Moments ago,
Lumira's POV
The pale morning sun of August 22, 2025, attempted to spread its light across Eldoria, but its rays only served to illuminate the true power of Aetherion Academy.
The great wards surrounding the floating island - invisible shields of complex ancient runes - flared faintly, a dazzling spectacle only to those of us who understood what we were seeing. This was not merely a school; it was a fortress, untouchable and supreme.
The rhythmic beat of hooves gave way to the deep, resonant power vibrating through the very aether - the sound of my own conveyance. A great shadow passed over the mundane traffic below.
My two moon-dragons soared majestically, their scales glimmering silver and ethereal blue, reflecting the light like fragments of living crystal. Each synchronized beat of their enormous wings stirred powerful currents. Domesticated, perhaps, but their inherent majesty was untouched.
Their fierce loyalty was reserved for my bloodline, the House of Duskbane. Their sapphire eyes glowed with chilling intelligence, and their breath steamed faintly with a mist of silver.
They drew the carriage forward - a masterpiece of impossible craftsmanship, wrought from whitewood enchanted never to decay. Veins of silver rune-work curled elegantly along its surface, and the distinct crest of the Duskbane bloodline - a crescent moon carved from deep violet amethyst - was brazenly emblazoned upon its door. The gasp-inducing sight was the entire point.
They thought I was dead... this spectacle was my answer.
Inside, I adjusted the hem of my gown, its deep, commanding purple fabric embroidered with threads that caught the light in fleeting silver sparks. My long, silver-blonde hair flowed like moonlight. My unique purple eyes gleamed with cold resolve. I sat with the naturally rigid posture of one born to rule and to conquer, the inherited instincts of Lumira complementing the cool, modern pragmatism I now possessed.
Across from me, Sera fidgeted nervously, clutching her satchel of books. Her round cheeks were flushed with a mix of excitement and deep anxiety. Where I was composure and controlled power, Sera was warmth and exposed innocence. I felt a flash of protectiveness.
"Can you actually believe it, Lumira?" Sera whispered, her voice buzzing with contained energy. "We're really here at Aetherion Academy. The strongest in the world trained here. And now… us, the supposed rejects."
"Believe it, Sera," I affirmed, my lips curving into a faint, almost predatory smile. "They may have marked us as rejects once, but we are here to make an indelible mark. That much is absolutely certain."
The thrill of the impending confrontation was sharp and intoxicating.
The carriage slowed as the titanic gates of Aetherion loomed into view - vast, black iron etched with intricate, ancient runes. As the moon-dragons drew near, the runes pulsed with welcoming energy. The shields opened without a sound, recognizing and welcoming, like the return of a forgotten queen.
The courtyard stretched wide below us, a breathtaking display of magical architecture. But my attention wasn't on the luminous flora or the cathedral-like main building; it was on the hundreds of students clustered below. Their prescribed robes denoted their various faculties, but their casual, arrogant displays of magic and their excited chatter quieted suddenly, sharply, as the moon-dragons descended.
Every head turned in unison, as my carriage rolled smoothly to a halt directly before the grand, imposing stairs of the main building. The whispers began immediately - sharp and hissing, carrying awe, fear, and profound disbelief.
The carriage door swung open. Butler Finch stepped down, his tall, gaunt figure sweeping the stunned crowd with a cold, clear warning in his eyes. He extended a perfectly gloved hand into the dark interior.
I placed my hand delicately into his. This was my stage.
I stepped out and the courtyard erupted in loud, universal gasps.
I descended from the carriage like a queen returning to a throne I had never truly left, every step slow, measured, and deliberate. The sunlight caught the silver jewelry at my throat and and mark on my wrist - that served as gleaming proof of my undeniably powerful bloodline.
My expression was calm, utterly detached and unconcerned. My purple eyes glittered with sharp, undeniable life, daring anyone present to deny my physical presence.
Beside me, Sera stumbled slightly, but I caught her arm with effortless grace and strength. I noted as the crowd immediately registered the contrast - the regal, untouchable Lumira and the soft, slightly clumsy Sera - and the whispers deepened, laced with scorn and awe.
I allowed my eyes to sweep deliberately across the stunned crowd until they finally landed where they needed to be.
On the steps of the other side of the courtyard, two figures froze, their composure utterly shattered.
Selene's carefully constructed saintly mask cracked. Her lips parted in stark, disbelieving horror, and her grip on her rosary faltered. She had orchestrated my downfall, left me for dead. The raw, cold fear that replaced her malice was a sweet, sweet victory.
Beside her, Ivy's sneer utterly failed, wiped clean by shock. Her painted lips curled into a raw whisper meant only for Selene.
She knows I'm here. She knows I saw her.
I allowed the faintest, coldest smile to grace my lips - a smile sharp enough to cut, laced with deep, knowing satisfaction. Then, utterly unconcerned with their terror, I turned.
The crowd parted instantly as Sera and I began walking toward the grand stairs. Nobles and commoners alike stepped hastily aside. Some murmured hasty prayers, others gasped in pure, stunned awe, but none could deny the terrifying truth of my presence.
Lunaris Lumira Duskbane had returned to the world that had tried to bury her.
As we mounted the stairs together, the great, ancient bells of the academy tolled overhead, their deep, resonant chimes echoing across the campus like a solemn, undeniable proclamation of war.
The predator had arrived at Aetherion Academy.