The air in the Nexus felt heavier than usual. Eren sat at one of the shadowy alcoves within the chamber, the faintly glowing runes casting long, flickering shadows. His mind churned with questions. Though he had passed the trial, his interactions with Aven and the Nexus had only deepened his suspicions.
Who were these people? What was their ultimate goal?
"Lost in thought?" Liora's voice broke through his reverie.
Eren glanced up to see her leaning against the archway, her arms crossed. Despite the dim light, her presence seemed to brighten the room.
"How did you find me here?" Eren asked, tensing slightly. He hadn't told anyone about the Nexus.
She smirked, stepping closer. "You're not the only one who knows how to keep secrets. I've been keeping an eye on you, Eren. You've been... different lately."
Eren's heart skipped a beat. Liora was sharp—too sharp for her own good sometimes. He needed to tread carefully.
"I've had a lot on my mind," he said evasively, leaning back in his seat.
She raised an eyebrow. "You're not a great liar, you know. What's going on? And don't tell me it's just Academy stress. Something's changed."
Eren hesitated. Part of him wanted to confide in her, to share the weight of his burden. But the Nexus's secrecy hung over him like a shroud, and the Grimoire pulsed faintly at his side, a reminder of the dangers of trust.
"I can't tell you," he said finally, his voice low.
Liora's expression softened, though disappointment flickered in her eyes. "Whatever it is, I hope you know what you're doing. You're not alone, Eren. Remember that."
She turned to leave, but Eren's voice stopped her.
"Liora."
She glanced back.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Her smirk returned, though it was gentler this time. "Anytime, Veylen."
---
The Nexus's Inner Circle
Later that night, Eren was summoned to a meeting with Aven and several other members of the Nexus. The chamber was quieter than usual, the tension palpable.
Aven stood at the head of the room, their hood lowered to reveal sharp features and piercing gray eyes.
"We've received disturbing news," they began, their voice steady but laced with urgency. "The Academy's council has intensified its search for rogue elements. They suspect that an organization like ours exists, though they haven't identified us yet."
Murmurs spread through the room. Eren's stomach twisted.
"The council is growing desperate," Aven continued. "Their methods will become more aggressive. They'll use fear, manipulation, and force to maintain their control. If we're not careful, they'll root us out—and destroy everything we've built."
"What do we do?" one of the masked figures asked.
Aven's gaze swept over the group, their expression unyielding. "We stay vigilant. But more importantly, we strike first. The council's power is built on secrets, just like ours. If we expose their hypocrisy and lies, we can weaken them."
Eren frowned. "How do you plan to expose them?"
Aven turned to him, their expression unreadable. "There's a vault beneath the Academy—an archive of forbidden knowledge. The council keeps it hidden, even from most instructors. If we can access it, we'll have the leverage we need."
The room fell silent. The idea of infiltrating the Academy's vault was both audacious and dangerous.
"It's suicide," one member muttered.
"Not if we plan carefully," Aven countered. "Eren, you'll lead the operation."
Eren's eyes widened. "Me?"
"You're the newest member," Aven said. "They won't suspect you. And you've already proven yourself capable."
Eren's mind raced. The mission was a gamble, but it was also an opportunity—to learn more about the Nexus, the council, and perhaps even the Grimoire itself.
"I'll do it," he said finally.
Aven nodded, satisfied. "Good. We'll provide you with the details soon. Prepare yourself, Eren. The next few days will define your place in the Nexus—and the Academy."
---
A Tenuous Alliance
The next morning, Eren sought out Liora. He found her in the training grounds, practicing her sword forms. Her movements were precise and fluid, each strike filled with purpose.
"Liora," he called out.
She paused, turning to face him. Sweat glistened on her brow, but her eyes were sharp.
"What's going on?" she asked, lowering her sword.
Eren hesitated. After the meeting with the Nexus, he had decided that he couldn't do this alone. He needed someone he could trust—and Liora was the only person who fit that description.
"I need your help," he said.
Her eyes narrowed. "With what?"
"There's something happening at the Academy," he began cautiously. "Something big. I can't explain everything right now, but... I need you to trust me."
Liora studied him for a long moment. "You're asking a lot, Eren."
"I know," he admitted. "But I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."
She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Fine. But if this gets us expelled—or worse—you owe me."
A small smile tugged at Eren's lips. "Deal."
---
Into the Shadows
The night of the mission arrived quickly. Eren and Liora made their way through the Academy's labyrinthine halls, their footsteps silent. The Nexus had provided Eren with a map of the vault's location, along with a set of tools to bypass its magical wards.
Liora glanced at him as they approached the vault's entrance. "This better be worth it, Eren."
"It will be," he assured her, though his own confidence was wavering.
The entrance to the vault was guarded by a massive stone door, its surface covered in intricate runes. Eren pulled out the tools the Nexus had given him, carefully deactivating the wards one by one.
As the final ward fell, the door groaned open, revealing a dark, spiraling staircase.
"Stay close," Eren said, stepping inside.
The air grew colder as they descended, the shadows deepening. The staircase ended in a vast chamber filled with rows of shelves, each one lined with ancient tomes and artifacts.
"This is it," Eren whispered.
They began searching the shelves, their eyes scanning the titles for anything that might be useful. But as they worked, a low growl echoed through the chamber.
Eren froze.
"What was that?" Liora asked, her voice barely audible.
Before he could respond, a creature emerged from the shadows—a hulking, wolf-like beast with glowing eyes and jagged teeth. It was a guardian, bound to protect the vault's secrets.
"Run!" Eren shouted, pulling Liora back as the creature lunged.
The Grimoire pulsed at his side, its power surging through him. He drew on its energy, conjuring a barrier of dark tendrils to hold the beast back.
"Eren, what are you doing?" Liora demanded, her voice filled with panic.
"Just trust me!" he replied, focusing all his energy on the spell.
The creature howled, clawing at the barrier. Eren could feel the strain, the darkness threatening to consume him. But he refused to let it win.
With a final surge of power, he unleashed a blast of energy that sent the creature reeling. It collapsed, dissolving into shadows.
Liora stared at him, her expression a mixture of shock and fear. "What... was that?"
Eren didn't answer. He couldn't.