The spider's eyes narrowed before it shot webbing at Mel, ensnaring him and pulling him closer. "The son of Merlin—how delightful," she hissed, her voice dripping with malice. "And what a feast we have here: the heir of Dracula, the daughter of Arthur Pendragon, and the demigod son of Triton. This is going to be delicious!" The spider cackled, her fangs gleaming.

Meanwhile, Maren deftly dodged the webbed figures' attacks, his movements calm and precise. "I need to get out of here and find that man—before it's too late," he thought. But his focus wavered for just a moment, and one of the figures shot out a web, ensnaring him and yanking him off balance. Before he could react, the second figure closed in, landing a powerful punch that sent him reeling.

"So this is the power of the Silken Enforcers," Maren groaned, standing up and popping his jaw back into place. He winced, realizing just how strong they were—strong enough to rival Melanthius. Before he could react, one of the enforcers transformed into a silken blob, wrapping itself tightly around him while the other rained down devastating blows.

Meanwhile, Mel was hurled into a wall and crumpled to the ground. Elowen, still trapped in webs, nudged Dorian. "Do you still have your dagger?" she whispered urgently.

Dorian nodded. "Yeah, but I couldn't cut through the webs. Every time I tried, it electrocuted me."

As the spider hurled Mel into the air, he hit the ceiling but managed to summon a cloud to cushion his fall.

"Your powers are back? What happened to the suppressor?" Dorian asked, wide-eyed.

"Somebody killed the mayor!" Mel shouted back, landing in front of them just in time to dodge a sharp web the spider shot at him. He ran along the web, aiming to kick the monster with his hidden cloud technique, but the creature shot a web into his eye, slamming him into the ground repeatedly.

"Someone killed the mayor?!" Elowen gasped, her eyes wide with shock. She quickly turned to Dorian, her mind racing. "Dorian, I have an idea!" she whispered urgently into his ear.

Without hesitation, Dorian nodded, his eyes narrowing as he pulled out his dagger. "Melanthius! Catch!" he called out, hurling the blade toward Mel, who was mid-air, just moments away from being slammed again by the monstrous spider. Mel twisted in the air, snatching the dagger with precision. In one swift motion, he spun and slashed through the spider's leg, causing it to let out a shrill scream before throwing Mel into a nearby wall.

Groaning, Mel pushed himself to his feet, his gaze fixed on the dagger in his hand. He took a deep breath, fighting to keep control. "Don't lose it," he muttered to himself, the memory of Atlantis and Excalibur still fresh in his mind. He steadied himself, shifting into a ready stance. Instead of charging at the spider, he moved in a blur, cutting through the webs that ensnared the trapped students, freeing them in seconds.

As the students tumbled to the ground and scrambled out of the tome, Elowen and Dorian rushed to Mel's side. Goda and the fishmen were close behind, lifting Mel to his feet. "My liege, are you alright—!? What is he doing here?!" Goda exclaimed, pointing furiously at Maren, who was squaring off against the enforcers.

"Get out of here, now!" Mel commanded his fishmen, his voice firm. They hesitated for a moment but quickly obeyed, dashing out of the tome.

"Without Maren, I never would have found you," Mel admitted, glancing at Elowen and Dorian. Before they could respond, Maren's voice cut through the tension. "Sorry to interrupt your reunion, Melanthius, but there's a hundred-foot spider trying to kill us!"

The spider spat webs toward them, forcing the trio to dive out of the way. Mel tossed the dagger back to Dorian with a quick, "Thanks," before turning to face the next threat.

Maren hurled a shard of his trident at one of the enforcers, but the enforcer caught it mid-air, yanking Maren off balance and sending him soaring toward another enforcer who was readying a knee strike. Just as the knee was about to connect, Elowen sprang into action, launching herself into the air. With a swift, precise movement, she shoved Maren's head down, narrowly avoiding the blow, and then drove her fist into the enforcer's side, sending him sprawling away and breaking the deadly assault.

"You saved me?" Maren asked incredulously as Elowen landed beside him.

"Shut up," Elowen snapped, her annoyance clear. "And fight!" Without waiting for a reply, she and Maren squared off against the two enforcers.

Meanwhile, Mel and Dorian confronted the spider. "Melanthius, there's an old legend about this spider," Dorian said, eyes locked on the monstrous creature. "It's been terrorizing people for decades, known for claiming the weapons of fallen kings."

Mel glanced at Dorian. "What are you saying?"

The spider shot out a barrage of razor-sharp webs that the duo narrowly avoided. "I'm saying that something of Merlin is here," Dorian continued, his voice tense.

Mel's eyes widened as he scanned the scattered artifacts on the ground, searching for any sign of Merlin's weapon.

Dorian lunged forward, delivering a powerful slash that drew blood from the spider. The beast, enraged, retaliated with lightning speed, slashing at Dorian with its legs and sending him crashing into the wall, blood staining his clothes.

