Full Chapter – First Day, Sparks of Trouble, and the Beast of Year Two
Location: Ashenwell Academy – Second Year Wing. First light of morning. Whispered rumors fill the halls. A storm brews behind every glance.
Grim stood outside the classroom door, fingers tapping idly against his belt. Around him, his siblings fanned out, each dressed in the academy's customized uniform, subtly marked by their elements.
Tristan had tailored his into something sharper, almost regal — icy embroidery trailing the sleeves.
Ayesha wore hers high-collared and practical, with her bow visible across her back like a warning.
Hadi's practically sparkled — pink flashes of energy darting across the trim even when she stood still.
Max's cloak trailed shadows like it had a mind of its own.
Grim's jacket was red-black with faint glowing etch lines pulsing around his shoulders.
"This is where we prove it," Grim said. "That we're not just survivors. We're a storm."
"Oh, dramatic," Sparks whispered from behind him. "You practicing speeches in the mirror again?"
"No—"
"You totally are."
She kicked the door open before anyone else could.
Inside: Second Year Class – Day One
The classroom went silent.
Every student in the room turned to face the newcomers — and the tension was immediate. The five Kindled siblings, each pulsing with restrained aura, had just declared war simply by existing.
Then Sparks walked in behind them.
"You all look like you just saw your test scores."
Grim rubbed his temple.
"You're not helping."
"Wasn't trying to."
A tall girl near the front scoffed. Her hair shimmered violet and her arms were wrapped in ceremonial sleeves bearing gold flame crests.
"Great. More 'Chosen Flames' acting like we should care."
Max's voice was calm. "You will."
And that's when the growl came.
It was soft. Low. Almost felt before it was heard.
Grim turned just in time to see a familiar face stand from the back of the classroom.
Pale blue eyes. Silver-streaked hair. And a presence that made the room feel... smaller.
Lys.
She stepped forward. Slowly. The other students instinctively shifted aside.
"You're here," she said — no louder than a whisper, but it echoed in Grim's chest.
He blinked. "You're… a second year?"
"Always was."
"Why didn't I—?"
"Because you forgot me."
The air thickened.
Her eyes flicked to Sparks.
Then to each sibling.
Her expression was unreadable.
"So this is your family."
Hadi gave a nervous wave. "Hi. I'm Hadi. Please don't rip my throat out."
"No promises."
Max narrowed his eyes. "What is she?"
"Werebeast," Ayesha said softly, already analyzing. "No—royal werebeast. She's not normal."
"And you're not invited," Sparks muttered.
Lys's gaze locked with hers, sharp and unblinking.
"You again."
Sparks blinked. "Oh, we're doing this."
"We never stopped."
Grim stepped between them.
"Both of you. Not here. Not now."
Lys's eyes glowed faintly.
"I don't start things."
"I finish them," Sparks finished, grinning. "Yeah, yeah, I know."
Later – Courtyard Tension
Between classes, the family sat under the Flame Tree — a sacred, glowing silver-flamed tree that marked the center of the Academy grounds.
"That was tense," Tristan said flatly.
"You think?" Hadi laughed nervously.
Max looked at Grim. "You didn't tell us she was… like that."
"I didn't know," Grim muttered. "She was different before. Quieter. Colder. Now—"
"She smells like mine," Sparks interrupted.
Everyone turned to her.
"Excuse me?" Ayesha asked.
"She's territorial," Sparks said. "Same way I am. But worse. Her instincts don't sleep. And I think she's... already chosen."
Grim stared at the ground.
Sparks leaned closer.
"She wants to keep you. Like a treasured weapon."
"And you don't?"
"Oh I do," Sparks smirked. "But I want you to choose me back."
Hadi just groaned. "Can we please go one day without your love life trying to kill us?"
"No," Max and Tristan said in unison.
The Day Ends with a Warning
As the sun dipped low and the bells rang out over the towers, a message flashed on every student's crystal:
[Field Trial Begins Tomorrow – Prepare for Combat Readiness Assessment]
– Signed: The Headmaster (Age Unknown)
A wind swept through the academy.
Trouble was coming.
And the Ashenkindled would burn through it — together or not.