I jolted awake, my breathing came in ragged bursts as cold sweat clung to my skin. Moonlight poured through the windows of my room, casting pale streaks across the floor.The mark on my throat burned, it was not painful, but it was just enough to remind me it was there. I pressed two fingers against it and closed my eyes. The voice still echoed inside my mind, “the seal is broken.” It was not loud, or threatening, it was simply… waiting. I climbed out of bed and walked to the balcony. The academy grounds lay silent beneath the moon, as though nothing had happened over the past several days. There were no screams, blood, and no monsters. Yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me, and it was someone ancient, and patient.“…Who are you?” I whispered into the night.Only silence answered. Morning arrived with unusual calm. The temporary seal beneath Blackthorn had stabilized the academy enough for classes to resume, though the atmosphere remained ten

Morning sunlight spilled through the stained-glass windows of Blackthorn Academy, painting long streaks of crimson and gold across the corridors. For the first time since my rebirth, the academy felt alive. Students cautiously returned to their routines. Conversations had become quieter than before, but the fear that once dominated every hallway had begun to loosen its grip, of course no one believed the danger was over, but everyone wanted to pretend, if only for a little while. I, however, had no such luxury. I stood alone within the underground sanctum beneath the academy, facing the black stone altar that had nearly become the gateway for the First King, the crack in the floor remained sealed by glowing crimson runes. The seal pulsed gently, and steady, I remembered it was only temporary. Headmaster Alaric stood several feet away with his hands folded behind his back.“You’ve learned to hear your blood,” he said calmly.I nodded.“You’ve learned not to fear it.”I n

The library fell silent. Aurora straightened immediately as my expression changed. The warmth that had settled over me moments earlier disappeared, replaced by the cold, unreadable face I wore whenever danger drew near. The mark on my throat burned again, this time not painfully, it felt more like a warning.“Kael?”I slowly closed the ancient book lying open before me “I heard him.”Aurora frowned. “Heard who?”“Advisor Duskbane.”Her eyes widened. “That’s impossible.”“I wish it were.” The voice still echoed inside my head, “Did you really believe a temporary seal could hold me forever?” It wasn’t another primordial memory, this had definitely been real, present, and alive. I stood so suddenly that my chair scraped loudly across the stone floor.“We need to find Alaric.”Aurora was already beside me before I reached the doorway. “I’m coming.”“I wasn’t planning on stopping you.”She smiled faintly. “I know.” Together we hurried through the quiet corridors toward the Headma

**kael’s pov** I had always believed monsters looked terrifying, but I was wrong, sometimes they smiled at you every day, sometimes they stood beside you as you celebrated your victories, and sometimes they called you family. Of course, I didn’t know that then, but back then, life was simple, or perhaps I only believed it was.*****life before the rebirth*****“You’re late.” Adrian was already waiting outside the Blackthorn Academy combat arena when I arrived. He leaned lazily against one of the stone pillars with his arms crossed, looking as relaxed as ever despite the dozens of students gathered around the arena.I smirked. “The match doesn’t start for another ten minutes.”“It starts in five.”“It starts when I get there.”He laughed. “That confidence is going to get you into trouble one day.”“It hasn’t yet.”“Because no one here can beat you.”I shrugged. “I can’t help that.”Adrian rolled his eyes. “There it is.”“What?”“The most arrogant prince in the four kingdoms.

**Kael’s pov** I knew I was dreaming the moment I opened my eyes again. The Crimson Palace stretched before me exactly as it had years ago, untouched by blood or fire. Morning sunlight poured through the towering windows, illuminating the marble floors in shades of red and gold. For a moment, I forgot what came next, so I simply stood there and let myself believe my family was still alive. Then I remembered the coronation, the betrayal, and the massacre. My chest tightened as I walked down the familiar corridor. Servants hurried past carrying flowers, banners, and ceremonial robes, everyone was preparing for my coronation. Everyone looked happy, and that was the cruelest part. No one knew they were decorating a palace that would soon become a graveyard.*****“You look terrible.”Adrian lounged against the entrance to my study, arms crossed.I snorted. “Good morning to you too.”“Have you slept at all this week?”“I have a coronation in three days.”“That’s not an answe