Aren! Wake up right now!"
The voice echoed through the small, worn-out room.
Aren Veylor slowly opened his eyes.
The ceiling above him was cracked, paint peeling like it had given up years ago.
"...five more minutes..." he muttered.
BANG!
The door slammed open so hard it shook the walls. Marla stood there-his stepmother.
Cold eyes. No patience.
"No more minutes!" she snapped.
"You think this is a hotel?"
Aren sat up quietly.
He didn't argue.
He never did.
"Get up," she continued,
"Kaelina's homework isn't going to do itself."
The dining table felt more like a courtroom.
Rogan sat at the head, reading his newspaper.
Kaelina scrolled through her phone, not even looking at him.
"You're late," Rogan said flatly.
Aren stood still.
"...sorry."
Kaelina didn't waste a second.
"Did you finish my assignment?"
Aren hesitated.
"...not all of it."
Silence.
Then-
"WHAT?" she snapped.
Rogan slowly lowered the newspaper.
"You had one job."
"I had my own schoolwork-"
THUD!
His fist hit the table.
"Don't talk back."
Aren lowered his gaze.
"...okay."
Kaelina smirked.
"You'll finish it tonight."
Aren nodded.
He always did.
Later that day-
Aren sat on the rooftop.
The only place where things felt... quiet.
"...why does it always feel like this..." he whispered.
Like he didn't belong.
Like this life wasn't his.
He looked at the sky.
For a moment-
he imagined something different.
Something more.
Then he sighed.
"...doesn't matter."
That night-
it happened again.
Darkness.
Endless.
Aren stood alone.
"...not this place again..."
The ground felt unreal. Like it wasn't meant to exist.
And then-
he saw it.
A massive black gate.
Ancient.
Covered in glowing symbols.
Aren tried to step back-
but his body moved forward.
"Stop..."
He couldn't.
...you've come..."
Aren froze.
"Who's there?!"
Silence.
Then-
'...I've been waiting..."
The gate trembled.
A crack appeared.
From within-
a single eye opened
Watching him.
Studying him.
Aren's heart pounded.
"No... stay away from me!" The voice deepened-
"...you are the key..."
Aren shouted-
"I don't even know you!" The eye blinked slowly. "...you will..."
Aren!"
He woke up suddenly. Breathing heavily.
Sweat on his face.
"...just a dream..."
But something felt wrong.
Too real.
Slowly-
he looked at his wrist.
a faint glowing mark
Aren froze.
"...what is this...?"
Knock... knock...
Aren turned.
"...who is it?"
No answer.
He opened the door.
A tall man stood there.
Broad shoulders.
Calm eyes.
Presence... different.
"Are you Aren Veylor?" the man asked.
"...yes."
The man nodded slightly.
"My name is Tharion Vale."
Aren frowned.
"...what do you want?"
Tharion looked at him- not like others did.
Not with anger.
Not with disappointment.
But with... understanding.
"I've come to take you where you truly belong."
Aren stepped back.
"...what are you talking about?"
"You've been seeing it, haven't you?" Tharion said.
"The dreams."
Silence.
Aren's eyes widened.
"...how do you know that?"
Tharion didn't hesitate.
"Because that door should not be calling you."
Aren's heartbeat rose.
"...what door?"
Tharion looked directly into his eyes.
"The one that is beginning to open."
Aren glanced back inside the house. Shouting voices.
Same life.
Same pain.
Then he looked at Tharion.
"...if I come with you..."
His voice lowered.
"...what happens?"
Tharion answered calmly-
"You'll finally understand why your life never felt like your own."
A pause.
"...and why something is searching for you."
Aren looked at his glowing wrist.
Then at the stranger.
Then at the world he knew.
For the first time-
he didn't feel afraid.
He felt... curious.
And somewhere far beyond sight-
something ancient felt him choose.
Aren stepped out of the house.
The door slowly closed behind him.
For a moment... he just stood there.
"...this feels unreal," he said quietly.
Tharion Vale walked ahead.
"It will feel that way for a while."
Aren looked back once.
Voices echoed from inside.
Same life.
Same pain.
He turned away.
"...I'm ready," he said.
Tharion stopped.
"Not yet."
Aren frowned.
"...what?"
Tharion turned toward him.
"Before you follow me... you deserve to know where you're going.
They began walking.
The road slowly faded into a quiet forest path.
Aren spoke first-
"...start talking."
