The class walked silently toward the elevator. The air felt heavier than before, like the tension from the classroom had followed them out and settled on everyone's shoulders. Z walked behind Chrome, trying to shake the image of Lucy's trembling hands as she wiped blood from her lips.
Just before they stepped into the elevator, Chrome put a firm hand on Z's shoulder, pulling him back.
'You don't even know what you've gotten yourself into, Z.'
Z frowned. 'You mean because I stood up to Conner?'
'I told you…there is a reason why we can't interfere.' His voice dropped. 'That girl, Lucy… she should be dead by all rights. She was given another shot at life. But she's not in complete control of that life.'
'That's stupid. That's not a reason to treat her like a slave.'
Chrome sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. 'I wouldn't expect you to know yet. Either way, you cannot disgrace a child of the Elders of the Ministry and expect to get away with it. Especially not Conner.'
The elevator dinged again as the doors reopened on the floor beneath revealing the training level. The room was filled with weapons, lockers, weapon racks, training dummies and other training equipment.
'Alright,' Chrome called out, 'Get your armaments ready, everyone. We have a very special session today. And Mo, help Z pick a weapon.'
A small boy with bandages wrapped around both hands walked towards Z. He already chosen a double wooden crescent blade strapped behind his back.
'All weapons here are wooden. Y'know, for safety,' Mo said casually.
'You're Mo?'
'Yeah. Mo Eclipos. Son of the famous Wo Eclipos.' He said. 'But don't worry about who I am.' He leaned closer, reducing his voice. 'How did you do that?'
'Do what?' Z blinked.
'C'mon, don't act dumb. That punch. The speed. You seriously surprised us. I guess Chrome was lying when he said you didn't know anything about Miasma control.'
Z nervously chuckled. 'Too bad I didn't land it on Conner. Damn bastard. But that girl — the one who stopped my fist… who is she?'
'Oh, Eve Dragonheart?' Mo scoffed softly, though with a hint of admiration. 'She's the strongest among us. Probably the one most likely to become the Sage from the Vatican, like her….'
Mo's voice faded.
'Like her what?' Z asked.
'Never mind. Let's get you a weapon.'
He led Z into the weapons section. It was lined with racks upon racks of wooden replicas of legendary weapons. Z scanned the room: staffs reinforced with metal rings, Sai and daggers with intricate wooden carvings, bows with polished arrows, wooden shields, knives, glaives, and even massive training hammers. Then, Z spotted a simple wooden katana. Instantly he became attached and picked it up.
'Alright,' Z said admiring the wooden blade, 'I'm ready to go.'
***
ELSEWHERE…DARKNESS STIRRED MALICIOUSLY.
Grey sat on his silver throne, irritation etched deep into his expression. He tapped his fingers impatiently against the armrest and glanced at his absurdly expensive Hublot wristwatch. His foot tapped the ground. His jaw twitched. Someone was late.
Finally, footsteps echoed down the long corridor.
'I'm sorry I'm late,' a female voice said.
Grey exploded. 'You're sorry?! Or were you just wasting my time sulking over a dead kid? You know how much I hate waiting. I should kill you one of these days.'
The woman stood calmly, though her shoulders trembled for just a moment. 'What do you have for me?' Grey demanded.
'The report from Joker just came in,' she said.
'It better be good or I'm killing him too.'
She paused. 'The next Sage has been chosen, he says. He is currently training in the Vatican. No one suspects anything. Everything is going according to plan.'
Grey's lips curled into a slow smile. 'Well, Amy… it seems it's time to move on to the final phase. Tell Joker to keep observing. The end is near at last.'
'Yes, Grey.'
As Amy left, Grey leaned back and laughed devilishly, a tear trinkled out of her eye.
'Z.'
***
BACK AT THE SPARRING ARENA…
The class took the elevator to the sparing arena directly beneath the weapons room. The arena was enormous, with tiered seats, padded walls, and a massive ceiling reinforced with beams and only designated combat Shades were allowed here.
'Alright, today we'll be training in pairs to show Z how it's done. Remember, subdue your opponent and that's it.'
He scanned the group.
'For our demonstration, Eve, step forward.'
Eve stepped out silently, her short wooden daggers in her hands. She didn't look excited or confident -- just emotionless the same way she stared out the window.
Chrome continued, "Would anyone like to challenge her?"
'I will.'
Everyone turned. It was Conner.
