They stepped into their designated wing, the faint glow of magical sconces casting flickering patterns along the stone walls. The common room exuded warmth—plush couches and deep armchairs circled a crackling fireplace, the rich scent of parchment and smoldering embers hanging in the air.

  Elias sank into an oversized armchair, stretching his long legs toward the fire. Aiden leaned against the wall, arms folded, the tension in his jaw betraying the casual stance. Lyric settled cross-legged on the floor, absentmindedly tracing patterns on the rug, while Alice perched on the edge of a chair, flipping through a book with quick, precise movements. Thorne slumped into the seat opposite Elias, raking a hand through his tousled hair, his fingers lingering as if searching for answers in the strands.

  Ash curled up beside Alice, his ghostly form shifting like smoke against the warm glow of the fire. Noir stretched across the back of the couch, tail flicking lazily, his glowing eyes half-lidded as he observed the group.

  The silence crackled like the fire before Thorne exhaled sharply. "That old man’s got a point," he muttered, his fingers drumming against the armrest. "But did he have to make it sound like we're hopeless? He could at least pretend to have faith in us."

  Aiden pushed off the wall, running a hand through his hair. "Right? We’re trying. Maybe some encouragement wouldn’t kill him."

  Lyric pulled her knees to her chest, her voice quieter. "We don’t even understand our own abilities yet. We need time."

  Alice smirked, flicking a page. "If he thinks we're so incompetent, maybe he should stop talking in riddles and actually teach us something."

  Before anyone could respond, the air in front of Lyric shimmered. A gentle glow formed, twisting and gathering into a shape—graceful and otherworldly. A soft hum filled the space, like the echo of a forgotten melody.

  Elias jolted, his chair rocking backward. "What the—?"

  Aiden straightened from where he was leaning against the wall, eyes widening. "That’s—wait, is that a magical construct?"

  Thorne blinked, rubbing his temples. "Okay, someone tell me I’m not seeing things."

  Lyric, unfazed, smiled. "Everyone, this is Astrea."

  The glowing form coalesced fully—a luminous figure with features both familiar and ephemeral. She hovered near Lyric, her radiance pulsing gently.

  Aiden lowered his hand but didn’t relax. "You said ‘companion’—what does that mean?"

  Lyric’s fingers grazed Astrea’s form, the light rippling under her touch. "My parents created her for me. I struggled with magic, so they made sure I’d never be alone." Her voice softened, a quiet weight lingering behind the words.

  Astrea’s glow flared, her voice like wind chimes on a breeze. "I exist to remind Lyric of her strength, even when she forgets."

  Alice leaned in, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "So, you’re like her magical sidekick? What can you do?"

  Astrea’s light pulsed. "I can amplify her magic, guide her, and, if needed, protect her."

  Thorne let out a low whistle. "Sounds like Lyric hit the jackpot. Not bad for someone who’s been doubting herself."

  Lyric chuckled, glancing at Astrea with quiet gratitude. "It helps, having someone who believes in me."

  Aiden crossed his arms, his gaze flickering between them. "We all have our struggles." His voice carried something unspoken, heavy beneath his usual bravado. "It’s good to know we’re not alone in them."

  Elias leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Maybe that’s the point. We need to stop trying to prove ourselves on our own." His eyes met each of theirs in turn. "We’re stronger together."

  As the group continued their discussion with Astrea, the atmosphere in the common room shifted from uncertainty to camaraderie, each of them beginning to understand the strength they could draw from one another.

  The morning sun bled gold across the training grounds, long shadows stretching over the packed earth. Five figures stood in formation, their muscles coiled, breath steady but charged with unspoken determination. Across from them, Cassandra stood motionless, arms loose at her sides, her stance deceptively relaxed. But her sharp gaze flicked between them, assessing, waiting.

  High above, Sentinel watched in silence from his office window, the weight of his hands clasped behind his back. The ancient voice of Vaelthar stirred in his mind, a rumble as deep as the earth itself.

  "They are pushing her harder this time."

  Sentinel said nothing, his eyes locked on the battlefield below.

  Thorne rolled his shoulders, cracking his knuckles. A slow smirk curled his lips, but the challenge in his steel-gray eyes was razor-sharp. “Today’s different,” he said, tipping his head forward. “We’re taking you down.”

