The sensation of stepping through the portal hit me like a punch to the gut. My stomach twisted and churned, and for a moment, I was certain I was going to be sick. The light around me blurred, and I stumbled, barely able to keep my balance. It felt as if I was falling and rising all at once, caught between two realities.
Finally, the spinning slowed, and the world came back into focus. I had to catch my breath, my knees wobbling as the dizziness set in. I collapsed to my knees, hands braced against the cool stone beneath me, trying to steady myself. The others had already recovered, not even the slightest sign of disorientation in their movements.
"And that, is why you cannot rely on your focus alone. See how difficult it was to even think?" Aethera spoke as she stepped up beside me. "Are you alright?" Her voice was calm, her steady presence helping me regain my composure.
I nodded, forcing myself to stand, though my body felt heavy, like the world was still spinning around me. When I finally looked up, I realized I was standing on the inside of a very large gates.
The sight before me was beyond anything I had imagined. Massive stone walls stretched high into the sky—tall enough that I couldn't quite see the top, but not so high that they disappeared into the clouds. They were thick and imposing, as if they were made to withstand anything that could threaten the Academy. Patrols moved along the walls, their steps purposeful, as if they had claimed this place for their own.
Ember met my eyes with a smirk, "Welcome to the Elite Academy, Small."
The Elite Academy?
It was enormous. The sheer scale of it was almost suffocating. It was nearly twice the size of the village we had passed through in the Autumn Lands. And inside the walls, everything seemed to have a purpose.
Aethera seemed to sense my awe. "You're inside the walls now," she explained, her voice low but steady. "This compound is divided into sections. The western side is where the recruits are trained. You'll see them sparring and learning the basics of combat. There, on the east side, we have the official Elites. My warriors—the ones who've already proven themselves worthy. It's different here."
I nodded, still taking in the vastness of it all. We moved through the compound, passing the bustling western section where the recruits were training. I caught glimpses of them practicing their strikes, casting spells, and engaging in heated sparring matches. Their voices mixed in the air, eager and focused, their energy and different powers bombarding my senses from every angle.
As we walked past them, they all paused whatever they were doing to stare. First, in respect and awe at the General and her warriors whom they all probably looked up to and strived to be like. Then, in curiousity and confusion when their eyes landed on me. I could hear their whispers.
Who is she? Why is she walking with the General and her squad? Why are her ears rounded? Why is she going into the East compound?
It was quite uncomfortable but I already had brief practice in the village. I raised my head up high and internally wished we could walk faster.
When we passed through and archway and crossed into the eastern section, everything shifted.
The energy was heavier here, more disciplined. The recruits might've been focused, but these warriors—these seasoned fighters—exuded a calm intensity. As we walked, the warriors didn't break their focus. But when Aethera passed, they placed their fists over their chests in silent respect. Acknowledgment. To Aethera. Though their gazes lingered on me for a moment, too, assessing. Curious.
Aethera must've noticed the way I was taking it all in. "It's a lot to absorb, isn't it?" she murmured, keeping her pace. "The recruits are still learning. They have the potential to become great, but only a few will actually reach that level. Here, in the Eastern compound, my warriors have already proven themselves—some of the fiercest fighters across all Courts."
I let her words settle in as we continued walking through the compound. Every warrior we passed stirring up a yearning inside me. I wanted to be like this. Strong and self assured in my powers.
As we walked, I could feel their gazes on me—curious, respectful, but questioning. There was a mix of awe for Aethera and the others, but something more when they looked at me. I knew they had noticed I wasn't from here.
"So, Is this where I'll be staying?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as I marveled at the imposing structures before us.
She gave me a quick glance, her expression unreadable. "I'm not sure. Ultimately, it's your choice. But first, there's a council meeting we have to attend. They are probably already here."
"Council meeting?" I repeated, trying to process the words.
"Yes. The Council consists of the rulers of each Court and me. The meeting is to discuss the outcome of the raid we did in The Underground. I would have hoped to get you settled in and fed first but they can be quite impatient."
I nodded, absorbing the information. This 'council' seemed like important people. Or Fae. Or whatever.