Tharion nodded.
"The world you know... is incomplete." Aren sighed.
"That's not a great explanation."
Tharion continued calmly-
"There are two layers of existence."
"One you see."
"And one you don't."
Aren looked around.
"...hidden?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because humans fear what they cannot control."
Aren crossed his arms.
"...so magic is real?"
Tharion stopped.
Looked directly at him.
"Magic is the foundation of reality."
Silence.
Aren didn't joke this time.
"...then why doesn't everyone use it?"
"Because magic is not learned first..."
A pause.
"...it is inherited."
Tharion continued walking.
"Long ago, there existed beings known as Aethrans."
"They were not human."
"They were the source of all magic."
Aren listened carefully.
"They disappeared," Tharion said,
"but their essence didn't."
"It passed through generations." "Fading... weakening.."
"...until only a few carry it now."
Aren looked at his wrist.
"..people like me?"
Tharion nodded.
"Yes."
Aren stopped.
"...why me?"
Tharion didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he asked-
"You've been dreaming, haven't you?"
Aren froze.
"...yes."
"A door?" Tharion asked.
"Dark... ancient... calling you?"
Aren stepped back.
"How do you know that?!"
Tharion's voice lowered-
"Because that door should not be calling anyone."
Aren's heartbeat rose.
"...what is it?"
Tharion looked ahead.
"There are things in the magical world..."
"...that were sealed away."
A pause.
"And if they return..."
"...both worlds will suffer."
Aren swallowed.
"...so I'm part of this?"
Tharion finally looked at him-
"You are already involved."
They reached a clearing.
At the center-
a glowing ancient stone.
Aren stared at it.
"...and this?"
"This is where your choice matters," Tharion said.
Aren took a breath.
"...if I don't go?"
"You return home," Tharion said.
"Nothing changes."
"But the dreams won't stop."
Aren stayed silent.
"...and if I go?"
Tharion's eyes were steady-
"You learn the truth."
..and maybe why that door is opening."
Aren looked at his wrist.
The mark glowed faintly.
He thought about everything.
His life.
His dreams.
The voice.
Then-
"...okay."
"I'm coming."
Tharion nodded.
"Then watch carefully.
Tharion placed his hand on the stone.
The air trembled.
The world blurred.
Reality itself seemed to tear- And then-
everything changed.
The forest transformed.
Taller trees.
Glowing lights floating in the air.
The sky darker... yet alive.
Aren's eyes widened.
"...this was always here?"
"Yes," Tharion said.
"Hidden... but always present."
They entered a massive magical marketplace.
Students moved everywhere. Robes floated.
Objects glowed.
Aren whispered-
"...this is insane."
"First time?" a voice said.
Aren turned.
A boy stood there-messy hair, confident grin. "...yeah."
The boy smirked.
"Try not to stare too much. Makes it obvious."
Aren blinked.
"I am new."
"Perfect," the boy said. "Then you're doing great."
A girl walked up.
"Kael, stop confusing him."
Kael shrugged.
"I'm helping."
She looked at Aren.
"I'm Lyra."
"Aren."
Kael pointed at himself-
"And I'm Kael. Future legend."
Lyra: "You just met him."
Kael: "Exactly. Reputation matters."
Aren smiled slightly.
For the first time-
he felt... normal.
Tharion handed Aren his items.
"Uniform. Basic tools."
Kael peeked-
"Nice. You didn't get the ugly ones."
Lyra: "There are no ugly ones."
Kael: "You haven't seen mine."
They reached a massive vessel near glowing water.
Aren stepped back.
"...that goes underwater?" Kael: "Yep."
Aren: "And we're getting inside it?"
Kael: "Also yep."
Aren: "...great."
Inside-
Kael leaned in.
"If we die..."
Aren: "We won't."
Kael: "...this was definitely not my idea."
Lyra: "No one forced you."
Kael: "I forced myself."
Lyra explained-
"There are four main paths."
Elementals
Mind Users
Summoners
Time/Space Users
Kael: "Elementals are the best."
Lyra: "Not even close."
Aren: "...I don't understand any of this." Kael: "You will. Or you'll panic. Both work."
The ship sank.
Water surrounded them.
Darkness closed in.
Aren pressed his hand against the glass.
"...where are we going?"
Lyra answered softly-
"To a place that shouldn't exist."
And deep within the darkness-
something stirred again.