  Aiden crossed his arms, feet braced wide. “No more getting tossed around like ragdolls,” he muttered, the fire in his gaze undeniable. “This time, we win.”

  Cassandra exhaled, a low chuckle escaping her. “Oh? Confidence is good,” she said, tilting her head. “But confidence alone won’t save you.” Her fingers flexed. “Show me.”

  Thorne moved first. He shot forward, fast as a striking hawk, his fist slicing through the air toward her ribs. Cassandra slid out of reach—just as Aiden lunged in from the other side, his punch arcing toward her shoulder. She twisted at the last second, his knuckles grazing empty space.

  Elias was already there. A sharp knee drove up toward her midsection. She braced, blocking with her forearm—her first true defense of the match.

  For the first time, she had to block.

  A flicker of approval crossed Sentinel’s features.

  Their coordination had improved.

  Alice darted in next, a feint to the head before shifting low, aiming for her ribs. Cassandra barely had time to block before Lyric spun into the space behind her, foot sweeping toward her ankle. Her dodge came a heartbeat too late—Lyric’s kick clipped her leg, forcing her weight off balance.

  The five pressed their advantage. Their strikes came faster, sharper.

  Aiden drove in from the left, elbow angled toward her ribs. At the same time, Thorne swung a kick from the right. Cassandra’s arms snapped up, absorbing Aiden’s impact, but the shift in stance left her barely avoiding Thorne’s attack.

  Elias and Alice seized the moment—Elias swung at her shoulder while Alice swept low, aiming to trip her. Cassandra barely managed to jump over Alice's leg, but Lyric was already there, fists clenched, eyes set with determination as she struck at Cassandra's midsection.

  For a moment, it looked like they had her.

  Sentinel's gaze sharpened.

  They are learning Vaelthar murmured.

  Perhaps Sentinel's voice was low, contemplative. But learning is not enough. Not yet.

  Below, Cassandra was waiting.

  The second their rhythm faltered, she struck.

  Elias barely registered her forearm slamming into his before the breath was knocked from his lungs. He staggered backward, clutching his stomach.

  Thorne swung a powerful kick, but Cassandra ducked low, letting it sail over her head. Before he could recover, she surged forward, driving her palm into his face with a sharp crack. Stars exploded in his vision as he staggered back, only for Cassandra to sweep his legs out from under him, sending him crashing onto his back.

  Aiden roared and charged—only for Cassandra to pivot, slamming an open palm into his ribs. He crumpled to one knee, breath hissing between clenched teeth.

  Alice barely had time to react before Cassandra caught her wrist mid-swing, twisting sharply. A heartbeat later, Alice was airborne, flipping over Cassandra’s shoulder before slamming onto the dirt.

  Only Lyric remained.

  She inhaled sharply, shifting her weight, searching for an opening.

  A fraction of hesitation. That was all Cassandra needed.

  She stepped in, hooked her leg behind Lyric’s knee, and swept her feet from beneath her. Lyric hit the ground hard, a sharp grunt escaping her lips.

  Silence.

  The five groaned, scattered across the battlefield, breathless and aching.

  Cassandra exhaled, hands on her hips, gaze sweeping over them. “You almost had me,” she admitted. “But ‘almost’ doesn’t win fights.”

  Aiden clenched his fists, eyes drilling into the dirt. “Damn it.”

  Thorne pushed himself up, running a hand over his jaw. “She’s right. We got too confident.”

  Alice lay on her back, staring up at the sky. “We need to last longer. We were close...”

  Lyric rolled onto her side, shaking her head. “She made it look easy.”

  Cassandra smirked. “It wasn’t.” Her gaze sharpened. “You’re improving. But you’re still not a unit.” She folded her arms. “If you want to win, you’ll have to do better than this.”

  From above, Sentinel turned from the window, expression unreadable.

  They have a long way to go Vaelthar murmured.

  Yes Sentinel replied, a ghost of a smile playing at his lips. And that is exactly why they will succeed.

  The five were back on their feet, shaking off the dust and pain, determination settling in their expressions. They didn't need Cassandra to tell them they weren't there yet—they felt it in every misstep, every strike that missed its mark.

