Chapter 15: Aria's Destiny

Back in the crypt 

Aria stood still, her mind a whirlwind. The weight of everything the vault, the Shadow Concord, the Devourer pressed against her like an invisible force. She wasn't ready. How could she be?

She clenched her fists. They'll come for me.she muttered under her breath.

She raised her face to meet the gaze of the guardian fear evident in her eyes

The Guardian watched her carefully, its gaze unreadable. "Your destiny is greater than you can yet comprehend, my child," said the guardian. "But in time, you will understand its weight and how it must be carried."

Aria swallowed, unsure if that was meant to be reassuring or not.

Jax, who had been scanning the crypt, ran a hand over one of the carvings on the wall. "This place feels… old."

The Guardian nodded. "It is. This crypt has been in existence even the Academy itself. It was once a sanctuary for those who stood against the darkness long before your time."

Riven shot a wary glance at the inscriptions. "So, what? We're standing in the ruins of some ancient palace?"

"Not just any palace," the Guardian corrected. "The first war against the Shadow Concord was fought here. And this" it gestured around them, "was their final stand."

A shiver ran down Eryn's spine. "And they lost, didn't they?"

The Guardian's expression darkened. "Yes. But they ensured the world did not fall."

Lila, who had been tracing a finger over the faint outline of a shattered sigil, exhaled sharply. "History repeating itself, then." She looked at Aria. "Except this time, we have you."

Aria met Lila's gaze, her stomach twisting.

She hadn't asked for this.

She had never wanted to be a hero.

And yet, the blood on her arm the proof of who she was told her she didn't have a choice.

Mira, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke. "If the Shadow Concord needs Aria to break the final seal, then we can't let them take her."

Jax cracked his knuckles. "Agreed."

Riven nodded. "We'll protect you, Aria. No matter what."

She looked around at them her friends, her allies.

She wasn't alone.

But something big is lurking in the shadow.

And she was at the heart of it.

Guardian's gaze landed on Aria. "I know you are not ready yet, but you must open your heart and face your destiny. Time will not wait for you."

Aria felt a lump form in her throat, but she said nothing.

"I will send you all back now," the Guardian continued. "The teachers are already searching for you. But remember do not speak of what you have seen here. The truth must remain hidden for now."

The others exchanged uneasy glances but nodded.

The Guardian's eyes softened slightly as it turned back to Aria. "At the appointed time, your destiny will call. but before then ,There are things you must learn, trials you must face, and training you must undergo. Valeria will guide you in this."

 who is Valeria.asked Aria

The headmistress"said the guardian 

Aria's eyes widened. "The headmistress?"

"Yes," the Guardian confirmed. "The Luminari family has long protected the secret of the ancient ones. In every generation, one guardian is chosen. I have served as the Guardian for this age… but now, the Chosen One has been revealed. I believe this will be the final time a Guardian is needed."

Silence fell over the crypt.

Aria's mind raced. The headmistress who had always seemed so strict yet distant had known all along. She had known about the prophecy. And now, she would be the one to oversee Aria's training.

Before she could ask anything more, the Guardian raised its hand. A low hum filled the air, and the chamber around them shimmered.

A pulse of light engulfed them, and in an instant 

They were back.

The crypt was gone, replaced by the dim glow of the Academy's library. Bookshelves stretched high above them, their familiar scent grounding Aria for a fleeting moment. The torches flickered as if they had never left.

Jax let out a sharp breath. "Well. That was… something."

Riven turned his head toward the entrance. "Footsteps."

They all heard it now rushed, heavy footsteps echoing down the corridors.

"The teachers," Lila murmured.

Aria clenched her fists, forcing herself to breathe.

Everything had changed.she felt as if heavy weight has been put on her shoulders but she has no choice but to carry it.she thought to herself.

Miss Cathy left and hurried to the library, as she entered the library her sharp eyes scanning the room and every shelf ensuring not to miss any part. Her brow furrowed as she took in the group of students standing in the dim torchlight, their expressions unreadable.

