The grand hall of the academy buzzed with excitement as students filled the spacious room, their chatter and laughter filling the air.
The high ceiling, adorned with intricate wooden carvings, seemed to vibrate with anticipation. Rows of long tables, laden with golden plates and crystal glasses, stretched across the hall, awaiting the evening's feast.
Phelia, Calantha, and Kaelara sat together, with kaelara taking extra care to avoid sitting beside Phelia.
Phelia wondered why Kaelara seemed to dislike her, despite having just met.
Phelia glanced sideways, catching snippets of their hushed conversation amidst the din, And couldn't help but feel...happy.
No more "Why are you so quite?", "oh she's such a snob", "Are you bored of this conversation?, you could have just said so".
Haha, this is the life.
Just when I thought things were turning up "Hey" I heard a deep masculine voice say, looking toward the direction of the voice, I saw a guy with red curly long hair, at shoulder length with blue eyes walking towards me and talking a seat by my side.
"What's wrong?, shocked by my handsomeness".
"if only you knew I just didn't want to talk to anyone" phelia mumbled.
"No, I was just surprised, I didn't expect anyone to, you know, talk".
"Well everyone seemed preoccupied with their cliques, you just looked too lonely, like you couldn't make friends, So, I decided to go out of my way to talk to you".
"I'm not lonely, and I can definitely make friends, You seem more like the loner here".
Yeah, I do have a sharp tongue, but no one has to know that, well unless you cross the line, phelia thought to herself.
"If you say so, then show me your friends" he said, his tone taunting.
Think fast, think fast ohhh yes.
"Calantha here by my side is my friend" I said in a low tone.
"Are you sure?, you're not just making things up to prove a point, are you?" he said, while looking down at his fingernails in an
uninterested manner.
"No, I'm not".
"Okay, keep telling yourself that".
"Are you always this annoying?" Phelia asked, scowling deeply.
"I'm Arden Kyrexi, Nice to meet you" he said smirking as he extended his hand for a handshake.
"Phelida Weldher. The pleasure is not mine" Phelia said, smiling mockingly as she crossed her arms.
Arden leaned in his eyes sparkling. "Interesting".
Feeling uncomfortable under Arden's persistent stare, Phelia turned back to face the table.
Noticing Phelia's discomfort, Arden decided to stop teasing her.
"I've been hearing rumors about a secret meeting among the school's heads."
Phelia's brow furrowed. "Really?, what's going on?".
Arden shrugged. "No idea, but I sense that something's off."
Suddenly, the hall fell silent as Eldrid Asterion, the Academy's Director, stepped onto the raised platform.
"Students of Pargon Imperial Academy," Eldrid began, his voice commanding attention. "We gather tonight amidst
uncertainty. A situation has arisen that threatens the safety of our academy."
Lysander Rowan joined Eldrid, his expression grave. "A dark entity, known as the Shadeborn Devourer, has escaped containment. We are working to recapture it."
Murmurs rippled through the hall as students exchanged worried glances their faces filled with concern.
Asteria Silvermist continued, "We assure you that measures are being taken to ensure your safety. However, we must remain vigilant."
Caelum Nightshade stepped forward, his dark eyes scanning the room. "Be cautious, especially at night, and avoid isolated areas."
Rowan Windsong added, "Nature-Based Disciplines students, report to your designated back of the hall for emergency training."
Kaelara threw Calantha a worried glance.
Soravia Starseeker concluded, "Let us stand together, united against this threat."
"I know this isn't the welcome you all expected, but be rest assured, we will gather once this problem is solved.
"The other students, Please report back to your dorms," Asterion added.
The students dispersed, conversations hushed but anxious. Phelia, Calantha, and Kaelara exchanged concerned glances.
While at a different corner of the hall, students with nature-based powers were getting prepared and geared up to go against the entity.
Phelia whispered to Calantha, "What do we do?".
Calantha's eyes locked onto Phelia's. "I have to go, the school needs help."
Kaelara nodded, her jaw set. "Watch out, and be very careful. The shadeborn devourer is...dangerous." – she said, with a swirl of emotions in her eyes and something else hard to depict, while walking towards the exit.
Leaving Calantha and Phelia all alone, Calantha looked worriedly in the direction Kaelara had gone, then back at phelia, "please, could you help me look out for her?, I'm really worried".
"No problem, I will, Hopefully, she doesn't beat me to a pulp", I said with a light smile.
"Thank you", Calantha said giving Phelia a light hug that surprised her, However considering the situation, Phelia let it go.
As the evening wore on, the atmosphere in the grand hall shifted from excitement to unease.
Shadows seemed to grow longer, the air colder, and darkness lurking just beyond the flickering torches.
In the midst of uncertainty, the students of Pargon Imperial Academy steeled themselves for the challenges ahead, united against the gathering storm.
Phelia's eyes scanned the crowded corridor , searching for a glimpse of Kaelara's familiar blue hair as students hurried to their rooms. She had caught a glimpse of kaelara a few minutes ago, but Kaelara had quickly
disappeared into the sea of students.
She quickened her pace, weaving past clusters of chatting students as she continued her search. She was determined to catch up with Kaelara and convince her to return back to their dorm together.
As she turned a corner, unknown to her the walls shifted and closed in creating a new passage, entirely different from the normal passsage way, the other students used, while she kept moving forward, her eyes scanned the corridor confusion growing.
Suddenly, she felt a chill run down her spine. The air grew colder, and the shadows on the walls twisted and writhed ominously.
Phelia's heart began to beat faster as her instinct sensed something was off. She slowed her pace, scanning the corridor more cautiously.