Chapter 18 My New Self
OBLIVION HOLLOW
Deep in the heart of Oblivion Hollow, where the ground was covered with dead roots and the air smelled of old curses, Marphas stood silently, arms folded behind his back. His black cloak dragged over the rough stone floor as he watched Morgana work. The room was dim, lit only by the sickly green glow of the cauldron and the flickering flames beneath it.
Morgana hovered over a wide iron pot, her long hair falling like a shadow curtain. She poured a thick purple liquid into three cups. Steam rose, forming the shapes of screaming faces. She didn’t flinch.
“Drink,” she ordered the three demons standing before her.
They obeyed immediately, swallowing the potion in one gulp.
For a second, nothing happened. Then their bodies stiffened. Cracks spread across their skin like breaking glass, and before they could even scream, they burnt to ashes, collapsing like piles of dust.
Morgana stared at the cauldron, frowning.
“Something is still missing,” she muttered, irritated. “It is not strong enough.”
She turned to reach for another jar of ingredients when the door swung open and Vyrian walked in, his dark armor glimmering faintly in the green light of the room.
“Morgana,” he said calmly, though his eyes showed unease. “Something is about to happen. The Kings and Leaders of Elarion… they are present in the school.”
Marphas’ eyes narrowed. “What are they there to do?” he asked, stepping closer.
Vyrian shook his head. “I have no idea. But the entire kingdom’s leaders arriving at the same time… that is never normal.”
Morgana slowly turned toward them, a cruel smile spreading on her lips. Her cloak swished behind her, long and heavy, like living darkness dragging after her.
“I think I do,” she said softly.
Marphas raised a brow. “Speak.”
Morgana moved toward the center of the room, lifting her fingers. With one wave, the ashes of the demons rose into the air like black mist before scattering. “Every thousand years, a rare event happens. The Golden Eclipse.”
Vyrian frowned. “The one where the moon turns golden?”
“Yes,” Morgana said. “The moon becomes pure gold for a short moment. And during that moment, the Heavenly Pearl hidden deep in the sacred chamber of Nocturne Academy mends itself. It becomes whole again and works perfectly. That pearl has the strongest healing and energy-restoring power in all of Elarion.”
Marphas’ expression hardened with interest. “So the leaders go there to rejuvenate themselves.”
“Exactly,” Morgana replied. “They absorb the energy of the Heavenly Pearl to make themselves stronger. They do this every thousand years to keep their power from fading.”
Vyrian stepped closer. “So that is why they are in the school.”
Morgana nodded, her smile growing wider, darker. “And this is our chance. Because for the leaders to reach the Heavenly Pearl… they must remove the protective shield at the chamber door. The shield that has blocked us for centuries.”
The room fell into a heavy silence.
Then Marphas let out a low breath. “I am pleased,” he said with a wicked grin. “Very pleased. Finally, our time will come. Go back to the school, my son. The moment the Golden Eclipse occurs, I will send our armies. There will be a great battle… and this time, we are winning.”
Vyrian instantly bowed and turned to leave, but Morgana lifted a hand.
“Wait,” she said. “Let me renew the spell of your invisibility.”
Vyrian paused as Morgana returned to her table of herbs and crystals. She crushed black dust, mixed in threads of moon-shade vines, and whispered a spell under her breath. The air shimmered with dark magic as she placed her palm over Vyrian’s chest.
A wave of shadow energy washed over him.
“This spell… are you sure no one can see me?” Vyrian asked, though he rarely questioned her.
“No one,” Morgana assured him. “Except someone like me. Or a pure, powerful witch, someone who can sense witchcraft. And I don’t think such a being exists in Nocturne.”
Vyrian thought of Azania suddenly. Blind, yet something about her eyes made him feel seen. He wasn’t sure if she had truly sensed him that day or if he imagined it. And then Lyra flashed through his memory, the Thorned Veil he saw in her… and the strange pull she created.
But he said nothing. He only bowed again.
“I will observe more before I report anything.”
“Good,” Morgana said, satisfied.
Vyrian disappeared into the shadows, and Oblivion Hollow fell silent again.
