2025-08-18 04:58:24Jason’s sneakers pounded against the pavement, weaving through a sea of people who didn’t react to his panic. He shoved past a man in a suit, dodged a food cart, nearly tripped over a delivery bike.
Behind him, the shriek split the air again, high, distorted, like claws raking against metal, Jason risked a glance back.
The shadow-creature was forcing its way through the crowd, its twisted limbs cutting unnaturally sharp angles. Its claws sliced clean through a lamppost, but no one screamed. Pedestrians passed by as though nothing was happening, eyes glazed, conversations uninterrupted.
Jason’s chest tightened. They don’t see it. They don’t see anything, A hand yanked his arm.
The stranger in the gray coat pulled him sideways into an alley, narrow and choked with dumpsters. Jason slammed against a wall, gasping. The man’s eyes flashed. “Focus.”
Jason swallowed hard. “That thing, it’s real, right? I’m not losing my mind?”
The man’s voice was low, urgent. “Real enough to kill you. Hold still.”
He pressed his palm to Jason’s chest. For a split second, heat flared. Strange runes spiraled faintly across Jason’s shirt, glowing before fading.
Jason staggered. “What did you just?”
“Masking spell. Won’t last long. Now shut up.”
The hiss came again. Louder. Closer, The shadow slid into the alley, eyes blazing white in the dim light. Its head twisted unnaturally as it sniffed the air. The thing’s limbs dragged against brick, leaving grooves in stone like chalk lines.
Jason pressed against the wall, heart pounding, The creature froze. Its eyes scanned the alley. Its gaze passed over Jason and the stranger once, twice then moved on.
Slowly, it crept past the dumpsters and slithered out the other end of the alley. Its hiss faded with the crowd noise beyond. Jason exhaled so hard his knees almost buckled.
The stranger finally released him. “It’s distracted. For now.”
Jason swallowed hard, his voice cracking. “What the hell was that thing?”
The man studied him for a long moment, then spoke. “A Shade. A hunter born of corrupted mana. Drawn to imbalance. You touched the artefact, didn’t you?”
Jason’s stomach knotted. He didn’t answer, The man’s expression didn’t change. “I can see it in you. The shard lit a beacon in your body. To them, you’re prey, and prize.”
Jason’s chest burned, the memory of healing too raw. “Prize? I’m not”
“You’re not ordinary anymore.” The man’s tone was sharp, final. “You carry power now. And power always has a price.”
Jason’s mouth went dry. “And you? Who the hell are you?”
The stranger’s eyes narrowed, as if debating. Then he extended a hand. “Elias Crowe. Warden of the Ninth Seal.”
Jason blinked. “That’s supposed to mean something to me?”
“Not yet.” Elias’s hand didn’t waver. “But if you want to live long enough to understand, you’ll need me.”
Jason hesitated. Every instinct screamed not to trust this man. But the memory of the Shade’s claws, the way they had sliced through metal like butter, tipped the scale. Slowly, Jason took his hand.
The moment their palms touched, a jolt ran through him. Not pain recognition. Like Elias’s energy had brushed against the shard still pulsing deep inside him.
Elias’s eyes narrowed. “Stronger than I thought.”
Jason pulled his hand back quickly. “Stronger? I don’t even know what’s happening to me!”
“You will,” Elias said. His tone softened slightly. “But not here. It’s not safe.”
Jason opened his mouth to argue, then froze, At the mouth of the alley, shadows twisted unnaturally again. The Shade was back. And this time, it wasn’t alone.
Two more shapes unfolded beside it. Taller. Broader. Their eyes glowed with the same unearthly light, Jason’s blood went cold.
Elias’s hand slid inside his coat. Runes flared along his forearm like tattoos coming alive. He glanced at Jason once. “Run when I say. And don’t look back.”
Jason’s heart hammered. His legs felt like stone, The creatures hissed in unison, claws scraping concrete. Elias smiled grimly. “Now.”
Flame erupted from his palm, a circle of searing light that roared forward and slammed into the Shades. The alley lit up with fire, shadows shrieking as they burned.
Jason stumbled backward, heat singeing his skin. His instincts screamed at him to bolt, but his body locked. He couldn’t leave. Not yet.
Through the blaze, one of the creatures pushed forward, half-charred, eyes blazing hotter. It wasn’t dying. Jason’s breath caught.
Elias gritted his teeth, runes burning brighter. “Move, Jason!”
Jason’s feet finally obeyed. He ran.
But as he turned the corner, the last thing he saw was Elias, standing against the flames, three monsters closing in, And the terrifying realization that if this stranger fell, Jason Miller would be next.
