The underground city stirred with uneasy energy. Caelan could feel it as he moved through the streets, his steps quick and purposeful. The book Thornwyn had given him, old and worn, weighed heavy in his satchel, as though the knowledge it carried was a burden he had to bear. The enchanted crystals that lined the streets flickered faintly, casting eerie shadows on the stone walls. It was late, and the city had mostly gone quiet, but even in the silence, Caelan felt the tension building.
He had returned to The Broken Sigil, where he rented a small, dingy room. The inn was a safe haven for those who lived on the fringes of the magical world—mages, outcasts, and rebels, people who preferred to operate in the shadows rather than under the watchful eyes of the academy. Sitting in the corner of his room, Caelan's fingers traced the cover of the book, his mind racing. Thornwyn had given him access to something powerful—something dangerous. The knowledge inside could change everything, if used correctly.
Aether. The forbidden magic that Aldric and the academy feared so much. It was a force more ancient than the runes that lined the walls of Winstor, a magic that defied the boundaries of light and dark. Caelan had learned enough about it during his years away to know it wasn't simply another form of magic. It was something deeper, something primal.
A knock at the door broke through his thoughts. Instinctively, Caelan's hand moved to the dagger at his side, but his voice remained calm as he called out, "Enter."
The door creaked open, and Roderic Valka stepped inside, his cloak trailing behind him. The leader of the underground resistance moved with a quiet confidence, his sharp green eyes surveying the room as he closed the door behind him. Roderic was a man of few words, but his presence carried weight. He had built a network of allies in the shadows, those who opposed the academy's grip on magic.
"Varyn," Roderic said, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "You've been back for a day and already causing trouble."
Caelan raised an eyebrow, his expression neutral. "I wasn't aware staying hidden was an option."
Roderic's lips twitched into a smile, but there was no humor in his eyes. "It isn't. Aldric already knows you're here. Valkar Draith made sure of that."
Caelan shrugged. "Let him watch. It'll make it all the more satisfying when I tear him down."
Roderic's gaze flicked to the satchel on the table, where the edge of Thornwyn's book peeked out. His expression darkened. "What's that?"
Caelan hesitated for a moment, then pulled the book from the bag, setting it on the table between them. "Aether," he said simply. "This is what I need to bring Aldric down."
Roderic's eyes widened slightly, his face hardening. "You're serious."
"As ever," Caelan replied. "Thornwyn kept it hidden from the academy. It's one of the last surviving texts that details the nature of Aether."
Roderic moved forward, his voice low and cautious. "Do you know what you're getting into, Varyn? Aether isn't like the magic you know. It's raw, uncontrollable. If Aldric finds out you're even thinking about using it, he'll destroy you."
Caelan met his gaze without flinching. "He's already trying to destroy me. The only difference is now I have something that can fight back."
Roderic shook his head, rubbing a hand over his face. "Aether is dangerous. I've seen what it can do to those who try to harness it. It twists them, warps them. You're playing with fire."
"I don't have a choice," Caelan said, his voice cold. "Aldric controls the academy. His power over magic is absolute, and no conventional spell is going to break his hold. But Aether… Aether is something he can't control. It's something even he fears."
Roderic was silent for a moment, studying Caelan with sharp, calculating eyes. Finally, he spoke, his voice low. "What do you need?"
"Access," Caelan replied. "There are records in the archives—ancient records about the first experiments with Aether. If I can get to those, I'll have the final pieces I need."
"The archives," Roderic muttered, shaking his head. "That's not an easy place to get into. The wards alone will take you hours to break through, and even then, Aldric's men guard the place night and day."
"I'm not asking for easy," Caelan said. "I'm asking for a way in."
Roderic sighed, pacing to the window and staring out into the darkened street below. The tension in the air was palpable, and Caelan could feel the weight of the decision hanging between them. Roderic wasn't one to make rash moves, but he also knew that time was running out. The academy's control over the city was growing stronger every day, and the resistance's options were dwindling.
Finally, Roderic turned back to Caelan, his jaw set. "I can get you in. But it's a one-way ticket. Once you're inside, you'll be on your own. If anything goes wrong, you'll be trapped."
Caelan nodded, his mind already racing with the possibilities. "That's a risk I'm willing to take."
Roderic's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Caelan thought he might argue. But instead, the resistance leader simply nodded. "Fine. I'll make the arrangements. But if you're going after Aether, you'd better be damn sure you know what you're doing."
"I'm sure," Caelan replied, his voice firm. "This is the only way."
The next night, Caelan stood in the shadows outside one of Winstor Academy's side entrances. The streets were quiet, and the air was thick with the scent of magic. The academy's wards were faint but present, a constant hum of energy that pulsed through the walls. Caelan could feel the power in the air, the layers of enchantments meant to keep intruders at bay.
But he wasn't just any intruder.
Roderic had arranged for him to use a hidden entrance that led to the lower levels of the academy. It wasn't commonly used, and the wards there were weaker than in the main building. It was the best chance Caelan had of getting in without being detected.
He pressed his hand against the stone door, his fingers tracing the faint runes carved into the surface. The magic resisted him at first, but Caelan was patient. He had learned how to break wards like these years ago, during his time at the academy. With a subtle shift of energy, the runes flickered, then dimmed as the ward collapsed.
The door creaked open, and Caelan slipped inside, his footsteps silent on the cold stone floor. The air inside was thick with the scent of old books and dust, and the faint glow of magical torches lined the walls. He moved quickly, navigating the narrow corridors with practiced ease. He had spent years studying in these halls, and he knew the layout of the academy better than most.
But this time was different. This time, he wasn't here to study. He was here to destroy.
The archives were buried deep within the academy, hidden beneath layers of enchantments and locked doors. Caelan knew it wouldn't be easy to get in, but he had prepared for this. The runes on his skin glowed faintly as he moved, the magic coursing through him in a way that felt almost natural.
When he reached the entrance to the archives, he paused. The door was sealed with a powerful enchantment, one that would take time to dismantle. Caelan knelt down, his fingers tracing the runes etched into the wood. He closed his eyes, focusing on the magic within him, letting it flow through his veins.
The runes on his skin flared to life, and slowly, methodically, Caelan began to unravel the enchantment. It was a delicate process, one that required precision and patience. The slightest mistake could set off the wards, alerting the entire academy to his presence.
Minutes passed, and finally, with a soft click, the door unlocked. Caelan pushed it open and stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room. The archives were vast, filled with rows upon rows of ancient tomes and scrolls, many of which had been sealed away for centuries.
He moved quickly, his fingers brushing over the spines of the books. He was looking for something specific—something that would give him the answers he needed. Aether was dangerous, yes, but it was also the key to everything. The academy had buried the truth for years, hiding the knowledge that could change the magical world forever.
At the far end of the room, Caelan's eyes landed on a small, unassuming tome, its leather cover worn with age. He reached for it, his heart pounding with anticipation. This was it. The final piece of the puzzle.
But as his fingers closed around the book, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He wasn't alone.
Before he could react, the sound of footsteps echoed through the room, and Caelan spun around, his hand instinctively going to the dagger at his side. In the doorway stood a figure cloaked in darkness, the faint glint of a blade visible at their side.
"Well, well," a cold voice said. "It seems you've found what you were looking for."
Caelan's heart raced as he recognized the voice. Valkar Draith.
The enforcer stepped into the room, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Aldric will be very interested to hear about this."
Caelan's jaw clenched, the runes on his skin flaring with power. "You're too late, Valkar."
Valkar smirked, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "We'll see about that."