Narrator (voice-over):In the world of fractured skies and forgotten kingdoms, destinies aren't just written—they're fought for. And sometimes, the smallest ripple reveals the ocean's deepest storm. In the halls of Crestveil Academy, shadows are never just shadows—they're echoes of something far older... and far more dangerous.
SCENE 1: THE QUIET BEFORE
Kael leaned back under the blooming Stellaflame tree, its white petals glowing faintly under the blue-hued moons. Zayen sat beside him, sketching constellations onto a map that shimmered faintly with the traces of Tempo Magic.
"Still think the Trials are just a school tradition?" Zayen murmured, voice half-joking but eyes dead serious.
Kael's expression stayed calm, but inside, he remembered the forbidden library, the painting with moving eyes… and the book that burned itself out the moment he touched it.
"There's something else," Kael finally said. "I don't know what yet... but it's not just a test."
Before Zayen could answer, a voice broke through the night.
"You two planning world domination without me again?" grinned Lira, tossing a couple of sparkling melon puffs at them. Behind her, Riven—yes, the Riven Korr, still hiding her identity as a girl—walked silently, eyes sharp, as if hearing the echoes of something no one else could.
SCENE 2: THE FESTIVAL & THE FLAME
The next day, Crestveil bloomed with color. It was the "Ignis Bloom" Festival, celebrating the founding of the Academy. Students from every continent were here. Flying lanterns lit the air. Cultural duels. Magic chess. Floating cuisine carts.
And, most notably—the announcement of this year's Preliminary Crown Trial Teams.
While Kael tried to pretend he was just enjoying the glowstick dumplings, his gut twisted. Something big was coming.
As laughter echoed around, the Headmistress stepped onto the main platform.
"Students," she began, her voice coated in both honey and steel. "This year's Crown Trials will begin earlier than scheduled. And with… new parameters."
A hush fell. All fun halted.
"From this moment forward, you are no longer just candidates. You are carriers of fate. A fate that will choose some, challenge others… and consume a few."
Her eyes stopped on Kael.
And for the briefest second—just a flash—Kael saw something flicker behind her: a sigil. A fruit made of light and shadow, floating in flame.
He blinked. It was gone.
SCENE 3: MISSION UNLOCKED
Later that evening, Kael, Zayen, Lira, Riven, and newly added wildcard Korrin (the tech-geek prankster with a weird obsession with ancient languages) were summoned privately.
"There's a breach in the Lower Ring," said an old instructor. "Something's disrupting the Flow Wells. You're selected to investigate. Consider it... an unofficial pre-trial."
Riven narrowed her eyes. "Unofficial missions… always lead to official funerals."
Kael smirked. "Well, let's make this one the exception."
SCENE 4: THE VEIL
Down in the misty Lower Ring, they weren't prepared for what they found.
A rune gate, ancient and alive, pulsed with dark light.
Korrin translated, breath hitching:"'Here sleeps the first bearer. Soul bound. Crown broken. Awaiting… the next.'"
The gate cracked. Not open—but reacting to Kael's presence.
A voice echoed in Kael's mind—not spoken, not thought. Just felt.
"The Soul never forgets. Even if the world does."
Kael fell back, breath stolen. A mark shimmered faintly on his hand.
Zayen ran to help him, but even he looked shaken.
"…That wasn't magic," Zayen whispered. "That was something else."
SCENE 5: ECHOES & DECISIONS
Later that night, Kael stared into the mirror.
He didn't speak.
Behind him, the mark still glowed faintly. It looked like a half-crown… and the tip of a fruit stem.
He clenched his fist.
"Whatever this is... I'm not running. This time, we make the rule