Because now-
he was closer than ever before.
The vessel slowed.
Then-
THUD.
It stopped.
The doors opened.
Cold air rushed in.
Aren stepped out-
...and froze
The academy stood before them-
Massive.
Ancient.
Glowing under the night sky.
Towers stretched impossibly high.
Lights flickered in hundreds of windows.
Aren whispered-
"...this is a school?"
Kael grinned.
"If this is school... I'm never leaving."
Lyra looked up calmly-
"...this is where everything begins."
Students gathered in a massive hall.
Voices echoed.
Excitement.
Fear.
Curiosity.
Aren stood between Kael and Lyra.
"...there are so many people..."
Kael: "More people = more chaos. I like it."
Lyra: "Try to behave."
Kael: "No promises."
The hall slowly went silent.
Footsteps echoed.
A tall figure walked forward.
Robes flowing.
Eyes sharp.
Presence... overwhelming.
Headmaster Eldrin Voss
"Welcome... to Velmora Arcanum."
His voice filled the entire hall.
"You have been chosen."
"Not by chance..."
"...but by blood."
Aren felt something shift inside him
Eldrin raised his hand.
Symbols appeared in the air.
"Within this academy, you will walk one of four paths."
Elementals
Mind Users
Summoners
Time/Space Users
"These are not choices..."
"...they are reflections of who you are."
The massive doors behind him opened.
Inside-
a glowing magical entrance.
Alive.
Watching.
Aren felt it.
"...that thing..."
Lyra whispered-
"...it decides everything."
Kael: "No pressure."
Step forward," Eldrin commanded.
Students began entering one by one.
Each time-
the gate reacted.
Fire.
Light.
Energy.
Crowd reacted loudly.
Kael stepped forward confidently.
"Watch and learn," he said.
He entered-
flames burst around him.
Bright.
Powerful.
Crowd cheered.
"Elemental!"
Kael walked out smiling. "Told you."
Lyra walked forward calmly. She entered-
the air shimmered. Reality distorted slightly. Mind energy pulsed. "Elemental!"
She stepped out.
Calm.
But she was disappoint because she He had to go to the "Mind User."
Before Aren could move-
someone stepped in front of him.
Tall.
Perfect posture.
Cold expression.
Drex Arkan
He glanced at Aren briefly.
"...try not to embarrass yourself."
Aren frowned.
"...we'll see."
Drex smirked slightly.
Then walked forward.
Drex entered the gate-
dark energy surged.
Creatures flickered around him.
Controlled.
Sharp.
"Summoner."
The crowd reacted in awe.
Drex walked out-
confident.
Superior.
He looked back at Aren-
"Your turn."
Aren stepped forward.
Heart racing.
The gate pulsed slightly.
He took a breath-
...and entered.
Silence.
Nothing happened.
No light.
No reaction.
No category.
The entire hall froze.
"...what?"
Kael whispered-
"...is it broken?"
Lyra stared-
"...that's not possible..."
Aren stepped out slowly. Confused.
"...I didn't feel anything..."
Everyone began whispering.
"What is he?"
"Why no reaction?"
Eldrin Voss stepped forward.
His expression... unreadable.
But his eyes-
sharp.
Focused.
He knew.
"...interesting," he said quietly.
Eldrin raised his voice-
"This has never happened before."
Silence filled the hall.
Aren felt every eye on him.
"For now-"
"Aren Veylor will be placed in Elementals."
Murmurs spread.
Kael smiled.
"Hey, you're with me."
Lyra looked unsure.
"...this isn't normal..."
Eldrin's voice turned serious-
"One more thing."
The hall went silent again.
"After midnight... no student is allowed outside their
house."
Aren felt a chill.
"...why?"
Eldrin didn't answer.
"...because some things..."
"...should remain unseen."
Students began moving toward their houses.
Aren walked with Kael and Lyra.
But his mind-
was elsewhere.
The gate.
The silence.
The nothingness.
And far beyond the academy-
beyond the veil-
something felt the disturbance.
And for the first time-
it noticed him
The Elementals dorm was quiet.
Too quiet.
Aren lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. "...something's not right," he whispered.
Kael, from the next bed-
"Everything's not right. We're in a flying castle."
Lyra sighed.
"Can you not joke for one minute?"
Kael: "No."
Aren didn't smile this time.
His hand slowly moved to his wrist.
the mark was glowing again.
Darkness.
