Aren's mind was a tangled web of thoughts as he trudged toward the dormitory. The revelation about the guardian and the possibility of more primordial beasts awakening left him uneasy. Sharu trotted beside him, his silver fur catching the last light of day, but even his usual playful energy seemed muted.
The others walked in silence, each lost in their own contemplation. Dorian, for once, wasn't boasting about his victory. Lyra's gaze was fixed on the ground, her thoughts likely focused on the implications of the seal breaking. Aric tried to break the tension with a light-hearted comment, but it fell flat, leaving the group in somber quiet.
As they approached the entrance, a familiar face greeted them—Mira Lark, the girl from the library. She was clutching a thick, leather-bound book, her face pale and eyes wide.
"Aren!" she whispered urgently, pulling him aside. The others gathered around, curious. "I've been digging through the archives since you left. I found something… something important."
Aren nodded for her to continue.
Mira took a deep breath. "The guardians you described—they're called 'Warden Constructs.' They were created centuries ago by an ancient order tasked with sealing primordial beasts. These constructs aren't just mindless protectors—they're linked to the seals themselves. If one activates, it means the seal is weakening. But if it's destroyed…"
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "The seal could shatter entirely."
Aren's blood ran cold. "We… we destroyed it."
Mira's hands trembled. "If the seal shatters, the corruption will surge, and whatever is being kept at bay could escape. There's more—the book mentions that the guardians have a core of primordial essence. If disrupted, it triggers a backlash that can affect the surrounding area. Did you feel anything strange after defeating it?"
Lyra nodded. "The ground pulsed, like something was spreading out from the ruins."
Mira bit her lip. "That means the corruption has spread. The more guardians that fall, the worse it'll get. The academy might know, but if they're keeping quiet, it means they don't have a solution—or they're afraid to admit the truth."
Aric rubbed his temples. "So we're in more danger than we thought. Great."
Aren placed a hand on Mira's shoulder. "You've done more than enough. Thank you."
She looked up, determination flickering in her eyes. "I'll keep looking. There has to be a way to stabilize the seals. Maybe there's something in the restricted archives."
A loud bell rang from the courtyard, signaling the start of an emergency assembly. Students streamed out of the dorms and classrooms, gathering in the central square. Aren exchanged worried glances with his teammates.
"We should go," Dorian said, already moving toward the crowd.
In the square, the headmaster stood on a raised platform, his robes flowing in the evening breeze. Behind him stood several judges, including the one who had greeted them earlier.
"Students," the headmaster began, his voice projecting over the murmurs. "Anomalies have been detected in the forest following the recent trial. Due to increased corrupted beast activity, the outer perimeters will be sealed off temporarily. No one is to venture into the forest without direct supervision."
A ripple of unease spread through the students. Some whispered in confusion, while others seemed relieved to avoid further trials.
The headmaster continued, his expression grim. "This academy was built on sacred ground—land that once served as a barrier between the primordial forces and our world. The recent disturbances suggest that ancient protections are weakening. Our staff is conducting investigations, but your safety is our priority. Until further notice, practical training will be conducted within the inner grounds."
Aren noted how carefully the headmaster avoided mentioning the seals directly.
One of the students raised a hand. "What about the next trial? Is it postponed?"
The headmaster hesitated. "The next trial will be adjusted to ensure safety. You will receive more information shortly. Until then, focus on your studies and prepare for whatever challenges may arise."
As the assembly dispersed, Aren caught a glimpse of Kael Rin among the crowd. The normally stoic boy looked pale, his Shadow Serpent coiled tensely at his feet. Aren approached cautiously.
"Kael, are you alright?"
Kael didn't look at him, his gaze fixed on the platform. "I heard about your fight with the guardian. You… you destroyed it?"
Aren nodded slowly.
Kael's fists clenched. "My family… they told me stories of the wardens. That they would only awaken if something terrible was happening. You may have just made things worse."
Aren swallowed the guilt welling up inside him. "We didn't know. It attacked us first."
Kael finally looked at him, eyes blazing. "You should have known better. If you break something ancient, it doesn't just vanish—it unleashes what it's meant to contain."
Before Aren could respond, Kael turned on his heel and walked away, his serpent following close behind.
Lyra's hand landed gently on Aren's shoulder. "Don't let him get to you. We did what we had to. There was no way to know."
Aric joined them, looking thoughtful. "Still, he's not entirely wrong. We need to figure out how to fix this before the corruption spreads further."
Dorian scoffed. "Fix it? How? We barely survived the guardian. What's next—a primordial beast itself?"
Aren shivered at the thought. "We'll deal with it if it comes to that. For now, let's regroup and think about our next steps. If Mira finds something useful, we'll act on it."
The group made their way back to the dormitory, fatigue setting in. Aren couldn't shake the feeling that something far worse was on the horizon. As he lay in bed that night, Sharu curled up beside him, the weight of responsibility pressed down like a physical burden.
Dreams of shifting shadows and glowing runes plagued his sleep, whispers of ancient beings stirring from slumber. The forest had changed, and with it, their lives at the academy were bound to change as well.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but Aren was determined to face them head-on. Whatever the academy was hiding, whatever secrets lay buried in the forest, he would uncover them.
Because if the seals were breaking, it wasn't just the academy at risk—it was the entire world.