Seren Althra looked like she hadn't slept in days.
Her hair was tangled, her uniform torn, and her hands shook as she tried to pull her knees to her chest. Lina knelt beside her, slow and careful, while Kai and Reyon stood behind her like twin shadows—one cold and sharp, the other watchful and unpredictable.
"Seren," Lina whispered, "you can trust us."
Seren flinched. "No one should trust anyone. Not now."
Kai crouched down, voice steady. "Tell us what you saw."
Seren hugged her arms tightly around herself. "I-I didn't mean to be there. I wasn't spying. I just… I couldn't sleep, so I was walking near the lower hall. I saw someone go into the core chamber with a rune copy."
Lina's heartbeat kicked into her throat."My rune?"
Seren nodded shakily. "I recognized it because of the pattern… the light shade of blue. But the person wasn't you."
Kai leaned forward. "Who was it?"
Seren's lips trembled. "I didn't see their face. They wore a cloak with council embroidery."
Reyon's smile vanished. "So a council member—or someone working for them."
Seren squeezed her eyes shut. "They destabilized the power core. I saw them cast a forbidden resonance spell. And then… they left. But before they did, they replaced the hall records with a blurred silhouette that looked just like you."
Lina felt the floor tilt under her.
Someone with authority.Someone with access.Someone who knew exactly how to frame her.
Kai's voice dropped, dangerously low."Why didn't you go to the council?"
Seren looked at him like he'd asked her to walk into fire."I did."
The room froze.
Lina whispered, "What happened?"
Seren's voice was barely audible."They smiled. And told me I must be mistaken."
Kai's expression hardened. "Because they're involved."
Reyon exhaled slowly. "This goes higher than we thought."
Seren looked directly at Lina, fear burning in her eyes."They want you gone, Lina. You were just… convenient."
Lina swallowed hard. "Convenient for what?"
Before Seren could answer—CRACK.
The sound echoed through the chamber like splitting ice.
Kai shot to his feet instantly. "Someone's coming."
Reyon pulled Lina behind him as the door at the top of the stairway shook violently.
BOOM.A heavy force slammed into it.
"Open up!" a muffled voice ordered. "By order of the academy!"
Kai's eyes narrowed. "That's not a guard."
The door rattled again—harder this time—dust raining from the ceiling.
Seren panicked. "They found me! They found us!"
"Quiet," Kai said. "We're not letting anyone touch you—or Lina."
Reyon tilted his head, listening to the footsteps above. "That's at least three people. Possibly four."
"You counted?" Lina hissed.
"It's a talent," he replied.
The door splintered.
Kai grabbed Lina's wrist. "We need to move. Now."
Reyon pulled Seren to her feet, steadying her. "Come on. Deep breaths."
Lina scanned the room, heart pounding. "There's only one door!"
"Wrong," Reyon said, kicking aside a dusty crate. Behind it, a faint symbol pulsed on the stone.
Kai's eyes flashed. "An escape seal."
Reyon smirked. "Secret tunnels are my specialty."
Kai muttered, "And people think I'm suspicious."
Reyon shot back, "Because you are."
Lina clapped her hands. "Please argue later!"
BOOM!The door above finally cracked.
Reyon slammed his hand over the pulsing seal. "Runic release!"
A portion of the wall slid open, revealing a narrow tunnel.
Kai shoved Lina through first. "Go!"
Reyon guided Seren in next. "Careful—low ceiling."
Kai entered last, sealing the exit with a quick ward just as the chamber door burst open behind them.
Shouts echoed.
Boots thundered.
But they were already racing down the dark passage, the glow of the rune tunnel lighting their way.
Seren gasped for breath. "They know— they know I told you— they'll come after you now too!"
Kai didn't hesitate. "Let them try."
Reyon added, "If they chase us, that means they're scared."
Lina looked between the two boys—opposites in everything except how fiercely they guarded her.
Her chest tightened with a strange, overwhelming emotion.
But before she could think, Seren tugged her sleeve.
"Lina," she whispered. "The reason you were targeted…"
Lina slowed slightly, breath catching.
Seren's voice shook.
"It's not just sabotage."
Kai turned sharply. "Then what is it?"
Seren swallowed.
"They want you removed… because you're connected to the prophecy."
Lina froze mid-step."The what?"
Seren's eyes glistened with fear.
"The prophecy of the Seventh Flame."
The tunnel shook again behind them.
But the real quake was inside Lina's chest.
To be Continued© Kishtika., 2025All rights reserved.