"Focus on the shadows," she instructed, her tone shifting to one of mentorship. "Feel their essence. They are not mere absences of light; they are conduits to be used by us, gateways to other places. To activate Shadow Step, you must first establish a connection with the shadow you wish to enter."
I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply as I tried to visualize the shadows surrounding me. I imagined the warmth of the light behind me fading, replaced by the cool embrace of darkness. It was both comforting and exhilarating.
Upon opening my eyes the world seemed to shift all its beauties—colors were gone.
Replaced by a world devoid of its features, and then I found one shadow that stood out amongst them all.
The one behind that woman.
"Once you find one, connect and choose your exit point," she continued. "But be cautious—each step through the shadows requires precision. If you misjudge your landing, the consequences can be… unpredictable."
The task was simple enough: use Shadow Step and beat her with it but I must grasp this first.
"Your range of shadow Step is limited but it will grow as you do."
"Here goes nothing," I whispered, and with a sudden thought, I stepped into the shadow.
In an instant, I felt the world shift around me—the already monochrome landscape dissolved into a blur of dark hues and shapes. Then, just as quickly, I emerged from the shadow behind her, a rush of exhilaration flooding my senses as all colors returned to my sight.
"Impressive," she remarked, her voice tinged with surprise. "But remember, shadows are fickle. They can go just as they come."
Before I could respond, she vanished into thin air—a shadow, the space where she was sitting rippled like a disturbed pond. I spun, reaching for the shadows nearby, my heart racing as I prepared for her next move.
The dance had begun.
Suddenly, she appeared to my left, a blur emerging from a shadow I hadn't anticipated. Her hand darted toward me, fingers extended like daggers. Pivoting, I stepped back into the shadow just a few meters behind me, the world warping again losing its color as I stepped into its darkness.
When I emerged, I landed stumbling to the floor, using Shadow Step drained a decent amount of my mana. My heart raced; I had to think quickly. She was quick, and I could sense the shift in the air—she was coming for me again but I couldn't react in time and I was sent hurdling.
Her attack was powerful and left my head spinning, if I hadn't reached stage two of my mana core that just might've knocked me unconscious.
Landing with a thud, rolling to absorb the impact and steadied myself, pushing back the dizziness. I couldn't let her take me down again. The woman was relentless, her movements fluid and graceful, but I had to outsmart her.
Feeling the familiar hum of mana within me, I sent mana flooding towards my legs. The shadows seemed to beckon me, inviting me to be among them. I needed to harness their power.
Just then, a flicker caught my eye. She was reforming from a nearby shadow, her figure shimmering a deep black into existence before solidifying into form.
I could feel the tension in the air as she materialized, her eyes glinting with a mixture of challenge and anticipation. I knew I had to act fast if I was going to turn the tide of this trial.
"Focus," I reminded myself, as the mana from my core flew down to my legs once more. The shadows around me seemed to become more apparent, dark tendrils beckoning for my command. I had to use Shadow Step more strategically this time—this was about more than just dodging; it was about control.
She lunged again, moving like a wraith, her hand extending toward me. I didn't have time to hesitate. As her shadow loomed closer, I closed my eyes and envisioned the space around me, locking onto the dark shape beneath her.
Stepping into the shadow just as her hand brushed the air where I had been. I felt the familiar disorientation wash over me, the rush of coolness enveloping me as I slipped into the darkness.