The darkness of the previous night had lifted, but Caelen still felt the weight of it pressing on him. The echoes of that otherworldly hum, the chaos at the Academy, and the sight of Lucian standing before the rift—all of it weighed heavily on his mind. Despite the uncertainty, one thing was clear: everything had changed. No longer was he just a student at the Academy; he was caught in the center of a storm, one that was only beginning to brew.
And the worst part? The ember in his satchel, once a mere artifact of curiosity, was now a beacon for something much darker—a power he had yet to understand.
As Caelen trudged back to his dorm room, his mind raced with the question: What was that rift? The chaotic swirl of dark and light, the way Lucian had manipulated the energy—it was like he knew exactly what to do. But why? And where had he learned to wield such power?
His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden knock on his door. Caelen hesitated. He wasn't in the mood to face anyone—especially not after the terrifying events of the night before. But then the knock came again, louder this time, followed by a voice.
"Caelen? You in there?"
It was Velric.
Caelen groaned under his breath, rubbing his forehead. He wasn't sure what to make of Velric anymore. The older man had been a mentor of sorts, guiding him through the Academy's trials, but now Caelen wasn't so sure where his loyalties lay. Velric had hinted at dark forces within the Academy, factions vying for power, but how much of it was true? And was Velric really on his side?
"Come in," Caelen called reluctantly.
The door creaked open, and Velric stepped inside, his usual confident demeanor replaced by an air of concern. His eyes flickered briefly to the satchel Caelen had been carrying, but he said nothing.
"We need to talk," Velric said, his voice low, almost grave.
Caelen sat up straight, his gaze narrowing. "About what?"
Velric moved closer, lowering his voice. "Last night wasn't an accident. Lucian… he's part of something much bigger than we thought. I didn't want to involve you so soon, but I can see now that you've been marked."
Caelen's heart skipped a beat. Marked?
Velric continued, his tone almost urgent. "You've got the ember, don't you?"
Caelen stiffened. "What about it?"
"Lucian knows. He was trained by the leaders of the Academy's shadow faction—the ones who believe in harnessing the ember's power. And right now, you're in their crosshairs."
Before Caelen could respond, a sudden, sharp knock came at the door. This time, it wasn't Velric.
The door swung open before Caelen could even speak, and in walked a figure he had never seen before. She was tall, with fiery red hair that cascaded like a curtain of flames down her back. Her green eyes were sharp and filled with determination. She was dressed in a dark, practical outfit, the kind of attire a seasoned fighter would wear. But it wasn't just her appearance that struck Caelen—it was the aura of confidence she radiated, a quiet strength that seemed to make the very air around her shimmer.
She looked at Caelen for a long moment before speaking.
"Velric's right. You're in danger," she said, her voice low and steady, yet somehow piercing.
Velric didn't seem surprised by her appearance. "Caelen, this is Seraphine. She's… well, she's someone who's been keeping an eye on you."
Caelen raised an eyebrow. "Keeping an eye on me?"
Seraphine nodded, her gaze unwavering. "You've been caught in the middle of something much bigger than you realize. And now, it's time to choose a side."
Caelen stood, his mind racing. "Choose a side? What the hell is going on? What's all this talk about factions?"
Seraphine stepped forward, her expression softening slightly. "You're not the only one who wants to understand the ember. There are those who want to control it for power. And there are others who want to destroy it before it falls into the wrong hands."
"You're talking about a war," Caelen said, realization dawning on him.
Seraphine met his gaze, a flicker of pain in her eyes. "A war that's been brewing for centuries. The Academy… it's just the beginning. What happened last night, with the rift? It's only the first step."
Caelen felt a cold shiver run down his spine. Everything he'd thought he knew about the Academy, about his place in it, had been shattered. He was no longer just a student. He was now a player in a game that had been unfolding long before he ever stepped foot in the Academy.
Velric cleared his throat, his face somber. "We need to get you out of here. Lucian's faction won't waste any time. If they know you have the ember, they'll come for you. They'll do whatever it takes to get it."
Before Caelen could react, Seraphine stepped closer, her eyes locked on his with an intensity that sent a wave of unease through him. "I can help you. But you need to trust me, Caelen. We don't have time to waste."
A challenge flared within him. Trust her?
"Why should I trust you?" Caelen asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. "How do I know you're not part of this shadow faction too?"
Seraphine didn't flinch, her gaze unwavering. "Because, unlike Lucian and his faction, I'm not after the ember for my own gain. I want to protect it, to keep it out of the wrong hands. And I've been tracking Lucian for a long time."
Caelen studied her, weighing her words. There was something about her, something raw and real, that made him hesitate. She wasn't like anyone else he'd met at the Academy. There was no pretense, no hidden agendas—just the undeniable sense that she was fighting for something greater than herself.
Velric watched the exchange, his expression unreadable. "You need to make a choice, Caelen. The war has already begun. You can either help us stop Lucian and his faction, or you can walk away and let it all unfold. But if you do nothing, you won't just be putting yourself at risk. You'll be putting everyone you care about in danger."
Caelen felt a surge of anger. How could he just walk away? He couldn't. Not now, not when everything he'd worked for had been upended. His thoughts turned to the friends he'd made at the Academy, the bonds he'd formed, and the promise he'd made to himself to uncover the truth about his past.
"I won't walk away," he said, his voice firm. "I'll fight."
Seraphine's lips curled into a faint, approving smile. "Good. But know this—it won't be easy. Lucian's faction is powerful. They have resources, influence… and they'll do whatever it takes to bring you down. But I'm with you, Caelen. And together, we can stop them."
Velric's eyes softened, but there was still a hard edge to his expression. "This won't be the same as anything you've faced before. They'll test you in ways you can't imagine. But remember, Caelen—when you fight, you don't just fight for yourself. You fight for the world."
Caelen felt the weight of their words settle over him, heavy and unyielding. This was no longer about the ember or the Academy. It was about something much greater. He had been chosen—not by his own will, but by fate, by the forces at play.
And he would not back down.