Chapter 116: Ashes of the Bloom
—Echoes at the Academy—
The news spread fast.
Karen Lockwood and Cassandra Ikemba—captured.
Taken beyond retrieval.
The Academy Board issued a blackout.
But students already knew.
The halls felt different.
Training grounds filled early.
Silence replaced laughter.
---
Jim stood alone at the edge of the eastern sparring ring.
Sweat clung to his shirt.
His scythe cracked the ground with each swing.
Marie and Leslie, the twin sisters, trained beside him.
Their coordination sharpened.
Soul synchronization cleaner.
They didn't speak about it.
But they trained like people who knew one truth—
They weren't strong enough.
Yet.
---
Elsewhere.
Michelle Hawthorne entered the west wing of the Spirit Sanctum.
Her coat trailed behind her like a noble's flag.
She passed Muna Ikemba without pause.
Then doubled back.
Muna didn't look up.
She sat beside the edge of a Spirit Flame pool.
Eyes fixed on the rippling light.
Michelle stopped behind her.
"So this is what it feels like," she said.
Muna didn't respond.
Michelle stepped forward.
"Your daughter shattered. Another taken.
Now you understand what it meant when you ruined Mira at Lafrosa's outer district."
Muna's hands tightened.
Michelle leaned in.
"Maybe next time you'll think before playing goddess with children."
Muna stood abruptly.
Lightning danced.
But she didn't strike.
Michelle didn't flinch.
"Good," Michelle said. "At least you're angry at the right person now."
She turned and walked away.
Muna stayed.
Alone.
---