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THE ROYAL NIGHT FESTIVAL
The giant hall of Nocturne Academy glowed with hundreds of crystal lanterns hanging from the ceilings like stars. Music played softly in the background as students gathered in their finest clothes, nervous, excited, and trying their best to impress.
At the very front of the hall sat King Arcturus, cold and imposing, dressed in deep silver robes. The Queen sat beside him, gentle and elegant, a soft smile on her face. Kael and Damon sat behind their parents, the royal crest shining across their chests. Kael looked bored already, one hand resting on his chin like he desperately wanted to disappear. Damon, on the other hand, kept smiling politely, nodding at the students below.
Other leaders from various tribes sat in a long line beside the king, their wives dressed in shimmering gowns that glowed like magic dust.
Lyra stood in the crowd beside Echo and Hunter, her heart beating fast. Hunter kept glancing around to avoid Juniper’s eyes. Echo kept sneaking looks at Damon, who was laughing quietly. Lyra tried to ignore Sirena’s constant glaring from the other side of the room.
Master Gael finally gave a sign, and the performances began.
Students came forward in groups, some playing instruments, some dancing, some showing their magic. The king watched them all with the same blank expression, neither impressed nor angry. Kael barely looked. He had that cold, unreadable face just like his father.
Then Sirena’s group stepped out.
A soft murmur rose as the girls appeared in beautiful flowing blue gowns. Their hair glittered with tiny crystals, and Sirena stood proudly in the middle, smiling like she already knew she was the best performer of the night.
The music started, slow at first, then growing louder as they began dancing and singing in perfect rhythm. Their movements were graceful, polished, trained for years. The guests nodded in approval. The queen smiled warmly.
Sirena looked up proudly at the royal sons. Kael didn’t react, but Damon gave a polite smile.
When they finished, applause echoed across the hall. Sirena bowed elegantly, feeling like she already won.
But then—
Another group stepped forward.
People gasped, whispering loudly.
It was the fairies.
Led by Lyra.
They all wore pure white dresses that shimmered softly under the lanterns, making them look like moon spirits. Lyra stood at the front, her blue hair gently covering part of her face, but her eyes held strong determination.
Sirena’s face twisted immediately.
“What are you doing here?” she hissed, stepping closer.
Lyra smiled sweetly. “What do you think? We want to perform for the king.”
Everyone around them gasped again.
Kael finally sat up straight, a spark of interest appearing in his eyes. Damon smirked, amused.
Sirena’s anger grew. “Are you crazy? How dare you—”
“Stop.”
The king’s calm voice cut through the entire hall like a blade.
Sirena froze instantly and bowed her head.
The king turned his cold eyes to Lyra’s group. “Let them dance.”
Sirena glared at Lyra with so much hate that Echo almost stepped forward. But Lyra simply smiled wider, pushing Sirena’s anger further, and then Sirena stormed back to her group.
The hall went silent.
The fairies stepped forward.
The music started soft, magical, almost like wind blowing through flowers. Lyra lifted her hands, and the fairies began to move together, their grace so natural that the entire hall forgot to breathe.
They moved as if floating, their steps light and airy. Then, at the perfect moment, the fairies lifted themselves into the air, glowing slightly, wings unfurling. Their feathers shimmered like falling stars, scattering gentle lights across the hall.
Except Lyra who had no wings. But she danced beautifully on the ground, her movements sharp yet soft, powerful yet elegant. Her presence pulled every eye toward her.
When they finished, there was silence.
Long, stunned silence.
Then the entire hall erupted with applause loud enough to shake the ceiling.
The king nodded slightly, an approval that shocked everyone. The queen clapped with a bright smile. Damon leaned forward in excitement, clearly impressed. Kael… didn’t clap, but he stared at Lyra with a strange, unreadable intensity that made Sirena almost scream.
Because she saw it.
Kael had noticed Lyra.
More than he ever noticed Sirena.
Sirena’s face turned pale with fury. She clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white, then spun around and stormed out of the hall, her group running after her in panic.
Lyra simply bowed, still smiling.
Tonight… she won.