Heroes of Veridia: Evelyn's Journey

The White Knights began to unravel, panic etched on their faces as they seemed too stunned to remember their gifts. Evelyn, perplexed by their uncharacteristic behavior, questioned what was unfolding before her. Number One swiftly pinned Logan to the ground while Numbers Two and Three closed in on Vivian and Selene.

Vivian's senses returned as her gaze locked with Evelyn's, the moment fraught with tension. Evelyn, sensing trouble, bolted toward the door. Her soldiers, Number Two and Three, abandoned their pursuit of the girls to shield her from Selene's blood tendrils. In an instant, Vivian conjured a powerful gust of wind, blowing Evelyn and her soldiers out of the room and freeing Logan from Number One's grip.

"Three seconds... that's all I needed," Evelyn muttered under her breath. Without hesitation, Number One aimed the paintball gun upward, firing three shots. Despite the swirling wind, each pellet found its mark on the White Knights' heads.

They froze, their faces painted with disbelief as the colorful liquid trickled down. Evelyn cautiously peeked back into the room as the wind subsided. Logan wore a look of bitter disappointment, Vivian was in denial, and Selene's face was masked in terror—an expression that baffled Evelyn.

A sudden bell chimed, and they were teleported to a new location. A massive sign that read "Congratulations" loomed in front of the Phantom Edge building.

"We passed," Logan said, his voice tinged with excitement. Selene dropped to the ground, overwhelmed with relief, while Vivian glared at Evelyn with fury. She stormed over to her, flanked by her soldiers.

Evelyn stood her ground, silently debating what to do with her soldiers. To her surprise, it seemed they had been counted among the official participants, now also students of Phantom Edge.

Vivian, seething, demanded to know what Evelyn's soldiers wanted from her. Evelyn, inwardly baffled by her sister's outburst, remained calm. Logan and Selene soon joined them.

"You impressed me," Logan admitted, though his voice carried a warning. "But I won't lose the next time we meet."

Evelyn shrugged off his praise, giving credit to her soldiers. Selene's mischievous grin reappeared as she asked who had shot her during their encounter on the train. Evelyn pointed to Number One, who stood silently beside her, exchanging a cold glance with Vivian.

Vivian grabbed Evelyn's arm, demanding an introduction to the soldiers. Evelyn pulled away, stating she didn't even know their names but trusted them because they hadn't tried to eliminate her.

"And for your information," Evelyn added coldly, "they do whatever I say."

Number One pulled Vivian's hand off Evelyn. Infuriated, Vivian tried to shove him, but her strength was no match. Furious, she shouted that Evelyn was her sister, and Number One should let go.

Without warning, Number One drew a pistol and aimed it at Vivian's head. The crowd gasped as a deadly silence fell over the scene.

Logan intervened, his floating sword coming dangerously close to Number One's neck. "Put the gun down," he warned.

Students around them whispered, watching in shock as the tension escalated. Selene, amused by the unfolding chaos, asked if Evelyn was going to let her sister die, though she didn't seem opposed to the idea.

"Shut up," Logan growled at Selene, his patience thinning.

"Evelyn!" Logan barked.

Evelyn sighed, signaling Number One to back off. She grabbed the pistol, unloading it to reveal plastic pellets. "It's just a toy," she said, mockingly.

Vivian's face flushed with embarrassment. Without warning, she punched Evelyn hard in the face, sending her sprawling to the ground. Logan quickly restrained her, pulling her back before things spiraled further out of control.

Selene let out a burst of laughter, earning a sharp glare from Logan. "Enough," he warned, his tone firm. Selene smirked but relented, stepping back toward the group. "Congratulations on making a spectacle in a school that prides itself on subtlety," she remarked, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she glanced at Evelyn.

Evelyn didn't bother responding, her attention elsewhere as the crowd of students dispersed. With a simple nod to her soldiers, she headed into the school, her steps calm and controlled. Just inside the entrance, a man stood waiting—a tall, imposing figure leaning on a cane. His nametag read "Manager," though Evelyn noted the irony. Why bother with a title if he didn't want people to know his real name?

The Manager's expression was cold as he addressed the recruits of Phantom Edge, outlining their schedule for the next two months. Each student was assigned a room, fully equipped for what lay ahead. The rooms, however, were not designed for comfort.

"Enjoy your stay," he said in a dry, formal tone, gesturing toward the hallway that led to the dorms.

When Evelyn reached her assigned room, her lip curled slightly in distaste. The room was spartan and claustrophobic, just big enough for a narrow bed and a small desk crammed into the corner. Metal shelves lined the walls, their edges sharp and cold, meant for the efficient storage of the bare essentials. A single dim light bulb hung from the ceiling, casting harsh shadows across the room. It wasn't meant to be a place of rest but a constant reminder of the harsh training to come—designed to keep its occupants on edge.

Evelyn shook off her unease and ordered her soldiers to get settled in their rooms, commanding them to return to her once they were done. She also made it clear they were to stay away whenever she was with Vivian.

