Eclipse: Crest Born

Chapter Four: The Null forge Grounds

CHAPTER: The Nullforge Grounds

The walk toward the Nullforge Grounds was supposed to be simple, but the Academy had a way of turning even a hallway into something intimidating. The lights shifted from warm gold to cold silver the deeper the students went. The polished floor reflected their steps like a mirror.

Ryan and Enisa walked side-by-side, reviewing the new uniforms they had just put on. They felt stiff but strong, woven with reinforced fibers.

A cluster of students from the advanced division lingered near the entrance of a side corridor. Ryan recognized the two who had mocked him earlier.

The tall one with ash-colored hair stepped directly into their path.

“Well, well,” he said, eyeing Ryan from head to toe. “Vexhold. I thought you two would stay in your cozy little pods until training was over.”

Ryan kept walking, intending to brush past him, but the boy shifted again, blocking him.

“What do you want?” Ryan asked evenly.

The shorter boy smirked. “Names first. I’m Kael. And this is Renn. We’re second-year initiates.”

Enisa’s eyes narrowed. “Second-years? Then why are you picking fights with first-years?”

Kael grinned. “Because first-years need to know the rules. Crownlight looks pretty, but it’s not a playground. Weakness gets you removed. Removed candidates don’t return home. They just vanish.”

A few first-year students nearby stiffened.

Enisa stepped forward. “We’re not weak.”

Renn gave her a slow once-over. “Maybe not. Your pod lit gold. Rare. But we’ve seen rare candidates crumble on day one.”

Ryan’s fists tightened. “We’re not here to argue. Move.”

Kael’s smile faded. He leaned in, voice dropping. “Remember this. The Academy doesn’t care about where you came from. You either surpass everyone around you, or you get crushed by the ones who do.”

For a heartbeat, no one spoke.

Then Enisa stepped closer to Kael, unflinching. “Fine. We’ll surpass you too.”

The advanced initiates didn’t expect that. Kael blinked, then let out a low whistle. “Vexhold has some fire after all.”

He stepped aside, and the corridor widened like a drawn breath.

“See you in the trial,” Renn said. “Try not to embarrass yourselves.”

Ryan and Enisa walked forward without looking back.

When they were out of earshot, Ryan exhaled. “That could’ve ended badly.”

Enisa shrugged. “It will. Eventually. But let’s make sure it ends badly for them, not us.”

Ryan laughed under his breath. “You’re dangerous.”

“And you’re slow when people insult you,” she said, nudging him. “Pick up the pace.”

The tension slowly dissolved as the corridor opened into a massive chamber.

The Nullforge Grounds.

Their breath caught.

______________________________________

The Nullforge Grounds

The training arena stretched farther than Ryan could see. The ceiling was a transparent dome displaying the stormy sky above, though Ryan suspected the view was controlled by the Academy. Lightning flickered like distant claws overhead.

Platforms rose and sank across the grounds—floating metal disks shifting position every few seconds. Mechanical constructs shaped like Crest Beasts prowled on the lower levels, their glowing cores pulsing.

Some looked like giant wolf-shaped beasts with ridged backs. Others were hulking forms with plated armor and sharp horns. Even if they were artificial, their movements were chillingly realistic.

Instructor Valis stood on a central platform elevated above the arena. Her voice echoed clearly without any visible device.

“Welcome to the Nullforge Grounds,” she announced. “This is where you will train to survive the world beyond the districts. Crest Beasts are not gentle. They do not hesitate. And neither can you.”

Students shuffled closer, awe turning into fear.

Valis raised a hand, and the arena floor shifted. A series of weapon racks emerged from the ground, each holding sleek practice staffs, pulse gauntlets, and weighted blades.

“Today,” she continued, “you will face your first assessment. A basic mobility and perception trial. You must cross the arena and reach the far platform. The constructs will attempt to stop you. They are non-lethal, but not harmless.”

A few students paled.

Enisa whispered, “This is their version of a welcome party.”

Ryan nodded. “Let’s give them a good show.”

Valis gestured sharply. “Choose a training weapon. Prepare yourselves.”

Students hurried to the racks.

Ryan grabbed a lightweight pulse staff, balanced, perfect for someone fast. Enisa chose a dual-weighted baton, spinning it in her hand with surprising comfort.

Valis raised her arm. The floating platforms aligned themselves into a jagged pathway.

“Trial begins in three,” she said.

Ryan’s heartbeat quickened.

“Two.”

The constructs

lifted their heads, glowing eyes locking onto the students.

“One.”

The floor vibrated.

“Run.”