Selene's gaze remained locked on the dark symbol looming over the arena, a twisted crescent etched with runes she'd only ever seen in ancient manuscripts. Her heart hammered in her chest as the weight of the symbol sank in, a feeling of dread creeping up her spine. She forced herself to stay steady, to keep her team grounded, but the knowledge burned in her mind. This was the mark of the demons.

"Selene…" Aisha's voice was a whisper beside her, tinged with a hint of fear. Her green eyes, usually sharp with focus, were wide, filled with worry as she glanced between Selene and the symbol above. "This isn't normal, is it? This… this can't be part of the tournament."

Selene swallowed, keeping her voice calm though her pulse raced. "No, it's not. That mark…" She hesitated, memories of old strategy books and grim histories flashing through her mind. "It's the mark of the demons. It hasn't been seen since the Demon Wars."

The girls exchanged stunned glances. Layla's mouth opened slightly, her hand instinctively summoning a flicker of flame in her palm. "You're serious? The demons…? But that's just… it's ancient history, isn't it?"

Selene shook her head, keeping her tone steady. "It was, until now. But this…" She looked up at the symbol again, her voice barely above a murmur. "This is real."

Maren's expression hardened, her hand hovering near her dagger, ice-blue eyes scanning the surroundings. "Are you saying we're under attack by actual demons? Not illusions or summoning magic?"

Selene's answer was cut off by a piercing scream from somewhere in the stands, followed by another, and then a wave of panicked cries rippled through the arena. She looked out across the field to see dark-robed figures beginning to emerge from the crowd, their faces hidden but their presence unmistakably menacing. Some held jagged weapons, while others raised hands that pulsed with a dark, malevolent energy.

Celia, clutching her staff tightly, shot Selene a nervous glance. "Do we fight? Or… maybe this is all part of the tournament somehow?"

Before anyone could respond, a sudden flash of movement caught Selene's attention. An arrow, black and gleaming, shot out from the shadows and struck Layla in the shoulder, forcing a shocked cry from her lips as she stumbled back. The small flame she held flickered and died as her hand went limp.

"Layla!" Aisha gasped, rushing to her side as Layla sank to her knees, clutching her shoulder where blood was beginning to stain her uniform. Aisha's hands hovered, unsure, as panic tightened her face. "Are you alright?"

Selene snapped into action, adrenaline flooding her veins as she knelt beside Layla. She quickly examined the wound and saw that, thankfully, the arrow hadn't struck too deep. "Layla, can you move?"

Layla nodded, wincing as she pulled her hand away from the arrow. "I… I think so. Just caught me off guard."

"We're not safe here," Selene said firmly, scanning the surroundings. "This isn't a game, and those robed figures… they're using Abyssal magic. If we stay out in the open, we're sitting targets. Celia, can you cast a ward around us?"

Celia nodded, taking a steadying breath before raising her staff. With a soft incantation, a faintly glowing barrier flickered into place around them. It wasn't strong enough to last against a full assault, but it would buy them a little time.

Maren's knuckles were white as she gripped her dagger, her gaze cold and focused as she took up a defensive position. "We can't just hide here forever. What's the plan?"

Selene took a deep breath, grounding herself before speaking. "We're going to find cover—move toward the shaded side under the stands. We'll be harder to spot there, and we can regroup with other students if any are nearby. Aisha, keep an arrow ready. Maren, you're with me in the front."

Aisha nodded, her green eyes sharpening with resolve as she nocked an arrow, eyes scanning for movement. "Got it."

They moved together as a unit, with Maren leading the way, her agile steps keeping her slightly ahead. Selene kept Layla close, offering her shoulder to steady her. She could feel Layla tense beside her, her friend's breaths ragged but steady as she fought to keep moving.

They weaved through the chaos erupting around them, dodging fallen debris and overturned seats as more and more students ran for cover. Aisha loosed an arrow toward one of the robed figures approaching them, her aim true. The figure staggered back but quickly regained its balance, dark energy crackling around it as it turned its attention to their group.

"This way!" Selene urged, leading the group toward the shadows beneath the stands. She kept a firm hold on Layla's arm, feeling her friend's weight lean against her as they moved. She glanced at the blood seeping from Layla's shoulder, worry gnawing at her, but Layla's determined expression pushed her forward.

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As they ducked into the shadowed area, Maren paused, her senses on high alert as she peered into the darkness. "I can't believe this is happening," she muttered. "We're actually fighting for our lives here. This isn't what we trained for."

Selene tightened her grip on her sword. "It may not be what we trained for, but we know how to fight. And right now, that's what we need to focus on."

Just then, another wave of dark-robed figures appeared, moving toward them with a cold, calculated precision. One figure raised a hand, unleashing a wave of dark energy in their direction. Celia's ward absorbed most of the impact, though cracks began to appear in its shimmering surface.

