Rain battered the academy's windows, a relentless rhythm that matched Aren's turbulent thoughts. His team had returned safely from the forest, but their hearts were heavy with the realization that the corrupted beasts weren't just an isolated threat. Something far older, far more dangerous, was stirring beneath the academy's grounds.
The group gathered in their usual meeting spot—a secluded study room in the library. Mira was already waiting, surrounded by stacks of dusty tomes and scrolls. Her fingers tapped nervously against a parchment as she looked up, relief washing over her face when she saw Aren and the others.
"You're back," she breathed, pushing her glasses up. "Did you find anything?"
Aren nodded. "Three more corrupted beasts were guarding another pillar. It was like the one before—symbols, energy flickering, the whole thing."
Mira's eyes widened. "Did you stabilize it?"
"Sharu did," Aren replied, glancing at his silver-furred companion. Sharu, curled by his feet, gave a soft chuff as if acknowledging his own involvement.
Lyra crossed her arms, her brow furrowing. "That makes two weakened seals in the forest. If there are more…"
Mira interjected, her voice laced with concern. "The archives mention a network of seals spread throughout the forest, linked to the primordial beast the founder sealed away. If more are weakening, it means the core seal might be failing too."
Aric's usual light-hearted demeanor faded. "So, the academy has known this all along and did nothing? They sent us into that trial without warning us about the danger."
Dorian scoffed. "Figures. Probably wanted to see how we'd handle it—if any of us would even survive to report back."
Liora's expression softened as she looked at Aren. "If Sharu's energy is what stabilizes the seals, then he's crucial. We need to figure out how he's connected to all this."
Aren rubbed his temples, the headache from earlier returning. "Mira, you said the founder sealed a primordial beast. Do the records say what kind of beast it was?"
Mira hesitated, rifling through her notes. "Most of the texts are vague, but there's one account that mentions a 'Beast of Shadows'—a creature born from the void between worlds. The founder supposedly sacrificed his own bonded beast to contain it. The story is fragmented, but it hints that the seal's power isn't just in the stone itself, but in the bond between beast and tamer."
Aren felt a chill run down his spine. "If that's true… then Sharu and I might be linked to that power somehow."
Lyra frowned. "Do you think Sharu could be related to the primordial beast? Or maybe his power is a fragment of what's sealed away?"
Dorian grumbled. "If that's true, the academy might already suspect. They've been watching Aren ever since the forest trial."
Mira chewed her lip. "There's more. I managed to get a glimpse of some older records. There was another incident about twenty years ago—a seal failed, and a wave of corruption spread through the nearby village. The academy blamed a rogue beast tamer, but there were rumors that the seal itself was unstable. The records don't mention what happened to the tamer… or the beast."
Aric raised an eyebrow. "Could that incident be connected to what's happening now?"
Liora nodded thoughtfully. "If the seals are degrading, it could be a repeating cycle. Maybe whatever the founder did was only a temporary solution."
Aren's hands clenched into fists. "We can't just wait for another attack. We need to find the core seal and make sure it's intact. If it breaks, the whole forest could fall to corruption."
Lyra gave him a determined look. "Agreed. But the academy won't just let us wander off on a rescue mission. They've locked down the forest after the last trial."
Dorian grinned, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Good thing rules never really stopped us before."
Aric chuckled. "Breaking rules and saving the world? Sounds like a typical day for us."
Mira stood, gathering her notes. "I'll keep digging for more information. If I find anything about the core seal's location, I'll let you know. Just… be careful. If the academy really is covering this up, they might not take kindly to you investigating."
As they left the library, Aren felt a surge of determination. Whatever lay ahead, he couldn't let fear stop him. The forest wasn't just a trial ground anymore—it was a battleground between the remnants of an ancient past and the lives of everyone at the academy.
Outside, the rain had eased, leaving the air heavy with mist. Aren looked up at the darkening sky, his heart resolute.
"We're going to protect the academy—no matter what."
Suddenly, a shadow fell over them. One of the judges stood at the end of the corridor, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. It was Judge Ren—a stern, no-nonsense figure known for his relentless adherence to the rules.
"Valen. A word."
Aren swallowed hard, trying to mask his anxiety. "Yes, sir?"
Ren's gaze swept over the group, lingering on Sharu. "There have been reports of students sneaking into the forest despite the lockdown. I trust you wouldn't be involved in such reckless behavior."
Dorian was about to speak, but Lyra cut in smoothly. "Of course not, Judge. We've been in the library researching ancient texts. Mira can vouch for us."
Ren's expression didn't change. "Be that as it may, I'll be keeping a close eye on all of you. The academy's safety is paramount, and I won't tolerate insubordination. Am I clear?"
Aren nodded. "Yes, sir."
Ren turned and walked away, his presence leaving a tense silence in his wake.
Once he was gone, Dorian exhaled sharply. "That was too close."
Aric glanced around, making sure no one else was nearby. "If they're this on edge, it means they know something's wrong. They just don't want us figuring it out."
Liora sighed. "We need to move carefully. If the judges suspect us, they'll lock us in the dorms."
Aren looked at Sharu, who gazed back with calm, unwavering eyes. They couldn't afford to wait. The forest was calling—whispering ancient secrets and warnings on the wind.
As the storm clouds gathered once more, Aren knew that whatever was lurking in the heart of the forest wouldn't wait much longer. The seal was breaking, and with it, the balance of their world.
Tomorrow, they would head out again—no matter the risks. This time, they wouldn't just be fighting corrupted beasts. They would be fighting against fate itself.