Kael just couldnt sleep at all that night. He stayed on his bed with his eyes wide open, staring up at the ceiling where shadows moved around the edges of the room. They twisted like they were alive or something. He kept waiting, feeling like someone was watching him the whole time.
He could still sense it from before. That creature. The way it touched his chest. And that word kept coming back. Key. It echoed in his head over and over.
Stop, he whispered to himself. But the voice inside said he saw it. He told it to stop again, louder this time. Then something about the gate. His hand went to his head, gripping hard. Get out, he yelled.
Nothing after that. Just quiet. But it wasnt peaceful. More like whatever it was just backed off for a bit. Still waiting.
Morning hit fast. The academy seemed off from the start. Aethernox was usually busy, but now everything felt tense. People talked in low voices, moved quicker, kept looking around more.
Fear was in the air, I guess. And Kael was right in the middle of it all. He walked down the halls keeping his head down, but that didnt help. Everyone stared anyway. Whispers trailed after him.
Thats him. The one from the arena. Those things bowed to him or whatever.
His chest got tight. They remember,
the voice said. Shut up, he muttered.
Talking to yourself again, someone said.
Kael looked up. Rhea was there, arms crossed, looking serious.
You look worse, she told him.
I didnt sleep.
No kidding.
She watched him for a second. Want to say what happened last night.
He paused. Pictures came back in his mind. The creatures. The pain. The gate again.
No, he said.
She sighed. You are really bad at pretending youre okay.
He didnt know what to say to that.
Good, youre both here, another voice cut in.
Lucien walked up, looking more serious than normal.
What now, Rhea asked.
We have a problem.
Kael frowned a little. Another one.
Lucien didnt laugh or anything. A student is dead.
Everything stopped for a moment. What, Rhea whispered.
They found him this morning, Lucien said, his eyes getting dark.
How, Kael asked, but his chest tightened more.
You should see it, Lucien said, hesitating.
They went anyway. Something in Kael already knew what they would find. The body was in a restricted area down in the lower halls. Students werent supposed to go there.
But no one stopped them today. Nobody wanted to be near it.
The air felt heavy and cold. Wrong somehow.
Kael stepped in and right away regretted it.
The body wasnt right. Twisted all over, arms and legs bent wrong. Skin gray and cracked like dry dirt. Dark veins running under it, like something inside was moving.
But the chest was the worst. Torn open, not cut neat. Ripped apart. Like hands reached in and pulled something out.
Rhea turned away quick. What the hell.
Even Lucien seemed off. Theres no blood, he said quiet.
Kael froze. He was right. All that damage, the tearing, the mess. But no blood anywhere.
Theyre learning,
the voice in his head said.
Learning what, Kael muttered, his breath catching.
How to take what matters. Stop, he said again.
Lucien bent down to look closer. This isnt normal. No mana left behind. No spell traces.
Rhea made herself look back. Then what did it.
Kael shook a little. He knew. The things from last night, he whispered.
Lucien glanced up fast. You sure.
Kael didnt answer. His eyes were on the wall above the body. Marks there. Deep cuts in the stone. Symbols.
What is that, Rhea said.
Lucien stood up slow. I dont know it.
But Kael did, sort of. Not clear. But his chest twisted hard, like it knew. That mark.
What is it, he whispered.
A claim,
the voice said.
His heart beat fast. A claim.
They marked what they took.
Kael stepped back. No.
Then it came. A flash. Not just a memory. Blood everywhere. A field. Two people. One standing, one down. A hand covered in blood, shaking.
No, Kael said, knees getting weak.
Kael, Rhea grabbed his arm. Whats wrong.
I. The picture stuck in his head. The one on the ground not moving. And that feeling. Guilt. Anger. Something old and dark.
You remember,
the voice said.
I dont, Kael snapped.
Lucien narrowed his eyes. You saw something.
It wasnt me, Kael breathed uneven.
It was.
Stop.
Rhea and Lucien just stared. Kael, she said slow. What did you mean.
He couldnt say. Wasnt sure himself anymore.
Then the lights flickered. Once. Twice. Out.
Dark took over.
Rhea lit flames in her hands, orange light filling the room. Not again, she said.
Lucien lifted his hand, space bending a bit around them. Stay alert.
Kael stayed still. He felt it. That thing. Stronger now. Closer.
Theyre here, he whispered. How many.
More.
Shadows moved. Not one way. All over. Walls, floor, ceiling.
This isnt normal, Lucien said.
No kidding, Rhea shot back.
The shadows rose up. Dozens of them. Way more than before.
Why so many, Rhea yelled.
Kael pounded in his chest. Theyre gathering.
For what.
For you.
They came at once.
Rhea sent out fire in a big wave. Lucien squeezed space hard.
But they kept going. Closer, faster. Hungry.
Kael saw blurry. Chest burned. Mind yelling.
I cant do this.
Then give me control.
No.
Youll die.
I dont care.
Liar.
Shadows almost on them. Rhea screamed. Lucien yelled something.
But Kael couldnt hear. Something inside broke.
Fine.
It was quiet. Barely said.
But enough.
Total silence.
Then Kaels eyes opened. Not red. Not normal. Old. Cold.
When he spoke, it wasnt just him.
You should not touch what is mine.
The shadows stopped. All of them.
Then they screamed. Not sound. Something deeper. Shook the walls.
Far off, beyond everything, something big moved.
Because Kael let the darkness in this time. Didnt push it.
And the seal cracked more. It feels like this part gets messy, but thats how it happened I think.