All three twisted creatures charged after the fleeing students, their misshapen forms moving with unsettling speed. Kate glanced over her shoulder, heart pounding, as some of the students stood their ground. They bravely held off two of the creatures, their magic flickering like fragile embers. But Kate's eyes widened in horror as the third and largest creature flicked something dark and sinister toward an unsuspecting student—a sickening, oily mass of shadow that seemed to pulse with malevolent energy.
"What are those things doing to my students?" Professor Elara’s voice cut through the chaos, dripping with venomous fury. Her usual calm had vanished, replaced by a sharp, protective rage that sent chills down Kate's spine.
The tallest creature let out a grotesque, grating laugh, its grin stretching impossibly wide, revealing rows of blackened, rotting teeth. "They are receiving the gift of my Dark Lord," it sneered, voice dripping with malicious glee. Its eyes, dark and malevolent, shifted to Kate, narrowing with disgust as it spat its next words. "Unlike our little lamb here, who refused the gift and tainted it somehow. I can smell it on her—filthy, defiant bitch."
The creature's voice, filled with dark hatred, slashed through Kate’s mind like a blade. She recoiled, her stomach churning as her past—the one she couldn’t even fully remember—seemed to close in around her like a tightening noose. The weight of it was suffocating.
Professor Elara’s eyes darkened, her gaze burning with quiet fury as she turned her attention to her Aether Hounds. With the slightest nod, the two hounds—sleek and ethereal—vanished into the shadows, their forms slipping out of sight to carry out their silent orders.
"Explain yourself," Professor Elara demanded, her voice low but unyielding. Her fingers twitched slightly, as if preparing for a fight, and Kate could hear the faint hum of power as Elara muttered a protective incantation under her breath.
The creature’s grotesque grin deepened, sensing the tension thickening in the air. It reveled in it, feeding off the fear and uncertainty. "Oh, you’ll find out soon enough," it hissed, eyes gleaming with twisted delight.
As it took a step closer, the shadows around it seemed to come alive, clinging to its form like writhing, sentient things. They flickered and distorted, eager to spread their corruption, swirling around the creature in an unnatural, grotesque dance. Each step it took brought with it a suffocating pressure, as though the very air around them was growing darker, heavier, poisoned by the malevolence it carried.
Professor Elara stood her ground, her posture unwavering, but Kate could feel the suffocating weight of the creature's presence pressing in on them all. The air seemed to hum with an ominous tension, as though something far darker and more ancient than the creature itself lingered just beyond their vision—an unseen force waiting to strike.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled, the air thickening with a palpable darkness. The students who were holding their own against the other creatures began to falter, their defenses wavering as the strange, black substance flung at one of them started to spread across the student's skin. A bloodcurdling scream pierced the air as the dark magic seeped into their flesh, blackening their veins and clouding their eyes with shadow.
"They’re infecting them!" Kate gasped, her voice cracking as her trembling hands gripped the edges of her robe. She watched in horror as the malevolent energy consumed the student's aura, turning it into something vile and corrupted. Fear surged through her veins, cold and relentless, as she turned to Professor Elara.
Elara's voice cut through the panic, calm but sharp with urgency. "Kate, protect the others. Don’t let the dark magic touch you—it’s a curse, an extension of their will. If it clings to your mana, it will corrupt you, warp your mind." Her words were steady, a lifeline in the chaos.
Before Kate could react, the lead creature moved again, faster this time, its twisted limbs gliding unnaturally over the ground. Its malevolent eyes gleamed with twisted delight as it raised a hand, dark energy swirling at its fingertips, preparing to launch more of its corruptive magic toward the defenceless students.
Kate’s pulse raced. She could feel her Aether Hound beside her, its body coiled with tension, aura thrumming with protective energy, ready to leap into action. Without hesitation, Kate reached deep into her magic, summoning a barrier of water between the students and the advancing creature. The shimmering wall rose before her, glowing faintly with her mana as it surged to life.
The creature’s black magic collided with the barrier, hissing and sizzling upon impact. For a brief, hopeful moment, Kate thought she had stopped it. But the dark energy began to twist and worm its way through the water, corrupting the very magic she had called upon.
"No!" Kate whispered, her heart sinking as her concentration wavered. The shadowy tendrils pierced through her magic, inching closer with each passing second. She could feel the strain on her mana, her barrier crumbling as the darkness spread like a poison.
Just as Kate was about to lose control, her Aether Hound lunged forward, its sleek, silver form shimmering with radiant energy. With a fierce snarl, its glowing eyes locked on the advancing darkness, and with one swift motion of its ethereal claws, it tore through the black magic, dispersing it in a brilliant explosion of light. The force of the blast sent a wave of relief washing over Kate as the corrupting magic dissolved into nothingness.
Professor Elara, unwavering in her focus, shouted a sharp command in an ancient language, her voice rippling through the clearing like a thunderclap. The air around her crackled with power, and the shadows that had threatened to engulf them suddenly recoiled as if struck by an invisible force. The two Aether Hounds, which had disappeared into the trees earlier, reemerged, each dragging a smaller, twisted creature by the neck. The beasts struggled, writhing and snarling, but the hounds' magic kept them firmly subdued.
The lead creature’s smile faltered, its grotesque face twisting with rage. "You think you can stop me?" it hissed, voice dripping with venom.
Professor Elara’s gaze hardened, her eyes burning with intensity. "I don’t just think it. I know it."
With that, she unleashed a powerful surge of magic, her energy rippling through the earth like a wave. The shadows clinging to the creature began to wither, peeling away as Elara’s spell struck deep. The creature howled, its rage palpable as it staggered back, as if the very air around it had turned to fire.
But then, with a low, sinister laugh, the creature locked its malevolent gaze on Kate once more. "You may delay the inevitable, but your defiance will only make his victory sweeter," it spat. Blackened mist began to swirl around it, coalescing into a dark portal. With one final, chilling glance at Kate, it stepped through the swirling void and vanished into the shadows.
The twisted creatures still held by the Aether Hounds screamed, their cries high-pitched and frantic. Bands of light wrapped around their grotesque forms, binding them in place as Professor Elara’s magic took hold. The shadows that had once threatened to overtake the clearing began to dissipate, leaving behind an eerie stillness.
Emerging from the edge of the trees, the headmistress strode forward with an air of authority, her aura glowing with controlled, yet immense power. She glanced between Professor Elara and Kate, her expression one of quiet concern. "Are you both alright?" she asked, her eyes scanning them carefully, assessing the damage.
Kate, still trembling slightly, nodded as the chaos around them slowly subsided. The sounds of other professors, along with Miss Honey, filled the clearing as they hurried to cast spells over the infected students. The students' screams quieted as the dark magic was subdued, replaced by soft murmurs of relief as healing spells took effect.
"Yes, we’re fine," Professor Elara said, her voice steady. She glanced briefly at Kate before turning back to the headmistress. "But I think it’s time we had a serious conversation with our dear student here." Her gaze lingered on Kate, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity.
Kate’s heart sank as both Professor Elara and the headmistress turned their full attention on her. The weight of everything that had happened—the dark magic, the strange creatures, and now the scrutiny from the faculty—settled heavily on her shoulders. Her Aether Hound stood silently by her side, its steady presence offering a small comfort as she absently stroked its fur. Still, a chill ran through her, an unshakable sense that something was about to change, and not for the better.
The headmistress stepped closer, her expression softening as she studied Kate. The air in the room seemed to grow colder, a subtle shift that made the hairs on the back of Kate’s neck stand on end. The high stone walls of the infirmary towered above them, lined with shelves crammed full of strange ingredients—dried herbs, glowing vials, and enchanted crystals casting faint, flickering light. The room smelled faintly of lavender and aged parchment, but beneath it was a chill that felt unnatural, creeping into Kate’s bones.
"Come with me," the headmistress said, her voice calm but commanding. "We’ll head to my office, but first, let Miss Honey check you over."
They moved toward Miss Honey, who was busy preparing potions and salves at her wooden workstation. The scent of freshly crushed mint and basil filled the air, momentarily breaking through the cold, and the soft clink of glass echoed off the walls. The flickering flames beneath her alchemical burners cast long shadows across the floor, dancing in time with the flickering lights.
"Hello, dear. Are you alright? You don’t seem to have any dark magic in your channels," Miss Honey said gently, casting a soft white glow over Kate. The light flickered, revealing the intricate weave of magic within her. But then, suddenly, Miss Honey froze, her eyes widening as the glow around Kate’s form pulsed erratically.
The room seemed to dim further as a thick, almost oppressive silence fell. The faint hum of magic still lingered in the air, but now it felt heavier, like the very essence of the room held its breath.
"Miss Honey?" Professor Elara asked, stepping closer, her voice cautious. "What is it?"
Kate tensed under the healer’s scrutinizing gaze, her hand still resting on her Aether Hound’s soft fur. The creature whined softly, pressing its body closer to her, its ethereal form shimmering slightly in the low light. The flickering lights of the room seemed to pulse in time with Kate's rising heartbeat, casting sharp shadows on the walls. Miss Honey’s reaction, however, was deeply unsettling.
"There’s... something strange," Miss Honey murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She moved her hands over Kate’s body, tracing the lines of magic that shimmered beneath her skin. "I sense something very old, almost primordial... and then, there’s a taint like the sickness in Golden Wheat," she added, referring to a well-known dark affliction. "But there’s also a residue—another type of magic keeping it at bay."
Kate’s heart raced, her fear mounting as she looked between Miss Honey and the headmistress. The air felt heavier, pressing in on her chest like a weight she couldn’t shake. The room, once filled with the gentle hum of magic and the faint scent of herbs, now felt oppressive and thick, charged with an energy that prickled at her skin.
"What does that mean?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Miss Honey frowned, her fingers glowing softly as she scrutinized Kate’s aura more closely. "It’s almost like... something is watching you. It’s not exactly dark magic, but there’s a trace of it—like a tether or a mark. I don’t think it’s a curse. It’s more like a connection that’s been left behind, waiting."
The headmistress’s expression darkened, her brow furrowing in concern. She turned toward the tall windows at the far end of the room, where the dull gray of the overcast sky seeped through the cracked glass. The wind outside howled, rattling the panes as if the world beyond mirrored the growing unease inside.
"A connection? Could this be a tracking spell?"
Miss Honey shook her head, her eyes still focused on the strange magic lingering around Kate. "No, it’s not a tracking spell. It’s more... passive, like it’s waiting for something to activate."
The headmistress frowned, her concern deepening as the wind outside seemed to grow louder, echoing in the silent infirmary. "Can you perform an aura search? We need to see exactly what you’re sensing inside her."
Miss Honey nodded and stepped away, her movements deliberate and smooth, the soft rustling of her robes the only sound in the otherwise quiet room. She moved among her neatly arranged shelves, retrieving a small vial of shimmering blue potion and a polished white crystal from her collection of supplies. The scent of dried chamomile and sage filled the air as she returned, offering Kate a reassuring smile. "Drink this, Kate, and keep the crystal on you for an hour. It’ll help reveal any hidden magic and offer more insight."
Kate hesitated briefly, eyeing the potion’s unusual glow as it swirled within the glass. The faint hum of magical energy vibrated in the air around them, but Miss Honey’s calm, steady presence encouraged her trust. She took the vial, feeling the cool glass in her hand, and drank its contents in a single gulp. The taste was oddly sweet, like honey and citrus. She slipped the smooth crystal into her pocket, its coolness pressing lightly against her leg.
Miss Honey then returned to her work, her hands moving deftly among the bottles, vials, and instruments scattered across her wooden station. The rhythmic sounds of clinking glass and the soft scratching of quills filled the air as she prepared for a deeper examination of Kate’s aura.
The three of them left the quiet warmth of the infirmary and stepped out into the crisp air of the academy grounds. The open field surrounding them was tinged with a thin layer of morning mist, curling up from the grass like ghostly fingers. The towering stone spires of the academy loomed above them, casting long shadows across the courtyard as they walked. The wind carried the scent of wet earth and distant pine, whispering secrets as it wound through the trees.
As they approached the academy’s main entrance, the heavy wooden doors creaked open with a low groan, revealing the grand hallway beyond. Inside, the air grew warmer, though Kate still felt a chill of apprehension deep within her chest. Their footsteps echoed softly against the polished stone floors as they climbed several flights of stairs, the walls lined with portraits of past headmasters and scholars, their eyes seeming to watch as the trio passed by.
At last, they reached an unassuming oak door. The headmistress placed her hand on the weathered brass handle and opened it to reveal a large, well-lit room. One wall was completely lined with shelves crammed with thick, leather-bound tomes, their spines cracked and titles faded from centuries of use. A faint magical hum permeated the air, and the warm glow of floating lanterns cast soft, comforting shadows across the space. The scent of parchment and aged wood mingled with the faint, ever-present trace of magic.
The headmistress gestured for Kate to enter. "This is my office," she said, her voice softening. "Please, have a seat."
Kate stepped inside, the weight of the moment settling heavily on her shoulders. The room’s warmth did little to quell the nervous energy bubbling within her. She glanced around, her eyes lingering on the ornate carpet and the massive oak desk at the far end of the room. Her Aether Hound padded silently to her side, the ethereal glow of its fur dimming as it settled beside her, its presence a quiet, steady comfort. Taking a seat in a high-backed chair, Kate folded her hands in her lap, waiting for the headmistress and Professor Elara to begin.
The headmistress’s voice broke the silence, calm but commanding. She had seated herself behind her imposing desk, the surface littered with scrolls, quills, and an intricately carved paperweight. Her fingers laced together as she studied both Kate and Professor Elara, her expression unreadable. The crackling of the enchanted fire in the corner hearth filled the room, adding a quiet rhythm to the tense atmosphere.
"So, please, can you both explain what happened?" she asked, her eyes sharp with curiosity and concern.
Kate shifted uncomfortably in her seat, the weight of the headmistress’s gaze pressing on her. She glanced toward Professor Elara for guidance, her heart pounding. The professor remained composed, though her gaze flicked to Kate with a mix of concern and quiet encouragement, the flickering light from the lanterns casting shifting shadows across her face.
Professor Elara nodded, adding to her explanation. "The larger creature—the one who seemed to know Kate—was different from the others. It had intelligence, purpose. The way it spoke to her, it was almost like..." She hesitated, her brow furrowing as she chose her words carefully. "Like it had been looking for her, specifically."
The headmistress’s expression remained unreadable, but her eyes narrowed, glinting with a sharper interest. The firelight flickered, reflecting off her spectacles. "Looking for her? Do you believe this is personal, then?"
Professor Elara exchanged a glance with Kate before responding, her tone cautious. "Yes. It felt personal, though I can’t say how or why. But there was something... familiar in the way it singled her out."
The headmistress leaned back in her chair, her eyes never leaving Kate. The soft crackle of the fire seemed to echo the growing tension in the room. "Familiar, you say?" she murmured, her mind clearly turning over possibilities.
Kate’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of her defending herself. She remembered the moment vividly—the surge of adrenaline, the rush of magic coursing through her veins as she barely managed to hold off the creature. But it hadn’t been just her magic. Something else had stirred within her, something unfamiliar yet powerful, and it had frightened her. The memory lingered, like a shadow at the edges of her mind, pulling her thoughts away from the present.
A soft knock broke the silence, pulling her back to the room.
"Come in, Miss Honey," the headmistress said, her voice cutting through the heavy atmosphere like a thread of warmth.
The door creaked open, and Miss Honey entered with a small, tired smile on her face. The faint scent of lavender and healing balms clung to her, offering a subtle contrast to the tension in the air. Despite the long day etched into the fine lines of her face, her gentle presence seemed to bring an instant calm to the room. The fire in the corner crackled softly, casting a warm, flickering light that danced across the stone walls and shelves stacked with old, forgotten tomes.
She glanced at Kate, her eyes filled with reassurance as she crossed the room with quiet, graceful steps.
"The crystal should be almost ready," Miss Honey said, sitting down beside Kate. Her robes rustled softly as she settled into the chair, and she placed a comforting hand on Kate’s shoulder. "It won’t be long now before we can understand more of what’s happening to you."
Kate met her gaze, feeling the familiar warmth of her Aether Hound pressed against her side, its steady breath a comforting rhythm in the background. The creature’s soft glow dimmed slightly, mirroring Kate’s inner turmoil. The presence of Miss Honey beside her, though soothing, couldn’t fully banish the tension that clung to the room like an invisible shroud. Professor Elara stood by the window, her silhouette sharp against the fading light of the day, her posture stiff with anticipation. The headmistress, seated behind her massive desk, observed with quiet intensity, her sharp eyes following every movement.
"I’m scared," Kate admitted softly, her voice barely audible above the crackling of the fire.
Miss Honey squeezed Kate’s shoulder again, the warmth in her touch cutting through some of the fear. Her soft smile, though weary, remained steadfast. "I know, dear. But you’ve already shown strength today—more than you realize. You’ll get through this."
Outside, the wind rattled the window panes, a subtle reminder of the storm that brewed beyond the academy’s walls. Inside, the air felt thick, as though the room itself was holding its breath, waiting for what came next.
"Now, let's see that crystal, dear. Mind handing it to me?" Miss Honey asked, her eyes twinkling with warmth despite the tension that seemed to grip the room.
Kate reached into her pocket, her fingers brushing against the smooth surface of the white crystal. She pulled it out and placed it in Miss Honey’s hand. The crystal, now glowing faintly, seemed almost alive as it pulsed gently in her palm, its light reflecting off the dark wood of the desk and casting ghostly shadows across the floor.
"Ah yes, it is ready," Miss Honey said with a small smile, glancing toward the headmistress. "Headmistress, would you mind getting the blinds for me? My old bones are already tired from the walk up here."
The headmistress nodded and stood gracefully, her long robes sweeping the floor as she moved to close the blinds. With a gentle tug, the room was plunged into near-darkness, save for the soft glow of the fire and the ethereal light radiating from the crystal. The shadows deepened, cloaking the room in an almost otherworldly aura as the crystal’s glow intensified, illuminating their faces in a pale, shimmering light.
Miss Honey held the crystal aloft, her eyes narrowing with concentration as she murmured an incantation under her breath. The soft hum of magic filled the air, vibrating just beneath the surface, as if the very room had come alive with power. The crystal responded, its glow brightening, casting sharp streaks of light along the stone walls and across the faces of those present.
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Slowly, the faint outline of Kate’s form began to materialize in the space before them—a delicate, 2D silhouette that hovered in the air, shimmering with faint hues of magic. The lines of energy were intricate, weaving and shifting like threads in a complex tapestry, radiating out from her in soft pulses.
"Now then, let’s begin," Miss Honey said quietly, her voice filled with focus as she held the crystal steady, the air around them thick with anticipation.
The outline of Kate flickered slightly, her form shimmering like a mirage in the dim room. Slowly, lines of energy—her aura—began to trace themselves over the figure. At first, they were soft, the normal hues of blue and silver that Miss Honey had expected, gently illuminating the dark space. The glow reflected off the polished surface of the headmistress’s desk, casting long shadows across the room. But as the examination deepened, something shifted. Miss Honey’s brow furrowed as darker threads of magic, intertwined with the lighter ones, began to emerge, writhing faintly like living tendrils. They pulsed in the dim light, unsettling against the soft glow of the silver-blue aura.
A soft rustling came from the curtains, where a cool draft slipped through a crack in the window, causing the flame of the lantern to flicker and cast the room into brief, disorienting shadows. Professor Elara leaned forward, the subtle sound of her footsteps almost inaudible against the thick rug beneath their feet. Her eyes narrowed as she observed the strands of dark magic winding through Kate’s aura, their presence like veins of shadow cutting through light.
"That’s not just residual dark magic," Professor Elara said, her voice tight, breaking the heavy silence. "There’s something else woven into it."
Miss Honey nodded slowly, her eyes fixed on the image floating before them. The light from the aura cast faint reflections in her glasses, her expression unreadable beneath the dim, shifting glow. "It’s old... very old. And it’s been keeping something at bay for a long time." Her gaze flickered toward Kate, who sat tensely beside her Aether Hound. The creature’s ears twitched, sensing its mistress’s rising unease, though it remained calm, its soft fur pressing against Kate’s leg.
"Do you recognise any of this?" Miss Honey asked gently.
Kate’s heart pounded in her chest as her eyes locked on the strange image within her aura—a glowing green cage, warped and twisting around something darker, more sinister, at its core. The room felt colder, the air heavier as the dark force pulsed faintly, radiating a low, unsettling energy. But what caught everyone’s attention was the thin line of shimmering gold, barely visible yet vivid against the darker hues. It wrapped delicately around the green cage, reinforcing it, and holding the darkness at bay.
The headmistress stepped closer, her face illuminated by the soft, eerie light of the projection. She leaned in, her brow furrowing in concentration. "Miss Honey... what is that, near Kate’s mana core?" Her voice remained calm, but an unmistakable note of urgency crept into her tone, echoing off the stone walls.
Miss Honey squinted, leaning forward as the green cage and golden thread came into sharper focus. The faint scent of old parchment and the lingering scent of healing herbs filled the air, blending with the crackling of the hearth in the background. The green cage seemed both protective and confining, while the golden thread gleamed in stark contrast, as though it had been carefully woven in place with purpose, like ancient embroidery stitched into the very fabric of Kate’s being. Miss Honey inhaled deeply, her voice barely above a whisper. "I’ve never seen anything like it."
The headmistress straightened, her fingers lightly tapping her chin as she stared at the image, her eyes narrowing in thought. The low light from the crystal cast strange patterns across her face, making her appear almost statuesque. "It’s not just a seal," she mused aloud, her words hanging in the still air. "It’s... containing something. But what?"
Professor Elara, who had been watching silently, moved closer, her face drawn with concern. Her eyes gleamed with the same eerie light that shimmered through Kate’s aura. "Could it be a ward? Some kind of ancient magic designed to hold back whatever that dark force is?"
Miss Honey shook her head slightly, her gaze never leaving the glowing image. The shadows of her fingers stretched across the table, flickering in the dim firelight. "Perhaps, but it’s more than that. The gold thread—it feels almost... sacred." Her voice dropped lower, almost reverent. "Not just protection magic, but something much older. And stronger." She turned to Kate, her face lined with worry. "Whoever—or whatever—put this here meant to keep the darkness bound for as long as possible."
Kate’s stomach twisted as she stared at the strange cage surrounding her mana core. It felt foreign, yet there was an undeniable familiarity to it, as though it had been a part of her for longer than she could remember. The flickering light from the hearth and the aura danced across the walls, deepening the shadows and heightening the tension in the room. The cage seemed alive, pulsing softly in time with her heartbeat. "What does it mean?" Kate asked, her voice trembling. "Why would something like this be inside me?"
The headmistress didn’t respond immediately, her gaze distant as she pieced together the puzzle. The room was silent, save for the low crackle of the fire and the faint hum of magic from the crystal in Miss Honey’s hand. After a long moment, she turned back to Kate, her eyes sharp with determination. "We’ll need to investigate further," she said, her voice low but firm. "This isn’t just about the dark creatures anymore. You’ve been carrying something ancient inside you—perhaps your whole life. And we need to find out why."
Kate’s mind raced, her thoughts spiraling in all directions. The weight of the revelation pressed down on her like an invisible force. She had always known she was different, but this... this was beyond anything she could have imagined. The golden thread flickered in the dim light, a silent reminder of the secrets that had been hidden inside her all along.
The room fell into a deep silence, the tension thick in the air. Miss Honey exchanged a brief glance with the headmistress, uncertainty clouding her usually calm expression. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft but laced with concern, the gravity of the situation hanging over them like a storm waiting to break.
"I don’t know, dear," Miss Honey said softly, her gaze flicking back to the golden thread intertwined with the green cage. Her voice carried a weight of uncertainty, barely audible over the steady hum of magic in the air. The crystal's glow flickered, casting a faint greenish light across the walls, the intricate patterns of the cage within Kate’s aura reflecting like ghostly vines creeping through the room. "But whoever did this... they were powerful—someone with deep knowledge of both light and dark magic. This isn’t something any ordinary mage could weave."
The room seemed to hold its breath as Professor Elara stepped closer to the ethereal silhouette of Kate’s aura. The low creak of the wooden floor echoed through the dim space as she spoke, her voice thoughtful but edged with certainty. "This kind of magic... it’s ancient." She stared at the cage, her face bathed in the soft green and gold light. "The green magic that forms the cage is strong, likely created to contain whatever that dark force is, but the golden thread..." She trailed off for a moment, as if weighing her words carefully. "It feels divine, almost like a blessing or protection woven by someone of incredible power."
Kate’s heart thudded painfully in her chest, the steady beat of her pulse almost deafening in the otherwise quiet room. Her hands gripped the armrests of the chair as she tried to process the implications. The cold stone walls of the office seemed to close in around her as the weight of this revelation settled deeper. "But why would someone put it there?" she asked, her voice shaking with fear and confusion. "Did they know this darkness would come for me?"
The headmistress, standing tall near the edge of the room where the soft glow barely reached, stepped closer. Her footsteps were slow and deliberate, her expression shifting from stern to something softer, though the tension in her posture remained. The heavy scent of aged leather and parchment lingered in the air as she spoke. "It’s possible that whoever did this knew you were a target, perhaps from a very young age." Her voice, though calm, was laced with an underlying caution. "They may have put this ward in place to protect you—to keep the darkness from consuming you fully."
The headmistress’s words hung in the air, mixing with the soft crackle of the fire in the hearth, and Kate’s mind spun, trying to make sense of it all. The faint glow of the crystal pulsed in time with her racing thoughts, casting elongated shadows across the room. "But who?" Kate whispered, her voice trembling as the question escaped her lips. "Who would know enough about me, about this... thing inside me, to do that?"
The headmistress fell silent, her eyes narrowing as if deep in thought. The light from the crystal seemed to reflect the flicker of doubt that crossed her face, casting brief shadows over her features. After a long, heavy moment, she finally spoke, her tone gentle but edged with gravity. "There are old orders," she began, her voice barely rising above a murmur, "ancient societies that deal with magic most of the world has forgotten. It’s possible someone from one of those groups was responsible. Or..." she paused, her gaze sharpening on Kate, "someone close to your family."
At the mention of her family, a sharp intake of breath escaped Kate’s lips. The room seemed to grow even more still, as if the very walls were holding their breath. Something stirred deep inside her, a faint, flickering image rising to the surface of her mind like a half-forgotten dream. The air in the room grew heavier, and the soft white cloud that had formed around her head pulsed faintly, responding to her growing awareness. It was as if the magic itself sensed the buried memory, urging it closer to the light.
The fire’s glow dimmed momentarily, casting long shadows across the bookshelves as Miss Honey and the headmistress exchanged a concerned glance. They remained silent, their eyes fixed on Kate as her thoughts began to unfold in the dim, flickering light. The ancient magic woven into her aura—old, powerful, and unfamiliar—seemed to resonate with something deep within her. The memory, once hidden, began to surface, fragile but undeniable, like a fragment of the past that had finally found its way home.
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"What choice do we have?"
The distant voice—once familiar, now veiled by the passage of time—echoed in Kate’s mind, each word like a ripple through her consciousness. She shivered, though her skin burned, beads of sweat dripping from her brow. A creeping sense of dread curled around her as the pieces of a forgotten past began to assemble, slowly forming a coherent image.
She was somewhere else now—an old, dim room with walls she couldn’t quite make out. A woman stood before her, though the figure was blurred and shifting, like looking through a thick fog. Kate strained to see her more clearly, sensing that she was important, someone close. The woman’s voice, soft and urgent, cut through the haze.
"Dear, you remember the Blood Wars, don’t you?"
Her tone trembled, laden with sorrow, as if invoking a memory too painful to fully grasp.
A male voice responded, gruffer but equally weary. "Of course I do. We all remember. But what choice do we have?" His voice faltered, laced with desperation. "Our daughter is dying, and we have so little time left. This may be the only way."
Kate's heart tightened. Daughter? She searched for recognition in these voices, but it was like trying to hold onto water, slipping through her fingers.
In the background, there was a faint sound—quiet sobs, muffled by the overwhelming weight of the moment. The sobbing seemed to come from someone young, maybe too young to understand the full gravity of what was happening.
"Aric, the choice is yours," the woman said, her voice now breaking. "But you must decide quickly."
The name struck Kate like a thunderclap. Aric. She whispered it to herself, though it felt foreign on her tongue, like a name from a distant dream. A name she knew, but couldn’t place. The more she tried to latch onto it, the further it slipped away.
A heavy silence followed. The air in the room became oppressive, thick with indecision and grief. Then, cutting through the tension like a blade, a new voice emerged—young, determined, and resolute.
"If it’s to save her, I’ll do it."
Footsteps approached, slow and deliberate. The sound of boots scuffing across the floor echoed unnervingly loud in the stillness. Something heavy sat down next to her, close enough to feel its warmth even through the suffocating haze.
"Forgive me, Kate," the young voice whispered, so close now that she could almost feel the breath against her cheek. A moment later, a soft rustle filled the air, followed by the unmistakable sound of wings unfurling—large and feathered, powerful yet silent in their motion. A rush of air swirled through the space as something immense landed nearby with a dull thud, shaking the ground beneath her feet.
Kate’s heart raced, her pulse pounding in her ears. What was happening? Why was this memory so vivid, yet so incomprehensible?
Suddenly, the air shifted again. A deeper, ancient voice resonated through the room, a voice that seemed to come from everywhere at once, speaking not just to her ears, but to her very soul. "Don’t you dare do that, young one." The voice was both a warning and a command, its tone steady and all-knowing, like the voice of something eternal.
Kate’s breath caught in her throat. "W...who is there?" the female voice stammered, her tone now trembling with fear. It was as if she, too, could feel the immense power emanating from the ancient presence.
There was a pause—an unsettling quiet as if the world itself had held its breath. Then the ancient voice spoke again, but this time softer, almost regretful. "Little one, why do you wish—oh, I see." It seemed to consider something, its tone shifting to something more sombre, almost mournful. "You three, come outside. We have much to discuss, and little time left."
The woman gasped audibly, her fear palpable, but there was no argument. She seemed to know that this being, whatever it was, could not be defied. The heavy presence in the room pressed down on Kate’s chest, making it hard to breathe. She could feel the weight of expectation, of something ancient and dangerous lurking just beyond the edge of her memory, waiting to be understood.
Kate’s mind spun as more pieces of the past began to surface, fleeting images flashing before her—hands reaching out, a child’s cry, and the glint of metal against firelight. The familiar scent of burning wood filled her nostrils, and then the soft touch of someone stroking her hair, a lullaby whispered into her ear.
And then, silence. The memory seemed to fade just as quickly as it had come, slipping away like smoke in the wind.
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Back in the present, Kate gasped, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to catch her breath. The room she was in now felt distant, yet solid under her feet. Miss Honey, the headmistress, and Professor Elara stared at her with concern, their expressions mirroring the confusion she felt deep within.
But the name lingered, resonating in her mind like an echo from the past.
"Aric," she whispered again, clutching the edges of the chair, trying to make sense of it all. "Who are you?"
"Kate?"
Miss Honey’s voice cut through the fog enveloping Kate, gentle yet filled with concern. The healer’s warm hand rested firmly on her shoulder, a steadying presence that anchored her in the swirling chaos of her thoughts. "Are you alright, dear?"
Kate blinked, her vision sharpening as the room gradually came back into focus. The headmistress and Professor Elara loomed close, their expressions a mixture of worry and anticipation, etched deeply into their features.
"I... I saw something," Kate whispered, her voice trembling like a fragile leaf in the wind. "A memory, but... I don’t know if it’s real."
The headmistress narrowed her eyes slightly, her posture tense as she stepped closer, the weight of her authority palpable. "What did you see, Kate?" Her voice was firm yet laced with an urgency that made Kate’s heart race.
Swallowing hard, Kate felt a dry lump in her throat. "My family... someone named Aric, and... something about saving me. It felt real, but also distant, like I’m remembering through a fog." Each word felt heavy on her tongue, laden with the remnants of emotions she couldn’t fully grasp.
The headmistress crossed her arms, her brow furrowing in contemplation. "You mentioned the Blood Wars. What do you know of them?"
"Nothing," Kate replied, her uncertainty rising like a tide. "Why do you ask, Headmistress?"
A tense silence filled the room, stretching uncomfortably as Miss Honey and Professor Elara exchanged grim looks, their expressions grave. The headmistress sighed, her gaze drifting momentarily to the floor, as if she were searching for something lost in her own memories.
"Twenty years ago, there was a terrible war," she began softly, her voice tinged with the weight of history. "Different races—mages, warriors, even common folk—formed groups that hunted dragons. They sought to kill or capture them, to harvest their blood." Each word felt like a stone dropped into a still pond, sending ripples of unease through the air. "As you may know, dragons are purely magical beings, and their blood... it holds immense power."
Kate’s eyes widened, her heart racing with a mix of awe and dread. She stayed silent, absorbing the gravity of the headmistress’s revelation, feeling the growing unease coil tighter in her chest.
"Those who drank the dragons' blood saw incredible increases in their magical abilities, but that wasn’t all," the headmistress continued, her voice growing heavier with each word. "Their strength, speed, even their senses heightened." She paused, the shadows of old wounds flickering across her face. "But there was a horrible side effect. The blood is addictive—corruptive. Those who drank it craved more and more, until something else... something monstrous... was born from within them."
A chill ran down Kate’s spine, a visceral reaction to the horror painted in the headmistress’s words. "What... what happened to them?" she managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might summon the terrors of that time.
The headmistress’s gaze remained unflinching, her expression resolute. "Most lost themselves entirely. They became beasts, ruled by an insatiable hunger for power, for more dragon blood." Her tone darkened further, weighty with the gravity of truth. "The Blood Wars were not just a war over magic—it was a war against those who had become something else."
As the words settled around them, Kate felt her stomach twist, a sickening realization dawning. What did it mean for her? The fragments of her memory, the name Aric—could it all be connected to this dark legacy? The walls of the room felt like they were closing in, the shadows deepening with each revelation. She sensed that her own story was entwined with the horrors of the past, a thread woven into the fabric of the very magic she was beginning to understand.
Kate sat in stunned silence, the headmistress's words echoing in her mind like a haunting refrain. The room felt colder, each breath coming shallow and uneven as she struggled to process the enormity of what she had just learned. Shadows danced along the walls, twisting in the flickering lantern light, mirroring the turmoil within her.
Miss Honey broke the silence first, her voice gentle yet imbued with a weight of concern. "Kate, there's something you need to understand. The Blood Wars left a lasting mark on more than just the history books. The magic involved—dragon blood—it has ways of lingering in the world... and in bloodlines."
Kate’s heart raced, her thoughts a chaotic storm. She looked up sharply, her gaze locking with Miss Honey’s, searching for clarity amid the confusion. "Bloodlines?" she echoed, her voice barely a whisper, as if saying it aloud would make it too real.
The headmistress tilted her head slightly, her expression pensive. "Perhaps," she replied slowly, weighing each word carefully. "But magic has a way of masking itself. Especially if there’s something—or someone—actively hiding it."
A knot tightened in Kate's stomach. "But I don't remember anything," she insisted, her voice shaking with the weight of her disbelief. "How could I have any connection to this war or... dragon blood?" The room felt like it was closing in on her, the air thick with secrets she couldn’t fathom.
Professor Elara stepped closer, her expression softening as she reached out a hand in reassurance. "Kate, we’ve been monitoring everyone's magic since you all arrived at the academy. If you or anyone had dragon blood or were influenced by it, we would have seen signs—dramatic increases in power, erratic behavior, even physical changes." Her voice was steady, but the tension in the air made Kate feel like a tightly wound spring.
Miss Honey, still holding the softly glowing crystal, nodded in agreement. "Your magic shows no signs of being tainted by dragon’s blood. What I sensed earlier was different—older, but not corrupt." The healer’s gaze was earnest, yet the unspoken concerns hung heavily between them.
The headmistress's expression sharpened, her eyes narrowing as if she were piecing together a puzzle that was still missing crucial parts. "But something is connected to your bloodline or to you, Kate. It might not be dragon blood, but something is keeping that dark taint locked away inside you. What it’s doing is anyone’s guess."
A shiver coursed through Kate, memories of the creature’s words rushing back to her—the way it had seemed to know her, to seek her out above all others. "So, what does that mean?" she asked, forcing her voice to remain steady despite the tremor of uncertainty underneath.
"It means," the headmistress replied grimly, her tone heavy with foreboding, "that whatever is inside you might be more dangerous than dragon’s blood. We need to find out exactly what it is and why it’s been hidden."
As the weight of the headmistress's words settled like a stone in her stomach, Kate felt a surge of determination mixed with fear. Whatever secrets lay buried within her blood, she was resolved to uncover them. The flickering light around them felt like a warning, but also a beacon—a call to confront the darkness lurking in her past.
Miss Honey stepped forward, her voice calm but firm, cutting through the tension in the air. "The answers might lie in your memories, Kate. There’s a chance that you know more than you realize, but your mind has buried it deep."
Kate swallowed hard, her throat dry and tight. The very thought of unearthing forgotten memories—tied to a war, her family, and something ancient—sent an icy chill down her spine. Shadows flickered along the walls, casting eerie shapes that mirrored her internal struggle. But she knew there was no avoiding it. If she wanted to understand what was happening to her, she had to confront the past, no matter how terrifying it might be.
"Go and rest, Kate," the headmistress said gently, her voice a soothing balm amidst the turmoil. "I'll come and see you personally tomorrow during your free time." With a nod, Kate bid goodbye to both professors, the weight of their concern pressing on her shoulders.
As the door clicked shut behind her, the headmistress turned to Miss Honey, her expression troubled, eyes reflecting a mixture of worry and resolve. "Miss Honey, you saw the aura around her head, didn’t you?"
Miss Honey grimaced, her gaze drifting to the closed door as if trying to see through it to Kate's inner world. "I did, Headmistress. Someone has placed a powerful spell on her memories. There are signs that the spell is beginning to unravel."
The headmistress sighed, the lines on her forehead deepening. "The question is, who cast this spell and why target a young woman?" The uncertainty hung heavy in the air, thick with implications.
Miss Honey nodded, her face thoughtful, the flickering lantern light casting shadows across her features. "I suspect our young student may have inadvertently caused the disturbance with that plant hand the other day."
The headmistress reached into her desk, her movements deliberate, and retrieved a small stick of wood. "Miss Honey, could you run a test on this?" she asked, handing it over with a sense of urgency.
Miss Honey accepted the stick, her fingers brushing against the smooth surface before she placed it beneath the glowing crystal. As the light enveloped the wood, a green aura with a hint of gold began to shimmer around it, dancing like a flame caught in a gentle breeze.
"That’s unexpected," Miss Honey murmured, her brow furrowing in concentration. "It seems this wood is connected to the same magical influence."
The headmistress nodded slowly, her concern deepening, the weight of their situation settling heavily on her shoulders. "We need to investigate further. There’s more to this than we initially thought."
With a determined glint in her eye, the headmistress added, “Miss Honey, can you quickly run a test on this wood?” She handed the fragment over, urgency threading through her tone as she sought answers.
Miss Honey cast the same glowing crystal over the wood, and a glow of green with a small hint of gold appeared around it, illuminating the room in a surreal light.
The headmistress’s eyes narrowed, her expression grave as she studied the green and gold glow emanating from the wood fragment. "It’s as I feared," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "This wood is tainted with the same magic we saw around Kate’s aura."
A heavy silence fell between them, the implications of their discovery hanging in the air like a storm cloud ready to break. The flickering lanterns cast shadows that seemed to stretch and elongate, echoing the mystery they now faced.
Miss Honey nodded, her expression serious and focused. "It appears to be linked to the same ancient magic that’s affecting Kate. The green suggests a connection to something else, while the gold indicates some form of protection or reinforcement."
The Headmistress tapped her fingers against the desk, the rhythmic sound echoing in the quiet room as she pondered their findings. "If this wood is connected to the magic that’s been placed on Kate, then it might lead us to understand who is behind this.” Her voice held a determined edge, the weight of responsibility pressing down on her.
Miss Honey looked up from her examination, concern etched into her features. "But we must be careful. This kind of magic is ancient and powerful. It might be more dangerous than we anticipate." The flickering candlelight cast shadows across her face, amplifying the unease that hung in the air.
The Headmistress sighed, her gaze drifting toward the window, where the moonlight filtered through the leaves outside, casting intricate patterns on the floor. "Yes, we must tread carefully. If someone has gone to these lengths to alter Kate’s memories, they have a reason. And it’s likely that reason is tied to something significant." The thought sent a shiver down her spine, a sense of foreboding settling over her.
Turning her attention back to Miss Honey, she added, "For now, let’s focus on what we can learn from this wood. We need to understand its properties and any potential connections it might have. And we must prepare ourselves for what we might uncover." The resolve in her voice was strong, but beneath it lay an undercurrent of apprehension.
Miss Honey nodded, taking the wood fragment with her, her grip steady despite the gravity of their task. "I’ll get started immediately. We need all the information we can gather." With that, she left the room, determination in her stride.
The Headmistress watched her go, her thoughts swirling like the shadows dancing on the walls. She turned her gaze back to the door, feeling the weight of the mystery surrounding Kate deepen. Each revelation seemed to pull her further into a labyrinth of ancient magic and hidden memories, a tapestry woven with threads of danger and urgency.
As she stood in the dim light, a sense of resolve settled within her. They would uncover the truth, no matter how deeply it was buried, for the sake of Kate and whatever dark forces sought to claim her. The night was thick with secrets, but they would face them together, determined to shed light on the shadows that loomed ahead.