Chapter 5:A fateful encounter

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*Chapter 5: A Fateful Encounter*

The week after the disastrous Battle of the Elements felt like a blur to Seraphina. Every time she tried to focus on her lessons or practice her magic, the memories of the arena and the harsh words of the high-tier students flooded back. It was almost as if she could feel their eyes on her—waiting for her to fail, for her to slip.

Maria noticed the change in her. The once confident, fiery girl who had always been a pillar of strength now seemed lost in thought, withdrawn.

"You've been quiet lately," Maria said one afternoon as they sat on the steps outside the school. The warm breeze of early spring rustled the leaves around them. "Everything okay?"

Seraphina stared at the ground, twisting the hem of her sleeve between her fingers. She had been trying to sort out the storm of thoughts in her head, but it wasn't working. It felt like something was *waiting*—something she couldn't quite place. The dreams, the whispers of the prophecy, all felt like they were pushing her toward something she wasn't ready for.

"I don't know, Maria," she confessed, her voice soft. "I'm not sure I belong here. I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing with my magic. I try, but it's like I'm fighting against something I can't see."

Maria placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You're not alone in this, Seraphina. I'm right here with you, and I'm not going anywhere. Whatever happens, we'll figure it out together."

For a moment, Seraphina let herself believe her. But deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was coming—it was bigger than either of them.

***

The next day, as Seraphina walked through the school's grand hallways, the usual buzz of voices and laughter seemed distant, like she was underwater. She'd been so focused on her thoughts that she didn't notice the *strange presence* that suddenly appeared beside her.

A figure emerged from the shadows of a corridor, tall and confident, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He was dressed in the elegant robes of the *high-tier students*, his aura radiating a calm, calculated power. It was *Elias*, the eldest son of one of the most prestigious magical families in the academy.

Seraphina froze for a moment. Elias had always been a bit of an enigma. He didn't speak much to others but always seemed to watch, his gaze intense and knowing. He had an air of authority, but it wasn't the same as Alistair's arrogant superiority. Elias was different. He was... thoughtful.

"Seraphina," he greeted, his voice low, yet undeniably compelling.

She blinked, startled by the fact that he was speaking to her. "Elias... um, hello."

"I've been meaning to speak with you," he continued, his gaze studying her carefully. "About your abilities."

Seraphina's heart skipped a beat. She suddenly felt the weight of his attention on her—heavy, as if he could see straight through her. "What about them?" she asked, trying to sound casual but failing to hide the nervous edge in her voice.

"I know what you're going through," Elias said quietly, as though sharing a secret. "I've been watching you. Your magic—it's unstable, yes. But it's also... *unique*. You're not like the others."

She swallowed, unsure of where this conversation was heading. "What do you mean?"

Elias leaned slightly closer, his eyes narrowing as if considering his words carefully. "There's something you don't know. Something about your lineage. Your power isn't a fluke. It's not just some random ability. It's connected to something ancient... something that this academy, and many others, have tried to hide for centuries."

The blood drained from Seraphina's face. "What are you talking about?"

Elias hesitated, his gaze flickering for a moment. Then, as if deciding to share more, he whispered, "There's a prophecy. One that speaks of a silver flame rising from the ashes. And you... you are the one they spoke of."

Seraphina's breath caught in her throat. The words sounded like a distant echo in her mind, as if they'd been there all along, waiting to be understood.

"Me?" she whispered, her heart racing. "I don't understand. What do you mean?"

Elias stepped back slightly, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You'll find out soon enough. But be careful. There are forces at work here—forces that don't want you to uncover the truth."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Seraphina standing in the hallway, her thoughts swirling like a storm.

***

The next few days passed in a blur of confusion. Seraphina couldn't stop thinking about Elias's words. *A prophecy?* She couldn't ignore the growing feeling that her power was tied to something far bigger than herself. What did it mean for her future? And why hadn't anyone told her about this before?

Her mind kept returning to the idea of the *silver flame*. It felt too real, too close—like a part of her that had been dormant for years, waiting to be unleashed.

The dreams had started again. This time, she could hear a voice, barely audible, whispering a name.

*Seraphina.*

She jolted awake, sweat clinging to her skin. The room was dark, and for a moment, she wondered if it had all been a dream. But she knew better now. There was something happening, something she couldn't ignore any longer.

As she sat up in bed, Maria stirred beside her, groggily rubbing her eyes. "You okay?"

"I... I don't know, Maria. I feel like I'm losing my mind. There's so much happening, and I don't know what any of it means."

Maria sat up, concern etched on her face. "Tell me. What's going on?"

Seraphina hesitated. She wanted to tell Maria everything, but something in the pit of her stomach told her that there was more at play than even she understood. "There's a prophecy," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "And I think... I think it has something to do with me."

Maria's eyes widened, her usual fiery energy replaced by caution. "A prophecy? What kind of prophecy?"

Seraphina ran a hand through her hair, trying to make sense of everything. "I don't know all of it yet. But Elias... he said I'm the one who will either *restore balance* or... destroy everything. The silver flame—that's me, Maria."

Maria went quiet for a long moment, as though absorbing the weight of Seraphina's words. "This sounds like something out of a fairy tale," she murmured, her voice heavy with concern. "But... if it's real, we need to be careful. If you're really the one they're talking about, there are going to be people who will try to stop you."

Seraphina's gaze hardened. "I know. I can feel it."

***As the days passed, the weight of the prophecy loomed larger over Seraphina's every decision. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being pulled into something much darker, much more dangerous than she was ready for. But one thing was clear: the time for running was over.