Colder than before.
Aren stood in front of the gate again.
But this time-
it was more open.
The crack wider.
Energy leaking out.
"No..." Aren stepped back.
The voice returned-
"...you are late..."
Aren shouted-
"I didn't choose this!"
The gate trembled.
"...you already did..."
The eye appeared again.
Closer.
Watching.
"...open... the way..."
Aren jolted awake.
Breathing heavily. Sweat covered his face. "...it's getting worse..." He looked around. Everyone was asleep.
But then-
he heard something.
A faint whisper.
Not in his head.
In the corridor.
Aren slowly stood up.
Lyra's voice echoed in his mind-
"After midnight... no one goes out."
He hesitated.
Then-
"...I need to know."
He grabbed a small lamp. Opened the door quietly. And stepped out.
The hallway was dark.
Silent.
Every step echoed.
Aren walked slowly.
Following the whispers.
"...who's there?"
No answer.
Only faint voices ahead.
Aren reached a corner.
He stopped.
Two voices.
Teachers.
He moved closer-
carefully.
Professor Morvane Dusk stood there. And another shadowed figure.
"..the seal is weakening," the second voice said.
Morvane replied-
"It's happening faster than expected."
Aren's heart pounded.
"...what seal...?"
The second voice continued-
"We need the key."
Morvane nodded.
"The Blood Key is only the beginning."
Aren froze.
"...Blood Key...?"
"And the gate?" the second voice asked.
Morvane looked toward the darkness.
"It will open."
Aren's breath stopped.
Suddenly-
a floorboard creaked.
Aren's foot.
Morvane turned sharply.
"Who's there?"
Aren stepped back quickly.
Heart racing.
He tried to hide-
"Out. Now."
Aren froze.
A calm voice behind him.
Seraphine Kaelra
He turned slowly.
"You broke the rule," she said coldly.
Aren lowered his gaze.
"...I heard something-"
"That is not your concern."
Next morning-
Aren stood in front of his house.
Students watching.
Whispers spreading.
"Rule breaker..."
"First day only.."
Seraphine spoke-
"Points deducted from Elementals."
Kael whispered-
"...great start."
Lyra looked serious.
"...what did you see?"
Later-
Aren told them everything.
The voices.
The gate.
The key.
Silence.
Kael sat down.
"...okay, that's not normal."
Lyra nodded slowly.
"...I believe you."
Aren looked at her.
"...you do?"
"Yes"
A pause.
...because something is definitely wrong."
Kael stood up.
"So what's the plan?"
Aren frowned.
"Plan?"
Kael grinned-
"We find out what they're hiding."
Lyra added-
"...carefully."
Aren looked between them.
For the first time-
he wasn't alone.
"...okay."
Far away-
deep underground-
in a place unseen-
something moved.
The gate trembled.
A crack widened.
And from the darkness-
a whisper escaped-
"...bring... the key..."
The academy courtyard buzzed with whispers.
"Rule breaker..."
"First night only.."
Aren walked quietly.
Head down.
Kael leaned in-
"Congrats. You're famous now."
Aren sighed.
"Not the kind I wanted."
Lyra crossed her arms.
"You shouldn't have gone alone."
Aren looked at her.
"...I didn't think I had a choice."
Lyra paused.
She understood that feeling
Inside the grand hall-
Aren, Kael, and Lyra stood before Headmaster Eldrin Voss. The room felt... heavy.
Eldrin looked at Aren.
"You claim you heard a conversation."
Aren nodded.
"Yes."
"About a gate... and a key."
"Yes"
Silence.
Eldrin walked slowly.
"...these are not matters for students."
Kael whispered-
"Of course they're not."
Lyra nudged him.
Eldrin stopped.
"And yet.." he said quietly,
"...you heard them."
Aren stepped forward.
"...something is happening."
Eldrin's eyes met his.
For a moment-
it felt like he already knew.
"...focus on your training," he said finally.
"That is your priority."
Later that day-
they reached the edge of the academy grounds.
A quiet place.
Old.
Almost forgotten.
A small structure stood there.
Aren recognized him immediately.
Tharion Vale
Kael whispered-
"That's your mysterious guy?"
Aren nodded.
"...yeah."
Tharion turned as they approached.
"I was expecting you."
Kael blinked.
"Of course you were."
Lyra stepped forward.
"We need answers."
Tharion studied them.
"...you're already asking dangerous questions."
