The Dining Hall was eerily quiet, the usual chatter of students replaced by an anxious silence. Madame Liana was leaning her back against the rostrum, her arms crossed, thoughtfully gazing at the ground. There were a few high ranked Knights waiting at the corner while the teachers were sitting at the dining tables turned towards Madame Liana.
Cordelia had arrived a bit early since the library and the dining hall were quite close to each other, but the boys came later. As soon as the group entered, Daniel’s eyes saw Cordelia sitting by herself. They immediately moved towards her seat. The uneasy silence was hard to notice as they slowly took their places.
“Did they say anything?” Daniel asked in a hushed tone as he took his seat across from her.
Cordelia shook her head. “No, nothing so far.”
Theodore leaned in, his voice barely a whisper. “Master Lysanthir came to let us know. He was checking if some of the injured could attend or not.”
Sebastian fidgeted, tapping his chest as if to calm himself. “Gods, I wonder what’s going on. The suspense is killing me.”
Master Volrank's stern gaze swept over them, silencing their whispers. Daniel shifted uncomfortably, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his tunic.
A few more students trickled in. Out of the twenty-eight Field Training returnees, only twelve were present which was concerning. The minutes dragged on, the silence growing heavier until Madame Liana finally cleared her throat. She took a deep breath, slightly shook her head and looked at everyone present. It seemed like she was having a hard time speaking.
“Good evening,” she began, her voice tinged with fatigue. “I apologize for interrupting your plans tonight.” She stepped down from the rostrum, pausing for a moment as if searching for the right words. She pinched the bridge of her nose for a brief second then put her hands on her hips, shaking her head once again. “I’ll be straightforward with you. There will be no ceremony.”
A murmur of surprise rippled through the room. Cordelia exchanged worried glances with her friends.
Madame Liana continued, “You will receive your official titles and the weapons forged for you today, but we don’t have the luxury of time for a celebration. The situation is far more serious than we anticipated.”
One of the students spoke just enough for everyone to hear. “Did… Something happen, Madame Liana?” he asked.
She nodded and sighed deeply, then began pacing. “We have received reports from the other academies. The losses we are suffering are not isolated. Entire patrols have gone missing on their sides as well.” She paused, allowing her words to sink in. “We can’t afford to wait for our commanders to return. We need every capable knight on the field now.”
Gasps and whispers erupted throughout the hall. Cordelia felt a chill run down her spine.
Madame Liana raised her voice to regain control. “I know this is not what you expected. You were looking forward to a grand ceremony, but the reality is that with wars raging all around, the Embrals have somehow managed to turn the situation to their advantage. I don’t know how or why. But what I do know is that we can not afford to wait any longer.”
Theodore raised his hand to speak. Madame Liana nodded for him to proceed, and he stood up. “With all due respect, ma’am, is sending away everyone we have wise?”
Madame Liana nodded slowly, crossing her arms. “That’s a good question.” She signaled for him to sit down and looked at the gathered students.
“It isn’t. It isn’t wise to send everyone away,” she said with a grim expression. “But the thing is, we don’t have any choice. It’s either stay here and watch them consume everything while the world is busy with their petty wars, or fight back to keep the damage to a minimum.”
Everyone in the room had different reactions to her words: fear, anger, and excitement.
With everything going on, one thing was clear to Cordelia: Madame Liana was desperate. In all the years Cordelia had known her, Madame Liana had always hated needless deaths. Every time a knight or a student passed away, she mourned. Every time an injury occurred, she showed genuine concern. Now, to send anyone capable back to the field meant she was out of options. Theodore’s worry was understandable. Who would be left by the time these wars ended? Each day, new conflicts ignited, ending up with more bloodshed. People found new reasons to wage war against one another, reasons that seemed meaningless in the face of such widespread devastation. By the time these wars ended, would there be any knights left at all?
“Shit…” Sebastian whispered, interjecting her thoughts. “This is suicide.”
Cordelia sighed, feeling a mix of fear and uncertainty. Were they leaving immediately? Would they be alone or in a group? Guilt gnawed at her for not doing her best in researching Milasadris while she had the time. She never thought the situation would fall on their shoulders so quickly.
Madame Liana gestured to the knights standing by, who stepped forward carrying intricately designed weapons. “These weapons were meant to be presented during the ceremony. Each one has been forged specifically for you. Now, please come and receive them.”