"Selene, I don't know how long I can keep the ward up," Celia panted, her face pale as she poured her energy into maintaining the barrier.

Layla, despite the pain etched across her face, raised her hand, summoning a flickering flame. "We're not going down without a fight," she said, her voice filled with defiance as she sent a burst of fire toward the approaching enemies. The flames collided with their dark energy, dispersing it momentarily and giving the group a brief respite.

"We need to move again," Selene instructed, glancing at each of them. "They're not going to stop coming, and we can't take them all on head-to-head. Maren, find us the quickest path to an exit."

Maren nodded, her gaze steely as she took point, scouting ahead while the others moved cautiously behind her. The tension was palpable, each girl's movements tense but controlled, their breaths shallow as they pressed forward. Aisha kept her bow trained on the dark shapes flitting through the shadows, her hands steady even as her heart raced.

As they pushed deeper beneath the stands, they stumbled upon fallen students, their bodies still and lifeless, eyes vacant. Selene's stomach twisted, but she forced herself to look forward, her resolve hardening with each step. She wouldn't let fear control her, not when her friends were counting on her.

"We keep moving," she said, her voice steady, though her heart ached at the sight. "No matter what."

Aisha's voice was barely above a whisper. "We'll make it out, won't we, Selene?"

Selene paused, glancing back at her friends, each of them looking to her for guidance, for assurance. She nodded, a fierce determination in her eyes. "Yes, we will. Together."

With renewed focus, they pushed forward, navigating through the maze of shadows and debris. Every step felt like a small victory, each moment of safety hard-won as they evaded the dark-robed figures and the imps still darting through the air above them. The oppressive presence of the symbol in the sky pressed down on them, but Selene's resolve remained unyielding.

"Almost there," Maren called out, motioning toward an opening in the debris that led to an emergency exit on the far side of the arena grounds. "If we can make it through there, we'll have a chance to get clear."

Celia tightened her grip on her staff, her voice a soft but determined whisper. "Then let's go. Together."

As they reached the edge of the arena, Selene led them through, her heart pounding as she guided her friends to the other side. The mark loomed behind them, casting its dark shadow over the stadium, but Selene's gaze remained fixed ahead, focused on one thing alone—getting her team to safety.

As Selene's group weaved their way through the towering stone pillars near the edge of the arena, relief began to settle in their hearts. They had nearly reached one of the exits, the eerie glow of the symbol in the sky fading slightly as they moved toward the outer edges of the stadium grounds. Selene led them with unwavering focus, her senses sharp, and her mind fixed solely on getting her team to safety.

The path widened as they approached a small clearing between the towering stones, and the dim light revealed a familiar figure standing just beyond their exit route—a tall man in dark robes with a refined air and piercing eyes. Professor Aldric.

"Professor Aldric!" Layla called out, relief evident in her voice as she staggered forward, clutching her injured shoulder. "Thank the gods… we were starting to think there was no one left!"

Aldric's gaze settled on them, his expression unreadable but calm, hands clasped behind his back. "Ladies," he greeted, his voice even, almost soothing. "It's dangerous out here. What are you all doing so close to the perimeter?"

Selene slowed, her instincts prickling with unease. Something about his calm demeanor didn't match the urgency of the chaos that had erupted around them. She felt a chill creep up her spine, and her grip on her sword tightened.

"We're trying to get to safety," Selene replied cautiously, studying his face for any hint of deception. "The symbol in the sky… it's demonic, isn't it? And those robed figures—they're using Abyssal magic."

Aldric inclined his head slightly, his lips quirking into a faint smile. "You're a perceptive one, Princess Selene. Yes, there's something quite dark at work here. But you don't need to worry; I'm here now."

Layla took a step forward, her face tense with concern. "Professor, is there a way out through here? Can you help us?"

Aldric's eyes flicked to Layla, and for a moment, Selene caught a glint in his gaze that sent a spike of dread through her. She couldn't quite place it, but something about the way he looked at them felt wrong—predatory.

Her voice was barely a whisper, but filled with warning. "Wait… I don't think something's right."

Maren shot Selene a quick, confused glance. "Selene, it's Aldric. He's here to help us, isn't he?"

But Selene's gaze stayed fixed on Aldric, her instincts screaming at her. "Just… be careful."

Aldric's faint smile grew, his expression calm but cold. He took a slow step forward, the shadows seeming to thicken around him. "Yes, you should be careful," he murmured, his voice dropping to an almost chilling softness. "This place… it's not as safe as it used to be."

In an instant, his hand moved like a flash, reaching out and piercing his fist through Layla's chest. Her eyes widened in shock, a strangled gasp escaping her lips as she looked down at his hand, now stained crimson, lodged deep in her chest.

The world seemed to slow as Layla's life faded, her body going limp as Aldric withdrew his bloodied hand, letting her crumple to the ground.

The girls froze in horror, their minds struggling to process what had just happened.