headed straight for the training room, where Solomon White awaited him. Pushing open the heavy oak door, he stepped inside, finding Solomon standing in the center of the room, his imposing figure framed against the darkness.

Solomon White was a sight to behold—massively built, with muscles that rippled beneath his tunic. His dark hair, wild and untamed, flowed like a lion's mane, reaching down to his shoulders. His eyes, a piercing blue, seemed to see right through the shadows that clung to the room. Every inch of him exuded raw power, a reminder of the strength he wielded.

"You're late, Shadow," Solomon's voice rumbled like distant thunder, his gaze unwavering.

Shadow inclined his head slightly in apology. "Something unexpected happened," he replied, but before he could finish his explanation, Solomon lunged forward with blinding speed. His fist rocketed toward Shadow's head, cutting through the air with a sonic boom that shook the room. Shadow barely managed to twist his body out of the way, the punch missing his face by a hair's breadth. The impact of the blow struck the stone wall behind him, shattering it with a thunderous crack, sending shards of debris flying.

"Not bad," Solomon remarked with a smirk, stepping back into his fighting stance.

Shadow straightened, catching his breath. "Well, I've been dodging your punches for two years now," he said dryly, drawing his jet-black katana, Niger Ensis, from a shadow pocket. The blade seemed to drink in the ambient light, its edge sharp enough to cut through the night itself. Niger Ensis: Purple, he thought, invoking the power embedded within the sword. A spectral purple stag materialized briefly before vanishing, unleashing a surge of purple lightning that crackled across the blade and shot toward Solomon.

Solomon moved like a blur, sidestepping the bolt with ease, his movements a study in effortless precision. The lightning struck the training room's far wall, leaving a smoldering scorch mark in its wake. Solomon grinned, his stance relaxed yet ready. "Show me what you've got, Shadow."