From swords to greatswords, crossbows to bows, staves to shields, the weapons were laid down one by one. The thuds and clanks of each weapon hitting the table reverberated through the room, causing some to hesitate while making others excited. Slowly, everyone left their seats and lined up to receive their weapons. The knights read out names and guided each person towards their respective weapons. Daniel was the first in their group to receive his—a beautiful sword and a shield embellished with a flying fire dragon in the center. He stepped back, carefully testing the sword before hefting the shield. A satisfied smile spread across his face as he looked back at his friends.
Theodore was next, receiving a scimitar adorned with golden embellishments. He ran his fingers along the blade, admiring its craftsmanship. Meanwhile, Sebastian was handed a glowing staff topped with a large, tapered amethyst. He turned it over in his hands, the gem casting a faint, mystical light. Cordelia watched as each of her friends received their weapons, the weight of the moment sinking in. When it was her turn, a knight guided her towards a longsword. Her hand trembled as she reached for it. The sword was exquisite, with a lapis lazuli set in the center of the cross guard. The pommel was shaped like a diamond, and delicate vines were engraved along the groove from the base to the tip. She lifted the sword, feeling its balance and weight. It felt both foreign and familiar in her grip. For all these years, she had used basic, utilitarian longswords. Holding a beautiful weapon like this felt amazing, satisfying, and also horrifying. She now understood why the ceremony was unforgettable for so many older knights. What she wouldn’t give to receive a sword like this while wearing her ceremonial armor. Instead, she stood in the shadow of impending war, with no time to celebrate or savor the significance of this moment.
She slowly inserted the blade into its blue leather scabbard. The sword slid in effortlessly, and clicked at the end indicating it was now snug in its place.
“When will we be leaving?” one of the students asked, holding their new weapon tightly.
Cordelia and her friends turned to hear the answer as well.
Madame Liana took a deep breath before answering, “I’ll let you know. It won’t be long though, that’s for sure.” Her voice was steady, but the underlying urgency was hard to miss.
Suddenly, the dining hall doors burst open, and a group of knights hurried in, their faces marked by panic and fear.
“M-Madame Liana, my lady!” a younger knight yelled, barely able to get the words out between gasps for breath.
“What? What is it?” Madame Liana demanded, her posture straightening into a commanding stance as she turned to face the knight.
“Look—look out the balcony!” the knight stammered, pointing urgently at the giant mosaic windowed balcony doors.
Madame Liana wasted no time, rushing towards the balcony with the students and other knights following closely behind. She grabbed the handle and flung the doors open. The bone-chilling scene that greeted them stole the breath from their lungs: A massive army stood poised just outside the Academy gates. Embrals, their torches flickering ominously in the twilight, were flanked by monstrous Azhar—earthly dragons, hydras, cyclopes, and chimeras—all ready for battle.
At the head of this terrifying host was a young man, riding a massive black dragon. Madame Liana slowly backed away from the window, her breath coming in rapid gasps, eyes wide with shock.
“How did they get past the protections?” Master Thornley said, his voice trembling.
“More importantly… How is he riding a dragon?” Master Lysanthir whispered.
The army outside chanted in unison, their voices echoing like a sinister chorus:
ÂPÂ MÔRGETTÂR AS DEUWENIR!
ÂPÂ MÔRGETTÂR AS DEUWENIR!
ÂPÂ MÔRGETTÂR AS DEUWENIR!
The rider of the black dragon flew closer to the balcony, his gaze fixed on those standing there. With a sudden, violent gesture, he threw a decayed head towards the balcony, where it landed with a sickening thud right in front of Madame Liana. She looked down, her eyes widening further as she recognized the head—it was one of the commanders she had sent out.
“There is more where that came from,” the young man yelled, a smile playing on his lips. As he approached, the light from the Academy illuminated his features. He had white hair and yellow eyes like other Embrals, and a scar running down from his left eye. But something was different. His skin was fair with a pinkish hue, not entirely gray.
Madame Liana’s heart pounded in her chest as she took a step forward, her voice shaking slightly but still firm. “Who are you? What do you want?”
The young man’s smile widened as he surveyed the gathered knights and students. “Aiden Silverheart,” he replied, bowing politely. His voice was calm, almost mocking. “And what I want is simple,” he smiled, “Knights, surrender yourselves to me, and perhaps I’ll show you mercy.”
