"The key is with Father," Abigel said, eyes fixed on the diary now resting in Icarus's hands.
"Then I'll meet you in the office," Icarus replied, already turning away. "Bring Aria."
Abigel gave a short nod and stepped out into the corridor.
The walk was meant to be routine, but halfway down the hall, a sound drifted to his ears—a soft, melodic laugh. Aria's.
He froze.
Something about that laughter always caught him off guard. Light, unburdened… like sunlight breaking through his carefully built shadows. His heart skipped, stumbled, then steadied itself again.
"Sir Abigel."
The voice from behind snapped him out of it.
He turned to find Lilly, gracefully walking toward him. Her smile was polished, practiced—the kind noble ladies wore when they wanted to be seen.
"Are you heading to your training?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Abigel straightened. "Oh… Lady Lilly. No, actually. Father requested Aria's presence."
His eyes shifted, almost involuntarily, back to the courtyard—where Aria was finishing her practice. Her hair was pulled back, cheeks flushed with effort and pride. She looked radiant.
"I was going to invite her for tea," Lilly said softly. "But I suppose I'll wait. Another time then." Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes, but she turned with elegance and left.
The moment she was gone, Umbro's voice echoed from the shadows.
"Master. There is something… off about that woman."
He always said what he thought—even if it was unpleasant.
Abigel's jaw clenched slightly. "Keep an eye on her."
"As you wish." Umbro melted into the shadows, vanishing like smoke in wind.
Taking a breath, Abigel turned toward the training ground. A few more steps brought him closer just as Aria walked over, brushing loose strands of hair from her face.
"You were waiting for me?" she asked, a little breathless.
Abigel softened at her smile, then looked away quickly. "It's nothing. We found the diary."
Her eyes lit up. "You did? You're brilliant."
Before he could respond, she reached out and took his hand—like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Abigel's breath caught for just a moment.
"Come on," she said as they walked side by side. "So the key should be with Uncle, right?
He wasn't even listening. Her voice faded into the background as he let himself feel the warmth of her fingers wrapped around his.
As they stepped into the room, a heavy stillness lingered in the air.
There was something in Theo's expression—subtle yet telling. A flicker of frustration beneath the calm.
"This…" he said, holding up the brooch. "This isn't the key."
Icarus lowered his gaze, avoiding eye contact.
Aria blinked, then gave a sheepish smile. "Oh… so now we need to go on another treasure hunt, huh?"
No one responded.
Trying to lift the mood, she added, "Well, at least we found the diary. That's something, right? I'm sure the key will show up too. We'll figure it out."
Her cheerful voice clashed with the tension in the room.
"I'm going to take a bath," she said suddenly, waving a hand. "I probably smell like a burnt sparring mat."
She laughed lightly and slipped out, the echo of her footsteps fading down the hall.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Icarus lifted his magic dtick and tapped the floor three times.
A faint ripple moved through the air—magic sealing the room from sound.
Without a word, Theo pressed the key it into the diary's centre. It clicked again.
The cover shuddered and then slowly unfolded.
"You lied," Abigel said, his voice low but laced with heat.
"We had to," Icarus replied, eyes fixed on the opening pages.
"Why?"
Icarus turned the book slightly, revealing the first scrawled words written in hurried ink:
"Do not let Aria Kaelen read this diary until her power is fully awakened."
Abigel stiffened. The weight of the sentence dropped into the room like a stone.
"She trusts us," he said, jaw tight.
"I know," Icarus replied quietly. "Which is why we must protect her—even if it means lying."
Theo flipped the page.
"When Alexandra died, I lost everything I held onto.
She was my only hope. My daughter.
I could've saved her—if only I had found the Dragon Heart.
But I failed. And in the end... I lost her completely.
Now, this madness consumes me. I keep seeing it—again and again.
Some visions are from the past… some from a future that hasn't come yet.
The night the Saintess died… the world turned black.
I stood there, helpless.
As her blood spilled over the ritual altar, the priests rejoiced.
They tore out her heart… they drank her blood.
But a single tear fell from her eye.
Even in death… she saw what was coming.
A shadow began to emerge from the altar—something evil, ancient.
But then…
A girl rushed in.
She couldn't even scream.
Silver sword in hand, she clutched her chest—
'Oh, Elena…'
She drove the blade into herself…
And then into the shadow.
The sword gleamed—brighter than the sun.
All the darkness vanished.
The church collapsed. Everything was buried.
But I keep seeing this.
Over and over."
Theo swallowed thickly as he flipped to the next page. But the ink had already begun to fade, as though the diary itself was trying to forget.
"Alexandra keeps appearing in my dreams.
Telling me I have to let her go.
How can I…? How could I ever…?"
"Theo came to the North today. At least training him keeps me from falling deeper into this madness."
"My great-granddaughter… she's walking the same path as Alexandra."
The final page trembled in Theo's hands. There were only a few words left, barely legible.
"When the Shadow returns… it will be her destiny to seal it away.
But her powers—
They won't awaken in time.
I might be able to slow the flow of fate.
I've done it.
But… in the end…
He must die for her to awaken."
Theo slowly closed the diary, his fingers lingering on the worn cover.
"It's still a mystery…" he murmured; voice low.
The room felt colder somehow.
Icarus didn't speak. His eyes remained on the desk, the weight of the words they'd just read pressing heavily on his shoulders. He had long suspected this—ever since he'd uncovered the fate woven around Aria. His studies in time and dimensional energy had only deepened his dread.
For a long moment, no one answered. The stillness between them was louder than any scream.
Then Icarus finally exhaled, standing straight.
"The silver sword… it's the only thing the Shadow fears. If it's ever destroyed, there will be nothing left to stop it.""It will use Aria again. She'll become the portal—just like before."
Theo's eyes darkened.
"You mean… a portal?"
Icarus nodded grimly.
"A portal to darkness. A world with no light—only demons, wandering freely."
"Selene is guarding the silver sword," Theo said, trying to reassure himself. "We don't have to worry about that."
"Still…" Icarus turned to him. "Any news from the Duchy?"
Theo gave a stiff nod.
"Yes. The mask was confirmed."
That was all Icarus needed.
"Vireth," he called sharply.
From the shadows, the raven stirred. Without a sound, it took flight, vanishing into the air like a blur of ink.
"Find him. Now."
Abigel's fists clenched.
"So… it was Khalid."
Icarus's eyes narrowed, cold and certain.
"Now, I'm sure."