..
The exam hall drowned in chaos.
Screams and cries echoed, bouncing against the whitewashed walls like a storm that refused to end. My gaze froze on Naya.
She lay crumpled on the cold floor, her body trembling violently. One eye was nothing but darkness gone and from the other spilled rivers of blood. Her skin was torn, drenched in crimson, her throat straining for sound, but no voice came.
Then it happened.
The raven—the same cursed bird—snatched her eye in its claws and soared into the air. The girls in the class shrieked louder, their tears mixing with horror. Fear gripped them so tightly that none dared to move closer. What if the raven turned on them next?
Yes… if they had tried to fight, maybe something could have changed. But who would risk their life for another?
So much for friendship.
When death arrives, no one stays. In the end, everything is selfishness.
I—Lyanna—thought this bitter truth silently.
Everyone's attention suddenly shifted. Their eyes locked on our teacher. Both of hers… gone. Blood where sight once lived.
Ira, the star student of our class, rushed forward. She clung to the teacher, sobbing like a lost child. But I knew the truth. This teacher was more than just a guide—she was Ira's mother. Few knew it, because Ira always denied questions, always hid the bond.
Within moments, the noise grew louder. Boys from the next class arrived, their teacher with them. Barely a minute had passed, yet it felt like hours of madness. Girls stood in clusters, crying. Naya lay still on the floor. Mam held Ira close.
And me? I was still at my exam desk, frozen. Watching. I remained in my seat. Silent. Unmoving.
That's when Neon Sir stormed over, his face red with fury. His palm slammed down on my bench, the sound sharp as thunder.
"You think this is a show, Lyanna?! Sitting and watching while your classmate suffers ?" he roared. "Why didn't you stop it when the raven attacked?!"
Fear rushed through me, but my anger broke through faster.
"Sir…" my voice shook, yet my heart burned, "what fault is mine? No one else moved either. Why blame only me?"
The class turned on me with glares, their fear now becoming rage. But their hatred didn't last long because the ravens returned.
The hall shook with their screeches, their shadows slicing through the air. Not one raven this time dozens. Blood rained down as they tore through the students, their cries filling the air with despair.
Yet none of them touched me.
Why?
Why were they avoiding me? Was I the reason for all of this?
Tears blurred my vision. I stumbled, running aimlessly, but before I could reach the door, something slammed into me. The world spun. My body collapsed. My senses dulled yet before everything went dark, I saw something.
Light.
A strange, white radiance wrapped in shadows of endless black.
Then silence.
---
When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in the hall.
The world had changed.
I was standing knee-deep in cold water, surrounded by a desolate forest. Ten centimeters of water rippled beneath me, my long hair clinging wetly to my bare skin. Naked. Vulnerable. Only my hair shielded me.
And then, the sound of hooves.
A horse approached, carrying a figure cloaked in darkness. I tried to raise my eyes, but a stabbing pain burned through them, forcing me down. Yet still, I felt his presence a man
The same figure as before
When he dismounted, he removed his coat and draped it gently over me. I pulled it close, trembling. The sunlight caught his face for a moment sharp, noble, like a prince out of some ancient tale.
And then he spoke. His voice was deep, commanding, yet strangely familiar.
"Lyanna… follow me."
I froze.
He knew my name.
I wanted to ask, Who are you? How do you know me? But before I could speak, he had already turned, leading his horse toward a ruin in the distance. And somehow, my legs moved to follow him.
The ruin was an old palace, its walls cracked, swallowed by vines. Inside, dust and shadows ruled, yet the air felt alive with secrets .
He pushed the doors open and walked inside. I trailed behind.
The palace smelled of decay. Shadows clung to every stone. Yet he moved as though he belonged to this place.
Finally, he stopped at a door. His hand lifted, motioning me inside.
The wood creaked. Light spilled out.
I turned to ask but he was gone.
Inside, mirrors stretched across the walls, reflecting me from every angle. At the center of the room stood a pedestal. Upon it
A sword, glowing faintly, as if alive.
And when the light faded
I was back in the exam hall.
But it wasn't the same.
The students were no longer human. Their faces were torn, their bodies mutilated. Blood pooled across the floor. Ravens perched above, their eyes glowing red with fury, staring straight at me.
I felt it then.
As if they knew.
As if I had done something unforgivable.
And this time they came for me.
---
To Be Continued…