A murmur of shock rippled through the crowd. Cordelia’s hand tightened around the hilt of her new sword, her heart racing. The knights exchanged uneasy glances, the gravity of the situation settling heavily upon them.
Madame Liana straightened, her eyes narrowing as she met Aiden’s gaze. “So you’re the Lord Aiden we’ve heard about.”
Aiden chuckled softly, the sound was almost pleasant. “Lord Aiden, is it? I suppose titles stick to one like shadows to a body. But please,” he raised his hand, “lLt’s dispense with formalities. We are, after all, in the midst of quite an important negotiation. Come with me in peace, and there will be no bloodshed.”
“No bloodshed? Since when is your kind so thoughtful?” Madame Liana gritted her teeth. “You showed no mercy to the other knights.”
“They left us no choice and ended up like that one over there,” Aiden gestured towards the rotten head. “But you have a choice, and you won’t be harmed. Is this really worth sacrificing everything for?”
Liana silently watched him, then gazed upon the giant horde waiting outside, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust.
Aiden's patience seemed to wane. With a slow, deliberate motion, he began to remove the leather brace from his arm. He rolled back the fabric, exposing his forearm. Gasps filled the air as black runes began to shimmer, starting at his wrist and spiraling up his arm, extending to his neck. The runes pulsed with an eerie light, casting a grayish glow on his fair skin.
“I tend to be merciful towards my kind, you see,” Aiden said, his voice now carrying a menacing edge. Cordelia's heart pounded as she stared at the runes. It seemed like the ones they were all carrying, but harsher and different, as if someone hacked and slashed those into his arm.
Madame Liana’s eyes widened, the revelation of the runes shaking her composure. “How... how do you have those runes? Embral’s can’t-”
Aiden laughed, his voice echoing like a sinister melody. His smile widened, “There are many things you don’t know about me, my lady. But rest assured, I am not like the others you’ve faced. Now, make your choice.”
The room was filled with a tense silence, every eye on Madame Liana as she stood there, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. The knights exchanged worried glances, and Cordelia felt a cold sweat forming on her brow. The atmosphere was charged, the anticipation almost unbearable. There was no way they could survive this. Madame Liana had sent nearly every knight out into the field. But if they surrendered, there was no guarantee what would happen to them. It was either die here or die with them. And it seemed like Madame Liana knew this.
She took a deep breath, the resolve hardening in her eyes. “We will never surrender to you,” she finally declared.
Aiden’s smile disappeared, replaced by a cold, hard expression. “So be it.” he said firmly as he raised a small, dark orb into the air. Instantly, the sky darkened, and screams followed. The knights’ glowing arms were dimming, the light fading away as their connection to their dragons was severed. As their bond was fading, the pain was getting stronger. It felt as if thousands of syringes were sucking out their blood from their arms and bodies.
Cordelia gasped, feeling the sudden loss like a physical blow. She glanced at her friends, seeing the same shock and fear mirrored in their eyes. The pain was excruciating, unlike anything she had ever experienced. She struggled to stay on her feet, her hand clutching the other.
Master Lysanthir, out of breath, yelled, “Liana! That was an Orb of—”
Suddenly, a giant fireball flew towards the balcony. In mere seconds, those who could run inside managed to evade the fireball. But those who couldn’t fell as the balcony crumbled beneath them.
“GO!” Madame Liana screamed at the teachers, half of her face and body burned from the attack. “TAKE WHOMEVER YOU CAN OUT OF THE ACADEMY! GO!!”
“THEY JUST TOOK OUR DRAGONS, ARE YOU AWARE OF THAT?!” Master Lysanthir yelled back with desperation in his voice.
“RITUAL ORB! GO DAMN IT, RUN!!!” Madame Liana roared, her voice hoarse with urgency.
Madame Liana ran with the other teachers, followed by the surviving students. Master Lysanthir looked at Cordelia and her friends. The tips of her hair and some parts of her clothing had burned, but it didn’t seem to have lasted long once she jumped towards the floor and rolled over. Daniel and Theo also seemed fine, but Sebastian looked like he had been hit pretty badly.
Daniel rushed to Sebastian’s side, “Sebastian, are you okay?” he asked with a trembling voice.
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He winced, clutching his side. “I’ll live,” he muttered through gritted teeth, though the pain in his eyes said otherwise.
“Come on, we need to move,” Theodore urged, helping Sebastian to his feet.
