The soft buzzing sound from the hallway lights echoed faintly in the background as Aria walked quietly into her next classroom. She moved slowly, her tired hands gripping the straps of her backpack before she gently placed it on the seat beside her desk. Outside the window, the evening had begun to deepen. The once bright sky was now turning dark, with the first few stars twinkling faintly above. Every now and then, Aria lifted her eyes toward the large window near her desk, her gaze drifting beyond the glass. There, in the fading light, stood the tall oak tree that watched over the school grounds. Its dark branches stretched wide and still, forming a quiet shadow against the night sky.
During the math lesson, Aria sat quietly at her desk, staring at the whiteboard. The numbers and symbols written there no longer made any sense to her. They looked like a blur, as if her mind refused to focus on them. Instead of solving the equations, she found herself counting the seconds in her head, listening to the steady ticking of the classroom clock. Each tick felt longer than the last, and all she wanted was for the final bell to ring so she could leave.
No matter how hard she tried to push it away, the stranger's voice from under the old tree kept replaying in her mind. The memory was so clear that she could almost hear it again. The quiet but heavy tone, the strange warning that seemed to cling to the air around her. "A curse on your bloodline," the stranger had said. "Elisa's unfinished quest."
Aria did not understand what those words truly meant, but they filled her chest with a strange mix of fear and curiosity. She kept wondering who Elisa was and what kind of curse could still linger after so many years. The classroom noise faded around her, and for a moment, all she could think about was that meeting beneath the tree and the mystery that had suddenly found its way into her life.
When the bell finally rang, Aria felt a rush of excitement that made her almost leap out of her chair. The long day in class had drained her, and she had been counting the minutes, waiting for that sound that meant freedom. Without wasting a second, she gathered her books in a hurry, stuffing them carelessly into her bag. Her hands trembled a little, and she could feel her heart beating fast as she pushed her chair back and made her way out of the classroom.
The hallway was quiet, the chatter of students already fading as most of them had gone home. When she stepped outside, the cool evening air brushed against her face, carrying with it the gentle scent of pine trees from the nearby woods. The courtyard lay still, glowing softly under the warm light of the lanterns that hung from the walls.
There, beneath the old oak tree that stood proudly in the middle of the courtyard, she saw Kai. He was leaning against the trunk, his posture relaxed as if he had all the time in the world. The faint light caught his face, making his expression calm but unreadable. Aria's steps slowed for a moment. A mix of nervousness and relief washed over her as she realized he had waited just like he said he would. Her chest tightened with emotions she could not fully name, and for the first time that day, she felt both anxious and at peace.
"I was hoping you would come," he said in a quiet voice as he took a slow step toward her. His movements were careful, almost uncertain, like someone afraid of what might happen next. From his backpack, he pulled out a thick, old book. The edges of its pages were slightly torn, and when he opened it, the faint scent of dust and time filled the air. On the cover, there was a strange drawing. A twisting vine wrapped around a single eye that seemed to watch whoever looked at it.
Aria stood still for a moment, her heart beating faster than she wanted it to. She gathered what little courage she had left and forced herself to speak. "I am here," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "But what truth were you talking about? I don't even know where to start or what to ask."
Kai's face softened, but there was worry in his eyes. He lowered his head for a moment before looking back at her. "I'm sorry I kept so many things from you," he said, his tone filled with guilt. "Elisa… she left behind clues about the curse. I think we are supposed to find them together. This book belonged to her. She gave it to me before she disappeared and told me that one day, I would need it."
He slowly opened the old leather cover, and a faint smell of dust and time filled the air. Inside were pages that had turned yellow with age, their edges rough and fragile. Aria moved closer, her eyes wide with curiosity. As the cover fell back, several folded papers slipped out and spread across the table. There were maps and drawings, each one carefully made by hand. One map showed the campus grounds, and right in the center, the great oak tree was circled in bright red ink. Alongside the maps were pages covered with hurried handwriting, as if the writer had been racing against time to record every thought before it was lost.
