Slightly alarmed, I turned toward the source of the voice and was taken aback by the sight of a woman sitting at a small circular table. She was draped in flowing robes that shimmered like stardust, and her violet-black hair flowed around her like a waterfall. Her eyes a captivating shade of violet that mimicked the cosmos.
She cradled a delicate cup, the contents swirling mysteriously within.
Then, with a sudden snap of her fingers, I found myself appearing right before her. "Take a seat," she said, and a chair forged into existence right across from her, its design intricate and mesmerizing.
I compiled, settling into the chair that felt impossibly comfortable. "Who are you?" I asked, my curiosity mingling with a tinge of apprehension.
This was a dream—a trial so that meant there would be something I had to complete, right?
She smiled, "I could be a guide of sorts, a keeper of stories and secrets. You've ventured into a realm of possibilities afterall."
Her smile turned into a crooked sneer, "Or, I could be the one meant to kill you."
She took another sip from her cup.
Instinctively, I felt mana come to my aid from the sudden threat, my core thrummed to life trying to protect my body before a dull ache followed.
"Your core is strained," she observed, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I wouldn't recommend you attempting to fight in your current state."
She took one last sip from the cup before pushing it toward me, the liquid swirling with an enticing glow. "Drink. It's refreshing."
I hesitated, staring at the swirling liquid, its colors shifting like a nebula. "What's in it?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.
The woman leaned forward, her violet eyes locking onto mine, piercing yet strangely warm. "Power, of sorts I suppose."
Could this kill me—or rather cause me to fail the trial? I was slightly tempted to knock the cup of flowing liquid onto the ground.
"It's your choice," she said, her tone softening, almost coaxing. "But you're at a crossroads. This is for the benefit of you."
I grasped the cup, the warmth of it seeping into my palms, a comforting sensation that contrasted with the uncertainty swirling around me. As I lifted it to my lips, a sense of urgency pulsed through me, almost electric.
I tipped the cup back, and the liquid flowed over my tongue like liquid starlight. It cascaded smoothly, the initial sweetness was like the nectar of sun-warmed peaches, rich and vibrant, a blend of sweetness. The sweetness was reminiscent of sun-ripened fruits, bursting with life, while a sharp tang danced at the edges, like the first bite of a crisp apple. As it spread across my palate, I caught hints of honey, smooth and golden, weaving through the sweetness like golden threads in a tapestry.
Then came the tartness, sharp and invigorating, reminiscent of wild berries freshly plucked from the vine. It danced on my taste buds, sending a jolt of electricity through me, igniting every nerve. This was no ordinary drink; it felt as though I was consuming pure energy, something that connected me to the very fabric of existence.
My core thrummed taking in everything the liquid had to offer.
"Good." The woman wore a smile as she watched me savor the experience. Her violet eyes sparkled with approval, the tension between us easing as I felt the effects of the drink surging within me.
"Now, to complete this trial you need to defeat me with my—or rather our ability."
"I'll explain to you the basics, first, I need you to understand the ability fundamentally, Shadow Step is an action that allows you to appear in shadows rather it's your opponents or that of a tree."
I absorbed her words, each syllable igniting a flicker of understanding within me. "Shadow Step?" I echoed, the name resonating with a sense of potential. "So I can move through shadows?"
"Precisely," she replied, her voice smooth and melodic. "This ability grants you the power to traverse the fabric of space itself, slipping between light and darkness. It can be used defensively or offensively, depending on how you choose to wield it."
The woman continued.
"Shadows are not just the absence of light but are livid with energy and potential—for us that is. They represent hidden pathways that connect different points in space. Understanding this is crucial."
"To use Shadow Step, you must first connect with the shadow you wish to enter. This involves focusing on the shadow, visualizing its contours, and feeling its energy. The more attuned you're to your surroundings, the easier it is to form this connection."
The woman's face lit up like she had almost forgotten something, "Also envision their exit point."
"Once connected with the shadow, you can step into the shadow. This act is akin to slipping through a portal—there's a sensation of coolness and disorientation as the environment darkens. You momentarily become one with the shadow, existing in a space that defies conventional dimensions."
My mind raced as I thought of the possibilities. "How do I learn this?" I asked, eager to grasp the concept.
This is similar to what my other intimate ability was speculated to be or… even better.