Aldric woke up earlier than usual.The shadow sun—a giant crystal suspended in the sky of the Shadow World—had just begun to emit its faint, dim light when he opened his eyes.For some reason, Aldric could not stop thinking about Ellara’s words."I dream about a bright place, Aldric. There is a vast blue ocean. There is a bright white light from the sky that stings yet isn’t hot. It feels wonderful."Ellara often spoke of that dream. Ever since they were children, she had described the very same place: a beach with crystal-clear blue water, a bright sky with a giant ball of white light hanging above, and a warmth—a warmth she had never once felt in the Shadow World.Aldric had always listened patiently. But this morning, for reasons he could not fathom, he found himself wondering: could Ellara’s dream be more than just a dream?He recalled the words of Ellara’s mother, Queen Seraphina, who had once said in a peculiar tone, "Ellara is different, Aldric. Never doubt that she possesses s

Arven was just about to continue his conversation with Aldric when a sharp shout pierced the seaside air.“Arven! Arven!”Arven turned around. Kiana was running toward them from the direction of the village, her face pale and her eyes wet with tears. She was gasping for air, her hair disheveled by the sea breeze.“Kiana? What’s wrong?” Arven stood up quickly.Kiana grabbed Arven’s arm, her breath coming in ragged hitches. “Your father, Ajiman ... he returned from the sea ... he .....”“What about my father?” Arven’s voice spiked with tension.Kiana wept. “He is vomiting so much blood. Your mother is panicking. She wants you to come home right now!”Arven froze for a moment, his expression shifting dramatically. He turned to Aldric. “I’m sorry. I have to go. My father ....”“I understand,” Aldric said swiftly. “Go.”Arven immediately broke into a sprint. Kiana followed close behind, and both youths vanished beyond the sand dunes within seconds.Aldric stood alone on the edge of the sho

Arven returned to the shore with swift steps. The late afternoon air was still warm, and the waves rolled lazily against the sand. But as his eyes swept across the coastline, there was no one in sight.“Aldric!” Arven shouted. “Aldric!”His voice echoed, swallowed by the crashing surf. There was no reply.Arven paced along the beach, his eyes searching frantically for the figure in the black robe. He reached the thicket where Aldric had first emerged. The green leaves swayed gently in the sea breeze. Arven extended his hand, touching one of the branches.A powerful vibration jolted through him.Arven recoiled. It felt as though his hand had touched a living thing—pulsing and vibrating like a giant heart buried beneath the earth. He focused his sight on the thicket, cautiously probing the surrounding space. At certain spots, he felt a subtle pull, as if his fingertips were being drawn into an invisible rift. At other points, he felt a forceful repulsion, as though an unseen wall was pu

In the heart of the Forbidden Forest, where toxic soil and lethal air fused into an impenetrable void, Drakon sat upon his throne carved from the bones of ancient beasts. Pitch-black mist coiled around his form, pulsing gently like the breath of a living creature. His eyes, darkened by decades of malice, flew wide open, gazing toward the distant palace across space and time, piercing walls invisible to mortal sight.A faint, cruel smile carved itself onto his lips.“Your child has grown, Seraphina,” Drakon muttered, his voice echoing among the dead trees that encircled him. “He possesses true power. What a pity his opponent is merely a foolish creature feeding on my leftover crumbs on Earth.”The foolish creature Drakon spoke of was, naturally, none other than Gideon.Raising his right hand, a shadow of deep night stretched from Drakon's fingertips, slithering across the earth, creeping through the mist, and crossing the abyssal chasms separating the forbidden woods from the royal pal

The late afternoon sun in Valdoria still shone brightly over the back courtyard of Port Valen Academy. The manicured green lawn gleamed golden in the twilight glow, while the towering trees surrounding it cast long, gentle shadows that swayed softly in the ocean breeze. The atmosphere appeared serene—far too serene for a confrontation that had been orchestrated with deliberate intent.Arven stepped out from the school building, following a message delivered by a lowerclassman. A student had informed him that someone wished to meet him behind the gymnasium. No name had been mentioned. No reason given. Yet Arven, having no cause to harbor suspicion toward anyone, decided to attend.The moment he entered the deserted rear yard, his steps faltered. Standing before him were ten male students—each possessing a sturdy build, clad in fine attire, and bearing unprovoked hostility upon their faces. They belonged to a brotherhood known as the "Elite Circle," a faction of noble and affluent youth