Dawn crept over the academy, soft and golden—but Aeri felt none of its warmth.
She stared at her trembling hands, the faint silver glow fading from her skin.Last night she had awakened something inside her…something both powerful and terrifying.
Soren stayed close, watching her carefully.Lior sharpened his daggers at the window, eyes flicking to every shadow.
No one spoke at first.
Finally Aeri whispered:
"Did you feel it too?The moment… someone said my name?"
Soren nodded."Yes. A surge of dark magic rippled across the academy. Only those with strong senses caught it."
Lior's jaw tightened."It came from the forest. Deep, deep inside. Too close."
Aeri shivered."But why now? Why today?"
"Because," Lior said, turning toward her, "you awakened part of your soul. And he felt it."
Soren added gently:"The stronger you become, the stronger his connection grows."
Aeri clenched her fists."Then I shouldn't awaken anything. I should stop."
Soren immediately reached out, taking her wrist gently."No. Holding back will only trap you. The seal is awakening whether you want it to or not."
Lior crossed his arms."And without your true power, you won't survive him."
Aeri swallowed hard."So what do I do?"
Soren and Lior exchanged a silent conversation.
Then Soren answered:
"We train you."
Lior nodded."We start today."
Aeri took a deep breath."Okay. I'm ready."
But Soren held up a hand. "Not here."
Lior added, "It's too dangerous. He's tracking you. We need somewhere hidden."
Aeri's eyes widened."You mean… off academy grounds?"
Both boys nodded.
Soren grabbed a cloak for her."There's a sanctuary in the eastern cliffs. A place where dark magic cannot cross."
Lior added:"And a place where he can't watch you."
Aeri felt relief—until her mark pulsed again.
A jolt of pain shot through her arm.
"Aeri?" Soren grabbed her immediately."What do you feel?"
She gasped, gripping her chest.
"Whispers," she breathed."A voice—deep… angry…"
Soren's eyes widened.Lior drew his blade.
"What is he saying?" Lior demanded.
Aeri trembled.
Her lips parted.
And in a voice not entirely her own, she whispered:
"Come to me."
The boys froze.
Aeri continued, voice hollow and distant:
"Lyrenia… come to me.Stop hiding."
Her eyes began to glow faintly red—the same color as the mysterious man's mark.
Soren quickly pressed his forehead to hers."Aeri—listen to my voice. Come back. Don't let him pull you in."
Lior touched her back, channeling a burst of cleansing energy.
The red glow flickered.
Then vanished.
Aeri collapsed, gasping for breath.
Soren held her tightly."It's getting stronger. Too strong."
Lior clenched his jaw.
"We need to leave NOW."
Aeri nodded weakly."Yes. I… I felt him. Watching me. Reaching for me."
Soren wrapped his arms around her to steady her."Aeri, look at me. We're going to protect you. But we need to move fast."
Lior checked the hallway."Take only what you need. We slip out at sunset."
Aeri stood shakily."What if he finds us before we leave?"
Soren gave her a small, steady smile."Then he'll have to get through both of us first."
However—as they prepared to leave, a cold breeze swept through the room.
Aeri turned.
And on the inside of the window—
a symbol appeared in frost.
The same mark carved on the fountain.The same mark from her past.
Aeri's voice cracked.
"He's already here…"
Soren pulled her close.Lior stepped protectively in front of them.
"Run first," he growled."Explain later."
And far away—the man with the red mark smiled in the shadows.
"I'm coming, Lyrenia."