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Chapter Thirteen: Feeding the Fire
A beam of searing flame exploded outward. The dummy disintegrated in an instant, reduced to molten slag. The shockwave blasted Jason back, slamming him into the yard wall.He lay stunned, ears ringing, chest heaving. His scar burned bright, but for once… it didn’t hurt, The shard purred inside him, warm and sated, like a beast that had finally eaten.Jason sat up slowly, staring at the ruined dummy. His hand shook, not from pain, but from awe. It worked. Then a voice cut through the smoke. “Well, well. Feeding the fire, are we?”Jason froze.Kael stepped from the shadows, arms crossed, satisfaction written all over his face. “I didn’t expect you to actually try it. Bold. Dangerous. Suicidal, even. But effective.”Jason’s stomach knotted. “You were watching me?”“Of course,” Kael said smoothly. “You’ve proven my point, the shard isn’t a chain to be resisted. It’s a storm. You don’t block the storm. You ride it.”Jason struggled to his feet. “And what happens when the storm throws me of
Chapter Twelve: Ash and Shadows
The restraints bit into Jason’s wrists as he staggered back to his quarters. Every muscle screamed, and his scar still pulsed with aftershocks of fire.He pushed the door closed and collapsed onto the cot, staring at the ceiling beams. His breath came ragged. I can’t keep this up. They’ll break me before the shard does.A knock echoed. Sharp, deliberate.Jason sat up, wary. “Who is it?”The door creaked open without waiting for an answer. Kael stepped inside, eyes gleaming in the torchlight. Jason’s hands curled into fists. “You.”Kael smirked, letting the silence stretch before he spoke. “Word travels quickly. Shackles already? Impressive. Usually, they wait until the third incident.”Jason forced himself not to rise. “What do you want?”“To offer perspective.” Kael’s gaze flicked to the glowing restraints. “You’re a prisoner wearing the illusion of a student.The Council doesn’t trust you, Elias barely keeps you afloat, and the shard? It’s eating you alive.”Jason’s jaw tightened. “
Chapter Eleven: Shackles of Fire
Jason’s wrists itched under the iron bands they clamped around him.They weren’t ordinary shackles. The runes etched into the metal glowed faintly, thrumming against his skin. They didn’t just bind, they drank. The shard inside him recoiled, hissing like a caged beast.Elias stood grimly by as the enforcers locked the final clasp. “These are focus restraints,” he said flatly. “They’ll bleed off excess power before it burns you alive. Or us.”Jason flexed his hands, the bands heavy, uncomfortable. “Feels more like a leash.”“That’s exactly what it is,” Elias said. “The Council made their terms clear. One mistake, and they’ll bury you in chains far worse.”Jason swallowed. The thought of permanent containment made his stomach turn.The training yard was different this time. No apprentices, no audience, only Elias, the scorched stone, and Jason. The council wanted no witnesses if he failed again, Elias tossed him the dagger. “Let’s see if you can channel while the restraints are active.”
Chapter Ten: Whispers in the Council
Jason stood stiffly in the chamber of the High Circle, a cold pit twisting in his stomach. The chamber was vast, circular, lined with towering pillars carved with runes. Shadows clung to the cloaked figures seated around the edges, their faces hidden beneath deep hoods.He felt like a bug on display, Elias stood at his side, arms folded. His presence was the only anchor keeping Jason from bolting. The eldest councilor’s voice rasped from the darkness, ancient and dry.“Jason Miller. Bearer of the shard. You stand accused of recklessness and endangerment, having destabilized the Arcanum’s foundations during training.”Jason’s mouth went dry. He opened it, but Elias placed a hand on his shoulder. Don’t speak, Another voice cut through the chamber, smooth and mocking. Jason recognized it instantly.Kael.“With all due respect,” Kael drawled, “this was not a minor accident. The boy unleashed uncontrolled force strong enough to collapse a reinforced chamber. If Elias hadn’t contained it, w
Chapter Nine: The Breaking Point
Jason’s arms trembled as he held the dagger, sweat rolling down his temples. His scar pulsed against the hilt like a second heartbeat.Elias circled him, sharp eyes never leaving his form. “Focus. Draw the shard’s power through the blade, not your body. The conduit carries the flame, you guide it.”Jason gritted his teeth, lowering into a stance. He willed the heat inside him to move. The glow surged down his arm, into the dagger. The etched runes lit like molten veins.Jason felt it, energy streaming, controlled, contained. For the first time, it didn’t burn him alive. He exhaled, relief loosening his chest. “I think… I’ve got it”The dagger flared white. Too much. Too fast. “Jason, stop!” Elias’s command snapped too late.The dagger erupted, a shockwave tearing through the chamber. Stone cracked, glyphs shattered, shards of light ripping outward. Jason was hurled across the floor, skidding hard against the wall.When his vision cleared, smoke filled the chamber. Half the far wall ha
Chapter Eight: Sparks and Scars
Jason stood in the training chamber, sweat dripping down his face.The room was nothing but stone walls, scorched and cracked from years of use. Strange glyphs glowed faintly along the ceiling, absorbing stray energy so the place didn’t collapse under the weight of failed spells.Elias tossed him a wooden staff. “Again.”Jason caught it clumsily. “You realize I’ve never done, uh… any of this before, right? No martial arts, no sword fighting, no wizard summer camp?”Elias gave him a flat look. “Then you’ll learn fast, or you’ll die faster.”Jason sighed. “You should put that on a motivational poster.”But he raised the staff. Elias didn’t give him time to prepare. He lunged, staff whistling through the air. Jason yelped, stumbling back, barely blocking. The impact jarred his arms to the bone.“Too slow.” Elias swept his legs out. Jason hit the ground hard.“Hey!” Jason groaned, rolling onto his back. “You’re supposed to be teaching me, not breaking me!”“This is teaching.” Elias loomed
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