Mel quickly opened his book and frantically flipped through the pages. His eyes blazed white as he began tracing intricate symbols with fervent concentration. The book's text glowed, revealing the inscription:

"I was a master of countless weapons, and anything I wielded had the power to conquer kingdoms. But my favorite weapon was the Raven Talon tonfas. With the strength to cut through anything."

Mel snapped the book shut and pocketed it with swift determination. "Dorian! Buy me some time!" he shouted, rushing toward the scattered artifacts. Meanwhile, Dorian was writhing in agony as the spider's electrical attack seared through him. Desperately, he unleashed a blood slash at the spider's leg. "Why can't I use the boiling blood technique like I did against Mel? Maybe it's not enough anger... is that the key?"

As the spider prepared to strike Dorian again, an unsettling chill rippled through the air. The spider turned to see Mel, now wielding the tonfas with a menacing grace. With a roar, Mel spun the tonfas, their deadly arcs catching the light. The spider lunged at him, but in a blinding instant, Mel cleaved through its neck, sending its head tumbling to the ground. Green blood sprayed from the decapitated body as Mel stood before it, the tonfas slick with the creature's lifeblood.

Without a moment's hesitation, Mel turned his attention to the enforcers that Elowen and Maren were struggling against. With explosive speed, he charged at them, delivering crushing blows to their heads. Each strike resulted in a grotesque explosion of silken fibers and gore, clearing the path for his allies.

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Mel surveyed the scene, his gaze softening as Elowen approached him, her voice trembling. "M-Mel, are you alright?"

He looked at her, his face streaked with green blood, but his expression was one of relief and warmth. "I'm fine. I'm just glad you're all safe," he reassured her, dropping the tonfas.

Maren, gripping his trident tightly, raised it with a menacing glint in his eye. "Don't forget what I told you, Melanthius," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "Three knights await you: Andrion the Elegant Killer, Hawkin the Soulless Swift, and Nicolas the Angel from Hell. You'll encounter them soon enough." With that, he summoned a swirling water portal and leaped into it, vanishing from sight.

Suddenly, the upperclassmen, the fishpeople, Headmaster Thaddeus, and a contingent of knights burst into the tome, their faces etched with astonishment at the scene before them.

The Festival of Souls in Eaglewood was tragically overshadowed by disaster. The students, now marked by the spider's vicious electrocution, displayed the physical and emotional scars of the night's chaos. The knights discovered the mayor's lifeless body, tragically submerged in the lake, further deepening the sense of calamity.

Headmaster Thaddeus was bombarded with relentless press inquiries. Reporters demanded explanations for how students from his school had been ensnared by the storm spider and why the seniors—Draven, Jasper, and Kai—had failed to protect them. Despite Mel's prior warning about the jester, Thaddeus had dismissed the threat, assuring everyone that the jester was a non-issue.

In the aftermath, Dorian, Mel, and Elowen faced intense scrutiny. They reported that Mel had vanquished the spider, but this only intensified concerns about his presence at the school. The notion that Mel was too powerful stirred unease among the staff and students, leading to fears about his continued enrollment and the potential threat he might pose.

Headmaster Thaddeus took decisive action in the wake of the disaster. He decreed that the fishpeople would be unenrolled from the school, a move that aroused some suspicion but went unchallenged due to his authority. He also imposed a strict 8 o'clock curfew for all students, aiming to prevent further incidents. To ensure adherence to this new regulation, Thaddeus assigned one senior black card to oversee each grade level: Jasper was to supervise the sophomores, Kai the juniors, and Draven the freshmen.

In addition, the knights conducted a thorough raid on the tome, seizing all artifacts, including the tonfas, and transferring them to the museum for safekeeping and further study. The artifacts were meticulously cataloged, their origins and powers examined by a team of experts. The tonfas, now under close guard, were placed in a secure display with enhanced protection measures, their potential for misuse taken seriously. This move was intended not only to preserve the artifacts but also to ensure that no other dangers lurked within their power, with the museum staff working tirelessly to unravel any secrets they might hold.

Back in auroria Dominion, Mel, Dorian, and Elowen sat in stunned silence, the weight of the new information settling over them like a heavy fog.

"Nicolas, Hawkin, and Andrion…" Elowen murmured, testing the names as if their mere utterance could reveal some hidden truth. "These are the men Maren warned us about. The ones who've been watching us."

Dorian's eyes narrowed in contemplation. "The jester went on a rampage last year after being publicly humiliated during his introduction. Now it seems the mayor who placed that curse-suppressing symbol on Mel's wrist has been murdered."

Mel rubbed his wrist absently, his mind racing. "Why would they kill the mayor? Unless…" A cold realization crept over him, sending a shiver down his spine. "What if they were trying to provoke us into fighting? Testing our strength by making me and Dorian clash."

