The academy did not feel like a place anymore. This was not because something was happening. Because nothing was happening. It was a fear that made every normal moment feel a little off.
People were talking in the halls training was going on. Students were laughing.. Beneath all of this something was different. People had started to notice that something was wrong.
Someone whispered to Kael as he was walking down the corridor "Did you hear about the second years?" "They did not come back from their assignment." "They said it was a mistake." "Or may be it was something else."
Kael kept walking. He was thinking about what he had just heard. He realized that something was starting to happen. Lyra was walking beside him. She had heard the conversation too. Her eyes looked more serious now.
"That is not normal " she said quietly. "No it is not " Kael replied. Riven, who was walking ahead of them turned around with a frown on his face. "I do not like what is going on " he said.
Mira told him to stay alert of complaining. "I can do both " Riven said. Tarin did not even look at them. "Let us focus " he said. "Something is off."
Kael did not need to say anything. They all felt it now. Even if they did not understand what it was.
---
The training grounds were quieter than usual that afternoon. People were moving quickly. Reacting fast. They did not want to be caught off guard. Kael was standing at the edge of the field looking around slowly.
He was looking for something that did not belong.. He did not find anything.. That was what bothered him. Lyra came to stand beside him. "You are looking for something " she said.
Kael nodded. "And I am not finding it..." Lyra sighed softly. "That is worse isn't it?" "Yes " Kael said.
Because not seeing a threat does not mean it is not there. It means it is hidden well.. That makes it more dangerous. Lyra said, "Maybe we are thinking about it much."
Kael looked at her. "Not everything has to be a trap " she said.. Kael knew that recently it did. Lyra told him to learn how to relax. "I tried " Kael said.
"When?" Lyra asked. " Now " Kael replied. Lyra laughed. Not loudly,. Enough to break the tension between them.
---
That evening the academy gave them a new assignment. It was to investigate some readings beyond the eastern boundary. Kael knew that something was off.
The mission seemed simple. It was too familiar. Lyra read through the details. Looked at Kael. "You do not like it " she said. "It is too familiar " Kael replied.
Riven leaned over her shoulder. Read the assignment. "Why does it always have to be us?" he asked. Mira gave him a look. "You signed up for this " she said.
Tarin stepped forward. "We will go and we will be careful." Kael did not argue. Because there was no avoiding it. Not anymore.
Lyra folded the assignment sheet quietly. "If this is what we think it is..." Kael met her eyes. "...Then it will not be simple " he finished.
---
As night fell over the academy the air grew colder. The silence became deeper. Kael stood alone for a moment trying to find something that would confirm what he already felt.
There was nothing. Just silence. Lyra came to stand beside him. "Tomorrow " she said. Kael nodded.
After a moment Lyra spoke again. "We will be fine." It was not confidence. It was not certainty. It was hope. Kael looked at her.
"Stay close " he said. Lyra smiled faintly. "Always." The word lingered. Simple,. Filled with meaning.
---
Beyond the academy Veyron Kade stood at the edge of a prepared field. The air, around him was still. He had planned everything. Every variable was accounted for.
He exhaled slowly. "No testing " he said quietly. His voice carried no hesitation. "Let us see how much he values them."And with that the silence began to break.