Vel's mind reeled. The Ascended, the supposed guardians who offered him sanctuary, were not who they seemed. They were the remnants of a fallen civilization, clinging to a desperate hope of one day reclaiming their lost world. The weight of this revelation settled heavily on him."Why didn't they tell us?" Anya whispered, appearing in the doorway, her eyes wide with shock. She must have followed him, sensing his distress.Lyra turned, her expression a mix of sadness and defiance. "Fear," she admitted. "Fear that you wouldn't understand, that you wouldn't submit to the training we believe is necessary."Vel felt a surge of anger. "Training? This was more like indoctrination, keeping us in the dark about our true purpose!"Lyra's shoulders slumped. "We have lost so much," she said, her voice filled with despair. "We cling to the hope that the prophecy is true, that one of you is the descendant with the potential to wield the power of the Ascended One."Anya stepped forward, her gaze unwavering. "Prophecy? What prophecy? And what does it have to do with Vel?"Lyra hesitated, then took a deep breath. "An ancient Spasian text speaks of a descendant, one born with a unique connection to Aethel, destined to rise and lead the fight against the Xhosian threat."Vel scoffed. "A prophecy? That's all you have? You manipulated us with promises of answers, then dumped this burden on me?"Lyra's eyes shone with unshed tears. "We had no choice. The Xhosians are not gone. They lurk in the shadows, waiting for the right opportunity to strike again. We need to be prepared."The revelation hung heavy in the air. The threat they faced wasn't some distant possibility; it was a looming danger. Vel glanced at Anya, her face etched with a mixture of fear and determination."So, what now?" Anya asked, her voice firm.Lyra straightened, a flicker of resolve returning to her eyes. "The truth has been revealed. The choice is yours. You can stay and help us prepare, or you can leave."Vel felt a storm of emotions churning within him: anger at the Ascended's deception, fear of the Xhosians, a sense of responsibility for the Spasian legacy. He looked at Anya, seeking her input.Anya met his gaze, her own thoughts swirling. The Ascended's methods were questionable, but the threat was real. Leaving now felt like abandoning the fight before it had even begun.Taking a deep breath, Anya spoke. "We'll stay," she said, her voice surprisingly steady. "But things will be different."Lyra's face flickered with surprise, then relief. "Different how?"Anya squared her shoulders. "We'll help you prepare, but we won't be your pawns. We'll learn to control our powers, but on our own terms. And we'll decide when and how we fight this Xhosian threat."Lyra studied them for a long moment, then a slow smile spread across her face. "Very well," she said. "Perhaps a new approach is what we need."A tentative agreement had been reached. Vel and Anya would remain, but the dynamic had shifted. They were no longer just students, but allies with a voice. The journey ahead would be fraught with danger, but they would face it together, determined to carve their own path in the fight against the Xhosian menace.However, the revelation of the prophecy sparked a new question. Was Vel truly the descendant spoken of? Did he possess the power to become the weapon the Ascended desperately needed? Only time, and rigorous training, would tell.