Kaida walked through the Shadow Clan’s courtyard, her thoughts spinning like a storm. Everyone stared at her, and whispers followed her everywhere she went.

Some disciples nodded respectfully, but others avoided looking at her at all. It was clear many were jealous or annoyed, but Kaida ignored them.

The courtyard was busy, full of movement and noise, yet Kaida felt lonely. Her victory against Zane replayed in her mind, but instead of feeling proud, it left her unsettled.

Her moves had been perfect, every strike fast and clean. Yet Floki had watched her with a grin that felt like he knew something she didn’t.

Kaida shook her head and headed to the apothecary, where she often went to clear her thoughts. Her mother, Krysta, always had advice that made sense.

The smell of herbs and potions greeted Kaida as she stepped inside. Krysta stood at her workbench, mixing powders with the focus of someone who had done this for years.

Without looking up, Krysta spoke calmly. “You seem troubled.”

Kaida sighed, leaning against the door. “Everyone is watching me now. It feels like they want me to fail.”

Krysta stopped for a moment but didn’t look at her daughter. “You fought well, but I don’t think this is about the fight.”

Kaida hesitated, unsure how to say what she was feeling. Finally, she said, “It’s Floki. He’s everywhere. It feels like he’s taking over.”

Krysta turned to face her, her eyes sharp but not unkind. “Floki is rising quickly, yes. But his path is not yours.”

Kaida frowned and crossed her arms. “It feels like he’s taking everything I worked so hard for.”

Krysta smiled faintly, her voice calm. “Then work harder. Or, better yet, make him work for you.”

Kaida opened her mouth to argue but stopped. She sat down, staring at the rows of herbs on the shelves, unsure of what to say next.

“I don’t think it’s that simple,” Kaida muttered. “He’s not just rising. He’s breaking how things have always been done here.”

Krysta went back to her work, grinding herbs smoothly. “Maybe the old ways needed breaking. Shadows grow stronger in chaos.”

Floki stood alone in the training grounds, his War Glaive planted firmly in the dirt. The weapon gave off a faint hum, and the shadows around it seemed to move closer.

The system chimed softly in his mind, showing instructions. [Suggestion: Use the glaive with Eclipse Shroud to absorb more shadow energy.]

Floki grinned and stretched his shoulders. “Let’s see how far I can push this.”

The air around him dimmed as he activated Eclipse Shroud. The light seemed to disappear, replaced by swirling shadows drawn toward the glaive.

The system spoke again, showing his progress. [Energy absorption at 45%. More focus needed to fully synchronize.]

Floki frowned slightly, narrowing his eyes. He pushed harder, letting the shroud grow until the entire training ground was covered in darkness.

The glaive pulsed with energy, its red blade glowing faintly as it absorbed more power. “Not bad,” Floki muttered. “But it still feels like there’s more I can do.”

Kaida stood nearby, watching quietly. Her sharp eyes studied his every move, trying to understand how he was bending the shadows to his will.

Unlike Chang’s smooth and practiced demonstrations, Floki’s style was wild and messy. It shouldn’t have worked, but somehow, it did.

Kaida’s hand rested on her dagger as she felt a mix of frustration and curiosity. She didn’t want to admit it, but Floki’s power was growing fast.

Floki, unaware he had an audience, released the Eclipse Shroud in a controlled burst. The shadows vanished, leaving the area quiet and still.

Kaida stepped forward, her voice breaking the silence. “You’ve been practicing.”

Floki turned, his grin widening when he saw her. “Caught me. What do you think?”

Kaida crossed her arms, trying to hide her emotions. “It’s messy. But it works.”

Floki chuckled, spinning his glaive with ease. “I like messy. It keeps things interesting.”

Kaida shook her head and walked away, her mind full of thoughts. She couldn’t decide if she admired him or resented him—and maybe it was both.

Later that evening, Kaida returned to the apothecary, still full of restless thoughts. Her mother was at her workbench, carefully measuring powders into small jars.

“Mother,” Kaida said quietly. “What would you do if someone was better than you at something you’ve worked hard on?”

Krysta turned to her, her face thoughtful. “Are they really better? Or are you just doubting yourself?”

Kaida hesitated, her mind going back to Floki’s display of power. She wanted to call him reckless, but deep down, she knew it wasn’t true.

Krysta didn’t push her for an answer. Instead, she walked to a locked cabinet, pulling out a small ornate box.

“What’s that?” Kaida asked, stepping closer. Her curiosity grew as Krysta placed the box on the table and opened it.

Inside was a dark crystal, glowing faintly with a strange, cold energy. The room seemed to get colder as the crystal’s power filled the air.

“This is the Shadow Relic,” Krysta said, her voice quieter now. “It’s been in our family for generations. It’s tied to the Path of Shadow.”

Kaida reached for it instinctively, but Krysta stopped her with a firm hand. “This is not for just anyone. Even the strongest can lose themselves to it.”

Kaida pulled her hand back, her mind racing. “Why show me this now?”

Krysta’s voice softened, though her expression stayed serious. “Because your path isn’t about Floki or anyone else. It’s about how far you’re willing to go.”

Kaida nodded slowly, but her thoughts were still jumbled as she left the apothecary. The cool night air felt sharp against her skin, but it didn’t ease her mind.

She glanced toward the training grounds where Floki’s laughter echoed faintly. Her hand tightened on her dagger as her determination grew.

“Floki isn’t the only one who can rise,” she whispered. Her footsteps moved with purpose as the shadows around her seemed to respond.