The day passed in a blur as they were given a tour of Phantom Edge and briefed on the rules. All the while, Evelyn moved in quiet detachment, her mind elsewhere, while Vivian stuck with Selene and Logan, her icy glares reserved for Evelyn whenever their paths crossed. But Evelyn didn't care; her focus was set on more important things.

By the time Evelyn returned to her room, the sky outside had darkened, and exhaustion crept into her bones. As she glanced at the small mirror nailed to the wall, her fingers brushed against the stinging bruise on her cheek—the result of Vivian's earlier outburst. She winced slightly but let her hand linger, her mind drifting.

A sudden knock on the door interrupted Evelyn's thoughts. She hesitated for a moment before opening it, her expression darkening when she saw Vivian standing beside the Manager. The dim lighting from the hallway barely illuminated their faces, casting long shadows across the worn floor.

The Manager's gaze was indifferent as he spoke, "Your father wishes to meet with both of you. It won't take long." His voice was clipped and efficient. Then, as if remembering his routine, he added, "Do you have any final tasks before we leave?"

Evelyn cast a glance back at her bleak, spartan room—the chipped paint on the walls, the cold metal bedframe, and the harsh light bulb swaying slightly overhead. A place built to drain any sense of comfort or security. She shook her head, her face neutral. "I'm ready," she said.

Without another word, the Manager raised his cane, striking its tip firmly against the ground. The air around them shimmered for a split second, and the room dissolved into a swirl of darkness before solidifying again into the grand, polished confines of Victor Blackwood's office.

Victor sat behind his imposing desk, his fingers steepled together as he studied his daughters with a cool, calculating gaze. Two guards flanked the door, their presence stoic despite the late hour. The room was eerily quiet, illuminated by the warm glow of the overhead chandelier, which cast a golden sheen across the polished wood and glass furniture.

The Manager bowed briefly before disappearing, leaving Evelyn and Vivian alone with their father.

Victor's eyes flickered between the two. "How are you both?" His voice was calm, yet there was an edge of expectation beneath it.

"We're fine," Evelyn replied quickly, her face softening into a smile. "The challenge went well. Despite the presence of some gifted students, Vivian and I worked together, and we succeeded." She emphasized her words, hoping to impress him.

Victor's lips curled into a small, approving smile. "I've heard. I'm impressed with your teamwork," he said, his tone almost warm. He motioned Evelyn to step closer to his desk. As she approached, her eyes were drawn to a small vial resting on his desk—a glowing green liquid, protected by a thick glass casing.

"This must be what Vivian mentioned," Evelyn thought, her heartbeat quickening. "But... it's just liquid?"

Victor's gaze followed hers. "You're right," he said, standing and walking around the desk. His hands moved slowly, almost reverently, as he picked up the vial. "This is the culmination of years of research. A serum designed to grant gifts to those who were born without them." His voice was filled with pride. "Giftless people, like you, Evelyn."

Evelyn swallowed hard, staring at the vial as Victor continued. "It took immense effort, trials, and sacrifices to get to this point. This serum, specifically, is tailored for you. A blend that I believe will awaken abilities within you that no one has seen before."

Vivian's eyes widened with excitement as she watched from a nearby sofa. "Finally," she said under her breath, "you'll have what we have."

Victor nodded toward one of the guards, who promptly handed him a syringe. As Victor prepared the injection, Evelyn's pulse raced. A mix of fear and anticipation swirled in her chest. She trusted her father—she had no choice—but the uncertainty gnawed at her. What would happen if someone with a latent gift, like her, took something like this? Could it change her, twist her in ways she couldn't imagine?

But she didn't dare show hesitation. She smiled tightly and extended her arm as Victor instructed. The cold metal of the syringe gleamed in the light as a guard tied a cloth around her bicep. Vivian leaned back on the sofa, a smile of satisfaction on her face, eager to see the results.

As the needle pierced her skin, Evelyn felt a strange warmth spreading through her veins. It was subtle at first, almost soothing, but then it intensified, a surge of energy that was foreign and wild. Her heartbeat thudded loudly in her ears as the green serum mixed with her blood.

Her breath hitched as she felt something deep within her stir—something dormant, something powerful. Her vision blurred for a second, and then she saw it. Shadows danced along the edges of her vision, flickering like a dark flame, moving with her thoughts. The air around her seemed to shift, growing heavy with an invisible force, and for a brief moment, the entire room seemed to darken as if the light itself was bending around her.

Her fingers twitched involuntarily, and a low hum echoed in her mind as if the shadows themselves were calling to her, waiting to be unleashed. She locked eyes with Victor, and in that moment, she knew—something had awoken inside her.

Vivian's excitement faltered, sensing the intensity building in the room. "What... what is happening?" she whispered, her smile fading as she glanced between her father and Evelyn.

Victor's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "It's working," he murmured.