The sun hung low over Celestia, painting the floating island in gold and crimson. Students had gathered in the courtyard for evening training, laughter and magic spells mixing with the soft hum of the obelisk.
Then the ground shook.
A low, guttural roar rolled across the academy grounds, sending birds scattering into the sky. Stone cracked beneath our feet.
From the forested edge of the island, a massive figure emerged—a monster of shadow and molten rock, eyes burning like twin suns. It moved with terrifying speed, smashing trees and lanterns alike, its roar echoing across the floating spires.
Chaos erupted. Students screamed, scattering in all directions. Professors raced to control wards, but this creature was unlike any construct or summon they had faced.
"Everyone, stay calm!" Mira shouted, floating toward a group of frightened first-years, shielding them with glowing feathers.
Casian immediately leapt forward, flames blazing. Lyra sprinted after him, blade drawn, moving with lethal precision.
From above, a golden light cut across the courtyard. Aeron and Eryx appeared, lances glowing, descending with effortless control. Their presence commanded attention; even the monster hesitated for a heartbeat, sensing the overwhelming power of the Twin Spears.
"Selene!" Aeron called. "It's on the east perimeter!"
Selene appeared above the central tower, threads of golden light weaving through her fingers, eyes calm and calculating. With a subtle gesture, she sent a binding spell toward the monster, halting its advance briefly.
I stayed back, silver energy flickering faintly around my hands. Small part, I reminded myself. Stay safe, help where I can.
When a fallen student tripped near the monster's path, I darted forward. One quick arc of silver light, carefully controlled, pushed the student out of harm's way. A small contribution—but it kept someone alive.
Mira's eyes found mine mid-chaos. A faint nod. Good.
The battle escalated. Casian hurled flames, Lyra struck at weak points, Aeron and Eryx moved like synchronized storms, and Selene's threads of fate guided their strikes. The monster roared, thrashing, but the combined efforts of the Council and Class A students began to wear it down.
Finally, Selene raised her hands high. Threads of golden light wove into a binding cage around the beast, pinning it to the ground. The monster struggled, then collapsed, defeated. Silence fell, broken only by distant crackling of residual magic.
The students stared, awed. Casian grumbled but seemed slightly humbled. Lyra's expression softened—not in relief, but in respect. Mira floated past me, offering a small, reassuring smile.
Above it all, Selene's gaze met mine for a brief second. Calm, measured… but with an edge of acknowledgment.
"You played well enough to not get yourself killed," her voice carried down, just loud enough for me to hear. "Keep observing. Learn when to act."
I nodded, unsure how to respond.
The courtyard was in shambles, but no one was seriously hurt. And though my role had been small, something inside me stirred. A flicker of purpose.
Half angel. Half demon. Dangerous. Unstable.
And yet… capable of making a difference.