The days following the brutal attack were somber. The academy, once vibrant with the energy of eager students, now stood silent in mourning. The survivors were exhausted, physically and emotionally drained, their spirits broken by the loss of so many of their peers.
The mass burial was held at dawn, the sky tinged with a grim grayness that seemed to reflect the mood of everyone present. The bodies of the fallen students were carefully laid to rest, side by side in a quiet, solemn ceremony. Each one was covered with a simple white cloth, the marks of their struggle still visible despite the academy's best efforts to make the scene respectful.
Zeke stood near the graves, his gaze fixed on the mounds of dirt being shoveled into place. Eliza was beside him, her eyes hidden behind the veil of her hair, but Zeke knew the pain she was hiding. Luca stood on the other side, his face grim, his fists clenched in anger and frustration.
There was no speech from the academy's staff, no comforting words from Mr. Alden or the other teachers. They simply watched in silence, just as the students did. The air was thick with sorrow and unanswered questions.
"We should've done more," Luca muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "We could've saved them."
Zeke didn't respond. What could he say? He could feel the weight of the deaths pressing on his chest, the guilt of not being able to protect everyone.
Eliza's voice broke the silence, her tone firm, though laced with pain. "It wasn't our fault. We didn't have control over what happened. But we have to keep going."
The words were meant to comfort, but they didn't reach Zeke. They all knew that whatever had orchestrated this massacre—whatever had manipulated the situation—was still out there. And they would face it again.
Once the burial was complete, the students were gathered in the main hall of the academy. The mood was heavy, the atmosphere thick with apprehension. Mr. Alden stood before them, his face drawn and weary, the usual sternness in his voice replaced with a rare hint of uncertainty.
"Due to the events that transpired on the island," Mr. Alden began, his voice echoing in the otherwise silent hall, "the academy has decided to grant all students a two-month break. During this time, there will be an investigation into what happened and why. I expect all of you to remain vigilant and ready for the next phase of your training when we resume."
Zeke exchanged a glance with Eliza and Luca. Two months. It felt like too much time to rest, but in truth, none of them were ready to go back into the field. They needed time to recover—physically and mentally.
The academy had taken a major blow. Criticism from parents, officials, and the media was already pouring in, demanding answers. How could such a devastating event happen at an institution that prided itself on training the best? How could a group of students be pushed to their limits and left to die?
It wasn't just the academy's reputation that was at stake; the entire system was under scrutiny. The failures on the island were being chalked up to inadequate preparation, poor decision-making, and a lack of foresight in dealing with an unknown threat.
The academy was forced to make concessions. They would provide the students with more training, more resources, and additional support moving forward. But the damage had already been done.
As the students slowly filtered out of the hall, Zeke lingered for a moment, his mind swirling with thoughts. Two months of break. It felt like a luxury, but also a trap. Time to heal... or time to forget?
Eliza stood next to him, her expression unreadable. "What now?" she asked softly.
Zeke glanced at her, then over at Luca. "We make the most of it," he replied, the weight of his words heavier than any burden he'd ever carried. "We prepare for whatever comes next."
The days that followed were strange. The academy was a ghost of its former self, its halls empty, the classrooms vacant. But outside, life went on. People still lived their lives, unaware of the horrors the students had faced.
Zeke used the time to train in solitude, his sword clanging against practice dummies as he tried to block out the images of the fallen students. But the more he trained, the more his mind wandered back to the island—the Espers, the monsters, and the shadowy figure that had been watching them.
During this time Rain had invited Zeke, Eliza, and Luca to stay at his mansion during the break, offering a safe haven away from the prying eyes of the academy. It wasn't just to give them a place to recover, but also to prepare for what lay ahead. Rain knew that Zeke needed to be in a supportive environment after the trauma he'd endured, and he believed that being home might only bring back painful memories. With a knowing look, Rain extended the invitation, but he also made sure to include Eliza. Eliza's comfort was important to him, as was ensuring that she wasn't left alone in such a difficult time.
Eliza, after a moment of hesitation, agreed. "If you're going," she said, looking at Zeke, "I'll go too." It wasn't just the need to be with her friends, but also the fact that Rain's invitation was impossible to refuse, especially with how closely he had been tied to the events on the island.
The mansion, with its sprawling grounds and large, comfortable rooms, was a stark contrast to the stillness of the academy. Winter, Rain's younger sister, was there too. She was an upcoming student of Sphere, and despite her age, her charm and cuteness made her an instant favorite among the group. Eliza was particularly taken by her, doting on her with affection. "You're adorable," Eliza would say, and Winter would just beam with a shy smile.
Rain wasn't just offering them refuge; he was determined to help them become stronger. The mansion had a well-equipped training ground where Zeke and Luca could hone their skills, but it also served as a place for quiet reflection. For Zeke, being around Rain—someone who knew everything about him—was a chance to confront the emotional turmoil inside, but also to rebuild. Rain had always been there for him, through thick and thin.
Despite the comfort of Rain's home, Zeke's mind remained uneasy. He couldn't shake off the questions that gnawed at him—about the events of the island, about the Espers, and most importantly, about the mysterious figure that seemed to have saved them in their darkest moment. Zeke had never seen Rain during the exam; in fact, Zeke hadn't seen him at all during the battle. His suspicion lingered. Had Rain been the one who intervened when Eliza was in danger? The figure had moved only when Eliza was on the verge of being overwhelmed, and Zeke couldn't ignore the odd coincidence.
But Rain had been a friend—someone Zeke had shared his darkest secrets with. He trusted Rain completely. So why, in the back of his mind, did he feel like there was something more to this? Could Rain have done something to protect them without ever revealing himself? Or was it someone else entirely?
The two-month break felt like both an opportunity for growth and a prison of unanswered questions. Rain's mansion was filled with the buzz of training, with Zeke and the others pushing themselves to their limits. Yet, through it all, Zeke kept his eyes on the horizon, his mind both focused on the present and haunted by the unresolved questions of the past.