Soon, we arrived at the council chamber. The grand council room was a blend of ancient and modern. Large stone pillars soared upwards, their surfaces engraved with intricate patterns that I think spoke of the fae history? I don't know. The floor was made of polished dark marble, a deep shade of violet that shimmered like the night sky. A large, round table stood at the center, its surface made from a material I couldn't quite place — a mix of smooth obsidian and glowing quartz. It seemed to hum softly, almost as if it had its own life force.
Above, the ceiling was dome-shaped, painted with vibrant depictions of the four courts: Summer, Spring, Autumn, and Winter. The images shifted slightly, the seasons blending together in an ethereal display that brought life to the room, almost as though the paintings were constantly changing to reflect the current time of year. A cool breeze floated through the room, the air thick with magic.
There were Five seats at the table, each one a throne in its own right, made of fine materials from each court and had its own insignia.
Aethera sat at the head of the table like a fucking queen and I found myself standing to the side, almost invisible besides Ember, as he took his place behind Aethera.
The Monarchs that made up the rest of the council finally walked in, one after the other.
Ember murmured to me who each one was, as they came in.
The first to come in was Queen Solara of the Summer Court. Queen Solara sat on her throne seat at the other end of the table, opposite Aethera. Her golden locks cascading down her shoulders like a sunbeam. Her skin was a glowing bronze, her eyes a striking emerald that seemed to burn with a quiet but undeniable power. She wore a gown of flowing, sunlit silk that caught the light with every movement, and her presence alone warmed the room. She exuded confidence and authority. As the ruler of the Summer Court, her beauty was not just physical but radiated from the depths of her being.
The next to come in was King Hesper of the Autumn Court. King Hesper sat next to Queen Solara, to her left. His hair was the color of deep auburn, falling in soft waves around his sharp features. His eyes were a dark, mysterious brown, but there was a certain wildness about him — like the last gust of wind before a storm hits. His attire was a blend of dark browns and oranges, the colors of autumn leaves, and his sharp gaze never strayed far from the others in the room. His movements were graceful, and though he seemed calm, there was an underlying intensity, a fire that could ignite at any moment.
Queen Lirael of the Spring Court came in next and sat to the right of Queen Solana and on my side of the table. Her delicate features were framed by a crown made of pale blossoms, and her hair cascaded in waves of green and silver. She had an ethereal quality, like a spring morning dew that made everything feel fresh and alive. Her gown was the color of new growth, a vibrant green that shimmered like the first leaves of spring. Her eyes were the color of wildflowers in bloom — a gentle lavender, warm and inviting but with a quiet strength.
Then, King Eirlys of the Winter Court entered last, his presence bringing an instant chill to the room. His eyes a piercing ice-blue that made you feel like you were being looked at by winter itself. His skin was pale, almost translucent, and his clothes were of dark, frosty hues that matched the iciness in his demeanor. He moved with regal grace, but there was a coldness that radiated from him, like an unrelenting blizzard. He gave no warmth, no welcome. His gaze was sharp, calculating, and utterly unfazed.
For some reason, I couldn't take my eyes off him.
He was tall, with an unyielding presence that demanded attention. His hair was a dark silver, falling across his forehead in a messy, yet stylish way, as if it didn't care to follow any rules. His eyes, when they met mine, a cold shiver ran down my spine. It wasn't just the chill that radiated from him—it was something deeper, something I couldn't put my finger on.
He took his seat on the right of Aethera and directly opposite me. Our gazes locked for a moment. His eyes were unreadable, but I could feel the weight of his gaze on me, like he was seeing straight through me. I didn't look away, and neither did he. There was a pulse of energy between us, almost like an electric charge in the air, and I swear, I could feel it. Something between us, something unspoken, but powerful all the same.
The council room was still, the quiet hum of magic in the air now thick with a palpable tension. The monarchs sat in their respective seats, eyes focused on Aethera, who sat at the head of the table. The room was tense, a mixture of concern and urgency as the discussion began. It was clear that something had shaken the very foundations of their realm — something far beyond a simple raid.
Aethera spoke first, her voice calm but carrying the weight of the situation. "We have gathered here today because a dark shadow has fallen over the realms. As you all know, for decades now, half-fae children, familiars, and lesser fae have been disappearing without a trace. However, our investigation finally led us to a place—the Underground. What we found there was... unexpected."
