The morning after their return to the academy was eerily calm. The usual bustle of students preparing for their classes filled the air, but Eryx couldn't shake the feeling that something was different—something had shifted. The world outside the academy had always felt distant, but now, with the artifact in his possession, it felt as though the very foundation of his reality was beginning to crack.
He found himself standing at the edge of the academy's training grounds, staring at the horizon where the sun had just begun to rise. The light was soft, casting long shadows over the stone buildings, but Eryx couldn't quite shake the weight of the decisions that had yet to be made. The artifact in his bag pulsed faintly, a reminder of the dangers and uncertainties ahead.
"You're up early," a voice broke through his thoughts.
Eryx turned to see Bastian walking toward him, his usual confident smile replaced by a more thoughtful expression. Rona followed behind, her eyes scanning their surroundings as though she, too, could feel the shift in the air.
"Couldn't sleep," Eryx replied, though the real reason for his unrest went unspoken. His mind was racing with too many questions—about the artifact, about the academy, and about the feeling that they weren't truly alone in this journey.
"I get that," Bastian said, stepping closer and joining Eryx at the edge. "I can't stop thinking about the desert… that creature. We barely made it out. And now, we have this." He motioned to Eryx's bag where the artifact was hidden. "What happens now?"
Eryx turned his gaze back to the horizon, the soft light growing brighter with every passing moment. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "But I don't think we're done with whatever this is. The artifact… it's just the beginning. Something's coming."
Rona stepped forward, her brow furrowed. "You think the academy knows something about it? About the artifact? Because there's no way they didn't send us out there for some kind of reason."
Eryx considered her words carefully. It was a valid question. They had been sent on that mission by the academy, and it wasn't a coincidence that the creature guarding the artifact was so powerful. There was more at play here, and whatever it was, the academy was at the heart of it.
"I think the academy knows more than they're letting on," he said slowly, his voice darkening. "But we're not going to find answers just by asking questions. They'll never tell us what's really going on."
"Then what do we do?" Bastian asked, a flicker of unease in his voice.
"We keep going," Eryx said. "We stay under the radar. We learn what we can, but we don't draw attention to ourselves. If we do, we might find ourselves in the middle of something we can't control."
Rona looked between them, her expression serious. "You think they're watching us? The academy?"
"They always are," Eryx replied, his tone colder now. "But we can't let them know we're on to them. Not yet."
For a moment, the three of them stood in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The morning was breaking, and the academy was beginning to wake up, but Eryx felt as though time itself had slowed around them. There was too much at stake, and they were still in the dark.
"I have a feeling we'll be tested again soon," Eryx added, his eyes narrowing. "Whatever's coming, it won't be easy."
Bastian nodded. "That's what we signed up for, right?"
Rona sighed, but there was a determination in her eyes now. "Let's just make sure we're ready for whatever comes next."
Later that day, Eryx couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching him. It wasn't the subtle surveillance of the academy's staff, but something more personal, more insidious. He'd caught a few students glancing at him in the halls, and while it could have been coincidence, he had the unsettling sensation that they were more than just curious.
The artifact had made him a target. He could feel it, deep in his bones.
As he walked through the courtyard, lost in thought, a sudden voice pulled him from his musings.
"Well, if it isn't the hero of the day," the voice drawled.
Eryx turned to see a figure leaning casually against the wall nearby. A tall boy, perhaps a year or two older than Eryx, with a confident smirk and a challenging gleam in his eyes. His clothes were finely tailored, the embroidered insignia of a prestigious family visible on his sleeve.
"Didn't think I'd see you around here again so soon," the boy continued, pushing himself off the wall and stepping toward Eryx with deliberate steps. "You've got a reputation now, haven't you?"
Eryx's brow furrowed. He had no idea who this was, but there was something about the boy's arrogance that made him want to shut him down immediately.
"I don't know what you mean," Eryx said coolly, keeping his distance. His gaze flickered over the boy's appearance, noting the sharpness of his features and the air of superiority that seemed to radiate from him.
The boy chuckled, sensing the tension. "Oh, you know exactly what I mean. The artifact, the trial… You're the talk of the academy, and I don't think it's for the reasons you might like."
Eryx's grip tightened around the strap of his bag, but he didn't let his frustration show. He wasn't about to let some privileged upperclassman get under his skin.
"And what exactly is it that you think you know about me?" Eryx asked, his voice calm but laced with an edge.
The boy smirked again. "I'm sure you've heard of me, Eryx. I'm Lucian Caldera. I don't forget faces, especially those who make waves in places they shouldn't."
Eryx's heart skipped a beat. Lucian Caldera. The name was familiar, though he hadn't heard much about him personally. All he knew was that Caldera was a name tied to one of the oldest and most influential noble families within the academy. If this boy had his sights on him, it meant trouble.
"You've made quite an impression," Lucian said, stepping closer. "But be careful. The academy doesn't take kindly to people who upset the balance. You might just find yourself in more trouble than you bargained for."
Without waiting for a response, Lucian turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Eryx standing in the courtyard, his thoughts swirling.
What did he want?
As Lucian disappeared into the crowd of students, Eryx couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter wasn't a random one. There was more to it—more to him. But for now, Eryx knew one thing for sure: the game had only just begun.
And whatever happened next, he would be ready.