Aren didn't hesitate-
"...what is the Blood Key?"
Silence.
Tharion's expression changed.
Slightly.
"...so you heard that."
Tharion spoke slowly-
"There are three keys."
"The Blood Key... is one of them."
Aren's heart raced.
"...what do they do?"
Tharion looked at him-
4 "They open what should never be opened."
Kael swallowed.
"...great. That sounds bad."
Lyra asked-
"...the gate?"
Tharion nodded.
"Yes."
A pause.
"And if all three keys are used..."
"...the seal will break completely."
Aren hesitated.
"...and what's behind it?"
Tharion didn't answer immediately.
"...a force."
"...one that once tried to take control of the magical world."
Kael whispered-
"...and failed?"
Tharion looked at him.
"...barely."
Aren stepped forward.
"...why am I seeing it?"
Tharion's eyes locked onto his.
"...because something on the other side..."
"...recognizes you."
Silence.
Lyra's expression changed.
"...that's not normal..."
Kael: "Nothing about him is normal."
Aren looked down.
"...what does that mean?"
Tharion didn't answer clearly.
"...it means you must become stronger."
As they walked back-
a voice stopped them.
"...playing detective now?" They turned.
Drex Arkan
Standing with his group.
Arms crossed.
Smirking.
Aren sighed.
"...what do you want?"
Drex walked closer.
"I heard about last night."
Kael stepped forward.
"Mind your business."
Drex ignored him.
Looked directly at Aren-
"You're trouble."
Aren replied calmly-
"...and you're annoying."
Kael whispered-
"I like this version of you.
Drex stepped closer.
"...stay out of things you don't understand."
Lyra stepped in-
"Neither do you."
Drex smirked.
"...I understand enough."
He turned away.
But before leaving-
"And next time... don't get caught."
Back in the dorm-
Aren sat quietly.
"...something's wrong," he said.
Lyra nodded.
"Too many secrets."
Kael lay back on his bed-
"Then we expose them."
Aren looked at both of them.
"...together?"
Lyra: "Together."
Kael: "Obviously. You'd be lost without us."
Aren smiled slightly.
Deep in the academy-
hidden from all-
Morvane Dusk stood alone.
Holding something.
Dark.
Liquid.
Blood.
"...soon..." he whispered.
And far beyond the veil-
the gate trembled again.
Because now-
the game had truly begun
The training grounds were massive.
Students stood in rows.
Energy filled the air.
At the front-
Seraphine Kaelra
"Today," she said sharply,
"you begin understanding magic."
Kael whispered-
"Finally. Time to become legendary."
Lyra: "Time to focus."
Aren stayed quiet.
Seraphine raised her hand. Energy formed.
A small flame appeared.
"Magic is not power," she said.
"It is control."
She looked at the students.
"Now... try."
Students began practicing.
Kael focused-
a flame burst out.
Too big.
"Whoa-okay-too much!"
Students laughed.
Lyra raised her hand-
air shimmered
A small illusion formed.
Perfect.
Seraphine nodded.
"Good."
Then-
she looked at Aren.
"Your turn."
Aren stepped forward.
Focused.
Tried.
Again.
Nothing.
Silence.
Kael whispered-
"...maybe it's buffering?"
Lyra elbowed him.
Aren tried harder.
Still nothing.
Seraphine narrowed her eyes.
"...again."
Aren clenched his fists.
But-
nothing.
After class-
Aren sat alone.
"...why can't I do anything..."
Lyra walked over.
"You will."
Aren shook his head.
"No. I don't even belong to any category."
Lyra paused.
"...neither do I."
Aren looked at her.
"What?"
"I should have been in Mind Users," she said quietly.
"...but I'm not."
Aren sighed.
"..so we're both misplaced."
Kael jumped in-
"Perfect. Misfits club."
Then comes a news that
like every year, this year too there will be a Dracoryx Match.
The first match will be between
Elementals vs Time/Space Users,
the second match will be between
Mind Users vs Summoners
and the final match will be based on who wins
The winner of this match will get the most points at the end of the year and based on that, Velmora coins will be given.
The next day
Instructor shouted-
"Next session-Dracoryx training!"
Kael's eyes lit up.
"Now THIS is my thing."
Aren frowned.
"...what's Dracoryx?"
Kael grinned-
"The best game ever."
Massive dragons stood in the field.
Breathing slowly.
