I sat on the wooden railing of the monastery balcony, my boots swinging over the mossy stones way below. The sky was starting to change from a dull gray to a deep purple, making everything on the ground look like soft shadows. The wind kept pulling at my hair, but it didn't do anything to help the heavy feeling sitting in my chest.
Sir Nathaniel's words echoed over and over in my head.
You might be part of Malekai's bloodline.
The words felt like a punch. I was part of the very thing that had ruined everything? And somehow, I was also the key to fixing him?
I pressed my hand against my chest, my heart thumping hard. What did that even mean?
A key can open things, but it can also lock them away?!.
Either way, my life was a mess. My memories still hadn't come back, and now I had to deal with this, too?
---•́ ‿ ,•̀------
I leaned forward, elbows on my knees, staring at the ground. My thoughts drifted again to the dream if that's what it was.
I'd seen myself.
Standing across from me.
Same hair. Same build. Same purple eyes.
But her eyes were too calm. Her smile too knowing.
And most of all-
the mole.
Mine was just under my right eye. It always had been.
Hers was on the tip of her nose.
It was a tiny thing. Barely noticeable.
But it made all the difference.
She wasn't me. Not completely. Like someone else was wearing my skin but hadn't gotten all the details right. Why have I been seeing her in my reflection??? Maybe that's why I was dreaming about it because it was already stuck in my head.
I rubbed at my own mole absently, suddenly cold.
Dream logic, I whispered to myself. Just dream logic.
--ಥ╭╮ಥ---
The interesting ones always talk to themselves.
The voice broke the silence like a breeze slipping through a cracked window.
I turned quickly.
He was leaning against the doorframe again Nikolai. One hand tucked into his pocket, the other lifting a steaming cup of tea like he belonged here.
Surprise, he said with a grin. Told you we'd meet again.
My breath hitched-- not in fear.
I felt… happy?????...
A warm flutter stirred in my chest, catching me off guard. I didn't even know why. I barely knew him. So why????
Why does this feel familiar?
A whisper slid along the back of my mind. Not words. Just the hint of something watching. Breathing with me.
Treasure....
I blinked and shook it off.
You what are you doing here? I asked, wrapping my arms around my new indigo jacket. I had picked it out myself when they asked which one I wanted.
He stepped closer with a casual shrug.
Career change.
…To what?
He raised the cup.
Student.
I squinted at him. You passed the test?
Nikolai made a face. Passed? Please. I just wore them down. I walked in, made some tea, and acted like I knew what I was doing until someone finally handed me a scroll and said welcome.
I laughed
then caught myself. Why am I laughing?? And feel calm around him?
He leaned against the railing beside me. Truth is, I'm switching from treasure hunter to… academic adventurer.
That's not a real thing.
Yet, he said with a wink. But I figured I'd find more treasure here.
His voice softened slightly on the last word.
Treasure.
That word again.
My chest tightened for no reason. It was a strange ache that didn't even feel like it belonged to me.
I turned away, feeling confused. You really think there's treasure here???? That's weird.
I do, he said quietly, without looking at me.
His tone was too sincere to be a joke.
I glanced at him once and caught him looking at me with an unreadable expression.
Something in me stirred.
Then---
Footsteps.
Zuriel appeared in the doorway, all that fire-and-storm energy he usually had suddenly turning cold.
His teal eyes flicked between the two of us before stopping on Nikolai.
Well, Zuriel muttered, looks like the strays are multiplying.
Nikolai didn't flinch. Don't worry. I'm house-trained.
Zuriel crossed his arms. That remains to be seen.
The tension between them was pulled tight, like wood just waiting for a spark to catch fire.
I stood slowly. Zuriel. He's been cleared. Nathaniel knows.
Zuriel's jaw tightened. That doesn't mean I trust him.
I'm right here, you know, Nikolai says
I'm trying not to make this personal, Zuriel said through gritted teeth. But some of us lost our whole clans because we trusted the wrong people.
Nikolai raised a brow--and for once, didn't joke.
Zuriel turned to me. Training starts early. Get some rest.
Then he disappeared back inside, leaving the air behind him charged.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
Friendly guy, Nikolai said.
I shook my head. He's not that bad. Just… a Hot-head
Most fire users are.
We fell into silence.
I turned slightly toward him again. Why did you really come back?
He tilted his head, then gave a small, quiet smile.
Because I might find more treasure here.
The way he said it
Something about it curled under my skin, like a line I'd heard in a dream I'd already forgotten.
My chest tightened. It wasn't fear.
It was something warmer.
Sadder.
Unfamiliar.
And yet… mine.
I rubbed the spot under my right eye again, feeling the small mole there, grounding myself.
But another image flickered through my mind.
A face like mine.
Same eyes. Same voice. Same smile.
But the mole was… wrong.
I shook my head.
Dream logic, I told myself. Just fragments mixing together.
Nothing real.
Still, the word lingered between us like smoke.
Treasure.
Treasure? I said, trying to sound skeptical. You mean artifacts? Like the one Eurydice used in the last fight? That's not treasure that's dangerous. You shouldn't be trying to get something like that.
