2025-08-24 20:56:52
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Chapter 63
Three days after their return to the academy, life had settled into a comfortable routine. Classes in the morning, practice in the afternoon, studying in the evening. Their friends had accepted their story about the survival exercise, and their instructors seemed pleased with their improved teamwork.But Draven couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched."Am I being paranoid?" he asked Sera as they walked back from combat practice. "Or have you noticed more people paying attention to us?""You're not paranoid," Sera replied quietly. "We're definitely being watched. The question is by who.""Academy instructors checking on our 'improved abilities'?" Jin suggested."Maybe," Sera said, but she didn't sound convinced. "Or maybe word has gotten out about what really happened in the caverns.""How?" Lyra asked. "We didn't tell anyone.""Information has a way of traveling in circles like ours," Sera said darkly. "Especially information about power."They reached the main courtya
Chapter 62
They walked down the mountain in comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The morning sun felt warm on their faces after so many days in the cold caverns. But more than that, something fundamental had changed between them."I can feel your emotions," Lyra said suddenly. "Not clearly, but like... echoes.""Me too," Jin said. "It's strange but not unpleasant."Draven nodded. "The legacy Glacius gave us. It didn't just enhance our magic. It enhanced our connection to each other.""Is that good or bad?" Sera asked."Good, I think," Draven replied. "It means we'll always know if one of us is in trouble. Always know if someone needs help."They reached a clearing where they could see the academy in the distance. Home. But also the place where they'd have to face the consequences of everything that had happened."So," Jin said, settling down on a fallen log. "What's our story going to be?""What do you mean?" Lyra asked."I mean, we've been gone for almost a week on what was sup
Chapter 61
The ice-covered hall was massive, bigger than the academy's main auditorium. Pillars of frozen shadow stretched up to a ceiling lost in darkness. And at the center, on a throne that seemed to be carved from crystallized night itself, sat a figure that made them all stop breathing.He was enormous, easily twice the height of a normal person. His skin was pale blue, like someone who'd died of cold, but his eyes burned with white fire. A crown of ice and shadow rested on his head, and when he moved, frost spread across the floor."Mortals," the figure said in a voice like breaking glaciers. "You dare enter the presence of Mordain, Frost King of the Deep Caverns?""We seek the legacy of Glacius," Draven said, trying to keep his voice steady."Do you?" Mordain rose from his throne, and the temperature in the hall dropped so fast their breath turned to ice crystals. "And what makes you think you deserve such power?""We've passed all the trials," Lyra said."Have you?" The Frost King's laug
Chapter 60
Draven stared at the other version of himself. It was like looking in a mirror, except this Draven stood straighter, smiled more easily, and had eyes that didn't carry the weight of constant doubt."You're not real," Draven said."No," the other Draven agreed. "But I'm not an illusion either. I'm who you could become. If you stopped lying to yourself.""I don't lie to myself.""Don't you?" The other Draven walked around the room, his movements confident and sure. "You tell yourself you're weak. You tell yourself you don't deserve your friends' loyalty. You tell yourself you're not a real hero.""Because it's true.""Is it? Or is it just easier than accepting responsibility for your own power?"Draven didn't answer. He was thinking about the pendant hidden under his shirt, burning warm against his chest."Ah," the other Draven said, noticing his expression. "Now we're getting somewhere. Tell me about the pendant.""What pendant?""The one you've never told your friends about. The one t
Chapter 59
The fight was brutal but short. Five against four, but Sera knew all of Daemon's moves. She'd trained with him since childhood.When it was over, three Shadow Moon operatives lay unconscious on the floor. One had fled back through the passage. And Daemon was pinned against the wall by Jin's earth magic, blood trickling from a cut on his forehead."You always were the better fighter," he said to Sera with grudging respect. "But this isn't over.""Yes, it is," Sera replied, breathing hard. "I'm done with the family business.""Family isn't something you can quit," Daemon warned. "Mother will come for you herself.""Let her try."Daemon looked at Draven, Jin, and Lyra. "You have no idea what you've gotten yourselves into. She's not just a spy. She's the heir to the most dangerous criminal organization in the kingdom.""Shut up," Sera said."They deserve to know what they're protecting," Daemon continued. "She's killed more people than you can count. Stolen more gold than most kingdoms po
Chapter 58
The footsteps were getting closer. Sera stood with her daggers drawn, facing the passage entrance. But her three friends were behind her, and Draven could see the doubt in their eyes."How do we know this isn't part of your plan?" he asked."You don't," Sera replied without turning around. "But you're about to find out."Five figures in black robes emerged from the passage. They moved with the same fluid grace as Sera, but there was something colder about them. More deadly."Princess Selene," the leader said, pulling back his hood to reveal a face that shared Sera's sharp features. "You missed your scheduled report.""Hello, Daemon," Sera said. Her voice was steady, but Draven could see her hands shaking slightly."Brother?" Jin whispered."Crown Prince of the Shadow Moon Sect," Sera confirmed. "And my commanding officer."Daemon's eyes swept over the three friends standing behind Sera. "I see you've grown attached to your targets. Mother warned me this might happen.""They're not tar
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