The courtyard fell into a shocked silence once the announcement was made, the air was charged and colder than the moment before. Students stepped back instinctively, the way people flinch before lightning strikes. The presence of the masked figure seemed to drain the warmth from the stones, while his armour catches every sliver of sunlight reflecting back in cold, sharp gleams.
Rell reacts first, his voice cracks through the quiet, loud and outraged. Protesting the announcement. ''Absolutely not, he's not going anywhere with you. Have you seen him? He hasn't slept right for months. Why don't you question the people terrifying him?.''
Seras inches closer, her shoulder brushing mine. Her jaw is tight and her posture tall. Her flame scarred fingers curl itching to ignite, Thorne has planted himself on my other side, a wall of muscle and readiness. It was the first time I truly noticed that the three of them stood between me and the knight like a shield.
The Paladin Knight remained unmoved and unbothered. Beneath the black obsidian mask his voice enters the courtyard once more. ''Mr Arcrest, Miss Doirneach and whoever you are, I don't care who your parents are, you will stand down at once or face punishment.'' His hands flex upwards, as if to attack.
''Stop, Stop right now.'' A voice boomed through the doors as Orien ran towards us, his robes flying behind him and parchment now littering the floor. His face held a panic I had never seen before, his arms extended as if he might physically haul me from the Knight.
''Y-You cannot take him!'' Orien shouted. ''He is innocent, he has done nothing to warrant Paladin custody.''
The Knights hand is raised, Orien freezes mid step. It wasn't a stumble, it was complete stillness as if he had struck an invisible wall. His feet were locked in place, his arms halted in their reach. His eyes widened and darted towards the Knight in terror.
A soft glow shimmered around Orien's limbs, thin golden rings materialised at his wrists and ankles, tightening in a slow and deliberate way that made my stomach twist.
Rell swears under his breath as Instructor Athea appears seconds later, striding across the courtyard after hearing the commotion, followed by the headmaster and other members of faculty. Her expression was a mix of fury and shock. She tries to grab Orien's arm and pull him free, but the golden restraints were too strong.
''What is happening here, release him now. You have no authority here.'' She says.
The Knights mask turns slightly, the smallest movement but what felt like a blade turning towards her. ''Internal questioning. By order of the Prime himself. It is not your place to interfere, Miss Ndombari.''
The use of her family name cut sharply through the courtyard, people seemed to forget her uncle is the Crownlord of Sloth. Instructor Athea narrows her eyes. ''You cannot bind one of our own," she said coldly. "This is Crownspire Academy, you have no authority here'' She looks towards the headmaster, who nods to the Paladin.
The Paladin raises his voice ever so slightly, enough to get everyone's attention. ''Enough of this foolishness.''
The force behind the words rippled through the air, several students flinched as if struck and I could feel my bones vibrating. The golden bands, the words that inspire attention. Pride and a very strong Pride Lightscar at that.
Orien tries to speak again, but the Paladin makes a simple gesture with his hands and a golden muzzle wraps around Orien's face, silencing him instantly. The look on Lucien's face pisses me off, he's smirking but inside I know he's jealous, jealous that his power is not on that level yet.
My breath begins to hitch, my chest tightens and my heart beats out of rhythm once more. A familiar pressure builds up inside me, a pulling sensation warns me the shadows stir beneath. Not now, not here. Not in front of everyone. Sera's arm reaches around my own, her grip steady and warm as she looks into my eyes and nods.
''It will be alright, breathe. I promise you are safe.'' she whispers to me.
Her calm sank into my panicked lungs and the shadows recoiled slightly, settling down before they had a chance to surface. I force myself to draw in long slow breaths to ease the trembling in my hands.
Rell steps in front of me again, puffing his chest out with the most unconvincing display of bravery I have ever seen. ''Come on, look at him. He looks like he would pass out if he sneezed too hard. Hardly a threat Mr Paladin.'' His joke cracks under the fear in his voice, but the attempt grounded me more than he realised.
Thorne also speaks up for me, his voice steady. ''If you're taking him, I will accompany you and wait for him.''
The Knight doesn't turn his head away from me when he speaks. ''You three speak to the Scarless with too much familiarity. To speak with one on equal footing is an insult to your stations and especially your family's. To befriend him is treason to your order.''
The word treason hung in the air like a guillotine. Several students whisper and point while others step back.
Seras steps in front of me, her face red with anger and fierce determination in her eyes. Her flame erupts from her arms and a flame halo forms around her head, not quite a crown but more controlled this time. For the first time since forest, her Wrath flared without breaking, erupted without pain.
The courtyard falls dead silent, faculty scramble forward to stop her. No one wanted to explain to Valkean Doirneach why his daughter was either dead or seriously harmed. The Crownlord of Wrath is known to be a volatile man, with the power to back it up.
Her voice is steady, focused. ''Call me a traitor again and I will show you Wrath.''
I swallowed hard and stepped towards her before she could ignite further, I couldn't let her get into trouble for me. Never. ''Seras stop, it's okay. It will be fine and I will return before you know it.'' I said to her.
Her fire dims slowly, not extinguished but contained and ready.
Rell's breath shook. Thorne's fists clenched at his sides. Orien struggled against the golden restraints, eyes burning with helpless fury. Athea looked ready to tear the knight's mask off with her bare hands.
But the knight did not move aside. He simply waited.
I exhaled through the tightness in my chest. The shadows inside me stayed quiet, but they coiled uneasily, sensing something ahead. I stepped forward and the Knight turned, motioning for me to follow.
The courtyard felt colder behind me as I walked away, the weight of the moment pressing against my spine like the first rumble of a storm that had been waiting too long to break.