Night fell quickly.
The forest transformed into a realm of nightmares.
Glowing eyes watched from the shadows.
Growls echoed in every direction.
Lyra moved silently through the trees, her senses sharp.
Suddenly, the ground split open.
A colossal serpent burst from beneath the earth, its scales gleaming like black steel.
Students screamed as it devoured two of them whole.
Lyra froze.
Her body screamed at her to run.
But she couldn't.
The serpent turned toward her.
Its mouth opened.
Death rushed toward her.
Fear vanished.
Her blood burned.
The mark on her wrist ignited.
Shadow and crimson light exploded outward.
The forest was bathed in dark brilliance.
Lyra screamed as ancient power surged through her body.
Chains of shadow wrapped around the serpent, ripping it apart.
The explosion shattered trees and sent shockwaves across the forest.
When the light faded, Lyra collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
High above, in the academy's observation tower, Kael stood frozen.
"That power…" he whispered.
His fists clenched.
"It can't be."