The next day everything at the academy just felt wrong. Classes went on like usual and students kept training while teachers lectured but it was all off somehow. I think because word had spread that something had gotten inside the place and it wasn't supposed to be there at all.
The instructor tried to act normal when he said alright combat trials today. Nobody got excited about it though. Everyone stayed tense watching and waiting mostly avoiding Kael like he was the problem.
This is getting annoying Rhea muttered to Lucien who just replied you expected people to act normal. She said no but this is too much. Kael didn't say anything because he was used to being ignored just not in this way. Before they looked down on him but now they seemed scared and that felt worse somehow.
They fear you now.
But he clenched his fists and muttered shut up to the voice in his head.
Lucien noticed and asked still doing that but Kael ignored him. Then the instructor called out pairs and students moved fast but nobody went near Kael. Seriously Rhea said stepping forward Ill fight him. The instructor hesitated are you sure and she smirked I'm not scared of him.
Kael looked at her and the words slipped out you should be though they weren't totally his own. Rhea didn't flinch then prove it. The match started and she moved first with fire erupting sharp and controlled cutting through the air at him. He dodged but barely and another wave came faster this time. He tried to move again but something inside reacted.
Let me help
the voice said and he whispered no stumbling as the flames grazed his shoulder burning for real. Kael focus! Rhea shouted and he yelled back I am but he wasn't because the voice got louder stronger calling him weak.
Stop he said you'll lose
and he replied I don't care though it called him a liar.
Something snapped then and the ground cracked under him with dark energy surging out. Rhea froze saying not again as Kael's eyes flickered with darkness creeping in. I told you his voice shifted you should be afraid. She reacted quick sending a massive wave of fire at him but Kael didn't dodge this time. He just stood there raising his hand and the flames stopped mid air.
Rhea's eyes went wide what and then they twisted bending unnaturally turning dark before getting thrown back at her. Lucien shouted Rhea and she barely blocked it but the impact sent her crashing back. The arena went silent.
Kael stood breathing slow but not fully himself. Kael Rhea said struggling to get up and he muttered don't come closer his body trembling. Let go the voice pushed and he said no but it yelled
LET GO.
The pressure exploded with dark energy bursting out and this time it didn't stop.