The next morning came slower than usual.
The sun was hidden behind the clouds, lights glowed from the fracture cracks, it wasn't bright or dark, it was something in between, like the world is waiting. The academy was quiet today. No training, no loud talking, no laughing. The wind was colder as it carried dust and leaves.
Everyone could feel something was different today.
Kaen stood in the courtyard with others. His heart is beating faster than usual. He had barely slept last night after hearing rumors about Captain Ryn. Even now, he was tense about it, but he tried to hide it. But he still couldn't hide it as he was worried what if the rumours were true, what if the captain really attacked the healer.
He didn't want to believe it.
He couldn't.
Darren stood beside him, rubbing his hands together. Riku crossed her arms tightly, trying to look calm. Draxion looked the same as always, sharp and calm, but Kaen knew even he felt the shift in the air. Fin stood a small distance away, his eyes focused forward.
They all knew today was important.
Finally, the instructors appeared.
Commander Hale was walking in front, leading the group, followed by Professor Norin and two more teachers, whom the students rarely saw. Their expression were serious, no smile on their faces.
The courtyard fell silent.
Commander Hale spoke in a steady voice, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Today is your final evaluation."
No shouting no long speech just an statement. But the weight behind the words felt like a stone dropping in water.
Professor Norwin stepped forward carrying a scroll in his hand.
"The top ten students will be sent on a real mission outside the walls. In the Ashlands."
Some students gasped.
Some stepped back.
Some whispered nervously.
Kaen felt his stomach tighten.
The Ashlands.
Everyone knew that name. Everyone feared it.
A land burned by a past Solar Fracture. A place where the sky was always cloudy and the ground covered in dark grey dust. It was where the first Primordial Beasts had appeared. The place where even trained soldiers feared to go on a mission.
And now the student will go there.
Real beasts.
Real danger.
Real death.
Professor Norwin's voice was calm.
" The mission will be supervised by elite soldiers. You will not be alone, but be sure that you don't make a mistake, it is not a game. The Ashland are alive they see and react to every move you make."
He looked at them with his eyes sharp.
" One wrong move and the Ashland will eat you alive."
The crowd looked shocked. A cold chilling shiver ran through the spine.
Kaen swallowed.
He knew about Ashland, it was the same place where Captain Ryn was seen Last.
Professor Norwin handed the scroll to Commander Hale.
Hale unrolled the scroll.
" Now I will call out the names. If your name is there, step forward."
Kaen's heartbeat increases. His hand shook in fear. He didn't want to show his fear, but he couldn't help feeling about it.
The first name was called.
" Fin Rayson."
Fin stepped forward without hesitation, his expression didn't change, but he stepped forward with pride. The crowd muttered that Fin being selected wasn't a surprise.
Next.
" Riku Shinora"
Riku exhaled slowly and then walked forward kaen saw her hand trembling before she could control it.
"Draxion
Draxion's steps were firm.
" Darren Ironholt."
Darren stood there, his mouth open in shock.
"Me?" he whispered to himself.
But he didn't hesitate. He walked forward, trying to keep his shoulders straight, though Kaen saw the nervousness.
Next.
"Kaen Emberveil."
Kaen felt the air leaving his body.
He stepped forward slowly, his heartbeat loud, his thoughts spinning in his head.
Why me?
Is it because of the exams?
Or because something inside me is changing?
He stood beside Darren. Darren gave him a warm smile. Kaen smiled back softly.
Five more names were called. A student from other classes.
These ten students will go on a mission.
Commander Hale stepped forward, he looked at the students, some happy, some sad, some cheerful for others who were selected.
"In two days, you will depart for the mission."
A few students started breathing heavily.
Two days were nothing like.
"Until then you will train with the soldiers. Pack your gear, necessary aids, and prepare your mind and body for the real mission."
Professor Norwin added, "This mission is not only about skills, but it is also about calmness, teamwork, and believing in yourself. We choose you not because you are ready but because you have shown potential. No one ever is truly ready for Ashland."
The air around them became heavier.
Kaen felt something inside him tighten.
A voice inside him spoke.
This is the beginning.
This is the place where everything starts.
Be ready for it.
Later after the announcement ended, the students gathered in small groups.
Some students congratulated the selected ones. Some looked at them with envy. While others looked worried.
Kaen walked from the noise heading toward the training field. He needed some fresh air.
Riku found him first.
" Are you okay?" She asked standing beside him.
Kaen nodded slowly, " just thinking".
"About Captain Ryn"
Kaen didn't answer he didn't need to.
Riku looked up at the sky, the clouds were moving slowly, their edges fading with pale light.
" Do you know?" she asked softly, " The Ashland is dangerous, but it holds answers."
Kaen looked at her.
Confused.
"Answers to what"
She hesitated and then said in a calm voice," What's happening to you?"
Kaen's chest tightened.
He looked away as he didn't know what to say.
Riku stepped forward, her voice low, " I saw your chest glowing that night."
Kaen froze.
Riku continued.
"You are changing kaen something inside you is awakening. I am scared about it."
Her voice shook slightly at the end.
Kaen swallowed. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't. Words froze inside him.
So he only whispered.
" Thank you."
Riku smiled but her eyes could tell she was worried.
" We will face whatever comes together."
Before Kaen could reply, Fin and Draxion walked towards them.
" We need to talk about something," Fin said. His voice was serious.
Kaen and Riku turned back.
Draxion crossed his arms. "We all know the rumors about Ryn. We also know the council is hiding something. They are sending us on a mission not for patrol but to face something terrifying.
Kaen felt a chill in his spine.
Riku asked, " Do you think we will find Captain Ryn?"
Fin said nothing.
Draxion whispered quietly.
" If he is alive. The only place we could find him is Ashland."
The four of them stood there in silence, their heart heavy.
Their future was decided.
Fear rising.
But deep inside Kaen something was awaking.
Not fear.
Not excitement.
A small flame.
An ember waking from sleep.
That night, the academy was quiet again. The quarters were dim, and students sat in their rooms whispering about the mission. Some looked nervous, some jealous, some were happy as their names were not called.
Kaen sat in his bed staring at his hand.
He remembered Ryn's warm smile. His gentle hand helps him get up from the ground. Glowing mark on veins. The way he protected him from the blast.
Kaen clenched his fist.
He couldn't hurt anyone.
Not without a reason.
He wouldn't vanish without a reason.
Kaen's heart felt heavy.
He lay down on his bed slowly. The room was dark, and the lights were turned off; only moonlight entered the window.
He closed his eyes.
For a moment everything was quiet.
But then his mark glowed.
Kaen slowly opened his eyes, struggling to breathe.
He lifted his hand over his chest. The warmth faded after a few seconds.
He didn't understand it.
But he knew one thing: these marks would not stay quiet in Ashland.
Kaen exhaled slowly.
" Two days ... Two days until everything changes. The day when he will face a real beast. The day he will find Captain Ryn."
Far beyond the academy walls, Ashland slept quietly in grey dust.
Wind moved quietly across the cracked earth. Shadows moved between stone pillars. Ash covered bones.
And somewhere deep inside the ruin.
Something breathed slowly.
Like a beast waiting.
Like a man fighting something inside him.
The Ashland was waiting for the students. For Kaen. For the truth.
And Kaen was walking towards the beginning where the truth would be revealed.
The place which will decide his destiny.
The place where the ember inside him will awake.