"And it worked," Dorian muttered, his voice heavy with guilt. He looked down, a shadow passing over his features. "It's not your fault, Mel. Ever since the limo incident, your school life hasn't exactly been easy."

Mel placed a comforting hand on Dorian's shoulder, but before he could respond, Elowen suddenly remembered something. "Mel, before I was kidnapped, you said you had something to tell me."

"Oh, right." Mel reached into his pocket and pulled out his tiny book, setting it on the floor. Elowen and Dorian exchanged confused glances as Dorian leaned in to examine the book. He tried to open it but found it impossibly heavy. "What the…?" He strained with both hands, but the book didn't budge.

Elowen, determined, gave it a try herself. She gripped the book tightly and struggled to lift the cover. As she strained, a soft toot echoed in the room, and her face turned beet red. "That was my shoe, I swear!" she shrieked, mortified.

Dorian and Melanthius burst into laughter, unable to hold it back. Covering their noses in mock horror, they cackled, doubling over as tears of laughter filled their eyes. Elowen glared at them, trying to maintain her dignity, but even she couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips.

"You two are impossible," she huffed, crossing her arms, but the laughter in her voice betrayed her embarrassment.

"Anyway, this is my father's spell book... or at least, that's what I thought." Melanthius said, lifting it effortlessly, leaving Dorian and Elowen baffled. "Even though the pages are blank to you, I can read everything written inside. It's like he left this specifically for me."

He flipped to a page and recited, "'In battle, the greatest weapon is not forged from steel, but from the clarity of purpose. When you raise your weapon, do so with unwavering resolve, for hesitation is the death of mastery. The warrior who knows why he fights can wield even a simple stick with the force of a hurricane. Remember this, my son, and you will never be unarmed.'"

"He wrote this for me! My father was a master of weapons, and that's why I instinctively knew how to wield Excalibur and the tonfas. If I can get my hands on his weapons—all of them—I won't have to worry about anyone trying to hurt you guys or me!" Melanthius's voice grew more intense as he spoke, almost spiraling with the excitement of his revelation. He thrust the book toward them, scrolling through the pages with fervor, his eyes alight with determination.

Dorian and Elowen exchanged uneasy glances, their faces reflecting a mix of concern and disbelief.

"Mel," Dorian began cautiously, "I get that you want to protect us, but this... this doesn't feel right. We need to stop whatever's coming, but not like this. You're still figuring out how to use your magic, and now you're talking about tracking down weapons that have toppled kings? Weapons of mass destruction?" He shook his head, worry etched in his voice. "This could do more harm than good."

"I know it seems dangerous, but I have to do this," Melanthius replied insistently. "Ever since I came to this school, there's been nothing but threat after threat against me and my friends. I'm tired of being unprepared, of watching you all get hurt because of me!"

He slammed the book shut in frustration. "I just want it to end. If I can master these weapons, it might be the only way to stop those men for good."

Elowen laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We understand the desire to protect others, Mel. But think of what your father's words said - true strength comes from clarity of purpose, not weapons alone."

Her eyes softened with sympathy. "Since when has violence ever solved our problems here? Remember Atlantis - you showed great leadership by resolving things peacefully."

Dorian chimed in. "Elowen's right. We're stronger when we face dangers together, as a team, using our heads instead of just force."

Melanthius took a deep breath, considering their words. At last, he nodded slowly. "You both make good points. Alone, I'm just reacting out of anger and fear. But with your help, maybe we can find a smarter path."

A small smile formed. "Besides, it'll be no fun if I defeat these guys before you two get a chance to show off your skills too."

Elowen laughed and punched his arm playfully. "Now you're talking! We've got your back, Mel. Just like you've always had ours.

A few moments later, Mel wandered the streets of Solstice City alone, feeling the weight of countless eyes on him. "They're all looking at me like I'm a monster... again," he thought, his footsteps heavy as he pressed forward.

He turned a corner and spotted three kids harassing Jake Knight.

"Hey, white card. You think you're something special just because you've been hanging out with Melanthius?" one of the boys sneered, slapping Jake's glasses off and shattering them.

"How does it feel to be the only one in Horace Groves without any magic? That mark on your eye is useless—you might as well cut it out. Then your fat ass wouldn't be such a disgrace to your kingdom," another boy taunted, smacking Jake in the stomach as Jake tried to fight back, only to have his arms pinned down by the other two.

"That's a great idea," the leader said, picking up a rock, aiming for Jake's eye.

"Stop! What are you doing?" Jake cried, struggling to free himself.

"Didn't he say to cut that out?" Mel's voice rang out as he approached. The boys froze, fear flashing in their eyes as they released Jake.

"You think we're scared of you?" the leader stammered, trying to sound brave. "You may be the king of Atlantis, but this isn't Atlantis!"

Mel shot him an unamused look. "So what? Want me to take over the Auroria Dominion too?" He was bluffing, but the threat sent shivers down their spines.