'Looking to redeem yourself, big guy?' Mo taunted.
Conner growled, 'Shut up, blood freak.' Then pointed at Z. 'You're next, runt.'
He stepped into the ring holding massive wooden tonfas, each weighing thousands of pounds. They were customized specially for him due to his size.
The sparring ring was an 8-meter square mat raised slightly above the ground. Eve stood on the north end, her stance relaxed, dagger hilts pressed lightly against her palms.
Chrome nodded. 'Begin.'
Conner charged like a bull, muscles tensing. He swung his tonfa in a wide arc, aiming to crush Eve with sheer force.
Eve rather than simply dodging threw herself at the blow, then at the last second, she slid out of the way, shifting her weight. Conner struck nothing but air. Before he could regain balance, Eve flicked her wrist and struck upward with the hilt of her dagger — straight under his jaw.
Conner's giant body lifted off the ground momentarily before dropping like a dead log. Out cold.
It was not that Conner was weak. His opponent was just too overwhelming.
Mo leaned close to Z. 'You know… sometimes I forget just how stupidly strong that girl is. Damn.'
Z swallowed, maybe he didn't want to compete against this girl after all.
'Thank you, Eve,' Chrome said. 'Medics will be here shortly to get Conner off the mat.'
Soon, two masked women in white uniforms rushed forward with a stretcher. They heaved Conner's bulky frame onto it with surprising efficiency and hurried him out of the arena.
'Alright,' Chrome continued, clapping his hands once. 'Let's have Z spar against… uh, Thiago.'
Thiago look liked he had been raised from a county somewhere in Nevada, dirty blond hair, tanned skin and pale blue eyes with a muscular build.
He stepped forward with a confident swagger, rolling his shoulders as if loosening up for a warm-up rather than a fight. His expression was calm, but there was a certain glint in his eyes that said otherwise. His weapon flashed under the arena lights: a long wooden staff polished to a shine. A weapon with the advantage of range, speed and leverage.
Z swallowed hard.
His steps to the mat were slow and heavy. Every Shade in the arena watched him, their whispers a low buzz that made his skin crawl. He hated crowds. Hated being observed, judged, expected to perform. And now he was supposed to fight? In front of all these people?
He gripped his wooden katana, but his palms were slippery with sweat. The weapon wobbled slightly.
Chrome raised his hand.
'Begin.'
Thiago didn't hesitate. He knew his opponent was inexperienced.
Z barely saw him. The staff came slicing towards his ribs. Z yelped and twisted, narrowly avoiding the blow, but Thiago had already repositioned going for another attack
WHACK.
The staff cracked across Z's guard. Pain exploded through his arm, stumbling him back.
Thiago smirked, seemingly confident now. 'Come on, newbie. Show me that punch again. Or was that just a fluke.'
Another thrust. Another hit. Another step back from Z. He was being overwhelmed badly.
Thiago hammered down from above. Z parried with pure instinct, but the force rattled his bones. His legs trembled, breaking his stance.
There was nothing he could do. Thiago's movements were precise, calculated. Each one transition into the next fluidly.
Murmurs came from the class watching.
'Thiago's toying with him. Damn.'
'Bro is cooked. He should just lie on the ground and beg.'
'Just another hothead, can't do shit without crying first.'
**************
Chrome had managed to notice movement behind him. Eve had left the arena using Z's fight as a decoy. Where she was headed to remained a secret.
I'd better follow her. She was acting strange during her bout with Conner. Ten seconds should have been enough…
She got inside the elevator. Two flights up she went…
She's going to the first floor? Why? Her moon daggers are still intact. This is suspicious.
After some time, he followed her. As he stepped out from the elevator and into the walkway, he saw Eve clutching her right hand and heading towards the infirmary.
He simply smiled and returned to the elevator.
'Another monster has arrived.'
**********
WHAM!
Thiago's staff slammed against Z's katana, but this time, Z didn't fall. He held firm, digging into the mat.
'Oh? So you do have some fight in you.' Thiago said.
Z could feel something guiding him. Was it the Grail? He didn't have time to find out.
Thiago stepped back twirling the staff. Then he lunged towards Z. Their weapons clashed -- Katana against staff. Z parried a chain of strikes that would easily put a regular person six foot under.
But it was only for a moment.
The energy driving him had faded as quickly as it came. Thiago noticed immediately.