  Aiden flexed his fingers, rolling his shoulders as he stepped back into position. Dust clung to his clothes, sweat trailing down his temple, but his stance was firm. He jerked his chin toward the others. “Alright. Again.”

  Thorne groaned, still rubbing his jaw where Cassandra’s strike had landed. “Give me a second. Some of us actually got hit in the face, you know.”

  Aiden’s smirk was instant. “Maybe if you dodged better—”

  “Oh, shut up.” Thorne lunged at him, half-playful, half-serious, but Aiden sidestepped easily, his grin widening.

  Alice huffed, securing her hair back into a tighter ponytail. “Less talking, more fixing what went wrong.”

  “Agreed.” Elias adjusted his stance, shifting his weight. “We kept cutting into each other’s space. Let’s focus on movement this time.”

  Lyric wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “And coordination. Half the time, we were just swinging and hoping for the best.”

  Thorne cracked his knuckles, exhaling through his nose. “Alright, fine. We call out our moves this time. No more blindly flailing.”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  The five spread out, forming a loose circle. Across the training ground, Cassandra leaned against the archway, arms folded, eyes glinting with silent amusement. She didn’t need to intervene—she was letting them figure it out.

  The first attempt was a disaster.

  “Left!” Elias called, darting forward with a quick jab.

  “I’m going right!” Thorne followed up with a sweeping kick.

  Aiden hesitated a fraction too long, thrown off by the call, and in that split second, Alice stepped into his path. They barely avoided a collision, their momentum lost.

  “Move, move!” Aiden barked, shifting aside.

  “You move!” Alice shot back, narrowly dodging an errant strike from Elias, who had lost track of his spacing.

  Lyric had already stepped out of range, hands on her hips. “So much for teamwork.”

  Thorne flashed a grin. “At least no one’s flat on the ground yet.”

  Aiden shot him a look. “Yet.”

  They reset.

  The second attempt lasted longer. Elias flowed through his dodges faster, Lyric adjusted her footwork, and Alice tracked their movements more carefully. They were no longer stepping on each other’s toes—at least, not as often.

  But mistakes still lingered.

  “Dodge right!” Elias called.

  Thorne dodged left.

  Alice’s shoulder smacked into his, sending them both stumbling. She whirled on him. “Thorne, that was left—”

  “Left from your perspective,” Thorne countered, rubbing his arm.

  Lyric pinched the bridge of her nose. “Maybe we should agree on a leader each round?”

  Aiden’s jaw tightened, frustration threading through his voice. “No. We just need to listen. If someone calls a move, we follow.”

  Thorne folded his arms. “And if they call the wrong move?”

  “Then we adjust.” Aiden’s blue eyes burned. “Right now, we’re still fighting like five separate people instead of one unit.”

  A beat of silence. Then Elias exhaled, nodding. “He’s right. Again.”

  They went again.

  Slowly, the gaps began to close. Their footwork sharpened. Their calls became clearer. The hesitation ebbed, replaced by instinct.

  From the high window, Sentinel once again observed. Vaelthar's deep voice rumbled through his mind. They stumble, but they rise. The fire in them has not faded.

  Sentinel's golden eyes flickered with something unreadable. No. It hasn't.

  Vaelthar’s voice, echoed through his mind once more. But will it be enough?

  Sentinel did not answer. Instead, he simply watched as the five young warriors refused to back down, each clash bringing them closer to something greater than themselves.

  Below, sweat dripped from their brows as they continued practicing, their movements sharper than before. Aiden wiped his face with his sleeve, exhaling.

  "Hey... anyone else think it's weird?" His voice cut through the fading tension, thoughtful rather than exhausted.

  Thorne, still flexing his fingers after a rough fall, arched a brow. "What?"

  Aiden glanced around. "We've been here for seven days. A whole week. And nothing's happened. No attacks. No threats. I mean... when will it happen?"

  The moment the words left his lips—

  A sharp, unnatural shriek clawed through their minds.

  It wasn't sound. It was inside them. A cold, slicing wail that coiled around their thoughts like talons raking through their skulls.

  Alice stumbled, fingers clutching her temples as a strangled gasp tore from her lips.