Powerful.
Aren stepped back.
"...we're riding those?"
Kael: "Of course."
Lyra: "Try not to panic."
Kael: "He's definitely going to panic."
Students approached dragons.
Some nervous.
Some excited.
Aren stepped forward slowly.
A dragon looked at him.
Locked eyes.
Silence.
Then-
it lowered its head.
Calm.
Accepting.
Instructor paused.
"...interesting.."
Kael: "Why does his dragon like him already?!"
Lyra: "...that's not normal..."
They mounted.
Dragons took off.
Wind rushed past.
Aren held tight-
"...this is insane!"
Kael shouted-
"I LOVE THIS!"
Lyra controlled hers smoothly.
"Balance. Focus."
Aren slowly adjusted.
His dragon responded.
Like it understood him.
- Game 1 Begins
Arena filled.
Students cheering.
Dracoryx Match 1
Elementals vs Time/Space Users
Core Orb released.
"BEGIN!"
Kael grabbed it.
"PASS!"
Aren caught it mid-air.
Dragon dived-
GOAL!
Crowd erupted.
"ELEMENTALS!"
Time/Space users fought back.
Fast movements.
Teleport-like shifts.
Score: 2-2
Final minute-
Kael shouted-
"AREN!"
Aren caught the pass.
Time/Space Users team tried to block-
"You're not scoring."
Aren looked ahead.
Focused.
For the first time-
he didn't hesitate.
He threw.
Dragon surged forward-
GOAL.
"MATCH END!"
3-2
Elementals win.
Kael screamed-
"WE WON!"
Lyra smiled slightly.
"...good work."
Aren looked down.
Breathing heavily.
"...I did that..."
Rival team landed nearby.
Expression cold.
"..beginner's luck."
Aren replied calmly-
"...scoreboard says otherwise."
Kael: "OHHHH."
That night-
Aren lay in bed.
Exhausted.
But-
his hand glowed again.
Stronger.
And far away-
in the darkness-
the gate opened just a little more.
Because now-
he was getting stronger
After the Win
The Elementals common room was loud.
"WE WON!"
"Elementals!"
Kael jumped onto a table-
"I would like to thank myself for this victory."
Lyra: "You barely survived."
Kael: "Details."
Aren sat quietly.
Still thinking.
"...something felt different..."
Lyra noticed.
"What do you mean?"
Aren hesitated-
"...when I scored... it felt like my dragon knew what I was going to do."
Kael: "Or maybe... you're finally cool."
Lyra: "...or something else is happening." Silence.
The next day-
training ground.
Drex walked past them.
Stopped.
"...don't get used to winning."
Kael: "Don't get used to losing."
Drex smirked.
Then looked at Aren-
"Next match... you won't be lucky."
Aren replied-
"...then I won't need luck."
Tension filled the air.
Instructor shouted-
"Next Dracoryx match!"
Elementals vs Summoners
Crowd reacted loudly.
Kael: "Round two."
Lyra: "This one will be harder."
Aren: "...we're ready."
Arena Again
The arena was louder than before.
Summoners stood ready.
Creatures forming beside them.
And in front-
Drex Arkan.
Smiling.
"BEGIN!"
Summoners attacked first.
Creatures rushed forward.
Chaos.
Kael dodged-
"Okay THAT'S unfair!"
Lyra: "Focus!"
Aren tried to move forward- but creatures blocked him.
Drex broke through.
Fast.
Precise.
GOAL.
Crowd roared.
Kael: "...I don't like him."
Lyra: "We need to adapt.
Elementals regrouped.
Better coordination.
Kael passed-
Lyra redirected-
Aren caught-
But-
he hesitated.
Missed chance.
Drex smirked.
Lyra shouted-
"Aren! Trust your instincts!"
Kael: "Yeah! Stop thinking!"
Aren closed his eyes for a second. Then-
moved.
Fast.
Natural.
Aren dodged a creature.
Drex tried to intercept-
"...not this time."
Aren passed mid-air-
Kael caught-
"YES!"
GOAL.
Final seconds.
Both teams exhausted.
No more goals.
"TIME!"
1-1 DRAW
Crowd erupted.
Drex landed.
Walked toward Aren.
"...you improved."
Aren: "..so did you." Drex smirked.
"...don't fall behind."
He walked away.
Kael: "I still don't like him."
Lyra: "...he's dangerous.
That night-
Aren stood near the window.
