THE HUNT FOR THE VANISHED HEADMASTER

THE SHADOW OF THE PAST...

Elias paced inside his dormitory his mind racing with everything Aldric had revealed.

The old headmaster wasn't just remove he was erased.

And if the watchers went that far to make him disappear...

It ment he knew something dangerous.

Something they didn't want Elias to discover.

Seraphina sad on the desk flipping through the ancient records they had stolen from the forbidden archive.

There is nothing here about where he went she muttered frustrated if he is alive where the hell did they take him.

Elias's clenched his jaw. "Not 'where'- who's hiding jim."

Seraphina looked up. " what do you mean?"

Elias tapped his fingers against the table thinking if the watchers wanted him dad, they would not have erased his existence they would have made an example out of him instead they made sure no one could find him.

Seraphina's eye widened. You think... someone took him before they could?

Elias nodded and I think I know who.

There was only one place where the watchers' influence could not reach.

He place that shouldn't exist anymore.

Black Hollow.

THE JOURNEY TO BLACK HOLLOW...

Black Holo wasn't marked only any map.

It wasn't a location it was a Forbidden realm.

A place where lost magic lingered where the laws of reality fractured.

Mages who entered... never come back.

Which meant if the old headmaster was hiding anywhere it would be there.

Elias and seraphina stood outside The Academy wall staring into the mist covered ruins that into the hollow.

A carved Archway of blackened stones before them covered in ancient runes. it was the only known entrance.

The stone pulsed fently as Elias stepped forward.

Seraphina hesitated. This is a terrible idea.

Elias smirked. That's never stopped us before.

Seraphina sighed. Fine. But if we die, I am haunting you.

Elias stepped through first.

And the world shifted.

THE HOLLOW CURSE ...

The moment the entered, the air changed.

Thicker. Heavier.

Like something was watching.

The mist curled around them, whispers slithering through the air.

" Turn back."

Seraphina shivered. "That's... definitely not normal."

Elias ignored the voice and kept moving. It's an enchantment. A warning.

Seraphina glanced at him. A warning for what?

The mist suddenly parted.

And before them stood the ruins of an ancient Tower.

A single burning Sigil was etched ontu the stone entrance- one Elias recognised immediately.

His pulse quickened.

Seraphina's eyes widened. "That's the headmaster's crest."

Which meant... he had been here .

And if they were lucky-

He still was.

THE GUARDIAN OF BLACK HOLLOW...

Before Elias could step forward-

The sigil flared.

The air shattered like glass.

And from the ruins , a figure emerged.

It wasn't human.

A silhouette of shifting shadows, wrapped in tattered robes.

Its eyes-glowing violet-locked into Elias.

Seraphina took a step back. "Elias," I don't think we are welcome here.

The figure raised a hand and the world exploded.

Darkness searched towards them, tendrils of energy crackling like lightening.

Elias barely had time to react before the force slammed into him, hurling him back.

He hit the ground hard gasping for breath.

Seraphina shouted his name, but the guardian wasn't focused on her.

It only cared about him.

Elias gritted his teeth and pushed himself up

If this thing was here it meant one thing

The old headmaster was still alive.

And this was the final test to each him.

Elias wiped the blood from his lips summoning his magic.

Then let's see if I am worthy.