  Elias dropped to one knee, teeth clenched as his vision blurred.

  Lyric staggered back, breath hitching as nausea churned in her gut.

  Thorne bit down on a pained snarl, hands trembling from the phantom pressure digging into his head.

  Aiden's knees nearly buckled as he clamped his hands over his ears, as if he could physically rip the scream from his mind.

  Then—silence.

  The absence of the voice was just as jarring, leaving them gasping, bodies still shuddering from the aftershock.

  From above, Sentinel stood unmoving by the high window. The flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes before he turned sharply, disappearing from view.

  Cassandra’s boots hit the stone floor with urgency as she closed the distance between them. "What happened?" Her voice was clipped, sharp with concern.

  Elias exhaled through gritted teeth. "A voice. A sharp voice. Didn't you hear it?"

  Cassandra’s expression darkened. "No."

  That single word sent a fresh wave of unease rippling through them. If she hadn’t heard it… then who, or what, had spoken?

  Her lips parted as if to say something, but she stopped herself. A second later, her stance straightened, her gaze hardening.

  "Come with me. Now."

  Aiden blinked, still shaking off the phantom pain clawing at his senses. "Wait—why? What’s going on?"

  "You’ll know soon enough." Cassandra turned, already moving. "Just move."

  Their boots pounded against the stone floor as they hurried through the dimly lit corridor, shadows stretching and twisting with each flickering lights. The air was thick with urgency, their breaths measured, their focus locked ahead.

  Suddenly Alice’s stride faltered. A flicker of something—an unshakable instinct—gripped her chest. Her breath hitched, eyes narrowing as if piecing together a puzzle only she could see.

  The others pressed forward, oblivious.

  Then, in a heartbeat, she pivoted. Her movements were swift, seamless. One step, then another—silent as a wraith slipping through the dark. The moment she vanished into an adjacent passage, the shadows swallowed her whole.

  The others pressed on, reaching the room they had been heading to. The moment they entered, a shift in the atmosphere made them tense.

  And then they realized where Cassandra was leading them.

  The chamber of the Eclipse Heart.

  The glow of the ancient entity bathed the room in shifting hues of blue, casting eerie reflections against the stone walls. At the center of it all, standing with an air of quiet authority, was Sentinel.

  He was already there. Waiting.

  His gaze was locked onto the spectral map suspended in the air, its shifting constellations interrupted by a single, pulsing red mark.

  A warning. A signal that an attack had happened.

  Aiden stiffened. Elias, Thorne, and Lyric all turned their heads toward him, their gazes sharp, accusing. A moment ago, he had been the one to claim, Nothing has happened all week. Yet now—

  "What the hell, Aiden?" Thorne's voice was laced with frustration. "You said nothing was happening, and now this?"

  "I—" Aiden opened his mouth but hesitated, his jaw tightening.

  Lyric folded her arms. "So what do we do now?" Her voice was calm, but tension simmered beneath her words.

  Sentinel didn't hesitate. His voice, deep and unwavering, cut through the tension. "The first attack has happened. You must go there—now."

  A heavy silence settled over the room.

  Then—almost in unison—Aiden, Elias, Thorne, and Lyric tensed, the weight of those words pressing down on them like iron chains.

  Thorne was the first to break the silence, his voice tight with disbelief. "But we’re not ready yet! How are we supposed to fight—what? A demon? A creature? Whatever it is, we don’t stand a chance!"

  Lyric scoffed, shaking her head. "We couldn’t even fight properly as a team during training, let alone survive something like this."

  Elias exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face. "It’s suicide. We’ll just get in the way."

  Aiden’s fists tightened, his voice edged with frustration. "If we go out there like this, we’re going to lose."

  Sentinel remained still, letting their protests fade into the silence before he finally spoke. His tone was calm, yet it carried the weight of undeniable truth.

  "Readiness is a luxury that war does not grant."

  His gaze swept over them, quiet yet piercing. "You hesitate because you believe you are not strong enough. Because you doubt yourselves. But tell me—when will you be ready? In a month? A year? Do you believe the enemy will wait until you feel prepared?"

  Silence.

