Floki stood outside the chamber of Master Sho-Nuff, the air feeling heavy with unseen power. The summons had come suddenly, leaving no room for questions or preparation.
The room was dim, lit only by a single flickering lantern that made the shadows seem alive. Master Sho-Nuff sat calmly in the center, his sharp eyes locking onto Floki as he entered.
“So,” Sho-Nuff said, his voice steady but commanding. “The Trickster has finally arrived. Tell me, Floki, what do you seek in this clan?”
Floki’s grin flickered to life, sharp and unbothered. “Power,” he said simply. “And maybe some fun along the way.”
Sho-Nuff’s lips curled slightly, not quite a smile. “Power is earned, not given. Are you ready to pay the price?”
Without waiting for an answer, Sho-Nuff raised a hand, and the room darkened further. The shadows swirled and stretched, forming jagged, floating blades that hovered menacingly in the air.
“This is the pinnacle of the Path of Shadow,” Sho-Nuff said, his voice firm and deliberate. “Master this, and you’ll command respect—or fear—from all who cross you.”
Floki’s grin widened, his curiosity piqued by the display. “Respect and fear? I’ll take both if you’re offering.”
Sho-Nuff’s expression didn’t change, though his tone grew colder. “Then show me if you’re worthy. Are you ready to be tested?”
The Training Begins
Floki stepped into the training chamber, his eyes immediately locking onto Chang, the #1 disciple. Chang stood calmly at the edge of the room, his arms crossed, exuding quiet confidence.
It was no surprise to see Chang here, as he was already Sho-Nuff’s direct disciple. His reputation as the strongest in the Shadow Clan was well-earned and unshaken.
“You’ll train alongside Chang,” Sho-Nuff said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “One is disciplined, and the other bold. Let’s see what happens when order meets chaos.”
Floki’s grin didn’t falter as he twirled his War Glaive of Vampiric Illusion. “Bold, huh? I can work with that.”
The training began with Sho-Nuff demonstrating two advanced techniques: Shadow Gate, which allowed instant movement between shadows, and Eclipse Shroud, a skill that absorbed all nearby light. The room darkened as Sho-Nuff activated Eclipse Shroud, snuffing out the lanterns with a wave of his hand.
“This isn’t just about creating darkness,” Sho-Nuff explained, his voice cutting through the now pitch-black room. “You absorb the light, turning it into energy for your shadows. In total darkness, you dominate.”
Chang took to the skill quickly, his movements precise as he extinguished the remaining flickers of light. The room became completely dark, his control evident in how effortlessly he maintained the skill.
Floki approached the technique differently, his grin sharpening as he focused on a flickering candle. He drew the light toward his glaive, extinguishing it in a burst that left faint trails of shadow energy in the air.
Sho-Nuff nodded, his gaze shifting between them. “Eclipse Shroud isn’t just a trick. It’s a tool to control the battlefield. Master it, and your enemies won’t even know how they lost.”
Chang gave Floki a rare smirk. “Not bad for a beginner. Let’s see if you can keep up.”
Floki chuckled, spinning his glaive lazily as he adjusted his stance. “Keep up? I was born to leave everyone behind.”
The sparring sessions were grueling, pushing both disciples to their limits. Chang’s precision and efficiency were unmatched, his movements deliberate and deadly.
Floki, however, relied on his creativity and system guidance. His execution was chaotic but effective, each technique blending seamlessly with his unique fighting style.
During one session, Floki deflected a strike aimed at Chang’s back, earning a nod of approval. “Good instincts,” Chang remarked, his tone neutral but genuine. “For someone who thrives on chaos, you’re not half bad.”
Floki laughed, his grin widening as he countered another attack. “And for someone so stiff, you’re not half boring.”
Sho-Nuff observed silently, his sharp eyes catching every movement. “Good,” he said, his voice carrying an edge. “You’ll need each other in the trials ahead.”
Expanding the Training
As the days passed, Sho-Nuff introduced more complex techniques to test their limits. One such technique, Shadow Surge, allowed them to channel absorbed energy into a burst of destructive force.
“This isn’t a skill for subtlety,” Sho-Nuff explained, demonstrating with a sharp motion that sent a wave of shadow energy crashing into the chamber walls. “It’s for when you need to turn the tide of battle.”
Chang picked up the skill with remarkable speed, his control allowing him to focus the energy into precise strikes. Floki, meanwhile, experimented with the technique’s chaotic potential, using it to create unpredictable patterns of destruction.
“Shadow Surge isn’t just about force,” Sho-Nuff reminded them, his tone sharp. “It’s about control. Wield it without care, and you’ll burn yourself out.”
Floki wiped the sweat from his brow, his grin undeterred. “Good thing I’ve got plenty of energy to burn.”
Chang rolled his eyes but smirked nonetheless. “You’re reckless. But at least you’re not boring.”
During another session, Sho-Nuff pitted them against each other in a series of mock battles. Chang’s discipline and precision clashed against Floki’s unorthodox style, their strikes echoing through the chamber.
