The atmosphere in the library had shifted from one of quiet study to palpable tension. Zayne stood frozen, his hand still on the hilt of his sword, eyeing the newcomer with suspicion. Elias—whoever he was—had given off a certain air of confidence, but confidence in their world was often a mask for danger.
Seraphina's gaze was sharp as she assessed Elias, and even Malo, who usually maintained a cool, indifferent facade, was now alert, his eyes narrowed in distrust.
"So, you've been watching us?" Malo's voice was thick with skepticism. "Why?"
Elias offered a small, knowing smile. He didn't seem in the least bit intimidated by the three of them standing there, swords in hand. Instead, he leaned casually against the nearby shelf, his posture relaxed as if he had all the time in the world.
"I've been keeping an eye on a lot of things," Elias said, his voice smooth and measured. "But let's start with you, Zayne. You're not just a student here at Mystic Heights, are you?"
Zayne didn't move, his eyes narrowing as he tried to read Elias' intentions. "What are you talking about?"
Elias took a step forward, his boots clicking softly against the stone floor. "I know about your parents. The guardians. I know about the power they protected. And I know about the Syndicate. The question is—do you want to continue playing their game? Or are you ready to make a move of your own?"
Zayne's heart skipped a beat. Elias was right. Everything about this had been one step behind. He had been reacting to the Syndicate's moves, but Elias was offering him a chance to take control, to make a move that could change everything. But was this truly the right move?
"Why would you help us?" Seraphina's voice cut through the silence, suspicion clear in her tone. "You don't know us. You've been watching us, sure, but why would you suddenly step in now? What do you gain from it?"
Elias' smirk didn't fade. "Let's just say I have my reasons. Some personal, some professional. But right now, we have a common enemy, and it would be foolish to ignore that."
Zayne clenched his jaw, thinking over the implications of what Elias was saying. The Syndicate was everywhere, like a virus spreading through the academy's walls, infecting even the very students he trusted. If Elias was offering a way to strike back, a chance to move against the Syndicate before they moved against him, it was an opportunity he couldn't ignore.
"What's your plan?" Zayne asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Elias eyed him carefully, sensing the hesitation in Zayne's voice. "I can help you get the information you need—about the Syndicate, about your parents, about the magic they were guarding. But in exchange, I'll need your trust. I'm not doing this out of charity, Zayne. If you want to uncover the truth, we need to move quickly and decisively."
Zayne's thoughts were spinning. Could he really trust this stranger who had appeared out of nowhere? What did Elias stand to gain from helping him? And what was the real danger they were facing? The more questions Zayne had, the more uncertain he became. But there was something about Elias that intrigued him—something in the way he spoke, in the way he knew things he shouldn't have known. Zayne knew that if he was going to uncover the truth about his parents' death, he needed allies. He couldn't do it alone.
"We'll need more than just information," Seraphina said, her eyes studying Elias intently. "We'll need the Syndicate's weaknesses. Their people. You can't expect us to just charge in blind."
Elias' eyes flickered with amusement. "I wouldn't expect anything less. But that's where my knowledge comes in. I've been watching their movements closely for a long time. I know their leaders, their operatives, their methods. The first thing we need to do is gather intel. The second thing we need is a way to fight back. And that's where your parents' legacy comes in."
Zayne felt his pulse quicken. "What do you mean? What do my parents have to do with this?"
Elias leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Your parents were more than just guardians of a power—they were the key to unlocking it. The magic they protected is called The Ascendant Magic, an ancient power that has the ability to reshape the fabric of the world. The Syndicate knows about it, and they've been trying to get their hands on it for years. But there's a problem."
Zayne's brow furrowed. "What kind of problem?"
"The magic is tied to the bloodline of the guardians," Elias explained, his tone growing more serious. "The power can only be unlocked by someone of your blood. Someone like you."
Zayne stepped back, shock evident on his face. "Wait—are you saying I'm the one who can activate this magic?"
Elias nodded. "That's exactly what I'm saying. But the Syndicate knows this as well. They're coming for you, Zayne. And the more you resist, the more dangerous they'll become."
Malo scowled, stepping closer to Zayne. "This sounds like a trap. They'll just use him as a pawn. And then what?"
Seraphina, ever the voice of reason, spoke up. "We can't let fear stop us. We need to know everything. Zayne, you're the key. But we can't do this alone."
Zayne felt the weight of those words. He was the key. He was the one who could unlock the power his parents had died protecting. But what did that mean for him? What kind of power was he holding? And what kind of responsibility did it come with?
"I'll do it," Zayne said, his voice firm, despite the turmoil inside. "But I'm not doing this alone. We do this together. We make our own move."
Elias gave a short nod of approval. "Good. I knew you'd see it my way."
"But there's one thing you should know," Zayne added, his voice cold. "If you're playing me, I'll make sure you regret it. I don't trust you completely yet, Elias. But I'm willing to see where this goes."
Elias' smirk returned. "Fair enough. But trust will be the least of your problems, Zayne. The Syndicate's reach is far greater than you realize. They won't stop until they have what they want."
Seraphina glanced at Zayne, a mix of concern and resolve in her eyes. "Then let's make sure they never get it."