Stuck in the Shadows

When Kibeom woke up the next day and tried to sit up, he almost cried. His whole body ached and protested at even the slightest movement, and it felt like he had been used as a punching bag the day before. In all honesty, he was, but Kibeom didn’t believe he was actually so unfit that being put under some intensive training would lead to him feeling like this. No one could know about this, though, so Kibeom gritted his teeth and got ready for school.


Kibeom follows the same path going home as he took yesterday, and as expected, a man in a trench coat appears in his path.
“Hello, Kibeom.”
“Hi Abalon. Are you taking me to the Galactica?”
“Yes. Do you require anything from your home?” Kibeom was surprised that Abalon even bothered to ask.
“No.”
“Good, because I wasn’t going to take you.” Why was Kibeom not surprised at Abalon’s response?
Abalon places his hand on Kibeom’s shoulder and Kibeom began to feel slightly dizzy. The next thing he knows, he is back in the library of the Galactica.
“Why didn’t I feel dizzy the first time?” Kibeom asks
“If myself or another citizen of this planet personally teleports you from Earth, it will feel different to being teleported while in the Galactica.”
“Oh.”
“Time’s a-wasting. We must make the most of the time we have been allowed, to improve your power capacity in such a short amount of time. You will be given your first mission very soon, so we must hurry.”
“Wha-? What do you mean?”
“You’ll know soon enough.”

~3 months later~
“YES! YES THAT’S IT!” Abalon yells in joy. After three months of intensive training, Kibeom had made leaps in progress. He could feel power coursing through his veins, him and the shadows had become very compatible, and Abalon was extremely pleased with the results of his perseverance. Perhaps, humans can be taught, he thinks to himself.
“Do it once more!” Abalon says, not bothering to hide his excitement.
Kibeom grins, and holds out his hand. He calms his beating heart, and sends his mind into a place of peace. In this place of peace, Kibeom imagines very clearly what he wants the shadows to do. They may be in his control, but shadows were volatile creatures. They could be as affectionate and dependent as a newly-born babe one minute and suddenly angry and ready to kill anything the next. There had been occasions when this was the case, and Kibeom had not escaped unscathed. He had many scars wrapped around his torso, from when the shadows had lashed him. But now, Kibeom had gained their respect. They obeyed him more often than not and it had lead to great leaps in improvement.
Kibeom could feel a curling and writhing in his hand. They began to emerge from beneath the shelves, sliding away from the corners and where ever else they lay resting. They slithered to Kibeom, and wrapped themselves around him. Kibeom smiled, and whispered “Vorentoe.”
Without a second’s delay, the shadows formed an arrow and shot themselves towards Abalon. Abalon held out his hands to create a barrier, and the shadows smashed head on into it. Upon impact, they scattered and returned to Kibeom, who lowered his hand and let his mind return to thinking normally.
“Verdywn.” Kibeom says, and the shadows recede and return to their original positions.
“A few more days of this, and you’ll soon be able to summon the shadows without my supervision. I commend you, Kibeom.” Abalon grins.
“Seriously? That’s awesome!”
“Yes. However, you must first past the test to become a guardian before being able to do so with consent from The Leaders.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Good. Now go see Syra. Your training session with her is soon.”

Kibeom leaves the space, and walks past the many shelves, towards the double doors. His training had paid off and he could manage to open a gap just big enough for him to squeeze through. It may not seem like much, but Kibeom was extremely proud of himself. He leaves the library, and wanders the hallways to the training center. Opening the door, Kibeom walks in and sees that Syra already awaits him.
“Hello, Kibeom. You just have to put on your normal training clothes. We wont be doing anything strenuous today.” Syra says. Kibeom nods and goes to change.
True enough, Syra ran Kibeom through some simple fighting techniques and movements. She made him go into defence and then into attack. Time flew by, and before he knew it, Kibeom had changed back into his regular clothing.
“Kibeom, do you know what kind of training session you just went through?”
“An easy one?”
“The one I put you through the first time we met.”
Kibeom’s eyes widen in surprise, and he can’t help but laugh out loud in his surprise.
“Seriously?! You’re kidding, right?!”
“Yes, seriously. You’ve made a lot of progress, you know, both physically and mentally. I mean, look at those muscles! Good job!” Syra grins and pats him on the back. Kibeom could feel his cheeks turning red as he looks down at his feet in embarrassment.
“The Leaders are going to put you through your test, soon, so be prepared. The next few days, we’re going to really train hard so that you can be at your peak when you’re tested. Make sure you pass, because after your test, you’ll be given a mission that will determine whether or not you will be make a suitable guardian. Of course, Abalon will brief you on this all before your test. You have to go home now, though.”
“Ok. When will I be tested?”
“There’s no exact date. It’s a very vague event designed to catch you by surprise.”
“Oh..”
“Yes. So all we can do is prepare you the best we can. I’ll send you back home, now.”

Before Kibeom could reply, he was back in the middle of the road. As usual, only thirty minutes had passed. When Kibeom reached his house, his father was bringing the mail in.
“Hey dad!”
“Kibeom! Hello. How was school?”
“Good. Not much happening.”
“Listen, son. Your mother and I have noticed that you’ve been coming home later. Is there something you’re hiding?”
“Oh. Sorry, dad. I just have more work than usual. I don’t want to bring it all home so I do some at school.”
“Ah, ok. You aren’t too stressed?”
“Not at all. Working out really helps me.”
“Yeah, there are pretty good results showing up. Just let us know if you need help, alright?”
“Yeah, dad. Thanks.”
“It’s all good, son.”
Kibeom’s father walks to the kitchen, while Kibeom walks up the stairs to his room. He would have a harder time explaining things once he gets his “mission” or whatever.
“I need some good excuses, and fast.” Kibeom mutters.
“Why do you need excuses??” Kibeom whirls around and looks towards the doorway.
“Oh, its just you. I don’t need excuses. Please close the door.” Kibeom looks at his younger sister and she gives him an odd look before closing the door. Kibeom sighs and flops onto his bed. Sisters. He thinks, rolling his eyes.

Notes