Master Lysanthir suddenly approached them, a golden glow emanating from his fingers as the smaller wounds on Sebastian’s body began to close.
“Faerondal, Brightsteel, Sylvian, Yesren. You are coming with me to the ritual chambers.” He said firmly. “There is a secret passage out of the academy from there. Follow me, now!” he ordered, already walking ahead of them.
Cordelia looked at her friends for a second. There were so many questions, but their main goal now was survival. They had no choice but to follow him.
Daniel nodded to the others, signaling them to follow. Everyone else fell in line, closely behind. Sebastian was limping, but the healing magic had at least got him back on his feet a little. The sounds of battle echoed through the halls; the academy was now a war zone. The timing of acquiring their new weapons was certainly a welcome coincidence.
Master Lysanthir kept walking faster, as they followed him. Cordelia glanced at Master Lysanthir, trying to reach him as her steps got faster. “Sir, the orb he was holding… It looked like—”
“The one we use, I know,” Master Lysanthir replied curtly.
Theodore, supporting Sebastian, chimed in. “How did they get it? What even is it?”
He suddenly stopped, breathing heavily. He turned towards them, furrowing his brows. “Listen. If only one of us stands at the end of this, whomever it is, take that orb with you. You hear me?”
“But—” Daniel began, but Master Lysanthir cut him off, his voice booming, “DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!”
The group fell silent, the weight of his command sinking in. They slowly nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. Master Lysanthir turned his back on them once again and continued moving forward. They followed as tension got higher.
Cordelia’s mind raced with a storm of questions. How had Lord Aiden managed to summon a dragon? Ariadne’s banishment of nearly all monsters and Embral souls entering the Void should have made it impossible for anyone to command such power. The very idea of a dragon being summoned defied everything she knew.
"My lady, you do know there is a way for them to do that."
"No way. They need to be Knights to wield such power, or at least have some connection to the Void. They don’t have the ability."
"Well… maybe this Lord Aiden does."
Was that the Orb they were talking about?
Then there was Aiden himself—his appearance differed from other Embrals. Could he be a half-Embral? Such beings were rare and barely survived birth, let alone adulthood. If they did survive, they were often hunted down and killed swiftly. It seemed highly unlikely that Ariadne herself would grant half-Embrals the power to summon dragons.
Then how was he doing it?
The group continued down the winding corridors, the walls vibrating with the sounds of distant explosions. Cordelia’s grip tightened on her new sword, which felt both reassuring and daunting. Every step they took felt like a march towards an uncertain fate.
Suddenly a roar echoed through the halls, followed by the crash of breaking stone. The group stopped, eyes wide with fear and anticipation. Master Lysanthir turned to face them.
“Stay close,” he ordered. “We’re almost there.”
Cordelia held her sword even tightly while she moved. As they rounded a corner, a group of Embral soldiers blocked their path, behind them stood a massive Cyclops loomed, its single eye narrowing as it prepared for battle. The soldiers raised their weapons, ready to strike.
“MÔRGETTARE!” the Embrals roared in unison as their golden eyes glowed with hatred.
“Get ready,” Lysanthir shouted, drawing his staff. Magic crackled at his fingertips, the air around him shimmering with energy. “We fight our way through!”
Cordelia felt a surge of adrenaline mixed with paralyzing fear. Her breath came in sharp bursts as she glanced at her friends. Theodore and Daniel were already in fighting stances. Sebastian, despite his injuries, stood ready with his staff, the light of magic flickering around him.
With a battle cry, Lysanthir charged forward, and the group followed. Cordelia’s heart pounded as she swung her sword, meeting the first Embral head-on. The clash of steel rang out, and the corridor erupted into chaos.
The Cyclops lumbered forward, its massive club swinging with a deadly force. Theodore ducked beneath a sweeping blow, his scimitar flashing as he slashed at the creature’s legs. The Cyclops roared in pain, its enormous hand reaching down to crush him. Daniel leaped to Theodore’s aid, his sword flashing as he drove it into the creature’s hand, forcing it to recoil. Meanwhile Sebastian, chanted a quick incantation. Glowing runes appeared around him, and a barrier of light surged forward, pushing back a group of advancing soldiers. The Embrals stumbled, momentarily blinded by the light, but quickly regrouped and pressed their attack.
