The east wing had always been off-limits. Students whispered about it, claiming curses, forbidden magic, or worse. I decided curiosity was far more entertaining than fear.
Aren glanced at me as we approached. "Don't tell me you're actually going in there."
I smirked. "Someone has to see what the fuss is about."
The doors creaked as I pushed them open. Dust hung in the air. Shadows clung to the walls like living things. A faint glow pulsed at the end of the corridor.
"You feel that?" Aren asked, voice tense.
I nodded slightly. "Yes. And it's not dangerous… yet."
A symbol floated in the air ahead, a circle etched with runes that shimmered faintly. Most students would have screamed, fainted, or bolted. I walked closer, hand brushing the runes. Nothing happened. The circle recoiled, almost like it recognized me.
From behind, footsteps echoed. Liora and Kael appeared.
"You came too?" I asked, not moving.
Kael grinned. "Of course. Secrets are fun. And you're fun."
Liora narrowed her eyes. "Careful. Things here are old… very old. Even powerful students could vanish in a second if they misstep."
I chuckled softly. "Then let's hope no one missteps."
A sudden cold wind swept the corridor. The candles flickered violently. Shadows twisted unnaturally. A faint voice whispered, incomprehensible yet unmistakably alive.
I tilted my head. "Interesting," I said. The shadows seemed to hesitate, then recoiled.
Aren's eyes widened. "What is that?"
"Nothing you need to worry about… for now," I replied. Calm as ever. "But this place? It's only the beginning."
Outside, the academy continued unaware. But in the east wing, something ancient had stirred, watching, calculating, and waiting.
And it didn't like me.