  "The Eclipse Heart chose you," he continued, his voice unwavering. "It did not seek warriors at the height of their power. It did not call upon legends already forged. It chose you—as you are. Because whatever it saw within you, that potential, that spark—it is still there."

  His eyes locked onto each of them in turn, his words digging deep, settling into the cracks of their uncertainty.

  "You are the chosen ones—not because you are the strongest, but because you are meant to become something greater. To protect those who cannot protect themselves. To save our world—Zephyros."

  The weight of his words pressed down on them, their doubt curling into something sharper, something restless.

  Then, his expression hardened. His next words came like a blade slicing through hesitation.

  "And you must go. No matter your doubts, no matter your fears—only you five can stop the invader that has landed in our world. If you do not act now, countless lives will be lost. Every second you hesitate, more fall."

  The silence that followed was heavy, suffocating. Yet no one moved.

  The weight of his command pressed down on them, thick and suffocating. They exchanged glances—Aiden’s jaw tight, Elias’ fists clenched, Lyric’s lips pressed into a thin line. Thorne exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. The truth was there, staring them in the face, but doubt clung to them like a storm cloud.

  Then—

  A tremor.

  A low, pulsing hum rumbled through the chamber, rattling the stone beneath their feet. The air crackled, charged with unseen energy.

  And then it rose.

  The Eclipse Door emerged from the ground, but it was no longer the cold, lifeless stone they had seen before. It moved. It breathed. Swirling veins of molten light coursed through its surface, illuminating shifting runes that pulsed in slow, deliberate beats—like the rhythm of a heartbeat.

  Thorne exhaled sharply. "That... doesn't look like before."

  Sentinel nodded. "Because now, it recognizes your purpose. It knows where you must go."

  Cassandra's gaze swept over the group before she suddenly frowned. "Wait... where's Alice?"

  The question made them all pause.

  Thorne scoffed, shaking his head. "Don't tell me she got scared and ran off at a time like this."

  A rush of footsteps interrupted him, swift and unrelenting.

  Alice appeared at the entrance, breathless.

  Her chest rose and fell in rapid gasps, sweat glistening on her forehead. Strands of hair clung to her face, but her violet eyes blazed with determination. It was clear—she had been running.

  "I wasn't scared," she shot at Thorne, glaring. "I was gone for something."

  They all looked at her, but before anyone could ask further, Sentinel's voice cut through the air.

  "You have to leave. Now." He gestured toward the Eclipse Door.

  They turned toward it, apprehension tightening in their chests. The glowing door seemed more alive than ever before, pulsing like a living thing.

  Elias's gaze flicked to the spectral map, his brow furrowing. The single red mark pulsed ominously, spreading crimson tendrils like veins across the projection. His fingers curled into fists.

  "But where exactly did the invader attack?" he asked, his voice steady despite the weight settling in his chest.

  Sentinel’s expression remained unreadable as he turned toward the glowing map. With a measured breath, he spoke.

  "Bloodvale."

  A heavy silence followed.

  Elias stiffened. Bloodvale—the heart of vampire territory.

  Thorne let out a sharp breath, dragging a hand through his hair. "Great. First mission, and we're already walking into a disaster zone."

  Lyric wrapped her arms around herself, her brows furrowing. "This can’t be a coincidence. The first attack—there?"

  Aiden said nothing, his jaw clenched so tightly it could’ve been carved from stone. His fists curled at his sides, his knuckles turning white.

  Alice’s gaze swept over them all before she inhaled deeply, steadying herself. "Standing here won’t change anything. We have to go."

  No more words were needed. They turned as one, their footsteps echoing through the chamber as they approached the Eclipse Door. Its pulsing glow flickered across their faces, casting their silhouettes in shifting, ethereal light. The air around it hummed, charged with unseen energy, as if the door itself was waiting.

  Then—

  "Wait."

  Sentinel’s voice cut through the tense silence like a blade.

  They halted, turning toward him. Then to Cassandra, who stood beside him, unmoving.

  For a moment, hope flickered in their eyes. Maybe they weren’t facing this alone.

  Thorne’s frown deepened as he searched their faces. "Are you both coming with us?" His voice held a thread of uncertainty, as if he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear the answer.

