Lonely lupine - A Wenclair story of revenge, anger and love

Chapter 6: Inner Training

As they emerged from the hidden passages beneath Nevermore and stumbled into the open air, Enid’s chest heaved with relief. The shadows, though still lingering, felt weaker here, less oppressive. The cool night air was like a balm, washing away some of the darkness that had clung to her during their escape. She glanced at Wednesday, who was leaning against the stone wall, breathing heavily but looking slightly stronger in the open air.

They didn’t speak as they made their way back to the dormitory. Both were exhausted, and Enid’s mind was swirling with questions she wasn’t ready to face yet. The encounter with the Children of the Night had shown her a glimpse of their power, a power that had nearly claimed both her and Wednesday.

Once inside, Enid led Wednesday to her bed, helping her sit down. The silence between them was heavy, loaded with unspoken fears and revelations. Finally, Wednesday broke it, her voice quiet but steady.

“You shouldn’t have come for me.”

Enid looked at her, a spark of anger flaring. “Did you really think I’d just leave you down there? That I’d turn my back on you after everything?”

Wednesday’s gaze softened, a rare vulnerability in her dark eyes. “You don’t understand, Enid. The Children… they don’t just let people go. They see something in you. That mark—” she gestured to the faint twisting symbol still visible on Enid’s arm—“they placed it there because they believe you’re one of them now. They won’t stop coming after you.”

Enid looked down at the mark, feeling a pang of unease. She could feel the lingering presence of the shadows within her, a darkness that had settled somewhere deep inside, waiting. “Then I’ll have to get stronger,” she said, her voice firm. “I don’t care what they think. I’ll fight them if I have to. For you… and for me.”

Wednesday’s eyes narrowed, a calculating look crossing her face. “If you’re serious, Enid, then you’re going to need to understand the power you’ve been exposed to. You need to learn to control it.”

Enid nodded, her heart pounding. She knew Wednesday was right. She couldn’t rely on anger and instinct alone to confront the Children of the Night. If she was going to face them, she had to understand the shadows, to harness the power they had marked her with.

But the thought of embracing that darkness, of willingly diving into the shadowy power that had tried to consume her, was terrifying.

Wednesday seemed to sense her hesitation. “This power… it’s dangerous. It’s tempting. If you’re not careful, it will consume you. But there’s no other choice if you want to survive what’s coming.”

Enid swallowed, feeling the weight of her friend’s words. “How do I start?”

A faint, grim smile crossed Wednesday’s lips. “By embracing the very thing you’ve been trying to resist.”

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Over the next few days, Enid threw herself into her training, guided by Wednesday’s calm but relentless instruction. They met in secret, practicing in abandoned parts of the academy, hidden alcoves where the shadows felt thicker, more alive. Each session left Enid exhausted, both physically and mentally, but she could feel herself growing stronger, more attuned to the dark energy within her.

Wednesday’s approach was methodical, her voice cold and clinical as she instructed Enid on techniques she had learned during her time in captivity. “Feel the shadows, but don’t let them overpower you,” she would say. “Command them. Make them obey.”

At first, it was nearly impossible. The darkness seemed to have a mind of its own, slipping through her fingers like smoke, twisting and shifting in ways that left her frustrated and drained. But with each attempt, she grew more confident, more capable. She learned to channel her emotions—her anger, her determination, her fear—into the shadows, bending them to her will.