Chapter 36 – The Lines Are Drawn
Night fell heavy over the academy.
Not dark — heavy.
Like the sky was holding its breath.
The entire school had been ordered indoors after dusk, but the Headmaster made one exception:
A strategy council.
A meeting of the strongest student fighters, the Pillars, the Prefects, and chosen representatives from every division.
Ariana was told to attend.
Kai insisted on coming with her.
Aster had fallen asleep again, exhausted from sensing too much.
Ariana tucked her in with soft blankets before leaving for the council chamber.
Her heart was tight in her chest.
She wasn't sure what scared her more:
The coming war…
Or the fact that people were beginning to look at her like she mattered.
Inside the War Council Chamber
The chamber was enormous — an oval hall with glowing blue runes lining the walls. Thick wooden tables formed a circle in the center. Magical orbs hovered in the air, projecting maps and barrier diagrams.
Students filled the room:
Prefects in navy cloaks
Division captains
Class representatives
All four members of Kai's clique
Seraphina
Loren
And now… Ariana.
The moment she walked in, whispers rose.
"That's her."
"The girl from the placement."
"Moonborn hybrid."
"She fought the corruption."
"She saved the barriers."
Ariana swallowed.
Kai placed a hand on her back, guiding her gently forward.
"You're not alone," he murmured.
When they took their place at the long center table, Zane rolled out a large parchment—the same corrupted battle map they'd recovered.
Loren leaned over Ariana's shoulder.
"Look here."
He pointed at the four red circles drawn around the academy perimeter.
"That's where they'll strike," he said. "But what we didn't realize—"
Calen finished grimly:
"—is that these aren't just breach points. They're feeding points."
Ariana frowned.
"Feeding?"
Zane nodded.
"Rebirth will use the outer rings to siphon energy from the academy's own wards. That means—"
Loren straightened.
"—the stronger our defenses become, the stronger they get."
Murmurs of panic rippled across the room.
Ariana stared at the map.
"So… if we defend the wrong way, we make them more powerful?"
Zane nodded.
"Yes."
Ariana exhaled shakily.
This was worse than she thought.
Targeting the Younger Students
A soft voice rose from the corner.
Seraphina.
Her usually bright and confident tone was tight with fear.
"There's something else," she said.
"Something we found during senior scouting."
Everyone turned toward her.
Seraphina clenched her fists.
"A few first-years — younger than us — said they've been having… dreams. Red ones."
Ariana's breath hitched.
Kai's head snapped toward her.
"Younger students?" Ariana whispered.
Seraphina nodded quickly.
"They said they were hearing voices. Like… whispers through walls. Telling them to walk toward the forest. To open doors. To join someone."
Ariana felt cold all over.
Aster's words echoed:
They want everyone…
All students…
Rylan cursed loudly.
"They're targeting kids now?"
Zane rubbed his forehead.
"They're spreading influence wherever the wards are thinnest."
Ariana looked around the room, voice trembling but steady.
"We need to protect the younger students first."
Vayne raised a brow.
"And what makes you think that?"
Ariana didn't flinch.
"Because corruption wants the weakest minds.
And if they fall… the rest of us won't stand a chance."
Silence.
Heads nodded.
Even instructors looked thoughtful.
Kai stared at her with something like awe.
Ariana Steps Into Leadership
Headmaster Solarin entered the hall then, cloak sweeping behind him.
His presence alone quieted the room.
He looked directly at Ariana.
"You believe we should prioritize the lower ranks?" he asked.
Ariana swallowed but nodded.
"Yes. Protect the first-years. Keep them away from the forest. Guard the dorm blocks. They're… the easiest to manipulate."
Solarin studied her carefully.
"And what of the elite fighters?"
Ariana took a breath.
"Put them on the outer barrier lines. Spread the strongest students evenly—Kai's group, the senior Shifters, the Elemental captains. Let the Pillars anchor the weakest points."
"And you?" Solarin asked softly.
Ariana hesitated.
Kai immediately answered for her.
"She stays with me."
Ariana turned bright red.
Solarin raised an eyebrow.
Ariana quickly corrected:
"I should be with the Hybrid Division! I'm a stabilizer. My magic works best with groups."
Solarin nodded.
"A wise allocation."
Ariana blinked.
He… agreed with her? Just like that?
Solarin looked to the room.
"Then Ariana Sterling's recommendation stands."
Gasps erupted.
"What?"
"She's a first-year."
"She's a hybrid, not a strategist."
"Why are they listening to her?"
Ariana felt heat rise to her cheeks and looked at Kai.
He smirked.
"You're leading, Ariana."
"No, I'm not," she whispered.
"You are," Kai repeated quietly, "and you don't even realize it."
Her heart skipped.
Rebirth's Message
Suddenly—
Ariana felt something twist inside her chest.
Hard.
Sharp.
Her bracelet flared painfully.
A pulse of red energy shot across the magical map.
Ariana gasped and stumbled.
Kai caught her instantly.
"Ariana!"
Students panicked.
"What's happening?"
"Is she corrupted?"
"Is it the door?"
Ariana grabbed Kai's arm hard.
"Wait—quiet—quiet—"
Everyone froze.
Ariana's eyes glazed for a moment as a whisper slipped into her mind.
Not Aster's voice.
Not her wolf.
Something else.
A voice without sound.
A shadow without weight.
"Moonborn… bring us your light…"
Ariana's breath hitched.
"Bring us your power…"
Her bracelet sizzled.
Kai growled, low and dangerous.
"Ariana, snap out of it—look at me—!"
Ariana's eyes widened.
She gasped in pain as the voice hissed one last time:
"We come when the moon is highest."
The connection snapped.
Ariana collapsed to her knees.
Kai lifted her immediately, holding her close.
"Talk to me," he whispered, voice shaking.
"Ariana—please—what did it say?"
Ariana opened her mouth—
but Aster's voice suddenly rang through her mind like a bell.
Moon-sister! Don't repeat it out loud!
Ariana froze.
Aster? Why?
Because if you say their message… they HEAR YOU BACK.
Ariana swallowed hard.
Kai's grip tightened.
"Ariana… what did they tell you?"
Ariana lifted her head slowly.
Her voice was quiet.
Steady.
"They told me when they plan to attack."
Gasps echoed.
"When?" Loren demanded.
Ariana looked toward the sky outside the council chamber windows.
A single sliver of moonlight had broken through the clouds.
She whispered:
"When the moon is highest."
Seraphina whispered:
"The full moon…"
Calen murmured:
"Three nights from now."
Everyone turned to Ariana.
Everyone waited.
Everyone looked to her…
as if she were the one who would decide the fate of the academy.
Ariana felt Kai's hand tighten around hers.
"We'll be ready," he whispered.
Ariana inhaled slowly.
Her wolf pressed against her chest.
"War soon. Prepare."
And for the first time—
Ariana didn't feel like the scared girl dragged into the academy.
She felt like someone who could make a difference.
Someone who would stand and fight.
Someone who would lead.