I nervously looked around me, the voices seemed to be coming from everywhere.
Taking a deep breath I picked a direction and started running, but no matter how far I ran the voices seemed to be closing in on me.
At some point I tried to look back to take a glimpse at who was chasing me, but the instant I turned my head I stumbled on some branches that were spread all around the forest like a carpet, and as a result of that I fell on my back - tearing my shirt in the process, along with leaving a few scars.
I teared up a little because of the pain, but I still raised my head to look around, only to see an empty forest around me.
At that moment the voice finally caught up with me - and to my relief, that voice was Graham speaking from the shadows.
“Damn brat, making me look all around for you.
Why are you running around the forest instead of being in that settlement?
Ah whatever, I planned for us to do physical exercises anyway, the fewer people around the better”
After saying that - the shadow from the nearby tree morphed into his orc construct, after which it walked up to me and picked me up by the shoulders while squeezing me just enough for me to not be able to move.
And so, squirming in his arms I finally spoke.
“Thank god it’s you, sorry for running away, but I was kinda in the middle of escaping a lockup”
The construct looked at me, with a look of slight surprise and excitement on its face.
“Huh, didn’t figure you as a law-breaking kind, alright - what did you do to deserve it?
Robbery? Assault? Come on, tell me everything!”
I was really confused by his reaction, but I answered his question quickly
“Sorry to disappoint but I didn’t do anything that interesting,
I got locked up because I’m the only person related to the people disappearing”
With a look of disappointment the construct slowly let me down.
“And yet again my expectations are broken,
I thought that there was at least something great about you.
Never mind that, I guess our lesson is going to change somewhat,
seeing how you are on the run I’m going to teach you how to utilize the darkness for some mobility”
The construct looked around for a second before picking up a branch and placing it before me.
“Your task for now will be to take control of two shadows and balance this stick on them”
I looked down at the branch with a confused expression.
“And how will that help me with moving around faster?”
“Just do what I tell you! I’m the master of the arts here - so leave the thinking to me!”
said Graham with annoyance in his voice and with his construct looming over me.
His intimidation worked wonderfully, and so I sat down and began my task.
Trust me when I say this - controlling the shadows is a massive headache, literally.
Controlling one was already a strain on my mind, but controlling another one hurt my brain in a grandiose way.
Despite this, I pushed myself and started trying to balance the branch.
For the next… To tell you the truth I don’t remember how long it took me to succeed, most of the time I would launch the branch into the air, and then dodge out of its way while it was falling down.
When I finally managed to balance the branch - my head felt like it would split in two any moment now.
“Here, I did it! What was the point of this anyway!?”
After hearing my shouting Graham’s construct - which was just juggling rocks all this time, dropped what it was doing and approached me.
“So you finally did it, let us continue then!”
My head was still feeling dizzy, but I knew I had no choice in the matter.
I slowly stood up and awaited my instructions.
And so Graham began his explanations.
“Today’s lesson will be on the utilization of shadows for transportation.
You are going to take control of the shadows beneath your very feet, and use them to propel yourself further with every step you take”
…Yeah, I was kinda confused too.
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