Thinking.
Then-
he saw something.
A figure moving toward the forest.
A teacher.
"...guys."
Kael: "What now?"
Aren pointed.
"...someone's going out."
Lyra narrowed her eyes-
"...that's not allowed."
Kael whispered-
"...we follow?"
Lyra hesitated.
"...this is risky."
Aren didn't look away-
"...we need answers."
Silence.
Then-
Lyra nodded.
"...fine."
Kael grinned-
"I love bad decisions."
Then Lyra gave the idea
that we can get caught,
my grandmother taught me to make an invisible portion,
we will eat that and go, we will remain invisible for some time
Then they ate the invisible portion and went into the forest.
The figure disappeared into the forest.
Dark.
Silent.
Unknown.
And three shadows followed.
Because sometimes-
the truth waits in places you're not meant to go.
The night was colder than usual.
The forest-
silent.
Too silent.
Aren, Kael, and Lyra moved carefully.
"Stay low," Lyra whispered.
Kael replied-
"I am low. This is my natural state."
Aren didn't react.
His eyes were fixed ahead.
the teacher
The figure stopped.
Then-
disappeared inside a hidden cave.
Aren whispered-
"...this is it."
Kael: "Still time to go back."
Lyra: "We're not going back."
Aren nodded.
"...we finish this.
The cave was dark.
Cold.
Walls covered in ancient symbols.
Energy pulsed faintly.
Kael whispered-
"I officially hate this place."
Lyra: "Quiet."
They moved deeper.
Then-
voices.
They hid behind a rock.
Inside the chamber-
Professor Morvane Dusk
And-
another teacher, unconscious.
Aren's eyes widened.
"...that's Professor Halden..."
Lyra whispered-
"... Summoners' teacher..."
Kael clenched his fists-
"...what did they do to him..."
Morvane raised his hand. Dark energy formed.
"The time has come," he said.
Aren's heart pounded.
A strange figure stepped out of the shadows.
Not fully human.
Distorted.
a creature.
Lyra whispered-
"...what is that.."
The creature spoke-
"...the Blood Key requires life..."
Morvane nodded.
"His blood will be enough."
Aren froze.
"They're going to use him..."
Kael: "We have to stop this."
Lyra: "...wait..."
The creature raised its hand.
Dark symbols formed.
"...and once the key is formed..."
A pause.
"...Noctyra will rise."
Silence.
The name itself felt heavy.
Dangerous.
Ancient.
Aren felt fear for the first time
Suddenly-
the creature stopped.
"...we are not alone."
Kael froze.
"...no..."
Morvane turned sharply.
"Invisibility won't save you."
Aren whispered-
"...run"
But-
too late.
"Students..." Morvane said coldly.
"You shouldn't be here."
Aren stepped forward.
"...stop this."
Morvane smiled faintly.
"You don't understand what you're interrupting."
Kael shouted-
"Yeah we do! You're insane!" Lyra: "Let him go.
The creature rushed forward. Too fast.
Aren reacted instantly.
He grabbed the vial of blood-
and threw it.
It shattered.
Blood spilled-
onto the creature.
For a second-
nothing.
Then-
the creature screamed.
Its body began to melt.
Distort.
Burn like acid.
Kael stepped back-
"... WHAT IS THAT?!"
The illusion broke.
And beneath-
a monstrous form revealed itself.
Not human.
Never was.
Suddenly-
light filled the cave.
Teachers arrived.
Guards.
Students.
Voices everywhere.
"What is happening?!"
"Who did this?!"
Morvane stepped back.
The creature disappeared into shadows.
Halden was freed.
Barely alive.
Back at the academy-
panic spread.
"A portal..."
"A key..."
"That name..."
Students whispered.
Fear grew.
Teachers gathered.
Some shouted-
"He's dead!"
"He cannot return!"
"That's impossible!"
But no one sounded sure.
Aren stood with Kael and Lyra.
"...we heard it clearly."
Lyra nodded.
"...Noctyra."
Kael looked uneasy-
"...everyone's scared of that name."
Aren looked ahead-
at Eldrin Voss.
The Headmaster stood silently.
Watching.
Thinking.
Not denying.
Far beyond the world- beyond the Veil-
in endless darkness-
something moved.
Chains trembled.
Energy leaked.
Slowly-
after centuries-
Noctyra opened his eyes.
And for the first time-
he smiled.