This is the day I have dreaded for over a year, a day filled with anxiety and unease. This was everything I hoped to avoid. The shadow briar initiates trials are not at all where I was supposed to be today; it feels like I’m trapped in a moment I never wanted to experience, as I stand on the brink of the rest of my life, I can’t help but resent that heavy legacy resting on my shoulders. The Darksbane Legacy. haunted by the specter of my fathers accomplishments.
I shift on my feet, feeling the cool stone beneath me, and gaze around a large dimly lit cavern teeming with people. The atmosphere is filled with murmurs of excitement and terror. Each student wears outfits representing their chosen specialties, a kaleidoscope of colors and styles that reflect their paths at the Shadow Briar Shade Academy.
As I take it all in, my heart sinks deeper as I glance down at the traditional assassins garb I was forced to wear, traditional black that canvases my body. My uniform clings to me tightly, wrapped snugly around my ribs and hips, leaving my midsection exposed. The fabric is both fitted and airy made of cotton with ties around my neck right below the base of my sternum and around my waist. The uniform was meant to provide a sense of freedom in movement, yet it feels almost like a second skin. I can’t help but notice how it accentuates my form, a sharp contrast to the vibrant outfits surrounding me of those becoming informants, mages, medics and oh the courses I longed for. The alchemists.
I adjusted the material that seemed to cling to my flesh. It's meant to signify my training, my allegiance to the shadow syndicate, yet the tightness around my ribs feels constricting, as if my very essence is being squeezed out leaving me hollow inside.
In this cavern of colorful personalities and choices, I stand out but not in the way I want. Though it seems I will always be seen as Tynon Darksbane's legacy. The airy fabric flutters slightly in the cool cavern air. I feel like an outsider, surrounded by these expressions of identity and purpose. The joy and enthusiasm radiating from the others, At least they were all here because they chose to be i could never be so lucky as Tynons only living heir.
I should be excited about entering into a school of such prestige amongst the agents of darkness, yet all I feel is a sense of loss, my future, my choice in anything gone in the instant Tynon snapped his fingers. I desperately needed to find my own place within this chaotic tapestry of my families fucked up legacy. This isn’t just my initiation day; it feels like the day I’m destined to fail. I wrap my arms around myself to still my beating heart and control my breathing.
My small stature, despite my curves, is fragile and unprepared for the trials ahead. I can almost hear the whispers of the betrayed in the cavern darksbane firmly on their lips. those who choose the path of the assassin have been training their entire lives, honing their bodies and minds for this moment. But what about me? I’ve spent my days in the greenhouse, surrounded by the calming presence of my plants, immersed in the delicate art of alchemy. I was ungraceful, with no combat training proper balance or any form of flexibility or endurance training. I held my head in my hands and let my fingers slide into my hair. How was I supposed to be a shade when i cant even keep my footing on flat ground?
Yet here I stand, on the precipice of a world that feels alien to me despite my entire family being a long line of deadly killers and well established assassins. The vibrant colors that once seemed appealing now feel like a mockery of my predicament. I am not an assassin; I'm an apothecary at best. Every fiber of my being screams that I do not belong here in this room readying myself for entering the academy. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m stepping into a nightmare without any chance of waking up.
"Kiri!" A tall blonde girl shook my shoulder, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. I looked up to be greeted by a familiar face, warm and reassuring, framed by a halo of blonde hair that fell softly to her shoulders. Her emerald green eyes were filled with worry, and her mouth pressed into a thin line, betraying her concern, my best friend since childhood. The one who had always been by my side through thick and thin. But today, beneath her bright exterior, I knew the torment she felt, she was one of my parents' treason victims, a symbol of the many dangers we faced in this world. My gaze drifted to her ears, where two gold cuffs glinted, a stark symbol of her betrayal. It was surgically placed, marking her as someone who had been granted mercy by my father and sentenced to a life serving the shadows however the council saw fit
Kaleigh's eyes met mine furiously as she made her way over to me, her frustration bubbling over as she pursed her lips. "That's it!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “I’m gonna kill him!” The words came out as a growl between clenched teeth, her fists balled tightly at her sides. Her stocky frame, built from years of rigorous training, seemed to pulse with the energy of her anger, she knew i was not built for a life in the shadow as well as i did…everyone did.
