The Grand Hall of Artemis Academy was eerily silent, the weight of countless centuries pressing down upon its walls. The towering stained-glass windows cast fragmented patterns of light across the marble floor, their designs depicting the great celestial warriors and their disciples. Today, however, the hall was filled not with awe but with uncertainty.
Seated in a semicircle, the eight elders of Artemis faced the Grandmaster and the newly returned Grand Immortal, Lucian Voltaris. Their robes shimmered faintly with the energy of their respective magic, but their expressions were guarded.
Mira stood before them, Fengrion at her side, his large, golden eyes narrowed at Lucian. Though he had returned to his smaller form, his presence dominated the room. He sat, his tail flicking irritably, clearly still displeased with the events that had unfolded.
Lucian, however, remained unshaken.
The Grandmaster, seated in the highest position, finally broke the silence. His gaze swept across the room before settling on Lucian.
"Grand Immortal," he began, his voice calm but firm, "it is not every day that one of the founders of Artemis returns from seclusion. And when they do, it is not to question the Academy's balance."
Lucian's lips curled slightly, the barest hint of amusement flashing in his emerald eyes. "And yet, balance has already been disrupted. Has it not?"
The room fell silent again.
Miss Veena, standing near the other elders, spoke next. "You're referring to her, aren't you?" Her gaze flickered toward Mira, unreadable yet sharp.
Lucian turned his attention fully to Mira.
"I am."
Mira tensed under his scrutiny. Even without her memories, she could feel the depth of his gaze, like he was searching for something long lost within her.
Lucian exhaled softly before addressing the room. "Fengrion, the beast once bonded to War Goddess Maya, has now chosen this girl. That is not something that can be ignored."
The elders shifted, exchanging glances that carried the weight of their long years. Some were wary, others curious.
Ragnor Shadowcrest, the elder with the most battle experience, finally spoke. "Maya has been gone for ten thousand years. Even if this girl shares some resemblance, it does not mean—"
"It is not resemblance." Lucian cut in, his tone suddenly sharper. "It is her flames."
A cold shiver ran down Mira's spine.
Lucian continued, his gaze heavy. "I was the one who sealed Fengrion away because of those very flames. They were a force that neither gods nor demons could fully withstand." His eyes flickered toward Mira again. "And now, they have returned."
The words hung in the air, thick with meaning.
Fengrion, who had remained silent until now, growled lowly.
"You speak of her flames, but you refuse to acknowledge the truth," he said, his golden eyes gleaming. "You see what I see."
Lucian held his gaze but did not respond.
The Grandmaster sighed, rubbing his temples. "This discussion is going in circles." He straightened, looking at Mira. "What we need to decide now is her path forward."
Miss Veena, arms crossed, finally nodded. "She cannot remain untrained. Regardless of the past, her power must be controlled. If she is left unchecked…" Her sentence trailed off, but the meaning was clear.
Kai Dawnblade, who had been standing at the edge of the gathering, finally spoke. "She should remain under our guidance." His golden eyes burned with conviction. "If she's one of the Seven Devils, then it is our duty to ensure she is ready."
Lucian studied Kai for a long moment before shifting his gaze back to the Grandmaster. "Very well." He inclined his head slightly. "I will watch over her myself."
Mira blinked, surprised. "Wait—what?"
Lucian's smirk was slight but unmistakable. "I will personally oversee your training in Artemis. If you are destined to wield those flames, then you should learn what it truly means to carry them."
Mira swallowed hard. She wasn't sure if this was a blessing or a curse.
Fengrion & Lucian – A Conversation Long Overdue
Later, after the elders concluded their meeting, Fengrion and Lucian stood facing each other on the open training field, the tension between them still thick.
"You don't trust me," Lucian remarked, his voice almost casual.
Fengrion snarled. "Why would I? You were the one who locked me away when Maya fell. You let her disappear from history."
Lucian's gaze darkened, but he did not rise to the provocation. "I did what was necessary to protect what remained of this world."
Fengrion's ears flattened. "Then tell me, Voltaris—what will you do now? Now that her flames have returned?"
Lucian exhaled, his gaze flickering toward the academy's towering structures. "That depends on her."
He turned, finally looking at Mira, who had been listening silently. "The power you wield is not ordinary fire. It is an extension of something much greater."
Mira clenched her fists. "Then tell me. If I don't even understand my own magic, how am I supposed to control it?"
Lucian studied her for a moment before speaking.
"You will, in time."
The Seven Devils Reunite – Ren Wants Answers
Back at the White House, the atmosphere was heavy yet warm. The Seven Devils had gathered in the central hall, the glow of enchanted lanterns casting soft light over them.
Mira sat with a sigh, rubbing her temples. "That was a lot."
Rhyshe, sprawled across one of the couches, grinned. "Oh, you think? Our founder just came back from seclusion, a legendary beast chose you, and now you're getting personal training from him." She winked. "Totally normal."
Akira nudged Mira's shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Mira exhaled. "I don't know yet."
Then, Ren finally spoke.
"Lucian Voltaris," he muttered, his voice low and unreadable. "He's my ancestor."
The others stiffened.
Ren leaned forward, his dark blue eyes sharp. "Why wasn't I told? I've trained in Artemis my entire life. Why did no one tell me I was descended from the Grand Immortal?"
The room fell silent.
Kai spoke first. "Because even among the Voltaris bloodline, he is a myth." His golden eyes flickered. "Until today, he was believed to be lost to time."
Ren's hands clenched into fists. He wasn't sure how to feel. A part of him had always sought something greater—a purpose, a legacy. Now, he was forced to confront a truth that had been hidden from him.
Mira, watching him, saw the flicker of turmoil beneath his usual arrogance.
She hesitated before speaking. "I don't think Lucian is someone who cares about lineage, Ren." She met his gaze. "Maybe you shouldn't either."
Ren scoffed, but there was no heat behind it. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "Tch. Whatever."
The room settled into a rare moment of quiet. For all their training, for all their battles—this was something else entirely. A storm was brewing, and they were all at the center of it.
As the night deepened, Mira looked down at her hands, at the faint embers that still flickered there. Her journey was just beginning.
But one thing was clear.
She was no longer alone.