The training halls had gone silent hours ago. Kael lay on his bunk, staring at the low ceiling, unable to quiet his head. Sleep wouldn’t come. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw faces: Reyna’s, Jared’s, Liam’s from years ago. They bled together, blurring into a weight he couldn’t name. He sat up finally, swung his legs down, and slipped his boots on. If he stayed still, he would tear himself apart. Movement at least gave him something to hold.This was so much complicated.The corridors of the Academy were cold at night. Oil lamps guttered low, their light pooled weakly against the stone. Kael moved without hurry, hand brushing the wall as if counting steps. He had no destination, only the restless need to walk. The stairwells carried echoes easily, so when he reached the lower levels he slowed, catching the faintest murmur of voices.Two men spoke lowly, but one of them was unmistakable.Kael froze. He knew Archon’s voice anywhere. The clipped rhythm, the weight under every word.

The training grounds had emptied with the fading sun, only a few scattered voices echoing across the stone courts. Kael sat on the edge of the outer steps, elbows balanced on his knees, head lowered. He’d kept Archon’s words locked in his chest for two days, and each passing hour tightened the weight.He didn’t hear Reyna approach until her shadow cut across his boots.“You’ve been quieter than usual,” she said, lowering herself to sit beside him.Kael didn’t answer. His hands flexed against his thighs, the memory of Archon’s voice still raw.Reyna tilted her head, studying him. “This isn’t the silence you wear when you’re brooding. This is the kind that festers. I’ve seen it before.”“You’re observant,” Kael muttered.“Comes with watching you stumble through drills lately,” she replied. “Talk to me. What’s eating at you?”Kael shook his head. “It’s nothing.”Reyna gave a short laugh, humourless. “You don’t stay

The training yard had emptied, but the squad lingered near the benches. A pale sun sat low over the Academy walls, shadows stretching like long fingers across the stone. Darius stood before them, cloak drawn close, eyes sharp as he scanned each of their faces.“You think training ends in the yard,” Darius began. “You’re wrong. The moment you step out there…” he gestured toward the walls beyond “...you carry Veridale’s politics with you. And politics kill faster than blades.”Jared leaned back on the bench, arms folded. “So what, we’re supposed to start bowing and smiling at nobles now?”Darius’s gaze slid to him. “No. You’re supposed to know when a bow is survival, and when a smile is a lie.”Reyna straightened. “With respect, Commander… that sounds like you’re saying the Corps doesn’t just serve the throne.”Darius gave a faint smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “We serve the throne, yes. But the throne rests on families. And famili

The chamber was lit by a single lantern. Its glow flickered against the vaulted stone, catching on the sigils carved into the wall: Varion emblems that looked sharp-edged and cold. Jared leaned on the doorframe, arms folded, his usual smirk missing.“You sent for me again,” he said. His voice was flat, not mocking. “I thought we agreed last time you’d let me breathe.”Lord Eryndor sat at the long oak table, ink and parchment spread out before him. He didn’t look up at first, dipping his quill with precise movement. “Agreements are for equals,” he replied. “You’re not in that position.”Jared scoffed, but it didn’t sound strong. “Then say what you need to say.”Eryndor set the quill down and finally raised his gaze. His eyes were iron-grey, unreadable, the kind that weighed and measured. “You’ve had weeks. And still, Estaran thrives.”Jared pushed off the doorframe, pacing. “He thrives because you want me to bury him with scraps and whispe

The recruits had barely gathered that morning when Darius stepped into the yard, cloak sweeping the dust. His expression was harder than stone.“Drill,” he said. “Effective immediately.”No preamble. No explanation.Kael glanced sideways at Reyna. She shrugged, already unbuckling her cloak. Jared smirked as if he’d been expecting it. Kyna tightened her gloves. The rest of the trainees looked uncertain.Darius gestured to the far end of the grounds, where two veteran Shadow Corps squads waited, already armed. “Today, you face them. Not to win. To survive. Capture the signal banner from the centre post. That’s your task.”A murmur spread among the recruits. Reyna whispered, “He didn’t say how long.”Jared stretched his shoulders. “Doesn’t matter. We’ll be faster. Watch and learn.”Kael’s jaw tensed. “If you charge without a plan, you’ll get us flattened.”“Oh, pretty boy wants to plan again,” Jared teased, leaning