“It’s like your evil grandpa doesn't have a goddamn brain! You would think that, having a single granddaughter and heir to the demon bloodline abilities, he would do more to keep you alive as the only living memory of his dead son. But no, not Tynon Darksbane,of course he would throw you right into the lion's den.” Kaleigh ranted, her voice rising in pitch. I could see the anger radiating off her, a mixture of concern and righteous fury, as she paced in frustration. She cared deeply, but her aggression was aimed at a man who, despite his flaws, was still my grandfather. Kaleigh's emotions were raw and deep rooted, I appreciated her fierce loyalty. If Kaleigh could make it through the first trial, maybe I could survive, too… At least, I hoped I would. The thought flickered in my mind, it was likely I wouldn't live to see tomorrow, but I would push that thought away. I rolled my shoulders back, forcing myself to take a deep breath, trying to prepare myself for what lay beyond the five doors we were all lined in front of.
Kaleigh’s expression shifted as her eyes narrowed with anger, her jaw twitching as she glanced pointedly at my uniform. I could feel the tension in the air, as she processed the implications of what it represented. My grandfather's decision was final. There was nothing that could be done. Nothing that could be said to change his mind.
“Of all the choices…” she muttered, her voice low but laced with fury. her anger wasn’t directed at me; it was aimed at the council that had put both of us in these positions, one of betrayal and forced allegiance. Her frustration was a force all its own, and I personally would hate to be the object of her anger. She could be…savage when she needed to be.
I wanted to assure her that I wasn’t entirely on board with this path, But the words caught in my throat.. All I could do was stand there, trapped in this tight-fitting uniform, a placeholder for Tynon's true heir. My dad, and he was dead. There was no getting him back, so instead tynon intended to create a perfect clone.
Without a word, Kaleigh stalked off, muttering something about a self righteous bastard. I watched as she approached a familiar figure standing near the entrance to the cavern pointing others to which line they would stand in. lukas, her older brother. His presence brought a sense of calm amidst the chaos. The black mask strapped over his mouth indicated he had taken the vow of silence, a mark of his 2nd year. Even with his silent demeanor, there was an unspoken understanding between us. lukas had navigated these halls long before me, and I knew he battled his own demons, wrestling with the burdens of the things that happened to his family. An all out slaughtering of an entire nation. He was drop dead gorgeous standing there in his hood and uniform.
As Kaleigh stepped back to my side I didn't realize how in my head I was, I had forgotten to breathe "Kiri," she said softly, her voice laced with urgency. "You’ve got to breathe. Don’t let it overwhelm you." if only she knew it was really her brother's presence that could still my breathing…I tried to muster a smile, but the corners of my mouth barely lifted. Her presence grounded me in a way I desperately needed. How could I face these trials when everything about this place felt so wrong. Lukas's eyes met mine, and they widened slightly. His posture straightened, and he nodded at Kaleigh before moving around her over to where I stood. as he approached, his familiar presence provided a small measure of comfort. He pulled me into a tight hug. I could almost melt into him right there where we stood.
He pulled away shaking his head as he pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly exasperated. Then, with a determined expression, he pressed his palms together and reached around his back to grab a black rucksack from behind him that he had packed. I raised an eyebrow, wondering what he was up to.
Without hesitation, he pulled me closer and began rummaging through the bag. In a flurry of movement, he tore off my shoe—much to my surprise—and then pulled out two of his own. “These are the academies made for a novice… why?” he muttered, rolling his eyes at my bewildered expression.
Flustered, I stammered, “What are you doing, lukas?” But before I could say more, he grabbed a notebook and began scrawling on it furiously. After a moment, he held it up for me to see, and it simply read: “Ice.” kaliegh nodded and gripped my shoulder to balance me. “ My brother always plans for the worst, and is always prepared just in case I am not. You know this.” she smiled softly. I nodded, he always planned ahead for Kaleigh and me even as kids. “What do you mean, ice?” I asked. He sighed and gestured to the gear, clearly implying I would need it for what was coming. It was overwhelming to think about the trials ahead, but lukas’s urgency reminded me that I had more pressing matters to worry about.