Her gaze shifted briefly to me, and I could feel the weight of the moment. I was the unexpected piece of the puzzle, the one they hadn't accounted for. Their search had led them to me, but there was more they hadn't uncovered yet.
King Hesper of the Autumn Court leaned forward, his dark eyes narrowing. "And you say the kidnappings led you to this... place? To the Underground?" His voice was thick with suspicion, and I could see the skepticism in his expression. He was a warrior at heart, and the idea of something so insidious operating beneath their feet was unsettling.
"Yes," Aethera replied. "It was operating in the human realm. The Underground is where we found the girl. Jay." She gave me a quick, almost apologetic glance. "There, we found evidence that her captors had been using forbidden and dark magic to conduct experiments on her — and others before her. Our missing people."
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I didn't need them to elaborate. I had lived through those experiments. But there was one thing that gnawed at my mind, something that no one had addressed yet.
I raised my hand, trying to stay calm, but my voice came out stronger than I expected. "Did you kill him?" I asked, my words hanging heavy in the air. "Sire. Did you kill him?"
The question hung in the air like a storm cloud. I could feel their confusion ripple through the room, and for a moment, I thought I had misheard her when Aethera spoke.
"Who?" she asked, her voice low. "Who are you talking about?"
I could feel my heart pounding in my throat, the words slipping out faster than I could control them. "Sire," I snapped, my hands gripping the edge of the table. "Did you kill Sire? Tall guy, dark hair. Always wears a suit, creepy silver mask and white leather gloves. He is hard to miss. Was he one of the people you killed in the Underground?"
The monarchs exchanged looks, but I could see it now—the subtle unease that crept over their faces. Even Ember's amber eyes flickered with the start of realization, but no one said anything. No one answered.
Aethera's voice was colder now. "Sire? We found no one by that description. The only thing we discovered were the labs and experiments, proof of the kidnappings that led us there in the first place, Familiars and lesser Fae that had been twisted with dark forbidden magic, paperworks, research documents, and... you. But no leader. No Sire." She paused for a moment, as though trying to make sense of what I was saying. "Are you certain of this name?"
"I- I don't know his real name. That was what he went by...." My pulse quickened, and I could feel a wave of panic rising within me. They didn't kill him. He's still out there…
"He—he killed her," I choked out, my voice shaking as my eyes flashed back to Mira, my only friend in the Underground, the only one who ever treated me like more than a prisoner. "He killed Mira."
The word stung, and for a moment, I could feel the emptiness of the Underground again, the hollow ache of losing her. Mira had been the one who kept me grounded, the one who had always encouraged me to fight back, to not let them break me. When Sire had used her to try and lure out my alter ego, I hadn't known what to do. But when he'd killed her, just to make an example out of her... I had lost everything.
"He used her…" My voice trembled, my mind racing back to those moments in the pit. "He used Mira to try and get me to break. He wanted to control me. He couldn't, so he ordered her to die. And when that didn't work, he ordered me to die." I paused, trying to steady my breathing, but the panic was clawing at me. "If he's still alive... if you didn't kill him, then I—"
My chest tightened, the sudden weight of the thought nearly choking me. What if he comes for me again? What if he's out there looking for me?
King Hesper, who had been quiet up until now, spoke sharply, his gaze narrowing. "What exactly are you saying? Are you implying that this Sire is responsible for everything found in this Underground? For the disappearances?"
"I'm saying he was behind it," I shot back, my voice ragged with frustration. "He was behind all of it. He controlled it all. He was the one who ordered the experiments, the one who wanted us to fight in that godforsaken pit."
The room was still, and I could hear the faint creak of chairs as the monarchs leaned in, the weight of my words settling in the air like smoke. They were all staring at me, their gazes cold, but something else was there now. A flicker of something dark. Suspicion.
And I could see it. They wanted answers, but they didn't trust my words entirely. And why should they? I was just a girl who had been trapped in the Underground for as long as I could remember. I could be crazy for all they knew.
But that wasn't my problem. Sire was alive. How could they miss him?
My heart galloped in my throat.