Ava's expression was stern, almost carved from stone, as her heels clicked against the marble floor of the ancient garden. The golden sigils beneath her feet shimmered under the moonlight as she approached Asher, who stood silently near the obsidian fountain at the center.
Her voice sliced through the stillness, each word heavy with dread and urgency.
"You're supposed to defeat Lamia, Asher. The evil that's possessed him must be stopped—but do you even realize what's at stake?" Her tone faltered slightly, raw emotion lacing her next words. "If you step into Hell, you might not return. And if the prophecy of the Child of Light dies with you…" She paused, swallowing hard. "Desdemona will win. She'll end everything. Humanity. Light. All of it. And the armies of the dead—they're stirring. I can feel it in my bones. They're awake."
Asher remained silent.
His eyes, usually fierce and unyielding, stared at the fountain's reflection, unblinking. He hadn't said a word since Ava and the others arrived. It unnerved her. For the first time, she wondered if his heart had already begun to slip beyond their reach.
Seeing a flicker of hope—however faint—Ava reached into the folds of her robe and drew out a scroll sealed in silver wax.
"I was sent to train you," she confessed softly. "To guide you to Volantis… a hidden realm of the supernatural. After the war with Lamia, you're meant to be reborn, Asher. Reborn to become the Balance. The very essence that will end this ceaseless bloodshed." Her voice cracked slightly. "You are the axis around which the scales of light and dark turn."
She dropped to her knees and whispered a desperate prayer under her breath. "May the Creator grant you wisdom… to see reason. To follow your path."
But Asher's next words weren't what she'd hoped for.
"So what happens to Zeke?" he asked at last, his tone flat, eyes still fixed ahead.
The question hit Ava like a thunderclap.
She faltered. "Asher…"
"Tell me!" he barked, his voice finally alive—but filled with anguish.
Ava bowed her head. "I understand your pain. Truly, I do. But most of us… we knew what we signed up for. We fight not for ourselves, but for the world. For the people who can't defend themselves. We're willing to give our lives for this cause. Because we believe in it." She looked up, eyes glistening. "We believe in you."
There was silence.
Then Asher nodded slowly, as if finally understanding her point.
"Okay. I understand…"
Jeremy let out a deep sigh of relief. Ava's shoulders dropped. A moment of peace flickered between them.
But it shattered instantly with Asher's next words.
"…which is why I believe that as the reincarnation of a goddess, you're powerful enough to stop Lamia yourself. Because nothing—nothing—is going to stop me from bringing Ezekiel back." He finally turned, locking eyes with Ava. "I know you understand why he collapsed. And I know you're hiding something from us. But it's fine. I'll find out the truth myself."
Jeremy's face fell. His eyes silently pleaded with Asher, but the latter didn't waver.
"You know that's selfish," Harlan interjected, stepping forward with a scoff. "You'd leave billions to die… for a corpse."
The accusation was like poison in the air.
"So much for being a divine being," Harlan sneered. "I guess power really does corrupt."
Asher's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"What did you just say?" he snapped. "Don't you dare speak, you worthless hypocrite of a rat. You should've rotted in your grave, but Ava pitied you." He scoffed bitterly. "That doesn't mean the rest of us have forgotten your betrayal."
Ava quickly stepped between them before things escalated.
"I know you all think I'm selfish," Asher murmured, his voice calm but resolute. "But Zeke is our friend. And I made him a promise. I will return."
A heavy silence fell upon them.
Then Ava sighed, shoulders trembling. "Then we're coming with you. You can't face Hell alone, Asher. It's suicide."
"I agree," Jeremy chimed in, stepping beside him. "No way we're letting you go without backup."
Before they could finalize the decision, a distant, blood-curdling scream echoed from within the school grounds. The garden trembled—the trees shook violently as if bowing in terror.
Asher stiffened. Ava's eyes widened.
The sky began to twist, turning pitch black, as tendrils of ancient magic spilled into the air. The stench of brimstone and decay filled the atmosphere, a clear sign of hellish corruption.
Ava's hands trembled as she ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. "They're here…" she whispered.
"Lamia. And his army of dead witches."
Cries of anguish began to rise from the school—students screaming in confusion and terror. Shadows crept across the walls. Demonic wails echoed through the wind.
"Asher!" Ava shouted over the chaos. "This is what I've been warning you about! The war is already here!"
But Asher shook his head.
"Sorry. We can't win this without every resource we can find. I'm getting Ezekiel back. With his mastery of the dark arts and necromancy, he can control the undead. That's our only shot." He turned to her. "For now, you stop Lamia from reaching the Dragons—wherever they are."
The word "Dragons" triggered something in Jeremy.
"Wait…" he muttered, frowning. "I feel like we're forgetting something. Something important."
It was true.
Memories pressed against their consciousness like distant dreams, just out of reach.
Ava furrowed her brow. "Even I… I feel like I'm supposed to rescue someone. But I can't remember who…"
They were right, with a powerful spell Lamia has casted it on Slyvia and Rose; unfortunately no one will remember them sending their souls to oblivion.
And the magic that concealed them was dangerous and deadly. The memories remained hazy.
Ava exhaled sharply. "Enough. We'll figure it out later. For now, we move."
She pulled out a glowing amulet and pressed it into Asher's palm.
"This will protect you from the Hellfire's corruption. Your mortal body won't withstand Hell without it."
She pulled both Asher and Jeremy into a tight embrace.
"I understand now, Asher. We need Ezekiel. When you get there… ask for the Keeper of Souls. He guards the Soulfire, where all spirits are held. But beware—he loves to play mind games. Outsmart him. Don't let him trap you. And above all…" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Don't bargain with the Devil. No matter how tempting. Or you'll regret it for the rest of your existence."
As the ground trembled again with monstrous footsteps, Ava gave them a final nod.
"You must go now. I'll contact Emily. We'll save the students being attacked."
Jeremy clasped Asher's hand.
"Finally, we're on a journey again," he said with a smile, eyes glinting with determination.
Asher returned the smile.
"Yes. But this time, we must come back victorious. The Dragons can't be unleashed."
Side by side, they stepped toward the swirling pit—the gateway Ava had banished the fog into.
Jeremy grinned. "Looks like our ticket to Heaven."
Asher's smirk was razor-sharp. "Or Hell. Let's not keep Lucifer waiting."
They vanished into the pit.
Ava watched them go, her heart aching.
"Please come back to us, Asher," she whispered to the night. "Whatever you do… don't die. The world is depending on you."
Moments after they vanished, Ava and Harlan made their way toward the school.
What they saw stole the breath from their lungs.
Corpses walked in twisted grotesque forms, students fought in terror, and dark fire blazed across the academy walls.