Suddenly, an arrow whistled through the air, aimed straight at Daniel’s exposed side. Cordelia’s heart skipped a beat as she saw the projectile heading for him. But in a swift, practiced motion, Daniel brought his shield up. The arrow struck the center of the shield with a loud thunk, then fell down barely making a dent on the shield.
“Not this time…” Daniel growled.
Cordelia felt the weight of her sword as she cleaved through the Embrals. She caught a glimpse of Lysanthir’s staff glowing brightly as he struck down enemies with powerful, concentrated blasts of magic. The sheer force of his spells threw the soldiers into disarray, but the Cyclops still remained a threat.
“Watch its swings!” Theodore shouted, narrowly avoiding a sweeping blow from the Cyclops’ club. He ducked and rolled to the side, coming up in a low stance as he aimed a series of quick, sharp cuts at the Cyclops' knee. Sebastian, raised his staff and channeled his remaining strength and magical energy, his amethyst glowing brightly as he brought the staff down with a mighty crack. The impact sent a shockwave through the Cyclops' body, staggering it. The Cyclops roared in pain, swinging its club wildly. Theodore suddenly seized the opportunity to strike at the creature’s eye, piercing through the flesh and causing it to bellow in agony. Sebastian followed with a powerful thrust of his staff. His spell found its mark, striking the Cyclops’ head with a forceful burst of magic that staggered the beast further. With one final, coordinated effort, Theodore leapt onto the Cyclops’ back, driving his scimitar deep into the creature’s neck. Sebastian followed with a blinding arcane burst that exploded against the beast’s head. The Cyclops let out a final, earth-shaking roar before collapsing to the ground with a thunderous crash.
Cordelia and Daniel kept pushing on towards the Embrals.
“Keep moving! We’re almost there!” Master Lysanthir shouted behind them.
Suddenly, a massive force struck from behind. An Embral assassin had slipped through their defenses, emerging like a shadow from the chaos of battle. The world seemed to slow as the assassin’s dark figure materialized. Cordelia and Daniel, caught in the frenzy, turned their backs just as a gut-wrenching scream pierced through the noise, cutting through the tumult of combat with a chilling clarity.
“NO!” Cordelia's cry was almost drowned out by the surrounding chaos, her voice raw with anguish.
Time seemed to stretch as the assassin’s blade found its mark. Master Lysanthir, fell to his knees. The assassin’s blade had driven through his back, emerging from his chest. Cordelia's vision narrowed to the scene before her: Lysanthir’s face was a mix of shock and agony, and the blood was staining his robes with a glint of the assassin’s blade. The corridor, once a battleground, now felt like a painting of horror.
With a surge of raw grief, Cordelia’s focus zeroed in on the assassin. Her heart pounded as she lunged at the figure, her sword dancing in pure rage. The assassin turned just in time to see Cordelia’s blade descending. Cordelia's sword sliced through the air, cutting through the Embral. The figure crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
Barely breathing, Cordelia rushed to Master Lysanthir’s side, her heart pounding in her chest. She knelt beside him, her hands trembling as she gently turned him over to face her. His once stalwart visage was now pale and ashen, the light fading from his eyes.
“THEO, HEAL HIM! DO SOMETHING!” Cordelia's voice cracked with desperation, her throat tight with anguish. Her scream echoed through the corridor, but her eyes never left Lysanthir's face, searching for a sign of hope.
Suddenly, she felt a hand gripping her shoulder with an iron-like strength. Cordelia looked down to see Lysanthir's feeble, blood-streaked hand gripping her tightly. His eyes, though dimming, still held a fierce, unwavering focus on her.
“T-take it…” Lysanthir gasped, his voice barely more than a whisper. He reached into the folds of his cloak, his movements slow and agonizing, and pulled out a small, ornate amulet. The silver amulet had a dark blue stone with a magical glitter, as if a galaxy was stuck inside.
“Aine Zylana in Granaria…” Lysanthir continued as if each word was a huge effort. “S-she knows…”
The amulet slipped from his trembling fingers into Cordelia’s grasp. She clutched it tightly, her fingers wrapping around the cold metal. As the last breath escaped Lysanthir’s lips, his eyes lost their focus, the light completely vanishing. The grip on Cordelia’s shoulder slackened, and his hand fell away, leaving her with nothing but the chilling silence of his passing.
