Chapter 10

The days following the ritual in Alaric's tower were intense for Eveline. Discovering her lineage and the dormant power within her left her restless. She continued to train tirelessly, both with the sword and with magic, but something felt different. Every spell, every movement she made, seemed sharper, more potent. The power inside her was growing, and with it, her responsibility.

The next morning, Eveline was in the academy's library, surrounded by ancient books of magic and history. Since the encounter with the ancestral figure in her visions, she was determined to learn more about the origins of her lineage. The old texts spoke of powerful mages, descendants of great bloodlines, but there was little about those who carried magic in their own bodies as a living heritage.

As she flipped through one of the books, a familiar presence entered the hall. It was Aria, one of her few friends at the academy, a talented mage with an impressive ability to control the elements. Despite her cheerful nature, Aria could always tell when something was wrong.

"You've been different lately," Aria commented, sitting down beside Eveline. "More distant, more focused... and, to be honest, a little more powerful. What's going on?"

Eveline closed the book and looked at her friend, pondering what she should or shouldn't share. "I've discovered something about myself... about my magic. It comes from an ancient lineage, far more powerful than I ever imagined. And I think there's more to it, something I'm only beginning to understand."

Aria raised an eyebrow, curious. "That explains why you've been training so intensely. But you seem worried."

Eveline nodded. "Alaric believes that this power, this magic I carry, might attract forces I'm not yet prepared to face. And, honestly, I feel like something big is coming. Something that involves far more than just the academy."

Aria was silent for a moment, reflecting on what Eveline had said. "Whatever it is, you don't have to face it alone. We're here with you."

Before Eveline could respond, a piercing sound echoed through the academy. The walls trembled, and a powerful impact shook the library. Eveline and Aria quickly stood up, adrenaline coursing through them. Outside, screams could be heard, and a dark aura filled the air.

"This isn't normal..." Aria muttered as they both ran out of the library.

When they reached the academy's main courtyard, a chaotic scene awaited them. A massive shadow loomed in the sky, enveloping the campus in oppressive darkness. Students and teachers were battling against shadowy creatures that emerged from the ground, their bodies deformed and shrouded in black mist.

Eveline immediately recognized the power emanating from those creatures. It was the same force she had felt five years ago when she faced the shadow for the first time. But now, the creatures were more numerous and far more powerful.

"This can't be a coincidence," Eveline said, her eyes fixed on the creatures. "They've come for me."

Aria conjured flames around her hands, ready to fight. "Whether they're here for you or not, we won't let these things destroy the academy."

Eveline drew her sword and, with a quick focus, channeled her magic into the blade, making it glow with an intense blue light. She knew she couldn't run from this confrontation. The shadowy creatures were a manifestation of the power that had been hunting her since the beginning, and now, more than ever, she needed to face them head-on.

Alongside Aria and other students, Eveline charged at the shadows. Her sword cut through the air with precision, destroying the creatures one by one. However, for every one that fell, more appeared, as if they were being created by an endless source of darkness.

"It's useless! They keep coming!" Aria shouted as she conjured a powerful fire blast that incinerated a group of creatures. "We need to find the source of this!"

Eveline knew Aria was right. There was something—or someone—controlling these creatures, and until the source of the darkness was destroyed, they would keep coming. She looked up at the sky and realized that the massive shadow seemed to be concentrated around one of the tallest towers of the academy.

"It's there," Eveline said, pointing to the tower. "We need to get up there."

With a quick nod, Aria followed Eveline as they ran towards the tower. The creatures tried to block their path, but Eveline cut them down without hesitation, her magic flowing through the sword as if it were second nature.

When they reached the base of the tower, the doors were destroyed, and a dense darkness filled the interior. Eveline felt a shiver run down her spine. The energy emanating from the place was powerful, ancient, and, above all, malevolent.

"Do you feel that?" Aria whispered, nervous.

Eveline nodded, her eyes narrowing. "Yes. It's waiting for me."

They quickly climbed the tower's stairs, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the stone walls. At the top, a large circular room awaited them, shrouded in shadows. In the center of the room, a hooded figure stood, surrounded by a pulsating black aura. Its eyes glowed with an intense red light, and a cold voice echoed through the room.

"So, you've finally come, heir of the ancient magic."

Eveline raised her sword, ready for the confrontation. "Who are you? And why are you hunting me?"

The figure laughed, a low and menacing sound. "I am merely a servant of something much greater, something you cannot comprehend. But know this, Eveline: your power belongs to me. You were marked from the moment you awakened, and now, it's time to claim what is mine by right."

Before Eveline could react, the figure fired a shadowy spell at her. Eveline blocked with her sword, but the impact was so strong that it threw her against the wall. Aria tried to counterattack, conjuring a blast of ice, but the figure's magic dissipated it effortlessly.

"You're no match for me," the figure said, advancing slowly. "Surrender, Eveline, and I will spare your friends."

Gasping for breath, Eveline stood up, her mind racing. She knew she couldn't win this fight with brute strength alone. She needed to find a way to use her lineage's power to her advantage, to control the magic she still didn't fully understand.

"I won't surrender," she said, her voice firm. "But you'll soon learn what it means to face someone who doesn't know her own limits."

Eveline closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the power flow within her. The magic she had feared so much now seemed to respond to her call. When she opened her eyes again, a bright blue light radiated from her sword and her body.

The final confrontation was about to begin.