Silence filled the academy courtyard.
Daniel stared at the silver compass in his hand.
His fingers slowly traced the initials engraved on the back.
W.D.
His father's initials.
He tightened his grip.
"So... this really belonged to him."
Arthur nodded.
"He carried it on every mission."
Bill folded his arms.
"You still haven't answered my question."
Arthur looked at him.
"I know."
"Why have you returned after fifteen years?"
Arthur's expression grew serious.
"Because I failed."
The courtyard fell silent.
"What do you mean?" Daniel asked.
Arthur looked toward the mountains beyond the academy.
"Fifteen years ago, William, I, and three other Ghost Killers went on a secret mission."
"Our mission was to locate the entrance to the Forgotten Kingdom."
Daniel's heartbeat quickened.
"We found it."
Everyone listened without speaking.
"But we also found... them."
"The Keepers."
Mary frowned.
"Keepers?"
Arthur nodded.
"They are the ancient guardians of the Forgotten Kingdom."
"They don't serve humans."
"They don't serve ghosts."
"They serve only the Seal."
David suddenly grabbed his head.
"The whispers..."
Everyone turned.
"They know that name."
Arthur looked at David with surprise.
"So your power has awakened..."
David ignored him.
The whispers echoed louder than ever.
"The Keepers protect the Key..."
"The Vessel opens the Gate..."
"The Child maintains the Seal..."
David suddenly gasped.
"The Child..."
Daniel looked at him.
"What child?"
David slowly turned.
"...Ava."
The words hit everyone like a thunderbolt.
Lucy covered her mouth.
"No..."
Bill closed his eyes.
"So that's why..."
Arthur nodded.
"They didn't capture Ava because she was powerful."
"They captured her..."
"...because she was part of the Seal."
Daniel's fists clenched.
"So my sister..."
"...has been imprisoned all these years?"
Arthur answered quietly.
"Yes."
"But she wasn't imprisoned as a punishment."
"She was imprisoned to keep something far worse from escaping."
A heavy silence followed.
Daniel looked at Bill.
"You knew?"
Bill shook his head.
"I knew she was taken."
"I never knew why."
Arthur sighed.
"Very few people do."
Just then—
The silver compass in Daniel's hand began glowing.
Everyone stepped back.
The needle started spinning wildly.
Faster.
Faster.
Then it stopped.
Pointing northeast.
Arthur's face became pale.
"No..."
Bill frowned.
"What?"
Arthur whispered,
"It only reacts when..."
Before he could finish—
A blinding beam of silver light shot from the compass into the sky.
The entire academy looked up.
Students rushed out of their dormitories.
Teachers shielded their eyes.
The beam remained for several seconds...
Then vanished.
The compass stopped glowing.
Daniel stared at it.
"What just happened?"
Arthur's voice was grim.
"It found her."
Everyone froze.
"But..."
He looked toward the distant mountains.
"...it also announced your existence."
Daniel's heart sank.
"To who?"
Arthur answered with one name.
"The King."
The wind suddenly stopped.
Even the birds fell silent.
Bill slowly reached for his sword.
"So..."
"...he knows the Vessel has awakened."
Far away...
Beyond forests and mountains...
Deep within the Forgotten Kingdom...
A massive throne stood inside a ruined palace.
A figure sat upon it, hidden by darkness.
His crimson eyes slowly opened.
He smiled.
"So..."
"The Vessel..."
"...has finally begun moving."
He rose from the throne.
The chains around the palace rattled.
"Prepare the Keepers."
"And send the First General."
He looked toward the distant horizon.
"Soon..."
"...Daniel will come to us."
"And when he does..."
"The final seal will begin to break."
To Be Continued...