Kaleigh’s anger and lukas’s preparation mixed with my own fears, a perfect concoction of emotions. Lukas jotted down a few notes on a slip of paper and handed it to me. " metal bridge, 9 inches wide. You will face an opponent from the opposite end. STAY ALIVE." it read. He retied my uniform,as if the fabric didn't already feel suffocatingly tight against my skin. He cinched the knots so forcefully that I winced, the pressure around my torso made me realize maybe I needed to be skinnier for this thing to fit properly. Next, he adjusted my belts and sheaths with a meticulousness that betrayed his own skill. It made sense he had to tie his own every day. I felt the familiar cold steel of my daggers sliding into the sheaths as he tucked one more behind my lower back. Once he finished, he placed his hands firmly on my shoulders and gave me a reassuring nod, his eyes locked onto mine for a fleeting moment. There was an intensity there that made my heart race, a silent promise of support before he turned and walked back to his post. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to steady my trembling hands. The cavern’s echoes faded into a distant hum as I attempted to focus on the slick metal bridge that awaited right out those doors we eagerly lined up in front of. My heart pounded louder with each passing second, the moment was almost here. standing on the edge of a chasm that separated everything we thought we knew from the chaos of our reality.. As Kaleigh fell in line with the others, I took a deep breath, aligning my resolve with those around me in an attempt to look stronger than I looked.
As I stepped forward, my gaze met the cold scrutiny of a second-year shade, labeled only by the deep orange ties around her neck and waist who had yet to take her vow of silence. The glint of gold on the cartilage of her ears was unmistakable, a reminder of her disdain for me and my family. She radiated animosity like a storm cloud, and I couldn't blame her; after all, most of the betrayed had every reason to resent me. My parents had shattered their lives, obliterated a legacy, and if I were in her shoes, I’d l feel the same.
"Name” she sneered “ as if the famous daughter or Orin Darksbane needs an introduction," she rolled her eyes, punctuating her words with every syllable, her bravado almost theatrical. It was a calculated dig, a performance meant to highlight the chasm between us. That I was the enemy and she was the victim. It didn't have to be that way, but from most of the looks I had gotten from the moment I had arrived i realized making friends…wasnt going to be easy.
I squared my shoulders, gathering my thoughts like armor, preparing to respond. The air swirling with tension, and I knew that this moment was just the beginning of a battle of wills, one I had to navigate carefully. I forced myself to swallow the instinctual urge to empathize, to care for their pain for their struggles, and instead met her gaze with mine icy azure blue and unyielding. If being a bitch were a sport, I'd be a champion, and in this moment, I intended to show it. If she was going to be unkind, then I would show her just how unkind I could be.
"Kirishina Raine Darksbane," I announced loudly,my name echoed off the cavern walls inciting murmurs that seemed to ripple through the gathered initiates. I could feel their eyes on me,their disdain for me dripping off their tongues with every snide remark they whispered to one another, but it only served to fuel my fire. A smug smile stretched across my face as I relished the bitterness in her expression. I tilted my head to the side tapping my bottom lip "I don’t need the introduction; you're right. But hearing my name on your tongue? That’s worth every syllable." I said snidely as I shoved passed her. With a flourish, I stepped up to the platform and up the stairs,till I felt the cold mountains breath upon my flesh threatening to freeze me where I stood.
The air was bone-chilling, a dry cold that seemed to seep into my very core, raising every hair on my body. Holy shit, it was freezing. I swallowed the icy saliva pooling in my mouth. I reached deep within myself, tapping into the mental bond that connected me to the one entity who could help me. "Abraxes, demon prince of Auxule," I whispered, my voice steady despite the chill. "I ask for an audience." Under normal circumstances, I would wait for him to make contact, allowing our connection to build naturally, but this was different. The urgency of the moment demanded swift action, and I felt the familiar stir of power at my call, a flicker of anticipation in the air around me. As the wind howled, I prepared myself for whatever response he would offer, knowing that his presence could tip the scales in my favor
His darkness seemed to wrap around my mind, as his voice carried down the tether from the spiritual plane we shared as host and entity. "Hmph, now it wants my help? What happened a year ago when I told you to complete the host bond to assist in your training?" I sighed, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. This was not the time to dwell on past mistakes. My stubbornness or my stupidity "Yes, well, the transformation is at times, But I need your damn help, if I die, you go back to Hell, ya know." how i hated his arrogant attitude at times, how was it that he was the one i was stuck paired with.
