The morning after the team trial dawned gray and restless. Luna Vale awoke to the sound of rain tapping at the dormitory window and Pixie's soft humming as she braided her pastel hair. The events of the previous day-the shadow wraith, Cassian's warning, the unity of her team-spun through Luna's mind like a storm. She felt changed, as if the labyrinth had left a mark on her soul.
She sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Pixie, did you sleep at all?"
Pixie grinned, her wings fluttering. "Barely! There's too much excitement. Word is, the professors are meeting with the headmistress this morning. Everyone's talking about what happened in the labyrinth."
Luna's stomach twisted. She remembered the way the wraith had fed on discord, how only their unity had driven it back. She also remembered Cassian's words: Not everyone wants you to succeed.
She dressed quickly, pulling on her uniform and tucking the enchanted key into her pocket. Today, she needed answers.
The great hall buzzed with rumors. Luna joined Lior, Rafe, and Selene at their usual table. Rafe's jaw was tight; Lior's eyes darted across the room, and Selene's expression was unreadable.
"Did you hear?" Lior whispered. "Two students vanished last night. Their beds were empty this morning."
Rafe's hand clenched around his mug. "You think it's connected to the shadow wraith?"
Selene's voice was low. "It's more than that. I overheard Professor Grimwood arguing with Moonshadow in the corridor. They're worried the wards protecting the academy are weakening."
Pixie fluttered in, her face pale. "Everyone's scared. Some students are talking about leaving."
Luna's resolve hardened. "We can't let fear win. If the wards are failing, we need to find out why-and how to fix them."
Selene nodded. "Agreed. But we must be careful. There are eyes and ears everywhere."
Midway through breakfast, a silvery bell chimed. The hall fell silent as Headmistress Moonshadow appeared at the dais, flanked by the council of professors. Her eyes swept the room, and for a moment, Luna felt the weight of that gaze settle on her.
"Students of Midnight Academy," Moonshadow began, her voice calm but edged with steel. "There have been… disturbances. For your safety, all champions are to report to the council chamber immediately."
Rafe muttered, "Here we go again."
The champions filed out, Luna's heart thudding as she walked beside her friends. The council chamber was a circular room lined with ancient tapestries and glowing runes. The professors sat in a semicircle, Moonshadow at the center.
"You are here because you have proven yourselves," the headmistress said. "But the academy faces a threat we have not seen in centuries. The wards that protect us are weakening. We believe the trials have been tampered with."
A murmur ran through the room. Luna glanced at Selene, who gave a barely perceptible nod.
"We need your help," Moonshadow continued. "Each of you will be assigned to investigate a different part of the academy. Report anything unusual. Trust no one outside this room."
Cassian, standing near Luna, scoffed. "So we're your spies now?"
Moonshadow's gaze was icy. "You are our best hope."
Luna's group was assigned the east wing-an older part of the academy rarely used except for storage and the occasional detention. The corridors were dim, the stone walls damp with age. Shadows clung to the corners, and the air was thick with the scent of dust and old magic.
Rafe led the way, wand at the ready. "Stay close."
They checked classrooms, storerooms, and forgotten alcoves. In one room, Luna found a pile of broken mirrors, their shards scattered across the floor. In another, a chalk circle drawn with runes she didn't recognize.
Lior studied the runes, brow furrowed. "These are binding spells-but they've been corrupted. Twisted."
Selene knelt beside the mirrors, her fingers brushing the glass. "Someone's been using these for scrying. Watching us."
Pixie shivered. "Who would do that?"
Luna's mind raced. "Someone who wants to weaken the academy from within."
As they moved deeper into the wing, the temperature dropped. Their breath fogged in the air, and the walls seemed to close in.
Suddenly, a voice echoed-a whisper, barely audible. Help me…
Luna froze. "Did you hear that?"
Rafe nodded, eyes wide. "It's coming from behind that door."
The door creaked open to reveal a narrow staircase spiraling downward. Luna led the way, the enchanted key glowing faintly in her pocket. At the bottom, they found a small cell-its bars rusted, the air thick with despair.