"There you are!" she exclaimed, striding toward them. "Do you have any idea how long we've been searching for you?"

Aria exchanged a quick glance with Riven, then forced a neutral expression. "We uh, we didn't realize we were gone for so long."

Miss Cathy's frown deepened. "Gone? One moment you were in the library, and the next, you vanished without a trace! We searched the entire Academy grounds."

Jax shifted uncomfortably. "Must've lost track of time."

Miss Cathy didn't look convinced. Her gaze swept over them, lingering on Aria as if sensing something was off. "What were you doing?"

Eryn quickly stepped in. "Studying."

"Studying?" Miss Cathy repeated, raising an eyebrow. "For what?"

Lila, thinking fast, grabbed the nearest book off a shelf. "History of the Academy," she said smoothly, flipping it open at random. "We got a little… absorbed."

Miss Cathy narrowed her eyes but didn't press further. "well

 "well, I'll take you all to Professor Eldrin now. He and the other professors have been searching everywhere for you." She turned sharply on her heel. "Let's go. Now." 

The students exchanged quick glances but followed without a word.

As Miss Cathy led them through the dim corridors, she spread the word about their return. The relief among the staff was immediate. Professors who had been combing the Academy for any sign of the missing students finally exhaled, their worry easing.

"Where did you find them?" Professor Eldrin asked the moment they arrived in the main hall, his voice laced with concern.

Miss Cathy frowned slightly. "Strangely enough, I found them in the library."

Professor Eldrin's brows knit together. "The library? But we checked there multiple times."

Miss Cathy pursed her lips but said nothing. Something didn't add up, and she knew it.

Just then, a messenger from the infirmary rushed in, breathless. "News from the healers Headmistress is awake."

A hush fell over the group.

The headmistress had been unconscious snice, the unknown incident occured before the students vanished. Many feared she wouldn't recover so quickly.

Professor Eldrin straightened. "That is… unexpected.

Can you please send the students to their dorms," Professor Eldrin said to Miss Cathy.

Miss Cathy nodded. "Yes, Professor Eldrin, I will definitely send them safely to there dorms."

She turned to the students and gestured for them to follow. As they walked down the dimly lit corridor, the air was heavy with unspoken thoughts. No one said a word. The day had drained them, leaving only exhaustion and unanswered questions.

Meanwhile, in the faculty hall, Professor Eldrin turned to the other professors. "Thank you for your efforts today. You may rest now. I will go check on Headmistress Valeria."

The other professors exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. They, too, were weary, but Eldrin's words hinted at something deeper. As they dispersed, he remained standing, lost in thought.

"I need answers." The events of the day had been too strange, too unsettling. And if anyone could explain them, it was Valeria.

With a determined breath, he adjusted his robes and strode toward the infirmary.

As Professor Eldrin entered the infirmary, he made his way straight to Headmistress Valeria's bedside. Her face was pale, her expression clouded with confusion.

"Miss. Valeria," he said gently, his voice laced with concern. "What happened to you? We found you unconscious in your office."

The headmistress blinked, her brows knitting together as she tried to recall. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't remember anything that happened. I tried to, but..." She trailed off, shaking her head slightly.

Professor Eldrin sighed, hesitating before speaking again. "Some students went missing, but they've been found and brought to there dorms."

Valeria's eyes sharpened slightly. "Which students?"

"Aria and her friends," he replied.

The name seemed to strike something within her, but the confusion in her eyes remained. "Aria?" she echoed. 

"Yes," Edwin cut in reassuringly. "They're safe now. What we need to do is call for an assembly tomorrow. All The students need to be gathered."

Valera exhaled, nodding weakly. "Yes... Yes, that's a good idea." I also have some announcement to make.

Professor Edwin gave her a small nod before stepping back, his mind already racing with the implications of everything that had happened.