Chapter 9: Initiation
The halls of Hachi Academy stretched endlessly before Orin, their intricately carved walls echoing with footsteps. Despite the quiet order of the space, Orin's senses were on edge. Each flicker of a shadow, each passing figure, felt like a reminder of his fragility—how new, how *dangerous* he was here.
General Sheil Luthren strode ahead of him, her silver braid swaying with each purposeful step. She hadn't said much since they left the Hall of Binding, only pointing out occasional landmarks as they navigated the labyrinthine corridors. Orin trailed behind her, still grappling with the aftermath of the binding. His body ached as if he'd fought a battle without moving a muscle.
They stopped before a tall, arched door engraved with runes that shimmered faintly in the dim light. Sheil turned to face him, her sharp eyes scanning him like a surgeon assessing a wound.
"This is where your journey truly begins," she said. Her tone was calm but carried the weight of expectation. "Inside, you'll meet your peers. The Academy requires all initiates to complete a trial before their training officially begins."
Orin's jaw tightened. "A trial?"
Sheil gave him a faint smile, though it lacked warmth. "Every student must prove they are worthy of the Academy. You'll face challenges designed to test your strength, instincts, and resilience. The trial adapts to each initiate, drawing from their essence. In your case…" She paused, studying him. "Your binding with the Monari-Kai bloodline will influence what you face."
The weight of her words hit Orin like a blow. "You mean… it's going to draw out the beast?"
Sheil nodded. "Likely. But that is why you're here—to face it, control it. To ensure it doesn't control you."
Orin clenched his fists, his heart pounding. The memory of the forest was still fresh, the faces of his family flashing in his mind. He didn't trust himself, but he couldn't turn back now. Sonny's letter burned in his pocket, a constant reminder of the promise he'd made.
"What happens if I fail?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sheil's gaze didn't waver. "Then you won't survive."
The door creaked open, revealing a dark, cavernous room. The air was thick, humming with latent energy that made Orin's skin prickle. He stepped inside, the sound of the door closing behind him echoing like a finality.
The chamber was vast, its boundaries obscured by shadows. The only source of light came from the ground—a series of glowing, interconnected symbols etched into the stone floor, forming an intricate web of patterns. The air felt alive, charged with magic. Orin could feel it pulsing under his feet, resonating with the beast inside him.
A voice boomed from the darkness, low and commanding. It wasn't Sheil's, nor anyone he recognized.
"Orin Slain. You seek redemption. You seek control. Prove yourself."
Before Orin could respond, the symbols on the ground flared, blinding him with their brilliance. When the light faded, the room had transformed.
Orin found himself in a dense forest, the air thick with fog. The towering trees loomed like giants, their gnarled branches clawing at the sky. The sound of distant growls sent a shiver down his spine.
"Where am I?" he muttered, his breath visible in the chill air.
The voice echoed again, seemingly coming from everywhere and nowhere. "This is your trial, shaped by your fears, your guilt, your power. Face what lies within, or be consumed."
Orin turned in a slow circle, his senses heightened. The fog swirled around him, and the shadows seemed to move, shifting just out of reach. He gripped the hilt of his blade tightly, his knuckles white.
The first attack came without warning.
A shadowy figure lunged from the fog, its form twisting and indistinct. Orin barely had time to react, drawing his blade and slashing in a wide arc. The figure dissolved into smoke, but another appeared, then another. They surrounded him, their forms flickering like firelight, their claws sharp and relentless.
Orin fought with everything he had, his blade cutting through the figures as they came. But no matter how many he struck down, more appeared, each one faster and more vicious than the last. His breath came in ragged gasps, his muscles screaming in protest.
*They're endless.*
The fog thickened, and the shadows pressed closer. Orin's heart raced as he realized he couldn't keep up. The beast inside him stirred, its voice low and taunting.
*Let me out,* it growled. *You can't win without me.*
"No," Orin snarled, slashing at another shadow. "I don't need you."
The beast laughed, a deep, rumbling sound. *You already failed once. Do you want to fail again?*
The shadows closed in, their claws raking across Orin's arms and chest. Pain seared through him, and his vision blurred. He dropped to one knee, his blade slipping from his grasp.
*You can't do this alone,* the beast whispered. *Let me help you.*
Orin's breathing was shallow, his body trembling. The memories of the forest resurfaced—the blood, the screams, the faces of his family. He had let the beast out before, and it had destroyed everything. How could he trust it now?
But as the shadows closed in, their claws reaching for him, he realized he didn't have a choice.
"Fine," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "But I'm in control."
The beast's laughter echoed through his mind. *We'll see about that.*
The transformation was instant. Orin's body burned with raw energy as his muscles swelled, his claws extending from his fingertips. His senses sharpened, the shadows around him becoming clearer, more distinct. The fear that had gripped him moments ago melted away, replaced by a primal confidence.
The shadows lunged again, but this time, Orin was ready. He moved with inhuman speed, his claws slashing through the figures with ease. Their forms dissolved into smoke, unable to withstand his ferocity.
The fog began to lift, and the shadows retreated, their whispers fading into silence. Orin stood in the clearing, his chest heaving, his claws dripping with black ichor.
But the beast wasn't done.
*More,* it growled, its voice thick with hunger. *They're nothing. Let me show you what real power feels like.*
"No," Orin said, his voice firm. He clenched his fists, forcing his claws to retract. "We're done."
The beast roared in frustration, but its presence began to fade, sinking back into the depths of Orin's mind. The clearing dissolved, the forest melting away to reveal the glowing chamber once more.
Orin collapsed to his knees, his body trembling with exhaustion. The trial had left him battered and raw, but he was alive. And more importantly, he had faced the beast—and won. For now.
The door to the chamber opened, and Sheil stepped inside, her expression unreadable. She studied him for a long moment before nodding.
"You've passed," she said simply. "Your training begins tomorrow."
Orin didn't respond. He was too tired, too drained to process her words. All he could do was nod weakly, the weight of the trial settling over him like a heavy cloak.
As Sheil helped him to his feet, Orin couldn't help but wonder what the Academy had in store for him. The beast was still inside him, waiting. And he knew the hardest battles were yet to come.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone