The familiar warmth of my once-cozy home now felt cold and foreign, despite the protective wards humming faintly around the walls.

Aaron collapsed into a chair the moment we arrived, his head cradled in his hands. His shoulders trembled with silent sobs, and the fiery bravado that usually defined him had burned out completely. Mira, still shivering, slumped into another seat. Her vacant stare and trembling frame betrayed her inability to process the enormity of our loss. Against the wall, Jace stood tense, his hands repeatedly clenching and unclenching as fury simmered beneath his bloodshot eyes. In the corner, Elaine hugged her knees, her muffled sobs breaking the silence.

I stood in their midst, frozen with helplessness. A lump formed in my throat as I watched their grief. I was their mentor, their guide. I was supposed to have the answers, to shield them from horrors like this. But nothing had prepared me for this nightmare.

My fists tightened as fragments of the attack replayed in my mind. What had gone wrong? The defenses should have held. Sherry should have summoned me with the artifact. What could have disrupted—

The realization hit like a blade through the ribs.

“Spies,” I whispered to myself. “It had to be spies.”

Turning to my students, their tear-streaked faces riddled with anguish, I forced my voice to steady. “This attack wasn’t random. It was planned, calculated. Someone betrayed us, exploited our defenses and trust to destroy everything.”

Aaron’s head snapped up, his tear-streaked face twisting with anger. “Then we’ll find them,” he hissed. His voice was raw. “And we’ll make them pay.”

Jace nodded, his jaw tight. “Whoever they are… they’re dead.”

Mira hesitated, her voice trembling. “But… how do we fight people that could do this? We’re just students. Our teachers were so strong —and even they…” Her voice broke, and she couldn’t finish the thought.

I stepped closer to them. “We may not have all the answers yet,” I said firmly, “but we will uncover the truth. And when we do…” My tone hardened. “I swear to you, I will destroy those responsible. I am an Archmage. They’ll pay for everything they’ve done.”

Aaron and Jace spoke in unison. “We’ll fight, too. Let us help you avenge them!”

I placed a hand on their shoulders, softening my voice. “You will. But for now, take time to grieve. What you’ve endured today—no one should ever have to face.”

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

As they retreated to the guest rooms, I lingered in the main hall, staring into the soft glow of the fireplace. My thoughts turned to Sherry—her fiery resolve, her unwavering vision for the academy and its students. The image of her warm smile pierced me, sharp and unforgiving. I will not let your sacrifice be in vain.

Activating my magical communicator, I reached out to a trusted network. If whispers of this attack existed, these contacts would hear them. Yet one by one, my calls turned up empty. No answers, no leads—only disbelief and apologies.

When I reached the last name on my list, I was on the verge of giving up. The communicator glowed faintly before Arthur’s face appeared, his brow furrowed.

“Aldric?” he asked. “Why the urgency?”

My voice was taut with suppressed emotion. “Arthur, I need your help. The academy has fallen. Our wards… breached. Sherry…” My throat tightened. “She didn’t survive.”

Arthur’s face paled. “That’s… impossible. Your academy was a fortress.”

“So I thought,” I replied bitterly. “But someone found a way through. They had help—inside help. I need answers.”

"Aldric, I had no idea. I swear.”

“Can you swear upon your soul that you truly didn't know?"

Arthur’s face darkened. The silence heavy between us before he finally spoke.

“I swear, Aldric. On my soul and on my magic. I didn’t know. But this… if what you’re saying is true, then something far worse is at play.”

His admission sent a chill through me. Arthur wasn’t one to make dramatic statements lightly. “What do you mean? What do you know?”

He hesitated for a moment before leaning closer to the magical communicator. His voice dropped. “I’ve been hearing rumors of an organization working in the shadows. They call themselves the Obsidian Order. No one knows their full purpose, but they’ve been targeting power centers across the continent. Strongholds, academies, fortresses—all either destroyed or weakened from within.”

The name sent a jolt through me. I had come across rumors of the Obsidian Order before—vague reports, half-truths—but nothing concrete. “And you think they’re behind this?”

Arthur nodded grimly. “I can’t be sure, but it fits their pattern. Their hallmark is precision—systematic strikes designed to dismantle defenses from within.”

“If they’re behind this…” my voice turned cold, “I’ll find them. And they will pay.”

Arthur expression turned grave. “Be careful, Aldric. I know you’re grieving, but don’t rush into this. They aren’t amateurs. If you wreak havoc without a plan you might fall into their traps.”

“Let them try,” I said coldly. “I’ll bury them.”

He sighed, shaking his head. “Just… be careful. I’ll dig around, see what else I can find. And Aldric… I’m sorry. Sherry didn’t deserve this.”

His image faded, leaving me alone once more.

The Obsidian Order.

At least I had a clue now.

As I sank into my chair, I considered my options. Finding the culprits was critical, but vengeance alone wouldn’t bring back the dead. My thoughts drifted to the experimental spell—my life’s work.

Reversing time wasn’t just theoretical. I had tested the spell before, but never beyond a minute. Attempting a greater leap could unravel the timeline—or worse, kill me. But what choice did I have?

For my family, my students, my friends… I had to try.

But first, I needed answers. Only then would I risk the greatest gamble of my life.