The staff slammed into his ribs. Air rushed from his lungs. Another blow to his thigh followed and Z collapsed to one knee.
'Enough.' Chrome said, bringing the match to an end.
Z fell backwards, crashing onto the mat, beat.
Thiago planted his staff next to Z's head and leaned over him. 'You're tough… but strength without control is just chaos. Remember that, newbie.'
Z wheezed, coughing as pain throbbed through his body. Thiago walked off the mat, victorious.
Z stared up at the ceiling lights. His chest was aching and his vision was blurry. Shame washed over him. Reality hit him hard -- no Grail miracle, no sudden genius feats. Utter defeat.
Mo jogged over and offered him a hand. 'Dude… you're still alive? That's impressive. Hey, don't take it personal, he just has a thing for Eve.'
Z forced a weak laugh.
'Medics will be here to get you so sit tight.' Chrome said.
'No.' Z refused. 'I want to observe the net fight. Please.'
Chrome sighed. 'Fine. But I don't want to hear any complaints later.'
Z nodded.
'Alright,' Chrome announced, 'Enough of that let's finish up for today, can Lucy and Tyson step onto the mat. '
Lucy stepped out hesitantly, shoulders stiff. She held a pair of wooden Sai close to her chest. Her eyes were fixed to the floor.
Tyson, a boy with light green hair, freckles and insane eyes stepped out grinning maniacally with his hands in his pockets.
'Tyson,' Chrome said in a stern, exhausted voice. 'I assume you remember your restrictions. No metals. I'm serious.'
Tyson waved dismissively. 'Yeah, yeah. I hear you, Mr. Chrome.'
Z observed Tyson. Something about him made him feel uneasy. 'Hey Mo.'
'What's up?' He asked
Z nodded toward Lucy. 'Will she be okay?'
'Yeah… she can handle herself in standard bouts, but—'
'But what?'
'That guy… Tyson treats everyone like a lab rat. He's a freak.'
'Like a mad scientist?' Z said.
Mo grinned at the idea. 'Probably worse. Just watch. Let's hope nobody bleeds.'
Z frowned. 'How come Tyson doesn't have a weapon?'
'He doesn't need one,' Mo muttered. 'His ability: Alchemy. Allows him to create matter from nothing. But it has to be wooden or he gets penalized.'
Tyson pulled white gloves from his pocket and slid it onto his hand with dramatic flair. On the back of the gloves were runic magic circles intricate, with ancient-looking symbols overlapping in layers.
He placed his hands on the ground and said. 'Divine Ability: Alchemy.'
Wind rippled outward. Light spiraled upward from underneath him. The ground trembled under their feet. A magic circle identical to the one on Tyson's glove, but larger burst to life under him, glowing silver.
A wooden scythe rose from the swirling Miasmic ring beneath him. Its blade was curved wickedly, almost too cleanly carved, as if the wood itself wanted to spill blood.
Tyson's grin widened.
Lucy took her stance.
Then they charged.
Tyson swung horizontally, the scythe slicing through the air with a violent whistle. Lucy leapt over it, twisting midair to thrust her Sai toward his shoulder, but Tyson sidestepped and swept her off her feet. She hit the mat hard.
He didn't stop.
The scythe came down again, but she rolled aside and lunged forward. Their weapons clashed.
The fight escalated quickly. Tyson's strikes were wild but powerful; Lucy's counters were tight and efficient, keeping the battle dead-locked.
A tiny opportunity came for Tyson when she slipped. Just half a step — but enough.
Tyson lunged, eyes gleaming, his scythe perfectly aligned for a crucial blow.
Lucy stepped into the attack instead of away from it, dodging the blade by inches. She grabbed his shoulder, used his momentum, and flipped him over her hip with brutal precision.
The sound of Tyson's body hitting the mat echoed through the entire hall.
Meanwhile, Z had been watching the way Lucy fought. Now that she was away from Conner, she seemed more alive than ever. That and she looked strangely familiar to Z. The way she fought; it was as if Z remembered it somewhere. The menacing look she had in her eye. He had seen it before. A certain mercenary had fought similarly.
Wait, Mercenary?
A man's dying wish. Daughter. Promise? Picture.
Z reached inside of his pocket and fell something. It felt like plastic, thin, square. He brought it out and dreadfully glanced once more at the girl, at Lucy.
'Shut the front door.' He muttered.
