The grand conference room of Pargon Imperial Academy was filled with tension as the heads of the school gathered for an emergency meeting.
The atmosphere was thick with concern, mirroring the gravity of the situation. Soft, golden light spilled from the crystal chandeliers in the conference room, casting an eerie glow on the worried faces.
Seated around the large, ornate table were:
- *Eldrid Asterion*, Director of the Academy
- *Lysander Rowan*, Dean of Magical Arts
- *Asteria Silvermist*, Head of Elemental Studies
- *Caelum Nightshade*, Dean of Shadow Magic
- *Rhys Windsong*, Head of Nature-Based Disciplines
- *Soravia Starseeker*, Dean of Celestial Magic
Eldrid Asterion, with a stern expression, set the tone of the meeting as he began speaking. "We gather today to address a grave situation. One of our colleagues, responsible for containing a dark entity, has
been... careless. This negligence has resulted in the entity's escape."
Lysander Rowan's eyes narrowed his brows burrowing in concern. "Which entity are we talking about?"
"The Shadeborn Devourer," Asteria Silvermist replied, her voice laced with concern. "A being of dark energy, capable of
consuming magical auras."
Caelum Nightshade leaned forward, his dark eyes burning with intensity. "And now it's loose within our walls?"
Eldrid Asterion nodded gravely. "Unfortunately, yes. The entity was being held in a secure containment facility, but our colleague's lapse in attention allowed it to break free."
Rhys Windsong frowned, his brow furrowed. "Who was responsible for the containment?"
Soravia Starseeker hesitated before speaking, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was... Professor Thorold Blackwood."
The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on Soravia as the weight of her words hung in the air.
Asteria Silvermist firm voice broke the silence. "We need to find Professor Blackwood and determine how this happened. We cannot allow our students, especially the newly admitted ones, to be endangered."
Lysander Rowan rose from his seat, his tall frame towering over the others as he commanded attention. "I'll assemble a team to search for Professor Blackwood and the Shadeborn Devourer. We must contain this situation before it's too late."
Eldrid Asterion nodded, his expression resolute. "Agreed. Let us work together to protect our students and prevent further
chaos."
Caelum Nightshade spoke, his voice low and mysterious. "I'll join the search team. My knowledge of shadow magic may prove useful in tracking the entity."
Rhys Windsong added, "I'll provide support from the Nature-Based Disciplines department. Our students' safety is paramount."
Soravia Starseeker nodded, face set in determination. "I'll assist in searching for Professor Blackwood. We need to understand what led to this negligence."
Asteria Silvermist's voice was resolute as she concluded, "Let us move swiftly and
decisively. The fate of our students hangs in the balance."
As the meeting concluded, the heads of the school dispersed, determined to address the crisis and ensure the safety of Pargon Imperial Academy. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on their minds, but their resolve remained unshaken.
"Sir Caelum", Eldrid Asterion the director called out. "A word please".
"Yes, Chancellor Asterion, what would you like to talk about?."
"What are the odds Thorold isn't possessed by the Shadeborn Devourer?."
"Highly unlikely Chancellor".
"Is there any way we can save him?, you're the one who dabbles in the arts of shadow magic."
"I can't promise anything"- he said with his head hung low. "If the dark entity hasn't completely consumed his mind there is a small possibility of saving him hopefully... intact".
"Sigh... let's hope things don't get too complicated. I will gather the students in the grand hall and inform them of the situation".
"We need to hurry, it's been out long enough, who knows what evil plans it has?".
"I'll send the student off to their dorms for safety, so you all can work without distractions".
"Thank you Chancellor Asterion, That would be much appreciated".
As the Chancellor dispersed into light particles, Caelum Nightshade was left alone in the conference room with a smirk spreading across his face.
Caelum Nightshade walked out of the conference room with a calm, collected air, stretching lazily, as if nothing could faze him – he stood at 6'2", with a lean yet athletic build. His jet-black hair fell to one side of his face, framing his pale, chiseled face. His piercing emerald eyes gleamed with an inner darkness, as if the shadows themselves had come to life within him, wearing a black, intricately embroidered leather jacket with a silver clasp in the shape of a crescent moon.
As a master of the mysterious and often feared art of shadow magic, Caelum has spent years honing his craft and exploring the depths of darkness.
"Shadow manipulation" Cealum whispered summoning the shadeborn devourer from the shadows, His emerald eyes turned black.
"Massttterrr" The shadeborn hissed in its snake-like voice.
Professor Thorold appeared with dark energy seeping out of every pore in his body, but he seemed out of it, like he was...possessed.
"Why haven't you done anything? Caelum demanded, his voice low and menacing as he walked slowly toward the shadeborn, it's still peaceful in the academy, and why is that? Unless you want to be destroyed in the worst way possible, do something about it".
"I'm sssorry massttter, the portal iss almossst ready."
"Hurry up!, Caelum snapped.
"Thorold should have done most of the work just go through his memories and get something, before I lose my patience with you ."
Moving backwards while bowing the shadeborn blended with the shadows leaving in its wake a whisper "Yesss massster."
As the atmosphere returned to normal, Caelum whispered "Shadow travel" he sank into his shadow vanishing from sight, The corridor was once again empty, as if nothing had happened.
Outside in the corridors, students bustled about, oblivious to the danger lurking within the academy's walls.
The school heads knew they had to act quickly to prevent panic and protect their students.
Lysander Rowan's team gathered in the academy's central courtyard, ready to embark on their perilous mission. The search for Professor Blackwood and the Shadeborn Devourer had begun.
After waiting for a while, and not seeing the squad supposed to be sent by the dean of shadow magic, they decided to fan out.
Ten soldiers, and five generals, split up into different groups, each general leading two soldiers.
General Erian Marshall stood tall, his voice firm. "stay alert men, don't let anything distract you".
"Yes sir" Galenor Legion and Malcolm Thane replied in unison.
As they turned a corner, a cold chill ran through the air, they proceeded with caution scanning their surrounding for signs of danger.
When suddenly a portal burst open, it did so with a blast of dark energy, that seemed to shatter the air. The sound is like a crack of
thunder, and the light is like a flash of lightning. The portal's edges snapped
open, like a mouth, and a wave of dark
energy poured out, flooding the surrounding environment.
"oh no!... it's started " General Marshall exclaimed, "Malcolm, hurry up and inform the Heads, tell them the portal's been opened."