“No! Master Lysanthir, no!” Cordelia's scream pierced the air. Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the dust and grime of the battlefield. The world around her seemed to blur, the cacophony of battle growing distant as her focus narrowed to the lifeless form of her mentor.
The once-violent corridor fell eerily silent around them, the distant explosions and clashing steel reduced to a backdrop of white noise. Cordelia’s sobs echoed in the hollow space. The amulet she clutched pulsed faintly in her trembling hand.
Suddenly, an arm gently but firmly gripped her shoulder. Daniel's voice, soft but urgent, broke through the fog of her despair. “Cordelia. We have to go.”
Cordelia nodded. She slowly rose from the ground, her vision blurred by tears and smoke, but she forced herself to move. As the others hurried away, she followed.
Hours had passed. The corridor ahead seemed endless, a labyrinth of stone and smoke. Each step Cordelia took felt heavier than the last, her exhaustion compounded by the relentless fighting and running. Her sword, now smeared with grime and blood, felt like a lifeline she clung to amidst the chaos. Embrals and the Azhar surged through the halls with their terrifying roars blending into a symphony of destruction. Every corner they turned brought new dangers, every shadow was a potential threat. Cordelia’s breath came in ragged gasps, each inhale mingled with the acrid scent of smoke and blood. Behind her, Daniel kept fighting. His shield bore the brunt of incoming attacks, deflecting arrows and blows. Theodore and Sebastian supported Daniel with their magic and scimitar. It was an unending maze of blood and gore.
“Keep moving!” Daniel’s shouted.
They continued to run and run, their hope waning with every step. The corridor seemed to stretch on endlessly, each turn revealing nothing but more of the same—a brutal, bloody struggle. At times, it felt like they were clinging to the false hope of survival, their progress seeming frail against the unending tide of enemies.
When they finally reached the ritual chamber, Theodore immediately slammed the door shut as it echoed through the room. Then he started to push one of the heavy stone sarcophagi towards the door. Sebastian, breathing heavily, slumped onto a nearby sarcophagus, as he tried to catch his breath. Theodore glanced at Daniel and nodded towards the sarcophagus. Understanding the quiet message, Daniel grabbed one end and, with a grunt of effort, moved it into position. Sweat dripped down their faces as they struggled to position the stone blocks against the door.
“Cordelia, a little help here!” Daniel’s voice cut through the tension.
Cordelia rushed over. She heaved with the others, and together they pushed the stone sarcophagi into place, creating a makeshift barricade.
“Alright,” Theodore said, dusting off his hands as he surveyed their work. “Let’s find that Orb and the secret passage and get out of here.”
Sebastian, still catching his breath, gestured towards the center of the room. “Isn’t it usually on top of that pedestal?”
Daniel walked towards the pedestal, his eyes scanning the room. “Yes… It always is. But where in Oblivion is it?”
Cordelia and Theodore joined him at the pedestal, their eyes darting around in search of the missing artifact. Theodore’s hand suddenly brushed against something on the floor. He picked up a half of a spheric stone, its surface smooth and shiny, but fractured.
“Wait a minute…” Theodore said, his voice tinged with confusion as he examined the fragment.
Daniel, catching on, quickly found another piece nearby. He brought it over, fitting it next to Theodore’s half. Together, the two pieces formed a perfect, albeit shattered, sphere.
“Shit…” Cordelia muttered, her heart sinking as she realized the gravity of their discovery. “That must’ve been the Orb.”
Sebastian got up with effort and limped closer, his eyes widening as he took in the broken stone. “Why is it broken? How did it even break?”
Daniel with frustration placed the broken orb on the pedestal. His fingers trembled slightly as he pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head in disbelief. “We fought our way through Oblivion, lost Master Lysanthir for it, and this is what we find—a broken piece of junk. I can’t believe it.”
Cordelia reached out and grabbed the broken pieces from their hands. “Never mind,” she said firmly, her voice cutting through the tension. “We’re taking it, regardless. It might still be useful.”
Daniel looked at her with frustration and concern. “It’s broken, Cordelia.”
“I want to believe Master Lysanthir knew something about it. We promised we’d take it, so we’re taking it. End of discussion.” Cordelia’s tone left no room for argument.
Daniel sighed deeply, “As you wish.”
Theodore, trying to shift focus from the broken orb to their immediate needs, started scanning the room. “Let’s find that secret passage.”
