Amber_Glint

Lila Harper never believed in magic until a glowing, winged creature lured her into the hidden world of Arcanwyn Academy, a school concealed deep within an ancient, living forest. At Arcanwyn, magic isn’t just taught, it breathes, grows, and sometimes breaks the rules.

When forbidden creatures begin vanishing and dark magic awakens beneath the academy’s roots, Lila discovers a prophecy tied to her bloodline. As secrets unravel and powerful forces collide, she must decide whether to protect the ancient bond that keeps the magical world safe or risk everything to unleash what has long been caged.

Magic chose her. But the truth might destroy her.

Whispers of the Forbidden Creatures

Chapter 37: The Choice Beneath the Earth

The scroll crumbled in Lila's hands, turning to ash that shimmered with unnatural light before vanishing into the air. Silence followed, but it wasn't peace—it was the silence of something watching, waiting.

Thorne stepped back, face pale. "It's started."

"What has?" Niall asked, his fingers tightening on the hilt of his dagger.

Lila didn't speak. Her mind raced, tangled with the prophecy's words. Become the end... or seal it away with a sacrifice.

Noctareon had marked her...was her. But it wasn't just about power anymore. It was about the line between being chosen and being forged into a weapon.

"There has to be another way," she said, turning to Thorne. "A third choice."

"You think centuries of scholars, warriors, and Seers missed something?" Thorne snapped. "This creature is bound to you now. You are the final gate. There's no undoing that."

"But there's always a loophole," Lila whispered, her gaze flickering to the shelves lining the room. Her voice grew stronger. "Magic like this, it's built on intent, on belief. Maybe if I can find the root of its creation…"

Niall stepped beside her. "Then we burn the root."

A hum echoed from the walls, soft and sinister. The chamber itself responded to her thoughts. The contract had awakened something ancient. From the shadows, a circle of runes lit up—carved in a language older than the Veil.

Lila traced her fingers along the symbols.

"Thorne," she said slowly, "what if sealing it doesn't require my death… but my memories?"

Thorne's breath caught. "You'd forget everything. Everyone. Even this moment."

"It would be like erasing myself without dying," Lila said. "But the world would survive."

"And you?" Niall asked, his voice low. "Would you be okay with that?"

Lila met his eyes. "I don't know. But I'm not ready to give up yet."

Suddenly, a low rumble vibrated beneath their feet. The walls pulsed. Shadows slid through cracks in the stone, pooling toward the rune circle.

"The choice must be made. Now."

The runes flared. The chamber darkened. Thorne stepped back, shielding her eyes. "It's coming through!"

Niall grabbed Lila's wrist. "You don't have to do this. We'll fight it together"

"No," Lila said. "This is my fight."

WHISPERS OF THE FORBIDDEN CREATURES: The Choice Beneath the Earth