Chapter 22: Shadowbound Trials
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the canopy as five figures walked through the tall grass at the edge of Cap-Haïtien's eastern forest. Birds chirped lazily, unaware that this patch of wilderness was about to witness something extraordinary.
Peterson led the group with purpose, the Veve's Path mark on his chest faintly glowing beneath his shirt. Jean-Daniel walked beside him, munching on fried plantains from a small paper bag. Wilkens trailed a few steps behind, face buried in a thick notebook. Amanda and Miranda walked at the rear, whispering to each other, eyes sharp and observant.
"This looks like a good spot," Peterson said, pointing to a clearing beside a creek.
Jean-Daniel dropped his bag. "Nice. Let's blow something up."
Wilkens coughed. "Preferably not me."
Peterson turned to him, serious now. "Before we start... I need to ask you something, Wilkens. Do you trust me?"
Wilkens looked up from his notes. "What kind of question is that?"
"A serious one," Peterson said. "This mark—Veve's Path—only works with loyalty. No trust, no power. If you hesitate, it won't work."
Wilkens shut his notebook and walked up to Peterson. "I trust you. No hesitation."
Peterson nodded. "Then hold still."
He closed his eyes. The medallion, though now part of him, pulsed softly in acknowledgment. A green glow shimmered around Peterson's hands. He placed one on Wilkens' back.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
New Party Member Added (2/2)
Name: Wilkens François
Role: Shadowbound Scholar
Main Abilities:
• Shadow Manipulation: Control surrounding shadows to form weapons, barriers, or tendrils.
• Shadow Travel: Teleport between shadows within line of sight.
• Nocturnal Empowerment: At night, strength and fear resistance are greatly enhanced.
• Intelligence Bonus: Tactical processing increased. Learning speed doubled.
Mark Placement: Upper back – glowing black sigil with swirling veins down the spine.
As the mark settled, Wilkens stumbled forward. Shadows around the clearing stretched unnaturally toward him, then coiled back like they recognized him.
"Whoa," he whispered. "That... that tickled."
"Tickled?" Jean-Daniel echoed. "You just got shadow ninja powers and all you can say is tickled?"
Wilkens turned, grinning. "Hey, not all of us get veiny demon tattoos."
Amanda scribbled furiously in her notebook. "Shadow control... potential teleportation. Hmm."
Miranda tilted her head. "I wonder if he can sneak into the kitchen without Mom catching him now."
"Highly probable," Wilkens said smugly.
They spent the entire day training.
Jean-Daniel practiced with Peterson, helping him test his Basic Combat skill at different levels. Peterson conjured skeletons that were slightly less clumsy now and could hold a shield for more than three seconds. Amanda ran drills, counting hit accuracy. Miranda timed how long summoned skeletons lasted.
Wilkens took his time getting used to his abilities. At first, the shadows responded sluggishly, forming only vague shapes. But by noon, he could form a long spear and even wrap shadow tendrils around a boulder to toss it into the creek.
"Okay, that was awesome," Jean-Daniel said. "I'm still not sparring with him until I can punch shadows."
Peterson chuckled. "At night, he's even stronger."
"Let's wait for that," Miranda said, eyes bright. "I want to see him go full Shadow Lord mode."
"I prefer the term 'Shadow Scholar,'" Wilkens muttered.
As the sun began to dip below the trees, the forest changed. Shadows grew longer, cooler, and Wilkens' mark began to glow faint purple.
"I feel... weird," he said.
"In a good way or a horror-movie way?" Amanda asked.
Wilkens took a deep breath. "Like everything makes sense. The trees, the wind… even the mosquitoes. I can see their shadows. I can touch them."
He stepped into a long shadow cast by a tree—and disappeared.
"Wilkens?!" Peterson called.
"I'm here!" Wilkens said, reappearing behind them with a dramatic pose. "Shadow travel, baby!"
Jean-Daniel dropped his soda. "Okay, that's cheating."
Wilkens smirked. "Wanna spar?"
Peterson cracked his knuckles. "Let's go."
The others cleared the space.
Jean-Daniel shouted, "Try not to destroy the forest, boys!"
Peterson stood ready. Wilkens bent slightly, letting the shadows swirl around his feet.
They charged.
End of Chapter 22