Raku landed gently on the stone path, his golden-patterned body shimmering under the warm sunlight. Before the brothers stood the grand gates of the Academy of Mnemosyne—two towering marble structures adorned with carvings of mythical creatures and ancient runes. Ivy crawled along the edges, swaying in the wind.
As the gates creaked open, the group stepped into a vast courtyard paved with geometric white tiles. Massive colonnades rose around them, supporting elegant archways that led into various departments. Every building gleamed with a polished sandstone tone, resembling glorious classical temples.
Students filled the space, each lost in their own intense training.
Some stood on raised platforms, weaving gusts of wind with circular hand gestures. Others knelt beside water basins, controlling ripples and streams with murmured chants. Dueling students launched fireballs at each other, their flames bursting in bright arcs across the air.
Ayush slowed, staring at a group in the distance.
"Hey… they have powers like mine," he said, pointing toward students in the Earth Bending Department.
The ground trembled faintly as trainees moved their arms in practiced patterns, chanting unfamiliar syllables. Stones rose from the earth and sharpened into thin needles floating around their bodies.
Rizu narrowed his eyes. "But unlike you, they're chanting something. Maybe that's how they control it more precisely?"
The group continued walking, passing through divisions of wind, flame, water, and even lightning. Each section had its own open courtyard, decorated with elemental symbols etched into columns.
Eventually, they reached a darker, quieter corner of the academy.
Before them stood a rectangular stone building—the Head of Department office. Minimalistic in design, but the air around it felt heavier… almost oppressive.
Someone was waiting outside.
A tall young man stood before the door, white hair falling in messy layers over sharp golden eyes. His short black jacket hung open over a sculpted torso, paired with loose trousers tied at the waist. Plain sandals completed his relaxed look—but nothing about him felt relaxed.
Danger radiated from his stillness.
Shon stepped forward. "We want to meet someone. His name is Demetrius."
The white-haired guy blinked slowly before scoffing.
"You people aren't worthy to meet him."
Rudransh immediately stepped up. "And who gave you the right to decide that?"
The man's golden eyes narrowed. "You want a fight, pal?"
Rudransh cracked his knuckles with a grin. "I'm always ready."
Shon raised his hand. "Stop. We're not here to fight."
Jatin leaned forward, smiling. "But it'd be fun."
Ayush quickly added, "We were sent by Riri. She used to study here. I'm sure you know her."
But the man didn't move.
"I don't trust any of you."
Rudransh dashed forward with a clenched fist—straight at him.
Before the punch could land, a purple aura burst around the white-haired guy. His eyes glowed purple. Shadows slithered along the stone floor and wrapped around Rudransh's ankle.
"What the—?!"
The man punched the air.
A giant spectral fist materialized and slammed into Rudransh, launching him into a nearby tree.
"RUDRA!" Ayush shouted.
The brothers immediately dropped into fighting stances—except Shon, who remained calm but alert.
Ayush lifted his hand and curled his fingers. Stones around them shot upward, launching toward the white-haired guy like missiles.
But the guy simply raised his palm.
The stones froze midair, wrapped in black shadow.
He smirked, forming his fingers into the shape of a gun and flicking his thumb downward.
The blackened stones fired like bullets.
Ayush's eyes widened. "No—!"
Shon, Jatin, and Rizu all screamed at once:
"NOOO!"
But just before the rocks struck, Rudransh stepped in front of Ayush and shoved him aside—taking the full blast himself.
Dust exploded everywhere.
"Rudra!" Ayush yelled, voice cracking.
Everyone held their breath.
When the dust cleared…
Rudransh stood unharmed. Not a single scratch.
Even the white-haired guy's expression faltered.
"Impossible…"
Rudransh smirked. "That's all you got?"
Rizu pumped a fist. "He's indestructible! Your powers don't work on him!"
The white-haired guy exhaled sharply, then smiled darkly. "We'll see about that… soon."
"Enough!" Shon shouted.
He raised both hands—and suddenly the white-haired guy began to float, eyes widening.
"What's happening?!"
"You're hurting my brothers," Shon said, voice steady. "We're not your enemies. Listen to us."
But the man's purple aura flared violently. Shadows crawled along the ground like living ink, stretching toward them.
The brothers' feet froze where they stood.
"What—?!" Shon gasped as shadows climbed up his legs.
They reached his torso.
His mouth began to vanish beneath the black creeping mass.
Rizu trembled. "He won't be able to breathe—!"
"Damn this bastard," Rudransh growled, struggling as shadows bound his arms.
Ayush gritted his teeth as the darkness crept up his legs. "We're doomed…"
The air of the academy grew colder.
The sunlight seemed to dim.
This wasn't just magic.
It was a warning—
A shadow capable of devouring everything.