  Sentinel met his gaze, steady and unyielding. "This is your fight. Only you five can face this threat. Not us."

  They turned to Cassandra, waiting—hoping—for her to object. To say something, anything, that would mean they weren’t being sent off like lambs to slaughter. But she didn’t.

  Instead, she met their eyes, her expression soft—almost pained. An unspoken apology lingered there, but so did something else. Trust. A quiet assurance that they had to do this on their own.

  Lyric’s voice was quieter this time. "You're not coming either?"

  Cassandra hesitated, just for a heartbeat, then shook her head.

  Thorne scoffed under his breath. "Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic."

  Before anyone could argue, Sentinel spoke again, his voice carrying a weight that demanded attention.

  "Are you all planning to fight this invader without a single weapon?"

  Silence.

  Then, as if the thought had only just occurred to them, they blinked at him.

  With a simple motion, he gestured toward the far end of the chamber. Cassandra stepped forward, moving to what appeared to be a solid section of the wall. Without hesitation, she pressed a single brick.

  A deep click echoed through the room.

  The wall rumbled, ancient gears groaning as stone slid apart, revealing a hidden armory bathed in flickering light. Racks of gleaming blades, bows strung with enchanted strings, and staffs humming with latent energy lined the walls. The air itself seemed alive, charged with the raw power sealed within each weapon.

  Thorne let out a low whistle. "Huh. Didn’t see that coming."

  They stepped closer, drawn in despite themselves. The weapons felt... alive in a way that sent a shiver down their spines, as if each one was watching them. Waiting.

  As they took it all in, Thorne leaned toward Aiden, lowering his voice. "Okay, seriously, this old man has completely lost it. A whole week of ‘You’re not ready, you’re not disciplined, you’ll poke an eye out’—and now he’s practically begging us to grab some weapons? What’s next? A ‘Buy one, get one free’ deal?"

  Aiden smirked, picking up a dagger. ""Nah, I think he just wants the invader to have options when he kill us."

  Thorne snorted. "Right. ‘Would you like to be stabbed, slashed, or skewered? Oh, and for a limited time, try our exclusive magical death package!’"

  Alice groaned, rubbing her temples. "Will you two shut up? We’re actually about to die, and this is what you’re worried about?"

  Thorne twirled a spear between his fingers. "Hey, gallows humor is a valid coping mechanism."

  Before anyone could reply, Sentinel’s voice rang through the chamber, sharp and commanding.

  "Enough talk. Choose quickly."

  That shut them up.

  Each of them moved, hands reaching for their chosen weapons—some drawn by instinct, others by the strange pull of the armory itself.

  Elias’s fingers closed around the hilt of a sleek, midnight-black sword, the metal thrumming with barely contained power.

  Thorne ran his hands along the shaft of a spear, its edges lined with what looked like liquid fire. He twirled it once, feeling the balance, nodding in satisfaction.

  Aiden lifted a pair of curved daggers, testing their weight before slipping them into his belt with ease.

  Lyric hesitated before selecting a lightweight crossbow, its dark wood carved with intricate patterns. She tested the string, feeling the tension, before securing a quiver of bolts at her hip.

  Alice secured a pair of throwing knives at her side, their runes glinting under the chamber’s light.

  Slowly, they began stepping toward the gates, their thoughts a whirlwind of doubts and questions.

  Cassandra and Sentinel stood side by side, watching them go. As they passed, Cassandra offered a small, reassuring smile. “You’ve got this,” she said, her voice steady but warm. “Good luck.”

  Sentinel, arms still crossed, gave a short nod. “Try not to die.”

  Thorne hesitated, lingering a step behind the others. His fingers tightened around his spear, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.

  Aiden, already at the threshold, glanced back and smirked. Leaning in, he murmured just loud enough for Thorne to hear, “If you don’t move, that old man behind you is going to kick you straight through—right into the demon’s mouth.”

  Thorne stiffened, his gaze darting to Sentinel. The man said nothing, but the weight of his stare was enough.

  With an exasperated sigh, Thorne rolled his shoulders. “Tch. Fine. But if I get eaten first, I’m haunting you.”

  Shaking his head, he stepped forward, finally crossing the threshold with the others.