Kai gently picked up one of the pages and looked at Aria. "All of this," he said quietly, "is about the silver thorn." He paused for a moment, as though trying to make sense of the discovery himself. "She truly believed that the spirit living inside the old oak tree could break the curse and set everything free."
Aria slowly ran her fingers along the red circle that was drawn on the map. Her hand trembled slightly as she realized the circle was right where they were standing, around the old oak tree towering above them. A chill ran through her body, and tiny goosebumps appeared on her arms. It was becoming clear that everything they had been searching for led to this very spot.
She lifted her eyes from the map and looked at Kai, her voice shaking a little. "You mean the oak itself?" she asked, barely believing the words as they left her mouth.
Kai nodded, his gaze steady as he met her eyes. "Yes," he said softly. "She believed that the blood of the innocent, like yours and mine, could unlock something hidden here. I never fully understood what she meant. At least not until I saw you help Elisa's spirit just now."
The wind whispered through the branches above them, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Aria could feel the weight of Kai's words pressing down on her, mixing fear and curiosity deep inside her chest. Something about the oak no longer felt ordinary. It was as if the earth itself was waiting for them to uncover what had been buried beneath it.
Aria blinked several times before she realized that Kai had seen the blood on her hand. Her breath caught as the memory of the sting returned. "It's just a tiny bit," she said quietly, trying to sound calm even though her voice trembled. The sharp pain from her palm still lingered, and she winced at the thought of it.
Kai slowly shook his head, his eyes filled with concern. "A little was enough," he said softly. He could tell she was shaken, her shoulders tense and her gaze fixed on the ground. Without another word, he reached out and gently closed the book they had been reading. The soft thud of the cover breaking the silence between them felt almost comforting.
"Look," he said after a moment, stretching his hand toward her, "we'll figure this out. I promise. Whatever happens, we'll do it together, and we'll stay safe." His voice carried a quiet strength that seemed to wrap around her like a warm blanket.
Aria felt her cheeks grow hot. Beneath the wide sky filled with stars, his words sounded sure and steady, like something she could hold on to. For the first time that night, she allowed herself to believe him. She nodded slowly, reached out, and placed her hand in his. "Okay," she whispered, her voice soft but full of trust.
Kai rose slowly from where he sat and placed the book carefully into Aria's hands. His voice was calm but carried a weight that made her heart quicken. "Take this home and read it," he said. "We'll meet here again tomorrow night."
As Aria made her way home, everything around her seemed to pass in a blur. The sound of footsteps on the quiet street, the faint glow of the lamps, even the cool air brushing her face. All of it felt distant. Her thoughts were consumed by the strange book Kai had given her. Inside its worn pages, Elisa's handwriting came alive. There were notes filled with strange references about blood pacts, protective charms, and symbols she did not understand. Between the notes was a poem that spoke of an angel and an oak tree, words that stirred something deep inside her. The handwriting looked so familiar that it sent chills through her. It was as if Elisa had written the words for her to find.
The following evening, as the sun disappeared behind the school's tall walls, Aria returned. The world was quiet, the courtyard empty except for the soft rustle of leaves. Beneath the great oak tree, Kai stood waiting, his figure outlined by the fading light. When Aria stepped closer, he turned toward her with a faint, knowing smile.
"So," he said gently, his eyes searching hers, "did you figure out the poem?"
Aria picked up the old book she had been reading the night before. The cover was worn out, and some of the pages looked as if they had survived many years of handling. She turned to a particular page and read quietly to herself, "Angel by the oak." Her voice was soft, almost like she was afraid the words would disappear if she spoke too loudly.
She ran her finger gently over a part of the page where the ink had faded. "This part says something about a guardian and courage," she said, looking up at Kai with curiosity in her eyes.
Kai's face suddenly brightened. "That's exactly it!" he said with excitement. "Elisa always believed we needed to meet under the old oak tree at midnight. She began the ritual a long time ago, but it cannot be completed by one person alone. It needs both of us."
Aria's hand trembled slightly as she closed the book. The weight of Kai's words sank in. The night ahead was no longer just about curiosity. It was about destiny, courage, and something far greater than either of them had imagined.