Shadows and Serpents

The following morning, Selwyn and Raven returned to Ashford University, the familiar hustle and bustle of the campus masking the weight of the previous night. Selwyn felt as though he were walking through a dream, his mind still reeling from the revelations. Whispering Moon, Mana, the Mirror World, and now the Nihilum Legion—they felt like pieces of a fantasy novel, yet they were his reality now.

As they approached their usual spot near the courtyard, Jason was already waiting for them, his backpack slung lazily over one shoulder. He raised an eyebrow the moment he saw them.

"Where the hell were you two yesterday?" Jason asked, crossing his arms. "You both disappeared out of nowhere, and I tried calling, but no response. What's going on?"

Raven, quick on her feet, stepped in with an explanation. "Sorry, Jason. I wasn't feeling well. Really dizzy all of a sudden. Selwyn had to take me to the hospital." She offered a reassuring smile. "I'm fine now, though. Nothing serious."

Jason squinted at them, unconvinced. "Hospital? Really? You could've just texted or something. It's kind of weird how you both just vanished."

Selwyn scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, sorry, man. It all happened really fast. I wasn't thinking about anything other than getting her there."

Jason still seemed suspicious, but he eventually shrugged it off. "Fine. But next time, at least give me a heads-up, okay? You had me worried, you jerks."

Classes that day passed in a blur. Selwyn and Raven did their best to act normal, but the tension between them was palpable. Every now and then, Selwyn would catch Raven staring out the window, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on her notebook. He knew she was as preoccupied as he was, and neither of them dared to bring up the events of the previous night in public.

By the end of the day, the four friends gathered near the main gates, preparing to leave. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the campus grounds. Jason was the first to speak.

"Alright, let's head out," he said, adjusting his bag.

But before they could take a step, Raven stopped them. "Actually, I need to talk to a couple of teachers about yesterday's classes—Selwyn's and mine. You know, to make sure we can get any adjustments or notes we missed."

Jason tilted his head. "I can wait for you guys—"

"No need," Raven interrupted, her tone a bit too cheery. "It won't take long, and it's nothing major. You and Sofia can head home."

Sofia nodded. "Alright, but don't take too long, you two."

After Jason and Sofia left, Selwyn and Raven exchanged a glance, the easy façade they'd been maintaining all day slipping away.

"It's about time," Selwyn said quietly.

Raven nodded, her expression tense. "They'll show up soon."

They walked in silence, retracing their steps from the previous day. As they neared the area where the monster had appeared, a faint, unsettling sound reached their ears—a soft, eerie cracking noise, like glass fracturing under pressure. The two froze, their eyes darting around the empty campus grounds.

The sound grew louder, and suddenly, a thin spiderweb crack appeared in the air near the ground, shimmering faintly. Both Selwyn and Raven took a cautious step back as the crack widened, glowing faintly before shattering altogether.

Out of the opening stepped four figures, cloaked in white robes that swayed with an unnatural grace. Each of them bore a crest on their chest—a serpent devouring its own tail, the Ouroboros.

Selwyn's heart pounded in his chest. He couldn't hide the fear in his voice as he called out, "W-who are you?"

The tallest of the robed figures stepped forward, their face obscured by the shadow of a hood. Their voice was smooth and eerily calm. "We are the Nihilum Legion."

Raven stiffened beside him, her hand unconsciously clenching Selwyn's sleeve. "The dark faction," she whispered.

"The dark faction?" Selwyn echoed, more to himself than anyone else. He squared his shoulders, trying to sound braver than he felt. "What do you want from us?"

The figure raised a hand, pointing directly at Raven. "Her."

Selwyn stepped in front of Raven protectively. "Over my dead body," he said, his voice trembling but resolute.

"Very well," the figure replied, a hint of amusement in their tone. They gestured to the others. Three of the robed figures stepped forward, their movements deliberate and menacing.

Selwyn's breath quickened. His fists clenched at his sides as he prepared to do… something. Anything. But before the attackers could take more than a few steps, a blinding streak of electricity slammed into the ground in front of them.

The sheer force of the impact knocked them back several feet, and Selwyn and Raven shielded their eyes from the burst of light. When they looked up, a familiar figure stood between them and the Nihilum Legion, his presence commanding and unshakable.

"Not bad, kids," Cal said, lowering his hand, still crackling with residual energy. His tone was casual, almost mocking. "I was wondering how long it'd take for these creeps to show up."

The robed figures scrambled to their feet, their hoods falling back to reveal grim, determined faces.

Cal glanced back at Selwyn and Raven. "You two did good holding out this far. But from here on, I'll handle it."

The tension in the air was palpable as Cal turned his full attention to the Nihilum Legion. Sparks danced around his fingers, his expression deadly serious.

Selwyn and Raven stood frozen, caught between awe and fear as the rogue prepared to face off against the dark faction.