Iris made her way down the grand staircase of Artemis Academy, the polished marble steps reflecting the golden glow of the evening lanterns. The soft murmur of students in the hallways faded into the background, replaced by the pounding of her own heartbeat. The weight of tomorrow's test pressed heavily on her chest, its invisible force making her breaths shallow.
She exhaled sharply, shaking her head as if she could dislodge the anxiety clawing at her thoughts. Just one test, just one more night—yet her nerves refused to settle.
Lost in her turmoil, her foot missed a step.
Time seemed to slow as she tumbled forward, the sharp sting of impact jolting through her body. A startled gasp escaped her lips as her knees hit the cold marble, the shock reverberating through her bones. Pain flared at her palms where they scraped against the unyielding surface. A sharp ache settled in her ribs, her breath hitching from the fall.
"Why am I so unlucky today?" she muttered bitterly, her voice barely above a whisper. The chill of the marble seeped into her skin, amplifying the ache inside her. Just as she struggled to push herself upright, a shadow loomed over her.
A warm hand extended into her line of vision. She looked up, meeting a pair of familiar golden eyes—Rey.
For a moment, her throat tightened. Not from the pain, but from something far deeper. The mere sight of him, standing there, offering his hand so effortlessly, struck a chord within her. As if the world, despite its relentless cruelty, had given her this small mercy. A single tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it.
Rey's gaze flickered, the unreadable expression in his eyes shifting to something softer, something almost… concerned.
"You look awful," he remarked dryly, though his tone lacked its usual edge. "It's just a test, why are you so worked up?"
Iris clenched her jaw, something sharp and bitter rising in her chest. "Someone as excellent as you will never understand how it feels to not be able to show powers," she snapped, the words slipping out before she could stop them.
Rey didn't immediately respond. His fingers curled slightly at his side, the golden hues in his eyes darkening. "Believe it or not," he murmured, his voice quieter now, "it's not always a good thing to be outstanding." A heavy silence followed before he sighed, shaking his head. "Let's not talk about this anymore."
Before she could react, he crouched down and, without hesitation, lifted her into his arms.
Iris's breath caught in her throat, her insides screaming, What is this boy up to? Her arms instinctively shot up to push against his chest, but he carried her effortlessly, his grip steady and unwavering.
Gasps rippled through the corridor. Students—especially the female ones—stared in disbelief, hushed whispers spreading like wildfire. Yet, Rey remained unaffected, his expression unreadable as he strode through the academy gates.
"Put me down!" she hissed, her face burning.
"Would you rather I throw you onto the carriage?" he mused, his smirk barely visible under the lantern light.
Iris scowled, her cheeks and ears turning impossibly red. "Why is there a 'next time'?!" she muttered under her breath, refusing to meet his gaze.
Rey chuckled softly, clearly amused. The whole ride, he watched her with that same unreadable expression, while she stared stubbornly out of the carriage window, heart pounding far too fast for her liking.
The Phoenix Palace
The grand hall of the Phoenix Palace shimmered in golden hues, the flickering torches casting restless shadows along the carved walls. The scent of burning incense mingled with the crisp night air drifting through towering windows.
Flavia, seated upon a throne-like chair, tapped her fingers anxiously against the gilded armrest, the composed mask she usually wore slipping slightly. Beside her, Klaus stood with his arms crossed, his sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon where the sky melted into deep shades of indigo.
Irathion stood before them, his emerald hair shimmering under the palace lights. His gaze was unwavering, locked onto the heavens above.
"So, what are we going to do?" Flavia finally asked, her voice laced with worry.
Klaus sighed. "I know you're concerned, but we can't keep it hidden forever. More importantly, this has affected Iris for far too long."
Flavia's grip tightened. "I know we had to let her break free from the seals, but I just wanted to protect her."
Irathion smirked. "Queen Flavia, Iris needs to learn about herself and her power. Sheltering her won't prepare her for the world. That's why I ensured her enrollment in tomorrow's test."
Klaus exhaled. "I know the seal should never have been placed on her, but we only wanted her to have a normal life. However, we all know this world only respects power."
Irathion's expression softened slightly. "Tomorrow, Iris will break free from her cocoon."
Iris's Chambers
Inside her room, Iris sat curled on her bed, her heart hammering. She flipped through ancient scriptures, hoping—praying—that some hidden power would awaken within her. But every attempt left her with fleeting traces of white magic that dissipated before she could grasp it.
The fear of failing tomorrow's test gnawed at her like a relentless beast.
A gentle knock at her door. "Princess, may I enter?"
Recognizing the voice, she straightened. "Of course, Daddy."
Klaus stepped inside, his presence warm and reassuring. He sat beside her, watching her in silence before finally saying, "You're scared, aren't you?"
Iris's fragile smile wavered. "Not scared… just worried. I don't want to disappoint you and Mom."
Klaus chuckled softly. "Disappointed? Who, me? Never. You are my precious daughter."
Iris's voice trembled. "Dad, your precious daughter is useless. Tomorrow, when I fail, the whole world will laugh at me."
Klaus gently cupped her face. "Iris, you have never been useless. You just need to believe in yourself."
He closed his eyes, reciting:
"अविचलः संकल्पो यस्य, न दैवः नापि विघ्नः।आत्मबलं तस्य मार्गदर्शकं, सिद्धिरस्य चरणे स्थिता॥"
(He whose resolve is unwavering, neither fate nor obstacles can deter him. His inner strength guides his path, and success rests at his feet.)
Iris held onto every word, her father's wisdom seeping into her very soul. The turmoil within her settled, and for the first time in hours, a sense of peace washed over her.
Klaus smiled. "Well, since I'm here… aren't you going to ask me to train you?"
Iris's eyes widened. "Really?!"
In the blink of an eye, they arrived at Frostbane Peak—an ancient training ground bathed in ethereal blue light, ice coating every surface, the air crisp and biting.
Iris shivered. "Dad… where are we?"
Klaus's expression turned nostalgic. "This, my dear, is Frostbane Peak."