The morning after Elian found his mother's shrine, the sky above the academy didn't look normal.
The sun burned pale, and the clouds shimmered with faint streaks of silver — as though something divine watched from beyond them.
Elian stood at the edge of the academy's courtyard, gripping his cloak tightly.
Inside him, the Eclipsera Mark pulsed with faint light — sometimes calm, sometimes wild — like it couldn't decide whether to protect him or consume him.
> "When he embraces both light and shadow, the seal of the Abyss shall break."
Those words from the shrine still echoed in his mind.
Lyra approached slowly. "You haven't slept again, have you?"
Elian shook his head. "How could I? Everything I knew about my life was a lie."
Kael, standing nearby with his training sword, frowned. "You mean about your parents?"
Elian nodded. "My father wasn't just an angel — he was the Archangel of Equilibrium. My mother was the Guardian who sealed him… and died because of it."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Kael finally said, "Then that means… you're—"
"A mix of both," Elian finished quietly. "Half light, half shadow. The thing the prophecy warned about."
Before they could say more, a low, rumbling sound rolled across the sky.
At first, it sounded like thunder. Then came the light — not gold, but white-hot, burning through the clouds like a sword slashing open the heavens.
Students rushed outside, shielding their eyes.
Lyra gasped. "That's— that's not lightning…"
"No," Elian said, voice low. "That's them."
From the rift in the sky descended three figures, wings blazing like suns. The air shimmered with divine energy, making everyone nearby drop to their knees.
The angels landed in the courtyard with a sound like shattering glass. Their armor gleamed, their expressions unreadable.
The lead one stepped forward — tall, sharp-eyed, his hair silver as starlight.
> "Elian Caelum. Son of the Betrayer."
Gasps echoed through the students. The angel's words struck like knives.
Elian froze. "Who are you?"
The angel raised his spear, its tip glowing with light. "I am Azrael, Archangel of Judgement. By command of the Council of Light, you are to be taken to Celestara — for questioning."
Aldros appeared then, stepping between them, his staff blazing with runes. "Azrael! This is sacred ground. You have no right to seize a student under my protection."
Azrael's cold gaze turned toward him. "You dare speak of protection, mortal? That boy carries demon blood. He is a threat to the balance we have sworn to uphold."
Elian's fists clenched. "I've done nothing wrong!"
"Not yet," Azrael said. "But your very existence is a crime. The moment your seal breaks, the Abyss will awaken. Your father's shadow will rise again."
The crowd murmured.
Elian felt every stare pierce him — students whispering, afraid, stepping back.
Lyra moved beside him. "Stop it! He's not a monster!"
Azrael's wings spread, filling the courtyard with blinding light. "Then let us see if that is true."
Without warning, Azrael thrust his spear forward. A beam of pure light shot toward Elian.
Elian barely had time to react — his mark flared, and a barrier of black and white energy erupted around him. The beam struck it, exploding in a burst of power that cracked the courtyard stones.
The force threw Kael and Lyra back. Dust filled the air.
Azrael lowered his spear, unimpressed. "As expected. You wield both powers… the mark of the forbidden union."
Elian's anger flared. "You call me a sin, but I never asked for this! My mother gave her life to stop the Abyss. You should honor her, not hunt me!"
For the first time, Azrael's expression faltered.
But only for a heartbeat.
"She defied heaven. Just as her son will."
He lifted his spear again — but before he could strike, a new voice echoed from the sky.
"Enough, Azrael."
A golden light descended between them — Seraphiel, his expression grim.
He faced Azrael calmly. "The Council ordered you to watch, not to destroy."
Azrael's wings twitched with irritation. "And how long should we wait, Seraphiel? Until his power consumes the world?"
"Until the truth reveals itself," Seraphiel said, then turned to Elian. "You must leave this place. Now. Before the Council sends more."
Elian's heart pounded. "Leave? Go where?"
"Find the place your mother sealed your father. There, you'll find what she left behind for you."
Elian hesitated — but one look at Azrael's furious glare was enough.
He turned to Lyra and Kael. "I can't stay. If I do, they'll destroy the academy."
Kael nodded fiercely. "Then we're coming with you."
Lyra grabbed his hand. "Always."
Seraphiel gave a faint smile. "You'll need them. Your path will not be walked alone."
And with that, his wings spread, and light enveloped the courtyard.
When it faded, Azrael was gone. The academy lay silent again — but nothing felt safe anymore.
Elian stared at the sky, where the rift still glimmered faintly.
He whispered, "Mother… if this is the path you walked, I'll follow it. But I'll make my own ending."