A low chuckle reverberated through my mind, a sound both mocking and reassuring. "Oh I see, the stakes are higher than you anticipated, aren't they? I will always help you, you must understand, this isn't just a matter of survival for you; it's a test for me as well. If you falter, it reflects on my choice of host. To refuse to help would be a violation of the treaty. Don't be an idiot, you know I hate begging and manipulation.after all we wouldn't be in this predicament if you had just completed the bond last year or when you were 15 or when you were 10"
So now it was my fault he chose a weak little girl for a host when he could have just chosen anyone else in my family "Great, just what I need right now more pressure." I took a moment to steady my breath, pushing my irritation aside. "I need you to help me across this bridge, I am going to rely on you and your combat abilities. We have no time to dwell on my foolishness"
"Then you must first embrace the darkness within you—accept it, wield it. Only then will you gain control over our shared abilities, without it…as useful as my abilities may be, they come with a steep price.." His words slid through my consciousness like a serpent, coiling around my every thought.
A shiver ran through me as I sensed the depth of his power. Accept the darkness? I didn't even want it in the first place. "I will suffer whatever the consequences. I just want to survive this."
“Survival often requires embracing uncomfortable truths, darling. You think your path will be paved with light that everything comes so easily? You are bound to the shadows now, whether you like it or not. Don't be fictitious and act as if we were ever going to get a choice in this.”
As much as I hated the thought of that notion, I knew he was right,and I hated it."Then help me!," I said, determination rising in my chest. "Just get us across this bridge, for both our sakes." I said , closing my eyes and keeping my body against the wall that held me on a stable ground for now.
“Very well, it will take time” he replied, his voice now a steady undertone to my racing thoughts. “Power comes with a price killie especially when our bond has yet to be completed and you have yet to eat the food of the nether world to solidify it. Are you sure your willing to pay for it?”
I took a deep breath, feeling the pulse of my own heart against the chaos around me. “I have no choice.”
Chapter 2
I felt the flood of his power seep into me as I took the first step on to the metal structure beam, placing one foot in front of the next to avoid tumbling right off the edge and falling 500,000 feet to my death. On either side of me, I could hear screams of others who had fallen from their bridges and the clash of daggers and weapons from those still fighting but I could see nothing through the thick fog that obscured my vision of everything except for about 10 feet directly in front of me, this had to be the ability of one of the many professors at shadowbane. Of course they would be present. This was a test of our skills, so they could get a good read on them so they knew where we lacked. Boy was I going to blow them out of the water. I had no skills not in this department.
I turned in Kaleigh's direction when I heard a girl scream. Before I could anticipate what was going to occur next, my foot slipped, causing me to lose my balance.
"Abraxis, now would be a good time to start helping!" I shot out through the bond, panic surging through me as the fog banked abyss loomed ominously below. Focus, I reminded myself, trying to stabilize my footing. I had to regain balance, The bond shimmered with his energy, willing the chaotic surge within me to settle. I reached through the bond to the spiritual plane, grounding myself as I allowed my thoughts to intertwine with Abraxis'. The connection flowed like a current, I steadied my breath. With arms extended for balance, I took one careful step at a time across the metal death bridge, every movement deliberate and aware.
The sound of footsteps thundered toward me, growing louder, reverberating off the metal structure. I didn’t need to see them to know my opponent was coming—an instinctual pull flared within me, urging me to remain vigilant.
His shadow appeared in my line of sight, his body coiled like a spring ready to unleash its energy. He was flying fast, weapons drawn and poised for attack.
I anchored myself further into that spiritual bond, feeling the essence of Abraxis coursing through me, readying every fiber of my being for what was to come. My heart raced, and I visualized the space between us, calculating my options. This wasn’t just a battle of strength;it was also a test of skill, agility and adaptability.
With his approach swift and merciless, I braced myself, centering my gravity and drawing on the energy that connected me with abraxes. It was time to act. I focused on my opponent, the world around me narrowing into clarity. With a deep breath, I prepared to meet him, ready to blend instinct with the teachings I had embraced. Each step, every ounce of balance, would count. My breathing quickened as I attempted to step back, only for my foot to slip and cause me to wobble slightly in my attempt to regain my balance. Panic surged through me, and I caught myself awkwardly, my heart racing as the commotion around me seemed to amplify.
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