Morning light spilled into the stone corridors of the Soul Academy, warm and golden — a cruel contrast to the tension simmering beneath its peaceful walls.
Asher leaned against the outer wall of the infirmary, arms crossed, silently watching the courtyard below. Emilia was still resting, and Bruma had gone to file a quiet report with her clan. Kael… had vanished as usual. Liaen kept to himself.
Elira floated nearby, her expression unreadable.
"You're quiet today," she said softly.
"Thinking."
"About what?"
"The runes. The timing. And Kael's smirk when he saw you."
Elira's translucent form rippled slightly. "You think he knew?"
"I think he sees more than he lets on. And I don't like people who smile in blood."
Elira drifted closer. "Do you trust anyone here?"
He didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Later that day, Emilia awoke with a start. The last thing she remembered was the heat of the corrupted beast's soul energy slamming into her — and the sound of Asher's voice calling her name like it was the last thing holding him together.
She sat up slowly, head pounding.
"You're safe," a voice said gently.
Liaen, the silent elf, stood at her bedside, holding a small bowl of soul-laced broth.
"You took quite the hit."
Emilia rubbed her temples. "Did we… win?"
Liaen gave a slight smile. "The monster's dead. The questions it raised are not."
She sipped the broth slowly. It was thick and bitter, but it calmed the ache in her limbs. She glanced up at him.
"You're… different from the others."
"I prefer trees to people."
"I noticed."
A pause.
Then he added, "But I like you."
Emilia blinked. "Why?"
"You're honest. Scared, but still trying. Most students here are either proud, broken, or lying."
She laughed — softly. It hurt, but it helped too.
"You think Asher is lying?" she asked.
"No," Liaen said. "But he's… fading. Like a soul fragment in the wind."
Meanwhile, Kael stood in a secluded chamber beneath the Academy, facing Valenira.
"They survived," he said.
Valenira's expression remained still as glass. "You don't seem upset."
Kael smiled. "That's because I wanted them to."
She raised a brow. "You're playing your own game."
He bowed slightly. "Aren't we all?"
"I hope, for your sake, that Emilia doesn't break the wrong way."
Kael's eyes flickered. "She won't. I've seen what she's carrying."
Valenira's golden eyes sharpened. "What is she carrying?"
Kael turned to leave. "A storm."
That evening, Emilia found Asher atop the Academy's south wall, overlooking the sprawling forests of Alsira's southern border.
"You're avoiding me," she said.
"No. I'm avoiding everyone."
"Fair."
They stood in silence for a while, the wind tugging at their cloaks.
Then she said, "I saw her again. Elira."
Asher tensed. "She's been… around."
"She talks to me, you know."
He glanced at her, startled.
"She told me you still blame yourself. For everything."
He looked away.
"She told me to tell you…" Emilia hesitated, voice softer now. "That it wasn't your fault."
He closed his eyes.
"Why does she care about me so much?" Emilia asked.
"Because you remind her of herself."
"And you?"
"I don't know," he said. "Maybe because you remind me of her, too."
Deep below the Academy, in a sealed vault, an ancient soul crystal began to glow.
The Cult of Shattered Names had made its first move.
And the shadow of war stirred once again.