The next evening, the academy's bell rang louder than usual, echoing through every corridor.
But this time, it wasn't signaling class.
It was an alarm.
Students ran through the halls, their faces pale.
Outside, the skies turned crimson, swirling with ash and embers.
A tear opened in the sky — black, jagged, like a wound.
From it, creatures began to pour through — shadowed beasts with molten veins, their howls shaking the academy grounds.
Kael and Lyra rushed out of the dorms, weapons in hand.
"Where's Elian?!" Lyra shouted.
Kael pointed toward the training grounds. "He went out earlier to clear his head!"
Without hesitation, they sprinted through the chaos.
Elian stood alone, gazing at the sky split in half.
For the first time since his powers awakened, he didn't feel fear — only calm.
"Demons…" he muttered. "So they finally found me."
As one of the beasts lunged, claws glowing red, Elian raised his hand.
Light burst from his palm, forming a barrier — but halfway through, the light flickered into black energy.
It struck the creature, vaporizing it instantly.
Elian stared at his hand — white light and black flame twisting together.
"The Eclipsera Mark…" he whispered. "It's merging."
Lyra and Kael arrived, panting.
"Elian!" Lyra shouted. "You're okay—wait, what was that power?"
He looked back at her, eyes faintly glowing with both gold and crimson.
"I don't know," he said. "But it's not just magic anymore."
Kael grinned despite the fear. "Remind me never to spar with you again."
Lyra frowned. "This isn't a joke, Kael. Those things are from the lower rifts. If they're here—"
Before she could finish, the air shimmered again.
A tall figure stepped through the portal — his armor pitch black, his eyes burning violet.
The ground trembled as he spoke, voice low and sharp.
"So… the child of Erevale still lives."
Elian's heart stopped. "What did you say?"
The figure tilted his head slightly. "You bear the mark of your mother — the Seal of Eclipsera. And the blood of your father… the fallen Archangel, Caelum."
Lyra's breath caught. "Caelum…? That's impossible! He died centuries ago!"
The general smiled. "You believe the lies you were told."
He raised a finger toward Elian. "Your mother sealed him in the abyss to protect the human realm. And you… you are the key to releasing him."
"Stop lying!" Elian shouted.
Flames surged beneath his feet — black and white swirling together, the ground cracking.
The mark on his chest burned, brighter than ever.
The general smirked. "Good. Let your power grow — soon you'll understand who you truly are."
With that, he vanished into the portal, leaving behind a trail of shadowfire.
When the beasts finally retreated, the academy lay in ruins.
Smoke rose into the sky. Students were injured, the walls burned.
Elian stood among the wreckage, fists trembling.
"My father… a fallen Archangel?"
Lyra touched his arm gently. "We'll find the truth together."
He didn't answer — his eyes drifted to the horizon where the portal had closed.
"I'll find it," he whispered, "even if I have to walk into the abyss myself."