'Huh? What was that?' Mo asked abstractedly.
Sitting peacefully on an oak chair smiling was an image of Lucy, she was younger, but those sad, gloomy eyes betrayed her.
Lucy was about congratulating herself when Tyson shifted. Lucy turned around to face him, but Tyson had stood up already. A magic circle conjured on his gloved palm. Twin wooden sub-machine guns with large nozzles materialized. His pupils had shrunk, veins bulged on his forehead.
Chrome sprang forward to stop Tyson. But Tyson had already pulled the triggers.
A hail of wooden bullets erupted toward Lucy.
'DIE, YOU STUPID BITCH!' Tyson screamed.
Roy's voice echoed in his skull. Find my daughter and protect her… Z…
'Help me, Grail.'
'As you wish, Z.'
A second later, Z was standing between Lucy and the bullets. The shots struck him instead, tearing into his clothes, grazing his skin, cracking against the barrier of Miasma that erupted around him.
Lucy collapsed to the ground behind him, bleeding but breathing.
'Are you okay?' Z asked, not taking his eyes off Tyson.
Behind his glasses, his irises glowed crimson.
'Not really,' she whispered.
'I see.'
Chrome clawed at the air, trying desperately to break through the barrier that had risen around the mat — a shimmering wall of pure Miasma. It blocked entry and exit. Chrome wasn't a combatant; he could only stare helplessly. Chrome decided to observe the new Shade and report back to the Ministry. This was just his first day and he had completely ignored his objectives. Hopefully, his actions won't attract the attention of the Ministry.
Meanwhile, Z raised his hand. His wooden katana, lying outside the barrier, shot toward him, phasing through the barrier. It slapped cleanly into his palm.
Tyson trembled with rage. 'Huh?! You wanna go, newbie? I'LL PUMP YOU FULL OF HOLES!'
Z exhaled calmly. His right hand gripped his sword. Then, Tyson opened fire, releasing a barrage of wooden shots at Z.
Z moved swiftly. He deflected some bullets with the katana. Some whistled past his cheek, grazing skin. One struck his thigh. But he didn't flinch. Once in reach he gave Tyson one punch. A clean, brutal strike to the solar plexus.
Tyson folded instantly, collapsing with a strangled gag, spit and air bursting from his throat. He definitely wasn't getting back up.
The barrier vanished. Yet no one moved.
Every Shade stared at Z like he was something terrifying, something divine, something unknown. By all right he should not have been able to do those things. This was just his first day.
Chrome weakly cleared his throat. 'I… think that's enough for today.'
Z scooped Lucy gently into his arms and carried her out, stepping over Tyson's half-conscious body.
'Where's the infirmary?' Z asked as he passed Chrome.
Chrome said, 'They're not going to be happy with your actions, Z.'
'I don't care.'
Chrome studied Z. He just couldn't figure this boy out. Why was he so attached to Lucy? He didn't even know what Shades were until the museum. The Grail was progressing too fast inside a non-Shade. And if this continues, the Grail will consume him before he even becomes the Sage…
Lucy woke to sharp throbs all across her body. The infirmary ceiling was dimly lit by soft lanterns. Her right shoulder blade stung the most since Tyson had aimed there repeatedly. She clenched her teeth. The attendant wasn't around and it was just 5 PM, still a ways to go until bedtime. That psycho freak, I'm going to get him next time, she thought.
Just then, the most handsome male Shade she had ever seen walked in carrying a glass of water and peeled apple slices.
'Hey,' Z said with that unbothered smile. 'I brought you some get-well-soon snacks.'
Lucy immediately looked away. Conner's threats echoed in her mind — the bruises he left last time. She wasn't allowed to speak to other boys. Not even look.
'Still won't talk, I see,' Z said softly.
'Leave me alone, Z. I don't want to get in trouble with Conner. My punishment was given by the Ministry. If you don't want to die, mind your business.'
'First, I'm not going to die. Second, I'm going revoke your punishment.'
Lucy's eyes flashed with hope, then dulled instantly.
'Liar. You're not the first to say that. I appreciate your help but… just go. You'll get us both in trouble.'
'I'm serious.'
She didn't respond.
Z reached into his pocket.
'But first, I need you to confirm something.' He pulled out the picture. 'Does the name Roy mean anything to you?'
Lucy froze.
Z turned the picture toward her. Lucy gasped.
'Dad?!'