Nightveil: The Forbidden Trait

A soft clap echoed across the garden.

"So, kids, we are here now," came the sweet, sing-song voice of Lady Eriica Love, the Guild Lord of the Love Guild.

She stood like a vision from a dream—an ethereal queen draped in flowing velvet pink. The gown shimmered with stardust-like sparkles at the hem, and her golden hair cascaded like liquid sunlight, pinned delicately by a crystal tiara. Her eyes were warm pools of kindness, scanning each of us with gentle grace.

A goddess in motion.

I didn't say anything aloud—but in my mind, I whispered: kawaii... There was something naturally comforting about her, as if her very presence dulled fear and quieted chaos.

She gave a playful wink. "Follow me."

We trailed behind her, almost enchanted, through winding paths of blooming hedges and marble archways. At the end, we reached a palace tinted with pastel hues and rose-colored glass. The scent of fresh petals drifted through the air, and at the center of the courtyard stood a swan-shaped fountain, humming a melody with every cascade.

She led us into the rear garden—alive with vivid blossoms and golden sunlight. Awaiting us were three guild members, each woman as stunning as Lady Eriica herself. Though the rest of the guild was likely away on missions, these three looked like angels summoned from heaven.

Ritchi's jaw dropped. "Are we in heaven? Someone slap me. No, wait—don't."

The three women approached us warmly—and to my utter shock, they all hugged me. Tight.

Lady Eriica chuckled softly. "They've been fans of Arceus after his aura display. But now... it seems Ryan has stolen the spotlight."

I was stunned. Not because I was embarrassed—though I was—but because the hug was... overwhelmingly soft. I couldn't breathe. My face was squished against something that didn't feel particularly... safe.

For the first time, I was speechless.

From a distance, Luci watched, her face turning a shade of crimson that could rival a sunrise. "What... are you DOING, Ryan?!"

Before I could even respond, she stormed over and smacked the back of my head. "BED. NOW."

One of the girls giggled. "But we just met!"

Lady Eriica smiled playfully. "Let's give them space. Training begins early. Time to rest."

She gave a cute wink, and with a flick of her finger, spun gracefully away. A few of us—including Ritchi—were still in mild shock.

Angel mumbled, "Let's go before Luci throws fire."

We returned to our rooms.

I didn't sleep immediately. Instead, I stood by the window, gazing at the moon. The curtains swayed with the breeze, and I found my thoughts drifting to my mother—the way she smiled, her soft voice, and the silent promise I made to protect what she loved.

A knock at the door broke my thoughts.

I opened it. Luci stood there, arms crossed. "Wanna take a walk?"

I blinked. "If you wanna go, I'll come. If not, I'll just go alone."

She raised a brow. "Idiot. I'm asking you. Let's go."

We walked under the moonlit sky. Cherry blossoms fell gently from above, lit by floating lanterns. The path beneath us sparkled faintly.

After a long silence, Luci asked, "Ryan... if you ever had the chance to kill someone, would you?"

Her voice was serious. Not teasing. Not angry.

I thought for a moment. "No. Not unless they threatened something I'd give everything to protect. Even then... I'd hesitate. Because I'd hate to become the very thing I fight."

She chuckled softly. "Still the same."

I turned to her. Her expression was softer than usual. Mature. Reflective.

She looked at me. "Have you ever loved someone?"

I paused. "Yes."

Her eyes flickered. "Who?"

I smiled gently. "The kind ones. The ones who help others. Who give without asking. The ones who bring chocolate to orphans and shelter to elders. But..." I trailed off.

"But?"

"I'm scared to help too much. Because if I do... what happens when I'm not around anymore?"

She stopped walking. Her voice was a whisper. "That's why I admire you. You care even when it hurts."

I shrugged. "But if I had to name one person I love the most—it's my mother. No hesitation. I'd do anything for her."

A long pause hung in the air.

Luci finally said, "We should probably head back."

She turned away.

But I gently grabbed her hand.

She turned back, surprised.

"There's one more," I said softly.

She blinked. "One more?"

I stepped closer. "Someone I may love... my queen."

Her eyes widened. She trembled slightly—and then smiled with tears in her eyes. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around me.

We held each other. Warmth spread through my chest.

Then she leaned in.

I gently placed my finger on her lips.

"Not yet," I whispered.

I kissed her forehead.

"We've got a long journey ahead, my lady."

She nodded, cheeks flushed. "And you won't walk it alone."

I smiled. "Didn't plan to."

Hand in hand, we walked back.

The moonlight seemed to shine a little brighter.

The night was no longer cold.

It felt like the start of something timeless.

The next morning, sunlight poured into the Guild of Love's training gardens. The fragrance of blooming roses lingered in the air, and the sound of gentle fountains echoed like a calming lullaby. Despite the peace, tension buzzed through our bodies. Today, our real training would begin.

Lady Eriica stood at the center of the garden, radiant in her soft pink robes that shimmered like stardust. Her voice rang clear and melodic, "Everyone, close your eyes. Breathe. Let your aura speak to you."

We sat cross-legged on the grass, surrounded by the sweet scent of roses. Her voice softened to a whisper.

"Feel your aura... link it with your body. Let your body float... Let the bond between your mind and heart guide you."

At first, there was silence.

Then suddenly, the energy surged.

Around me, the others began to glow. Luci's red aura flickered gently. Rimu's golden glow pulsed like a heartbeat. Ritchi and Praller struggled a bit, but even they began to radiate soft waves of energy.

And then... mine erupted.

Dark tendrils of energy burst from me like a storm unleashed. The ground beneath my body cracked lightly, and the rose petals scattered violently around me. Everyone else faltered for a moment, their auras dimming under the sheer pressure of mine.

I gasped, trying to steady my breath. My aura—pure black with flickers of silver—whirled around like a living entity.

Lady Eriica smiled gently. "Congratulations, Ryan. You've found the true link."

I nodded, silently.

Once the initial awakening was over, we moved on to practical training.

Spells. Martial arts. Reflex. Control.

We began with elemental casting. Luci trained in refining her flame bursts, making them smaller and more precise. Rimu focused on summoning light shields, trying to expand their range and duration. Ritchi, though lazy at first, showed surprising finesse with wind-based magic, slicing through multiple practice dummies in a single sweep.

Praller trained with raw water-based strikes, combining elemental spells with direct punches. He created waves of pressure with each blow, showing promise in mana-enhanced combat.

As for me—my training was different.

"Ryan," Lady Eriica called, walking toward me, her heels barely making a sound on the grass. "As the group leader, you must go beyond. Follow me."

I followed her silently through the garden, past marble fountains and under flowering arches.

Then we stopped.

I froze.

Beside a crescent-shaped pond, a circular platform floated mid-air, surrounded by swirling golden symbols. In its center blazed a field of ghostly, hollow flames—blue-white in color, neither burning nor freezing.

"This," she said, "is Hollow Flame. Only those with deep mental control can touch it. If you succeed, your aura will gain an edge others can't match."