The silence didn't last long.
The lightning slowly faded from the air, leaving behind only the smell of burnt flesh and dust.
I was still standing, my legs shaking, my breath like fire, my body covered in blood and wounds. I had pushed my abilities to their limits… I could have reached apoptosis and been consumed by my own power…
A step echoed behind me.
Then another.
Elias, covered in wounds, his bloodied hand rested on my shoulder, his rose-colored eyes like a sunset staring at me with intensity.
— You're unbelievable, Iron… really unbelievable, he whispered.
Asha came next, her halberd still crackling with lightning and covered in blood. She looked me up and down, a fierce smile on her lips.
— Now that was a fight, Vongold!! You are worthy of your Patriarch.
Lyra ran toward me, her trembling hands already searching for my wounds. Her eyes were full of tears, her breathing short.
— Don't move! You're bleeding too much… you… you're going to die if you stay standing! We told you we could help and you…!
— I just… wanted to make sure they saw me standing… in front of their champion… I replied with difficulty.
And Dorian… Dorian burst out laughing. But this time, that laugh wasn't nervous at all. It carried real awe.
— By all the hells… you struck that lunatic down like the sky chose you, Specter? No! They're going to have to give you a new name.
— I have to say… I'm starting to like that nickname… haha… ouch!
I was in terrible pain, and that's not an exaggeration. Every word I spoke made it worse.
Then my legs gave out and my body collapsed.
Elias caught me just in time. I felt his strong arm around me, stopping me from hitting the ground. Lyra placed her hands on my chest, a soft warmth easing my broken ribs.
— Stay with us, Iron… she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks. Stay with us…
Asha, standing behind, was already scanning the horizon, as if daring anyone to come closer.
Dorian, meanwhile, sat down next to me, wiping the blood from his forehead with an incredulous smile.
— You didn't hold back at all, did you, he said while looking at the ruined battlefield.
Around us, Kael's followers—wounded, defeated—didn't dare move. Some were already backing away, dropping their weapons into the sand.
Their eyes weren't on Elias.
Not on Asha.
Not even on Kael, their fallen leader.
They were all looking at me.
And I understood.
The whispers had already started.
— Three blades… how many more does he have… no way…
— Lightning… what, he wants every power or what…
— The Vongolds… that family is full of madmen…
Each word spread like wildfire.
Aurora would know.
I opened my eyes again for a moment, my vision blurred by blood and exhaustion, I was completely drained.
I saw Elias's gaze, firm and protective.
Asha's, burning with fierce respect toward me.
Lyra's, full of tears, begging me to hold on.
Dorian's, mocking but filled with admiration.
And in the distance…
The other heirs' gazes. Frozen. Torn between fear and fascination.
The desert had witnessed everything.
And I knew this day would mark a before and after.
Then… darkness swallowed me.
The Specter was no longer a joke people could mock.
A new anomaly had been born.
I opened my eyes again to the smell of alcohol and iron.
A white, cold ceiling that brought back bad memories. Curtains softly moving in the breeze.
Aurora's infirmary.
My whole body was in unbearable pain, my arms wrapped in bandages. Every breath was a struggle, but at least I was alive.
Elias was sitting near my bed, arms crossed, his face tired but his eyes relieved.
— Phew… finally, he said. You're awake…
I tried to speak, but Lyra suddenly rushed in, her cheeks red from fatigue and tears.
— Don't move! You almost died… again… you're only alive because I treated what I could, but even I couldn't close all your wounds.
Asha entered next, looked at me, then nodded.
— You're finally back with us, Vongold. You really took a long nap.
And finally Dorian, who closed the door behind him with a smirk.
— You know what, Specter? Even unconscious, you get more attention than an idol. I envy you sometimes… you've become the biggest topic at Aurora!
— What are people saying about me?
Elias leaned slightly forward.
— Since three days, the academy has been talking about nothing but you.
I sat up despite the pain.
— Three days?
— You were unconscious, Lyra said softly. We thought…
Her voice broke, and she looked away.
Asha crossed her arms.
— In the meantime, everyone saw what happened thanks to the drone recordings spying on us. People are questioning your powers… you can even use lightning… but what surprises them most is that you defeated Kael Theryn.
Dorian chuckled.
— Well, "defeated"… let's say he's still breathing, but that doesn't change anything: you crushed him, and nobody can deny that.
I stayed silent. "Crushed" was a big word—I was almost the one who died first.
Then Elias added, with a serious tone:
— The Rector himself confirmed it publicly. He said: "Anyone who doubted Iron Vongold's place at Aurora has no argument left…"
His eyes locked onto mine.
— But he's a snake without honor, he added in private. "The power of flight that reminds us of the legends of the 'age of the first gods' is both a blessing and a curse—remember the case of Izac… Make sure to monitor him. He could become a dangerous enemy for all of us one day… so if you feel he strays from our path, report it immediately."
Clearly, he was hiding his real intentions.
A blessing… and a curse?
Dorian sat at the foot of the bed.
— Oh, and you want the best part?
I looked at him, waiting.
Dorian's smile grew.
— Cassian Montclaire… he was watching your fight. He didn't move at all, but his gaze… man, if looks could kill, we'd all be dead already.
Asha stepped in, serious:
— Don't trust his pretty face. He's boiling with rage just looking at you. Everyone's talking about you now, and for him, the one meant to be the future, the one at the top… this isn't normal.
Elias added:
— He's not used to someone else taking the spotlight. His family is number one, and he's the youngest to reach Magisterion class 2 at just 13. Who knows how strong he is now… honestly, I don't want to know.
— And Selene… I said, a bit embarrassed.
Lyra looked away, but Dorian answered with pleasure.
— Your dear Draxion came too. And we all know how ruthless she is… hehehe. You're not just anyone, my friend…
My heart tightened.
— What did she say, Dorian?
Dorian imitated her voice, mockingly smooth:
— "Clearly, he doesn't look like someone who wants to become a pawn… you're becoming more and more interesting, Iron Vongold…"
He laughed.
— She's playing with you, my friend, trust me!
— If you're the expert, then we're all doomed…
He pretended to strike his chest—
— Got you, Iron. Got you.
I stayed silent for a long moment, breathing slowly.
The whole of Aurora was talking about me.
The Rector had secured my place.
Cassian was burning with frustration.
Selene was playing her game.
And me…
I was just glad to be alive.
Glad to keep going through this adventure… as exciting as it was terrifying.
But I already knew one thing:
Every victory brought more enemies than allies.
And in the whispers spreading around…
I could feel a truth.
Aurora would never leave me alone.