The night over Arcanum was still, so still it seemed the stars themselves were holding their breath. The crescent moon hung low above the spires of the Moon estate, pale silver light reflecting off the river that wound through the estate like liquid glass. Shadows clung to the walls, twisting around the polished stone courtyards, and Thaddeus Moon felt them stir as if alive, responding to his presence.
He moved through the courtyard, katana in hand. The blade was forged from black steel that shimmered faintly in moonlight, a signature of the Moon family. Each swing was precise, slicing through the cool night air, but the shadows did more than follow—they tested him, curling and retracting like sentient tendrils.
"Focus, Thad," he muttered under his breath, adjusting his stance. A shadow coiled around his feet, responding to the command in his tone, and he swung again, this time feeling the subtle resistance it offered—a challenge from the very darkness he wielded.
From above, Aurora watched. Her pale silver eyes tracked every movement, noting every small flaw. "You still leave your left foot exposed during your arcs," she said quietly. "Even shadows notice hesitation."
Thaddeus paused, smirking faintly. "Even shadows? I should hope they're forgiving."
Aurora's lips twitched. "Forgiving? Perhaps. But complacent? Never. Remember that. Shadows obey, yes—but they also test."
Heathing his katana, Thaddeus let the darkness fold back into the corners of the courtyard. "Then we'll see who falters first," he said, his voice low but steady. Shadows shimmered around him like liquid smoke, as though acknowledging his challenge.
The Moon estate was silent except for the faint rustling of trees in the wind. Every stone, every tower carried centuries of history—the legacies of the Moon family etched into their very structure. For Thaddeus, that weight was both a privilege and a burden. To falter was not only to fail himself but to risk dishonor for generations.
Aurora descended the tower steps silently. "Do you ever wonder if it's enough?" she asked. "The training, the preparation… the prophecy."
Thaddeus glanced at the horizon where, in the distance, the faint silhouette of the Solgard estate could be seen. "It will never be enough. Not with the Solgards, not with the prophecy hanging over us, not with the world watching. I cannot afford to falter."
Aurora's eyes narrowed. "The prophecy… you speak as if it is certain. But we both know it isn't."
"Maybe," Thaddeus admitted, "but belief shapes reality. Even a lie has power if enough people act on it. And the prophecy… whether true or false, it will dictate the steps of everyone around me. I must be ready—ready to survive and to dominate."
Shadows shifted around him as though responding to his determination. They were his allies, his weapons, his silent companions—and they mirrored his resolve.
The estate's training halls were quiet, but the echoes of ancestors lingered in the air. He could feel the weight of every Moon heir who had come before him, their mastery over darkness woven into the very stones beneath his feet. The katana in his hand was more than a weapon—it was a connection, a lineage, a test of control and willpower.
"You train as though you expect the world to collapse around you," Aurora said, stepping beside him. "Do you ever stop to question whether it's worth it?"
Thaddeus sheathed his blade. "It is worth it. Every swing, every breath, every shadow obeying me… it is preparation for what comes. The Academy is no longer a distant dream. Elysium Academy awaits, and we will be tested there like never before."
Aurora tilted her head, eyes thoughtful. "Do you ever fear it?"
"Fear?" he echoed, smiling faintly. "Fear is a tool. It sharpens the mind, focuses the body, hones instincts. I would not walk this path without it."
A faint wind swept across the courtyard, carrying the scent of pine and distant frost. Shadows shivered and stretched in response, coiling around him like guardians. For Thaddeus, the night had always been a canvas for training, but tonight it felt heavier. There was a sense of inevitability in the air—the feeling that everything was moving toward a single point, and that the world beyond the Moon estate would demand every skill he possessed.
Aurora's gaze was fixed on him. "And yet, you still do not tell me everything you feel."
"I do not need to," Thaddeus replied. "Actions speak louder than words. Shadows obey; enemies notice; friends… well, they will see soon enough."
Hours later, the sharp cry of a golden hawk broke the silence. It landed atop the highest tower, claws gripping a silver scroll that shimmered faintly in the moonlight. Thaddeus caught it with practiced ease, breaking the seal to reveal the Elysium Academy emblem—a majestic symbol entwining six elemental glyphs in perfect harmony.
The scroll detailed the summons: all heirs of the six noble families were to attend Elysium Academy, where they would train, be tested, and fulfill the traditions that had bound Arcanum for centuries. Departure was set in two days.
Aurora leaned over his shoulder, reading in silence. "Two days," she said softly. "Not much, but enough."
"Enough for what?" he asked, already knowing the answer. Enough to make sure I'm ready. Enough to ensure the Moon heir does not falter before the world watches.
The rest of the night was spent in preparation. Thaddeus practiced alone in the shadowed halls, his katana slicing through tendrils of darkness that twisted in response to his will. He reflected on his family, the Solgards, and the journey ahead—the Academy, the rivalries, the alliances, and perhaps the bonds he would form with those he had once considered enemies.
Every swing, every step, every shadow was a test—not just of skill, but of mind and spirit. By the first light of dawn, he was ready—or as ready as anyone could be when stepping into a world where every glance could conceal judgment and every challenge could test the limits of body, mind, and power.
Thaddeus sheathed his katana one final time and turned to Aurora. "It begins tomorrow."
Aurora nodded. "And we face it together."
Shadows gathered around him one last time, a protective cloak of darkness acknowledging him as their master, their heir, their champion. Then, silently, they receded.
Thaddeus Moon took a deep breath, feeling the weight of generations, prophecy, and destiny. Elysium Academy awaited, and he would meet it head-on.