Lishiara's breath trembled in her throat as she stepped through the massive iron gates of Westbrooke Academy. The school stood before her like a relic from some otherworldly era, tall and menacing with gothic spires that clawed at the sky. Its old stone walls seemed to close in on her, and already, she felt the weight of isolation press heavily on her chest. She had dreamed of this moment, hoping to find something new, something that might welcome her, but now, standing in the shadow of the academy, that hope faded like morning mist.
From the very first day, something was wrong.