Inside, a figure huddled in the corner. It was one of the missing students-a fae girl named Elara, her wings tattered, her eyes wide with fear.
Lior rushed to her side. "Elara! What happened?"
She clung to his hand, voice trembling. "Shadows… they came from the walls. Whispered to me. Tried to make me open the wards from the inside."
Selene's face darkened. "She's been targeted. Someone is using students to break the academy's defenses."
Luna knelt beside Elara. "Did you see who it was?"
Elara shook her head. "Only shadows. But I heard a voice-a man. He said the mascot would be next."
A chill ran through Luna. The shadow wasn't just an ancient force-it had a master. And it wanted her.
A Race Against Time
They helped Elara back to the council chamber, where the professors tended to her wounds. Moonshadow's face was grave as she listened to their report.
"The shadow is growing bolder," she said. "We must act quickly. Tonight, we will strengthen the wards. All champions will assist."
Luna nodded, her resolve hardening. "What do we need to do?"
Moonshadow handed her a scroll. "This is the ritual. Each champion will anchor a point on the academy grounds. You, Luna, will anchor the heart-the most dangerous position."
Rafe protested, "Why her?"
Moonshadow's gaze softened. "Because the shadow wants her. And because she is stronger than she knows."
Luna accepted the scroll, her hands steady. "I'll do it."
As dusk fell, the champions gathered in the courtyard, each given a talisman to focus their magic. Luna's was a silver pendant shaped like a crescent moon-the same as her old charm, but heavier, thrumming with power.
Selene approached, her expression uncharacteristically gentle. "Be careful, Luna. The heart is where the shadow will strike hardest."
"I know," Luna said. "But I have to do this."
Lior squeezed her hand. "We'll be nearby. If anything happens, call for us."
Pixie hugged her tightly. "You're our light, Luna. Don't let the shadows win."
Rafe gripped her shoulder. "We've got your back, mascot."
Luna smiled, a wave of gratitude washing over her. She wasn't alone-not anymore.
Night fell, and the academy was plunged into silence. The champions took their positions around the grounds, talismans glowing. Luna stood at the center of the courtyard, the scroll unrolled before her.
She began to chant, the words unfamiliar but powerful. Magic crackled in the air, weaving a web of light around the academy.
Suddenly, the shadows surged. Dark tendrils snaked across the stones, reaching for Luna. She felt their cold touch, their hunger.
You are mine, a voice hissed in her mind. Give in. Let the darkness in.
Luna gritted her teeth, focusing on the faces of her friends, the warmth of their support. She poured that feeling into the ritual, the light from her talisman blazing.
The shadows recoiled, shrieking. But they didn't retreat. Instead, they coalesced into a single form-a tall, hooded figure with glowing yellow eyes.
"You cannot win," the figure intoned. "This academy will fall. The mascot will open the heart."
Luna's voice rang out, clear and strong. "I am not your puppet. I am Luna Vale. And I choose the light."
The figure laughed, a sound like breaking glass. "We shall see."
With a final surge, Luna completed the ritual. Light exploded from the talisman, shattering the shadows. The wards flared, sealing the academy in a dome of silver energy.
The hooded figure vanished, leaving only a lingering chill.
The champions gathered in the courtyard, exhausted but triumphant. Moonshadow embraced Luna, pride shining in her eyes.
"You did it," the headmistress said. "The academy is safe-for now."
Luna looked at her friends, at the glowing wards, at the moon rising over Midnight Academy.
"For now," she echoed. "But the shadow is still out there. And it's coming for me."
Selene stepped forward, her voice soft. "We'll face it together."
Rafe and Lior nodded, determination in their eyes. Pixie squeezed Luna's hand.
As the first light of dawn touched the towers, Luna felt a new strength growing inside her. She was the mascot. She was the heart. And she would not let the shadows win.
But as the sun rose, a single question echoed in her mind: Who was the hooded figure? And what did they want with the heart of Midnight Academy?
The answer, she knew, would change everything.