Cordelia and Daniel began inspecting the walls and floor, looking for any signs of hidden mechanisms. The room was filled with arcane symbols and ancient murals, but nothing seemed to stand out immediately. As Theodore examined one of the murals closely, he noticed something peculiar. “These symbols… They’re not just decorations. They might be part of a sequence.”
Cordelia joined him, her eyes narrowing at the mural’s details. “They seem to represent different phases of a ritual. Sun, moon, stars… Hmm.”
As they examined the walls, Sebastian noticed an inscription on a stone slab that stood top of the pedestal. The inscription was partially obscured by dust and age but seemed to depict a similar sequence of symbols in a spiral pattern. “Hey look! I think I found something.”
Daniel, Theodore and Cordelia gathered around the pedestal once again, brushing off the dust to get a better view. The symbols did match some of those on the walls but something was different on the slab compared to the murals.
“Maybe we need to align something in this order.” Cordelia said.
Everybody began checking the symbols on the walls once again. After a few moments of searching, they found a set of movable stones embedded in the floor, each engraved with one of the symbols. The group began manipulating the stones, turning and shifting them into the sequence depicted on the slab. Each time a stone was correctly placed, a soft click resonated through the chamber, accompanied by a low hum that grew louder with each correct alignment. As they placed the final stone, the chamber began to tremble slightly. The walls shifted, and a section of the stone wall began to slide open, revealing a narrow passageway hidden behind it.
Cordelia stepped back, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and hope. “We found it.”
Sebastian nodded, “Finally. Let’s get out of here. We don’t have much time.”
The group looked at the passage. The tunnel was dimly lit by occasional flickers of torchlight, casting eerie shadows along the walls. Suddenly, a deafening crash echoed behind them. The door they had barricaded burst open, sending stone fragments flying. A chimera, flanked by several Azhar soldiers, charged into the ritual chamber.
“Damn! They found the chamber already!” Daniel growled.
Suddenly, Sebastian took a deep breath and looked at his friends. “I’m already wounded. I’ll only be a burden. You go. I’ll hold them off.”
“No!” Cordelia’s voice broke with anguish. “We can’t leave you! Not now, I’m begging you! I can’t lose you too!”
Daniel shook his head angrily, “Seb, this is madness!”
“Madness?” Sebastian angrily looked at him, “If you want to fight through a cramped, tiny hole, be my guest!”
Theodore breathed heavily while keeping his eye on the chimera. “Sebastian, are you sure?”
Sebastian shook his head firmly. “Listen, if there is one student, one little kid who can find this chamber and escape, it’s worth it. I’ll stay here, protecting the passage.”
Theodore looked at Sebastian, then nodded. “If he stays, I stay. We’ll buy you time.”
Daniel protested, “WHAT?! You guys are insane! No, I won't allow it!”
Theodore smiled, “We bested one chimera before, remember? We’ll do it again. Now go!”
Cordelia shook her head, her voice breaking. “No, no, no… Please, there has to be a way! We can—”
Theodore suddenly grabbed Cordelia, pulling her into a kiss. The world seemed to stop around them. For a brief, heart-wrenching moment, the chaos of the battle faded into the background, leaving only the two of them. Cordelia’s eyes widened in shock, then closed as she melted into the kiss, pouring all her unspoken feelings into that one moment. Her heart ached with the realization that this was the first and last time she would feel his lips on hers.
When they broke apart, his eyes locked onto hers, with a finality.
“Go,” Theodore whispered, his voice choked with emotion. “Live. We need you out there.”
Daniel stepped forward, “No fucking way! We—”
Sebastian suddenly blasted a strong gust of air, pushing them into the passage. As they scrambled to get up, Theodore moved one of the stones, triggering the mechanism to close the gate. The heavy stone door began to descend, separating them from the chamber.
“No!” Cordelia screamed, rushing towards the closing gate. Daniel started pounding on the door with his shield, trying to force it open while Cordelia pushed against it desperately. But it was futile; the gate was already halfway down, preventing them from going back inside.
“Sebastian! Theodore!” Daniel yelled, his voice filled with frustration and helplessness.
Through the narrow gap that remained, Cordelia could see Theodore and Sebastian standing side by side, weapons drawn, ready to face the oncoming horde.
As the gate finally closed, the corridor was plunged into darkness. Cordelia collapsed to her knees, her body wracked with sobs. Daniel stood beside her, his own grief etched into his face.
And only the distant sounds of the fight remained.