The sun was just beginning to rise as Leon and Astha reached the hill overlooking Ravenhart Academy.
But something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Smoke rose into the sky.
The academy gates were shattered. Magic sparks flickered in the air like fireflies gone wild. Even from the distance, they could hear the sounds—shouts, spells, steel against stone.
Astha's eyes widened. "They've been attacked."
Leon's hands curled into fists. "We have to get inside."
⚠️ The Broken Walls
They ran down the slope, keeping low.
The academy's outer courtyard was a mess—burned trees, shattered statues, glowing runes flickering in failure. Many of the guards were gone or unconscious, and no one stood watch.
They slipped through the side passage near the training yard.
Leon whispered, "Who would attack the academy?"
Astha knelt by a burn mark on the ground.
A sigil.One she had seen before.
"Not who," she said quietly. "What."
🕳 The Hollowborn
They reached the central corridor—and froze.
Inside, near the Hall of Spells, stood a massive beast made of blackened bone and smoke, its eyes hollow and glowing blue.
It turned toward them, sensing life.
Leon stepped in front of Astha.
"It's one of them," she whispered. "A Hollowborn. Ancient creatures summoned by cursed bloodlines. They haven't been seen in a hundred years."
"Well," Leon said, "guess they missed me."
The creature roared and charged.
🔥 The Battle in the Hall
Leon raised his hand. "Flameblood Surge!"
A jet of fire burst from his palm, hitting the Hollowborn square in the chest. The creature staggered but didn't stop.
Astha cast a barrier, shielding them just in time before a dark claw slammed down.
They rolled aside. The impact cracked the marble floor.
Leon gritted his teeth. "Too strong. We can't fight it head-on."
Astha shouted, "Then break its link!"
"What link?!"
She pointed to the red gem pulsing in the beast's chest. "That! It's its anchor!"
Leon nodded.
He charged forward, dodging claws and shadow blasts.
He leapt, hand glowing with fire.
"Crimson Flame: Heartpierce!"
His fist struck the gem.
A pulse of heat exploded across the hall.
The Hollowborn screamed—and collapsed into smoke.
Silence returned.
📚 The Forgotten Vault
Astha helped Leon stand. "That gem—it looked like the one in the ruin."
Leon nodded. "Whoever sent that thing… they're tied to the old magic. My magic."
They moved deeper into the academy.
Past the ruined halls, they reached the Old Archive—a sealed section below the library that even professors rarely entered.
Astha whispered, "There's a hidden vault below here. I've read about it. It holds records from the First Flameblood War."
Leon placed his hand on the stone seal.
The mark on his palm glowed.
Click.
The vault opened.
And inside—dusty scrolls, ancient armor, and a book bound in black iron—waited for them.
🌑 Elsewhere…
In the far reaches of the world, inside a temple of shadows, a figure watched a flame flicker out in his palm.
"The academy resisted," he said."But the boy has returned.""Soon… he will uncover everything."
A second voice replied, soft and female.
"And then?""Then," the first voice said, "he'll burn the world. Or save it."