The aftermath of the Rozenheim estate's collapse left the academy buzzing with rumors. Priyam's name was on everyone's lips—some hailed him as a hero, others whispered of his growing danger. The council, now fractured by Cassian's betrayal, demanded answers. But Headmaster Alaric, ever the enigma, silenced them with a single decree: *"The Void's heir is under my protection. Any who challenge him will answer to me."*
Yet even Alaric's authority couldn't shield Priyam from the growing tension within his own circle.
---
**The Harem's Divide**
In the dim light of the academy's library, Priyam sat surrounded by his unlikely allies. Evelyne paced, her violet eyes stormy. "Seraphine won't stop until she claims the Void. We need a plan, not this… *chaos*."
Kirche leaned back in her chair, her crimson hair spilling over the armrest. "Chaos is my specialty, Princess. Maybe you should try it sometime."
Astrid adjusted her cracked glasses, her golden eyes sharp. "Seraphine's next move will be the Forbidden Ritual. It's the only way to fully destabilize the Veil."
Luna, ever the quiet observer, spoke up. "What's the Forbidden Ritual?"
Astrid's expression darkened. "A sacrificial rite that channels the Void's energy through a living vessel. If Seraphine succeeds, she'll become unstoppable."
Priam's rune pulsed, the Void's whispers creeping into his mind. *"She will fail. You are the true heir."*
Evelyne stopped pacing, her gaze locking onto Priyam. "We need to find the ritual's location before she does. And we need to do it *now*."
---
**Kirche's Secret**
As the group dispersed, Kirche lingered, her usual smirk replaced by an uncharacteristic seriousness. "Priam," she said, her voice low. "There's something you need to know."
He frowned. "What is it?"
She hesitated, then pulled a pendant from beneath her robes—a blackened rose, identical to the one left in his room. "Seraphine… she's not just Evelyne's twin. She's my half-sister."
Priam's eyes widened. "What?"
Kirche's grip tightened on the pendant. "Our father was a Rozenheim. He abandoned my mother when she refused to join his schemes. Seraphine found me years ago, tried to recruit me into her plans. I refused, but…" She trailed off, her amber eyes shadowed. "She knows how to hurt me. And she'll use that against you."
Priam placed a hand on her shoulder. "We'll stop her. Together."
Kirche's smirk returned, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Careful, Voidwalker. You're starting to sound like a hero."
---
**The Ritual's Location**
Astrid's research led them to an abandoned chapel deep within the academy's forbidden archives. The air was thick with dust and the scent of decay, the walls lined with faded murals of the Void's maw.
"This is it," Astrid said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The Forbidden Ritual was last performed here, centuries ago. If Seraphine's planning to repeat it, this is where she'll do it."
Evelyne's staff glowed faintly as she scanned the room. "We need to set a trap. If she steps foot in here, we'll be ready."
Priam's rune flared, the Void's whispers growing louder. *"She is close. Prepare yourself."*
---
**The Ambush**
They didn't have to wait long. Seraphine appeared at the chapel's entrance, her platinum hair gleaming in the moonlight. "How predictable," she sneered. "You always did have a knack for walking into traps, sister."
Evelyne stepped forward, her staff blazing. "This ends tonight, Seraphine."
Kirche materialized from the shadows, her fire magic crackling in her palms. "You've got two choices: surrender, or burn."
Seraphine laughed, a sound as cold as the Void itself. "You think you can stop me? I've already begun the ritual."
The chapel trembled as the ground split open, revealing a swirling vortex of Void energy. Priyam's rune burned, the pain nearly blinding him as the vortex pulled him toward it.
"Priam!" Luna shouted, her beastkin strength barely keeping him grounded.
Astrid's voice cut through the chaos. "The ritual's anchor is her pendant! Destroy it, and the vortex collapses!"
---
**The Final Strike**
Priam fought against the vortex's pull, his rune glowing brighter with every step. Seraphine raised her dagger, her eyes wild. "You can't win, Voidwalker. The Void is mine!"
"No," Priyam said, his voice steady despite the pain. "It's *ours*."
He channeled the Void's energy into a single, focused blast, shattering Seraphine's pendant. The vortex imploded, the chapel collapsing around them as the ritual's power dissipated.
When the dust settled, Seraphine was gone—vanished into the Void's depths.
---
**Aftermath**
The academy was in ruins, but the Veil held—for now. Evelyne stood amidst the wreckage, her expression unreadable. "She's not dead," she said quietly. "The Void won't let her die."
Kirche placed a hand on her shoulder. "We'll find her. And next time, we'll finish this."
Priam's rune pulsed faintly, the Void's whispers a constant reminder of the battles to come.
---
**To Be Continued…**