He shrugged. Dangerous things tend to be the most interesting.
I'm serious, I said. What if it hurts you?
He glanced sideways at me. Why? Worried???
My mouth opened.
Then closed.
Just… don't be stupid, I muttered.
But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible could happen to him.
And I didn't know why I cared so much.
---＼(°o°)／-----
Before either of us could say more, the side door creaked open.
Hey.
Eris stepped into the light with her hands on her hips. Her long hair, fading from pink to red, was pulled back into a ponytail. She was wearing her usual pink corset and skirt, but she looked ready for a fight tonight her boots were laced up tight and a sword was clipped to her side.
Gehan, she said, voice firm but kind, Nathaniel asked me to gather everyone. We're heading to the assembly hall. The orientation's about to start.
Orientation? I echoed, standing.
For the new students, she said. Not just teensall ages. But no one under eighteen this time. Too dangerous.
Nikolai raised an eyebrow. What, is the school handing out cursed scrolls now?
Eris smirked. Only on Wednesdays.
I stepped beside her, then noticed Zuriel had come back outside. He stood near the wall, quiet but watching.
His teal eyes avoided Eris slightly, like she was a puzzle he hadn't decided how to solve.
And she noticed.
Her smile faded just a little.
He respects her, I thought. But he doesn't like her.
But Why??
I didn't ask.
Instead I looked around. Wait. Where's Lucien?
Eris rolled her eyes. Probably with the animals again. Healing their wounds.
He likes healing creatures?
She nodded. That's why he's rarely on the front lines. Lucien's too soft to fight unless he has to. But don't worry he'll be late, but he'll show up. He always does.
I smiled faintly. That sounded like Lucien.
Sir Nathaniel's leading the orientation? I asked.
Yes, Eris said. Though between us, there aren't many new students this cycle. Less than fifty."
Less than Fifty? I repeated. Shouldn't a school like this have more?
Zuriel leaned slightly closer and whispered just loud enough for me to hear.
Because the government's still trying to cover up the Convergence.
I blinked. What do you mean?
He glanced toward the hall to make sure no one was listening.
They say people are hallucinating. Or sick in the head. But Master Nathaniel told me earlier it's to stop panic… and stop people from discovering their abilities.
He paused, eyes narrowing.
Because if too many awaken, the world won't belong to them anymore.
A chill ran down my spine.
Come on, Eris called, already heading down the path. Don't be late. You'll want to see who shows up this time.
Nikolai stretched lazily and followed.
Zuriel moved ahead without a word, but slowed just enough for me to walk beside him.
The courtyard felt strangely quiet.
Too quiet.
And somewhere behind that silence…
I felt like someone else was walking with us.
Someone only I could feel.
---(•‿•)----
The assembly hall was glowing with lantern light and the quiet sound of students whispering. You could feel a soft hum of magic under the stone floor - old protective spells built right into the ancient foundations.
Sir Nathaniel stood at the front of the hall, calm and steady as always.
Welcome, he said, to those who have chosen to awaken.
He let the words settle over the room.
This is not a sanctuary. It is a forge. Here, you will be broken, reshaped… and maybe reforged.
Some students straightened.
Others shifted uneasily in their seats.
I barely heard the rest.
Because suddenly
I felt eyes.
Something cold brushed the back of my neck.
I turned instinctively.
And saw him.
A boy stood near the back door, dressed in all dark clothes. He stood up straight, but he looked heavy, like he was carrying something invisible on his shoulders.
His hair was a light gray, and his skin was pale not like he was sick, but in a way that just didn't look human.
But it was his eyes that really got to me.
They were pink. Pale, hollow, and sharp all at once.
Lucien walked beside him, whispering something I couldn't hear.
The boy didn't smile.
Didn't answer.
As they approached, Lucien gave us a small wave.
Hey, he said quietly. Everyone—this is Damon. I… helped him.
Eris nodded slowly.
Zuriel said nothing, but his gaze had already hardened with caution.
Damon stepped in front of us.
He shook Zuriel's hand briefly.
Nodded to Eris.
Gave Lucien a respectful glance.
Then he looked at me.
Everything stilled.
His eyes locked onto mine.
Then slowly dropped like he was studying me.
Not the way people usually look at someone.
More like a soldier checking for wounds.
Like he was listening for something I couldn't hear.
The hair on my arms rose.
I gave a nervous smile.
He didn't move.
Didn't blink.
After a long pause, his lips parted.
You carry death with you,he said quietly.
I blinked. What?
He looked at me again, his expression tight. Not angry. Not cruel.
Just distant.
Unsettled.
Like… the shadows around you
Then he turned without another word and walked past us.
My heart beat unevenly in my chest.
Zuriel muttered under his breath, Okay… weird.
Lucien tried to smooth things over with a shrug.
He's not used to people yet. He's… sensitive to things.
I didn't answer.
I just kept watching Damon walk away, noticing how stiff his shoulders were like he hadn't taken a full breath in hours.
What did he see??? Death???
And why did his words feel like a warning????