Eren walked out of the headmaster's office with the ring still glowing faintly on his finger. His steps were slow, heavy, like his legs didn't fully belong to him anymore.
The hallways felt different now.
Quieter.
Darker.
Like the Shade had left part of itself behind, watching from every corner.
Eren clenched his fist.
It's after me… and it's getting stronger.
He reached the stairway that led to the dorms—but someone was waiting halfway up.
Elara.
She looked worried the moment she saw his face. "Eren? What happened? Your aura feels… tense."
He forced a smile, but it came out weak. "It's nothing."
She stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "Don't lie. The bond makes it impossible."
Eren sighed and leaned against the wall. "Alright… something happened. The headmaster told me the thing that attacked me in my sleep wasn't just a nightmare. It's a Void Shade."
Elara's expression dropped instantly. "A Shade? Those things aren't supposed to get close to the academy. That means—"
"It means I'm in danger," Eren said quietly. "And so is anyone near me."
Elara grabbed his arm. "Then you're not walking anywhere alone."
He shook his head. "Elara, you don't understand. This thing—"
"I don't care," she cut him off. "The bond chooses both of us. If a Shade wants you, it will have to go through me."
Eren stared at her, surprised by the fire in her voice. "Why… why are you always like this?"
She blinked. "Like what?"
"You keep risking yourself for me."
Elara looked down, embarrassed. "Because I feel what you feel. When you're scared, I feel it. When you're angry, I feel that too. I don't want you fighting this alone."
He didn't know what to say. They weren't lovers—not yet—but sometimes it felt like they were connected deeper than that. The bond made them close, but something else made them stay close.
Eren finally nodded. "Alright. You can stay with me… for now."
She smiled slightly. "Good. Because coming with you wasn't a question."
They started walking together.
But halfway through the hallway, a sharp pain hit Eren's head—like a spike of ice driving into his skull.
He stumbled.
"Eren!" Elara grabbed him before he fell. "What's wrong?"
He pressed his hand to his forehead. "The Shade… it's trying to get into my mind again."
Elara looked around, panic rising. "No. Not here. Not now."
Eren's vision blurred, and he saw shadows stretching across the walls—too fast, too silent, dragging behind them like long fingers.
Elara pulled him close and placed her hand over his ring. "Stay with me. Focus on me, not it."
Her voice broke through the cold fog in his head.
The pain slowed.
The shadows on the wall faded.
Eren gasped for breath. "It's getting stronger…"
"We need help," Elara said firmly. "Let's go to the Library Wing. There's a protective circle there. It should block the Shade from entering."
Eren nodded weakly, and she carried most of his weight as they walked. Every step felt heavier, like the Shade was dragging at his mind.
They reached the Library Wing doors—but before Elara could push them open—
Boom.
A loud explosion shook the building.
Bookshelves toppled from inside the library. Students screamed.
Elara's eyes widened. "What was that?!"
Another blast followed, shaking dust from the ceiling.
"It's not the Shade," Eren said. "This feels… physical."
They pushed the doors open and froze.
Students were running everywhere.
Tables were broken.
Spells had exploded in the air, leaving scorch marks on the floor.
And in the center of the chaos—
—a boy with silver hair stood alone, holding two glowing blades.
He looked calm.
Too calm.
His eyes focused straight on Eren.
"There you are," the boy said. His voice was quiet but sharp. "I've been looking for you."
Elara stepped in front of Eren. "Who are you?!"
The boy smiled slightly. "A messenger."
Eren's heart pounded. "From who?"
The boy raised one glowing blade and pointed at him.
"From the Shade."
The temperature dropped instantly.
Elara pushed Eren back. "Stay behind me."
The boy stepped forward, blades humming with dark energy. "The Shade wants you alive… for now. But your guardian here—" he tilted his head at Elara "—she's optional."
Eren felt something snap inside him.
He stepped forward, voice shaking with anger.
"You won't touch her."
The boy smirked. "Then fight me."
Behind Eren, the lights flickered again.
The Shade's presence crawled back into the room, cold and hungry.
And the battle Eren had been trying to avoid…
…had finally arrived.
---