The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Aetherwell dining hall, casting long rays across the polished tables and the sea of chattering students. Eren sat at the edge of the room, his untouched breakfast cooling on the plate in front of him.
The fragment of the Ashen Key was tucked securely in his pocket, its faint warmth a constant reminder of the previous night. Across the table, Cedric was devouring a stack of waffles as if nothing had happened.
"You're unusually calm for someone who was almost roasted alive," Eren muttered, poking at his toast.
Cedric shrugged, mouth full. "Adrenaline burns calories," he said, grinning.
Eren rolled his eyes, but his heart wasn't in it. His mind was still spinning from the events in the hidden chamber. The carvings, the voice, the images of destruction—it was all too much.
"Are you going to tell her?" Cedric asked, nodding toward Kaia, who was seated a few tables away with a group of students.
Eren hesitated, glancing in her direction. Kaia was laughing at something one of her classmates said, her usually sharp features softened by the moment. She looked relaxed, completely unaware of the chaos that had unfolded the night before.
"She's already mad at me," Eren said quietly. "If I tell her about this, she'll just worry more."
Cedric frowned. "She's not mad, Eren. She's scared. You need to let her in."
Eren didn't respond. Instead, he pushed his plate aside and stood. "I'll see you in class."
Cedric sighed but didn't stop him.
Eren spent the rest of the day in a haze, moving from one class to the next without fully absorbing anything. The fragment burned in his pocket like a hidden weight, its presence impossible to ignore.
By the time his last class ended, he felt like he was carrying a mountain. The questions swirling in his mind grew louder with each passing hour.
Who were the figures in the carvings? What did the voice mean by the path of fire? And why had the Ashen Key chosen him?
He needed answers.
That night, Eren slipped out of the dormitory again. This time, he wasn't headed for the library or a hidden chamber. Instead, he made his way to the east tower, where Professor Caelith's office was located.
The tower was quiet, its halls dimly lit by floating orbs of light. Eren reached the heavy oak door at the end of the corridor and hesitated.
What was he even going to say? That he'd found a piece of the Ashen Key hidden under the school and now felt like his entire life was spiraling out of control?
Before he could second-guess himself, the door swung open.
Professor Caelith stood in the doorway, her sharp eyes studying him intently. "I had a feeling you'd come," she said, stepping aside to let him in.
Eren blinked. "You… did?"
"Sit," she said, gesturing to a chair by her desk. "You look like you're carrying the weight of the world."
Eren sat, his nerves prickling as the door closed behind him. The office was cluttered with books, scrolls, and strange artifacts, the air thick with the scent of old parchment and something vaguely metallic.
Professor Caelith settled into the chair across from him, her gaze unwavering. "Now, tell me what's on your mind."
Eren hesitated, then pulled the fragment of the Ashen Key from his pocket and placed it on the desk between them.
Caelith's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't look surprised. If anything, she seemed… resigned.
"I found this," Eren said, his voice barely above a whisper. "In a hidden chamber under the west wing. There was a voice, and carvings, and—"
"Slow down," Caelith said gently, holding up a hand. "Start from the beginning."
Eren took a deep breath and recounted everything: the map in the library, the hidden passage, the voice's cryptic warnings, and the carvings that seemed to depict a prophecy.
When he finished, Caelith leaned back in her chair, her expression unreadable.
"The Ashen Key," she murmured, her fingers brushing the fragment lightly. "I should have known it would find you."
"What do you mean?" Eren asked, his heart pounding.
Caelith sighed, her gaze distant. "The Ashen Key is more than just an artifact, Eren. It's a force—ancient, powerful, and deeply tied to the balance of magic in our world. It doesn't choose its bearer lightly."
"But why me?" Eren asked, his voice rising. "I didn't ask for this. I don't even understand it."
"That's the thing about the Ashen Key," Caelith said, meeting his eyes. "It doesn't choose the strongest or the most skilled. It chooses the one who needs it most—and the one it needs most."
Eren frowned. "That doesn't make any sense."
"It will, in time," she said. "But for now, you need to understand the danger you're in. The Ashen Key is a beacon. It draws power, but it also draws those who seek to control it—or destroy it."
Eren felt a chill run down his spine. "So what am I supposed to do?"
"Learn," Caelith said firmly. "The Ashen Key's power is tied to fire, but fire is not inherently destructive. It can burn, yes, but it can also illuminate and create. Your connection to it is stronger than you realize, but you need to master it—or it will master you."
Eren swallowed hard, the weight of her words sinking in. "How do I do that?"
Caelith stood, moving to one of the shelves and pulling down a thick, leather-bound book. She placed it in front of him, the cover embossed with the same flame symbol as the pendant.
"Start here," she said. "This is an ancient text on the nature of elemental magic, particularly fire. It won't give you all the answers, but it's a start."
Eren nodded, his resolve hardening. "Thank you."
Caelith placed a hand on his shoulder as he stood. "Remember, Eren—fire is both a gift and a curse. Use it wisely."
As he left the office, the fragment of the Ashen Key felt heavier in his pocket. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, Eren felt like he wasn't completely lost.
He was going to figure this out—no matter what it took.