Chapter 10: The Prophecy Unveiled

We didn't waste any time after the battle. With the creatures defeated and the orb contained, we made our way back to Alfea as quickly as we could. The tension in the group was palpable, the weight of what we were carrying pressing down on all of us. The orb pulsed occasionally within its barrier, a reminder that its dark power wasn't gone—it was merely restrained.

"Keep an eye out," Aisha warned, her voice low as we hurried through the dark forest. "The Trix could still be watching. They won't let this go."

We kept our pace fast but cautious, the memories of the monstrous creatures that had attacked us still fresh in our minds. My magic reserves were nearly depleted, but adrenaline pushed me forward. We had to get back to Alfea—back to safety—before the Trix could regroup and strike again.

"How are you holding up?" Flora asked me as we walked, her voice soft but tinged with concern. She still had her vines ready, her senses alert to any sign of danger.

"Tired," I admitted, my breath coming in short bursts. "But I'll manage. We're almost there, right?"

"Almost," she reassured me, offering a small smile despite the tension. "Just a little longer."

We broke through the edge of the forest just as the first rays of dawn began to peek over the horizon. The sight of Alfea in the distance was a welcome relief, the towering spires of the school casting long shadows across the landscape. But despite the familiar view, a sense of unease still lingered in the air.

"This place feels different," I murmured, my eyes scanning the surroundings. "Like something's off."

Bloom, walking ahead of us, glanced back and nodded. "You're right. The magic around Alfea feels… strained. I think the presence of the artifact is affecting the area."

"Great," I muttered, trying to ignore the knot of dread tightening in my chest. "As if we didn't have enough problems."

As we approached the gates, Faragonda was already waiting for us. The headmistress of Alfea looked as calm and composed as ever, but there was a slight furrow in her brow that told me she was deeply concerned about what we had brought back.

"You've done well," Faragonda said, her voice steady as her gaze fell on the orb floating within its barrier. "But I sense this is just the beginning."

"We couldn't destroy it," Bloom said, stepping forward. "Its magic is too strong, and the creatures protecting it were… unlike anything we've faced before."

Faragonda nodded, her expression grave. "The Forest of Darkness is an ancient place, tied to powerful, primordial magic. The artifact you've recovered is no ordinary object. We must learn more about it before we decide how to proceed."

"What is it, exactly?" I asked, stepping forward. "It feels… alive, somehow. Like it has a will of its own."

The headmistress regarded me carefully before speaking. "That's because it does, Evan. The artifact is not just a source of dark magic—it's a living entity. A remnant of an ancient power long thought lost to time."

A chill ran down my spine. "What kind of power?"

Faragonda's eyes darkened, and for a moment, I thought she might refuse to answer. But then, after a deep breath, she spoke. "The artifact is a fragment of the Abyss—the Void that existed before the magical universe was formed. It was a realm of chaos and darkness, and those who wielded its power were feared by all."

"The Abyss?" Bloom echoed, her brow furrowed. "But I thought that was just a myth. Something from ancient fairy tales."

Faragonda shook her head slowly. "No, Bloom. The Abyss is very real, though its existence has been buried by history for good reason. The magic of the Abyss is not like the magic of light, nature, or even darkness as we know it. It's something far older, far more dangerous."

My heart pounded in my chest as her words sank in. We weren't just dealing with dark magic. We were dealing with something that predated the universe itself. "So what do we do with it?"

"First, we must learn all we can about it," Faragonda replied. "I'll take the artifact to the archives for safekeeping, and we'll begin researching its origins. But there's something else we need to discuss, Evan."

Her gaze sharpened, and I felt a knot of unease twist in my gut. "What is it?"

"The artifact reacted to you in the forest," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "You were able to stabilize the barrier when no one else could. That's not a coincidence."

I blinked in confusion. "What do you mean? I just used my magic like everyone else."

Faragonda's eyes flickered with a strange light. "No, Evan. There's more to it than that. The artifact is tied to you, whether you realize it or not."

I stared at her, my mind racing. "Tied to me? How? I've never even seen it before today."

"That's because the connection goes deeper than you understand," she said gently. "I believe the artifact is part of a larger prophecy—one that involves you and your role in this universe."

My stomach dropped. "A prophecy? What are you talking about?"

Faragonda motioned for us to follow her inside. We walked through the halls of Alfea, the usual brightness and warmth of the school feeling strangely subdued. The students we passed glanced curiously at the floating orb, but most of them seemed unaware of the gravity of the situation.

She led us to the ancient archives beneath the school, where shelves of dusty tomes and scrolls lined the walls. The smell of old parchment and magic filled the air. Faragonda gestured to a table where an open book lay, its pages filled with faded writing and strange symbols.

"This is the Prophecy of the Abyss," Faragonda said as we gathered around the table. "It was written long ago by the first fairies who encountered the power of the Abyss. According to the prophecy, there will come a time when the Abyss stirs once more, and a champion will arise to either contain its power or unleash it upon the magical universe."

Bloom's eyes widened in realization. "And you think Evan is…?"

Faragonda nodded. "I believe Evan is the champion mentioned in the prophecy. The artifact recognized him, which means he has a connection to the Abyss that none of us fully understand yet."

I stared at the book, my heart pounding in my ears. "But… I'm not some chosen one. I'm just a guy who got reborn into this world. I don't even know how my magic works half the time!"

"You may not feel like a champion," Faragonda said softly, "but the magic of the universe has a way of choosing those it needs, whether they're ready or not."

The room fell silent as her words sank in. I felt like the floor had been pulled out from under me. A champion of the Abyss? Tied to some ancient prophecy? This couldn't be happening.

"So… what now?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Now, we train," Faragonda said, her expression serious. "We learn everything we can about the Abyss and the artifact, and we prepare for whatever is coming. Because make no mistake, Evan—the Abyss is waking. And when it does, you'll be the one who stands between it and the rest of the universe."

---

End of Chapter 10