The Winged One

It was cold outside, and the wind felt heavy, like something big was about to happen.

Agla stood with the girls near the edge of Nightfall Academy's training field. A magical dome shimmered above them, protecting the school, but tonight, something was pushing against it.

"There," Rei said, pointing up.

They all looked.

Something was flying in the sky. Big wings blocked the moonlight. It moved slowly, like it was watching them.

"What is that?" Agla asked.

Nyx had arrived just moments ago. She was dressed in dark battle robes, holding her glowing scythe.

"It's a Harrowraith," she said. "We haven't seen one in ten years."

"Is it dangerous?"

Nyx looked at him seriously. "It eats nightmares. So yes, very dangerous."

Suddenly, the creature dropped from the sky.

"Move!" Vella shouted.

They all jumped back as the beast crashed to the ground. The earth shook. A blast of air knocked Agla off balance.

The creature stood up. It had black wings, sharp claws, and glowing red eyes. Its skin was dark like smoke, and its voice sounded broken and sharp.

"Marked one…" it hissed. "Open the gate."

Agla took a step back. It was talking to him.

"Not happening!" Vella yelled and ran forward, swinging her weapon — a whip that turned into a blade.

She hit the beast's wing, but it didn't even flinch.

Juno attacked from behind, fast and quiet, but the monster turned and roared. She had to roll away to avoid its claws.

Rei raised her hands and created glowing magic circles in the air. They exploded one by one, hitting the monster's chest. It only growled louder.

Mira whispered a spell and fired a beam of bright light. It struck the creature's face, and this time, it screamed and backed off.

"Agla!" Nyx shouted. "Use the mark!"

Agla looked at her. "How?"

"Feel the pain! Focus!"

His chest burned. The red mark over his heart glowed brighter. His hands started shaking.

Suddenly, he felt power rushing through him. His feet left the ground. It felt like something inside him had woken up.

He could feel the energy of the girls too — Nyx, Rei, Vella, Mira, and Juno. Their power connected to his like strings of light.

The monster growled and charged again.

Agla raised his hand.

A blast of red and gold light shot out from his chest and hit the monster directly.

The creature flew backward, crashing into the forest with a loud boom.

Then silence.

Smoke rose from the trees.

Agla dropped to his knees, breathing hard. "Did I… beat it?"

Nyx walked over and helped him stand. "No. But you pushed it back."

He looked at the others. They were all tired, scratched, and bruised — but alive.

"Not bad," Rei said, giving him a small nod.

"Soft boy's got some moves," Vella teased with a smile.

Juno gave him a light punch on the arm. "Okay, I'm impressed. Just don't get cocky."

Mira didn't say anything — just smiled warmly.

Nyx, however, didn't smile.

She stared into the dark forest. "That wasn't a random attack," she said. "Something is calling them here. Something stronger."

Agla looked at the glowing mark on his chest.

He could feel it too.

Something big was coming.

-