Chapter 21: Shadows Ascend
The city of Aelthar was alive with anticipation. The Cross-Kingdom Grand Tournament was the ultimate test of strength, drawing the finest knights, mages, and prodigies from every realm. But among them, few knew the real force lurking in the shadows: Cael Renard and the Seven Shadows of the Umbra Circle.
Cael walked calmly into the arena, his aura barely visible to the untrained eye. At his side were the Seven Shadows Liora, Riven, Selene, Kael, Tarya, Orin, and Lyric each radiating silent, terrifying power.
To the world, they appeared as just another team, noble students ready to compete. But Cael had enhanced their abilities further, fusing fragments of his atomic and shadow energy into them:
Liora "Nightblade": Speed amplified to near-instantaneous reflexes; now capable of simultaneous multi-target strikes across vast distances.
Riven "Eclipse": Illusions now extend across the arena, disorienting entire armies of opponents; energy absorption now feeds attacks for allies.
Selene "Moonfang": Radiant shadow strikes now cut through reinforced magical armor; invulnerability bursts last longer.
Kael "Voidclaw": Can create temporary micro-dimensions to trap opponents or redirect attacks instantly.
Tarya "Silent Veil": Invisibility extended across large zones; atomic-enhanced strikes are now explosive on impact.
Orin "Grimshade": Constructs now replicate his attacks in multiple zones; atomic durability grants near-impervious defense.
Lyric "Duskwing": Aerial range extended; can control multiple planes simultaneously, redirecting attacks mid-air.
The first matches began. Visiting princes and elite students underestimated the "background team," but each Shadow moved with precision, effortlessly dispatching opponents without revealing their true strength.
From the stands, Kryos Valen watched, frowning. "They're not just skilled… they're impossible." His mind raced. "If we want to stop the Phantom Sovereign, we need more than knights and mages… we need everything we've got."
The tournament escalated. Multiple kingdom champions faced the Seven Shadows simultaneously and all failed. Atomic-enhanced strikes, illusions spanning the arena, shadow constructs moving faster than sight no one could land a blow.
Cael, in the background, observed quietly, feeding fragments of his All-Range Atomic into the Shadows, synchronizing their attacks perfectly. He whispered softly: "Move as one. Shadows and atoms control the battlefield."
At one moment, a group of elite princes tried to corner them. Liora and Kael combined their abilities, creating shadow blades that sliced through barriers and trapped opponents in micro-dimensions. Riven and Tarya absorbed incoming magic and redirected it into Orin's constructs, striking with devastating precision. Lyric and Selene dominated the sky, neutralizing airborne threats.
The arena erupted in chaos, but Cael's calm aura remained constant. Even the crowd, sensing something beyond comprehension, fell silent. No one had seen power like this.
By the end of the day, the Seven Shadows had defeated every opponent—elite princes, prodigies, and top knights from every kingdom without taking a single serious hit. The arena itself bore the marks of their controlled destruction, perfectly executed with no collateral damage.
High above, Kryos clenched his fists. "Impossible… they're not just untouchable… they're invincible. The Phantom Sovereign… he controls everything."
Cael returned to the back of the arena, expression calm, aura settling slightly. The Witch of Creation floated nearby, her admiration and subtle affection undeniable.
Ledger in hand, Cael recorded:
Tournament dominated. Seven Shadows enhanced and synchronized. City intact. Kingdom elites humiliated. Kryos' attention confirmed. Next phase ready.
Shadows stretched over the arena as he whispered softly:
"The kingdoms believe in heroes in the light.
The Devil's cult fears the Phantom in the shadows.
The Witch of Creation follows willingly.
And I… am the All-Range Atomic.
No one, not even Kryos, can touch me."