“You’re not half as fast as you think,” Chang said, countering one of Floki’s attacks. “And you’re not half as smart as you look,” Floki shot back, dodging a follow-up strike and landing a hit with his glaive.
The exchange ended in a draw, both disciples breathing heavily but grinning. Sho-Nuff nodded in approval, his expression stern. “Good. Now do it again.”
Inner Disciple Tension
While Floki and Chang trained, the remaining Inner Disciples gathered in the courtyard, their tension palpable. Bolo paced angrily, his fists clenching tightly as he glared toward the training chamber.
“He’s dangerous,” Bolo growled, his voice dripping with venom. “If we don’t act, he’ll throw this clan into chaos.”
Zane nodded in agreement, his expression dark. “He’s already humiliated us. What’s stopping him from doing it again?”
Jace crossed his arms, his tone bitter. “The longer he’s here, the worse it’ll get for all of us.”
Kaida, seated at the edge of the group, raised an eyebrow and spoke sharply. “Maybe instead of whining, you should focus on getting stronger. Floki’s strength doesn’t take anything from you—unless you let it.”
Her words silenced the group momentarily, though Zane’s glare didn’t waver. He sneered, his tone mocking. “Easy to say when you’re barely holding onto the #10 spot.”
Kaida’s smirk widened as she stood, her tone icy but teasing. “Funny. I was just thinking it’s time to move up the ranks. How about I take your #4 spot? That way, you can join Bolo at the bottom.”
The disciples murmured in surprise as Zane’s expression darkened. “You’re joking,” he said, though there was a flicker of doubt in his voice.
Kaida tilted her head, her smirk unwavering. “Not at all. Let’s see if you’re as tough as you act.”
Zane growled, stepping into the courtyard’s sparring ring. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
The group quickly formed a circle around the two, their curiosity piqued. Kaida’s daggers gleamed in the sunlight as she settled into her stance, her focus razor-sharp.
The fight began with Zane vanishing into thin air, his Shadow Veilshrouding him in near-perfect invisibility. Kaida’s eyes narrowed as she scanned the courtyard, her daggers raised and ready.
“Running already?” Kaida called out, her voice mocking. “I didn’t think you’d be scared so soon.”
Zane’s blade appeared suddenly, striking from the shadows, but Kaida dodged with ease. She countered by extending threads of shadow energy, her Shadow Bindtechnique forming a web-like snare that reached out in all directions.
Zane snarled as one of the shadow threads caught his ankle, anchoring him to the ground. Kaida tugged sharply, yanking him off balance and forcing him to drop his veil.
“You can’t hide forever,” Kaida said, her tone calm but sharp. “The shadows are mine too.”
Zane roared, breaking free of the bind with a surge of energy and launching a flurry of strikes. Kaida danced around him, her speed and precision outmatching his brute force.
“You’re slower than I thought,” Kaida said, her voice laced with mockery. “Are you even trying?”
Zane activated Shadow Veilagain, attempting another sneak attack, but Kaida anticipated the move. Her shadow threads snaked out again, forming a tighter net that ensnared Zane completely.
The fight ended abruptly when Kaida’s dagger found its mark, slicing Zane’s weapon hand just enough to disarm him. Her second blade hovered near his throat, her victory clear.
“Guess I’ll be taking that #4 spot,” Kaida said, her tone light but firm. “Don’t worry. You’ll have plenty of company at the bottom.”
The disciples erupted in murmurs as Zane lowered his head, his frustration evident. Kaida stepped back, sheathing her daggers and turning to leave without a second glance.
As the group dispersed, Bolo’s glare deepened. The growing unrest among the disciples hinted at more challenges to come.
Floki’s Decision
At the end of one particularly brutal session, Floki found himself standing before Sho-Nuff once more. The elder cultivator’s gaze was sharp, his tone colder than the shadows around them.
“You’ve exceeded my expectations,” Sho-Nuff said, though his approval was tempered with a warning. “But the Path of Shadow isn’t for the faint of heart. It demands loyalty, strength, and discipline. Can you give it all three?”
Floki glanced at Chang, who nodded subtly, his expression calm. The bond they had forged over the past days weighed heavily in Floki’s mind as he turned back to Sho-Nuff.
“I’ve never been much for loyalty,” Floki admitted, his grin sharp. “But strength and discipline? I’ve got plenty of those. Let’s see if the shadows can keep up with me.”
Sho-Nuff’s smirk returned, faint but approving. “Then we’ll see if the Trickster can survive.”
As the session ended, Floki and Chang left the chamber together, their camaraderie solidified by the trials they had endured. Kaida watched from a distance, her expression unreadable as she observed Floki’s growing strength and confidence.
“You’re really going all in on this, aren’t you?” she asked as Floki passed by. Floki paused, his grin softening.
“What’s life without a little risk?” he said simply.
Kaida’s gaze lingered on him as he walked away, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty. In the shadows, unseen by any of them, Sho-Nuff observed silently, his plans for Floki already taking shape.
