CHAPTER 14: THE ACADEMY

Stone walls. Iron air.

They weren't just cold—they pressed in from all sides. Still. Heavy. The kind of silence that said no one leaves unchanged.

The gates yawned open.

A deep groan echoed, slow and drawn out. I stepped forward.

And saw him.

Dark grey hair—wild, untamed. Eyes that cut deep. He didn't look surprised. Just curious, like he already knew why I was here.

"Looks like Rose brought someone… unusual."

That was all he said.

Then something shifted.

The air behind me bent. Hunger rose like a whisper.

It lunged.

I didn't see it—I felt it. Six steps behind.

Shadow Kin trait was active. Through the creature's shadow, I sensed its speed, its path.

I dodged. Just barely.

It missed.

Wind rushed past. Claws scraped stone. Then silence.

My eyes opened. Focused.

He hadn't flinched. Still watching.

"You're going to be interesting," he said.

Then I felt her.

A different presence.

Bright. Fierce. Cold.

I turned.

A girl stood at the edge of the hall.

Silver-purple hair. Violet eyes.

She didn't speak. Just stared.

There was fear in her gaze—but deeper than that, rage.

Not aimed at me. Not yet. But it was there, waiting.

Who was she?

---

They questioned me.

About the Spire. The trial. The seal.

I told them what I could.

When it was over, they gave me a keycard. No explanation. Just silence.

They led me to a room.

Small. Cold. A bed. Four walls.

Twenty-six days had passed since I entered the trial.

Since I had fallen.

Winter Solace was near.

Now I understood.

Each year, on Solace, the Dreadscape calls the Marked.

And when it calls—there is no escape.

If your strong , you live .

If not you die.

And if your death opens the wrong door...

A Dread Gate is born.

One that never closes.