Part One – Lines in the Ash
Location: Ashenwell Academy – Training Arena Wing (Day Before the Duel)
The arena was already buzzing with talk.
Upperclassmen whispered. Teachers watched from a distance. Firstyears took bets. Third years smirked behind closed fists.
The duel between Grim and Kael had already outgrown simple rivalry.
It had become a statement—who truly stood above.
And more importantly... what Solace was now.
Grim – Night Before the Duel
Grim sat crosslegged in the private edge of the courtyard. The moonlight made his stormgold eyes burn brighter.
A sphere of storm rotated above his palm—contained, humming with restrained power.
Sparks hovered nearby, her glitching quieter now.
"You're meditating," she said. "Voluntarily. Should I be worried?"
"Trying not to kill Kael by accident."
"Admirable. Also very boring. You should punch something soon."
Grim sighed. "I'll go check on the others."
Siblings – Preparing
Max sat under a shadow dome, practicing projection control—eyes glowing with muted blackpurple light.
Hadi danced through the air, trails of pink energy arcing off her like lightning—her laughter sharp and focused.
Ayesha stood in utter stillness, balancing an arrow of pure sonic pressure on one finger.
Tristan, shirt off, grinned at his own reflection as ice swirled around his fingers like fog.
They turned as Grim arrived.
"Everything good?" Max asked.
"As good as it'll be," Grim replied. "This isn't just a fight anymore. We win this, and we carve space for all of us."
Ayesha nodded. "Kael's circle has been pressuring the Council. They don't like you."
"They fear him," Tristan added. "But they hate that he doesn't care. That makes him dangerous."
Grim looked each of them in the eye.
"Then tomorrow, let's make sure they remember why Solace walks with four shadows."
Elsewhere – Kael's Circle
Kael stood before his own squad—three elite third years who bore the insignia of the Blackspire Arsenal.
"He's changed," said one. "The fire inside him... it's not normal anymore."
Kael's jaw clenched.
"Doesn't matter. Power without control is just a candle in a storm."
"You gonna hold back?" asked another.
Kael didn't answer immediately.
Then:
"No. I'm going to crush him in front of everyone. And I'll still hand him the weapons... because once his pride breaks—he won't know what to do with them."