The glowing initials burned on the stone wall.
R.V.
The air turned sharp, brittle.
Reyon stared at the mark as if seeing a ghost. "This isn't mine."
Kai's voice lowered into something cold. "The signature says otherwise."
Reyon stepped back, hands raised. "Kai. Lina. Listen—someone is trying to pin this on me."
Kai moved forward like a shadow ready to strike. "Who would copy your signature?"
Reyon's expression hardened for the first time."Someone who wants you two to turn on me."
Lina stepped between them. "Stop. Right now. We can't fight each other."
Kai exhaled sharply through his nose, chest rising and falling with restrained anger. "Lina… he's the obvious suspect."
Reyon held her gaze instead. "And obvious suspects are usually framed."
The tunnel crackled with tension.
Lina felt her heart twist painfully. She didn't want to doubt anyone—not Kai, not Reyon, not Seren. But the Guardian's warning loomed over them like a curse.
"Kai," she said gently. "Look at him."
Kai did. His eyes sharpened—not soft, not forgiving, but searching.
"Say it," Kai said quietly. "Look me in the eyes and swear."
Reyon met his gaze without flinching."I didn't write that mark. I didn't betray her. I haven't betrayed anyone."
Kai watched… too long.Lina held her breath.
Finally, Kai looked away.
A small mercy.But not trust.
Reyon's shoulders dropped the slightest bit. "Thank you for not being a complete idiot."
Kai didn't move. "I said nothing about believing you."
Lina let out a frustrated groan. "Great. Wonderful. Love the teamwork."
Seren tugged at Lina's sleeve suddenly. "Um… Lina?"
"What?"
"I feel… something." Seren's eyes darted around the tunnel. "Like someone is watching."
Kai immediately stepped closer to Lina. "Where?"
"Everywhere. Nowhere. It's faint, but—"
A soft whisper slithered through the darkness.
"Lina…"
Her blood turned to ice.
Kai grabbed her arm. "Stay behind me."
Reyon moved to her other side, blade drawn. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
The whisper came again—softer, coaxing.
"Come closer…"
Lina's chest tightened painfully. She didn't want to move. But her feet felt pulled, drawn toward the deeper shadows of the tunnel.
Seren gasped. "It's an illusion charm! A subtle one—meant for a specific target!"
Kai cursed under his breath. "It's targeting Lina."
Reyon grabbed her wrist, firm. "Lina. Look at me."
His voice cut through the haze.Anchoring her.
She blinked hard. "I… I'm fine."
"No," Kai said sharply. "You're not."
Lina looked around. The shadows seemed to shift, swirling like fog with intent. Something—or someone—was luring her deeper.
"It's a lure spell," Seren whispered. "But… it's personalized. That's rare magic."
Reyon cursed. "Who the hell has that kind of skill?"
Kai answered coldly."Whoever is hunting the Seventh Flame."
The whisper returned, louder, closer—
"Lina… come to me…"
The tunnel walls shimmered—just slightly.Enough to distort depth and distance.
Kai realized it first. "It's creating a false path."
Reyon lunged forward and slashed the air.
The blade sliced through nothing—then hit something solid.
A crack of magic burst through the space as a shimmering veil collapsed, revealing a narrow side tunnel that hadn't been visible before.
Seren yelped. "An illusion barrier! Someone set a trap for us!"
Lina's stomach dropped. "Why there? What's inside?"
Kai moved ahead cautiously, peering inside the newly revealed tunnel. His eyes darkened. "Tracks. Someone was just here."
Reyon frowned. "Human?"
"Not sure," Kai murmured.
Lina stepped closer. "But someone tried to lead me alone inside."
Kai's jaw tightened. "And I'm going to kill them for it."
Reyon smirked faintly. "You're cute when you threaten mass murder."
Kai didn't respond. He was too focused—too alert. His protective barrier around Lina felt almost palpable.
Then—
A second whisper echoed.
Not a lure this time.A message.
"The traitor watches."
Reyon froze. "Did you hear that?"
Kai's grip on Lina's hand tightened. "We're leaving. Now."
Seren trembled. "What about the tracks?"
"We follow them," Kai said. "But carefully."
They moved forward, deeper into the tunnel—slow, tense, every breath a risk.
Lina could feel someone watching.Feel the magic brushing against her flame.Feel the prophecy tightening around her like a net.
Then, as they rounded a bend—
A shadow darted out of sight.
Kai sprinted after it. "Stop!"
Reyon followed. "Lina, stay behind—"
But Lina had already stepped forward, her eyes widening.
Because the shadow had left something behind on the tunnel floor.
A fabric scrap.Dark. Soft. Expensive.
And embroidered with the insignia ofthe academy council.
Kai lifted it slowly.
"Advisor Lyrin," he said quietly.
Lina's heart dropped.
Seren's breath hitched.
Reyon whispered, "This… changes everything."
To be Continued© Kishtika., 2025All rights reserved.