The main library of Ashwright Academy was a cathedral of knowledge. High, arched ceilings glimmered with molten light that filtered through tall obsidian windows, and the air smelled faintly of parchment, smoke, and ozone. Shelves stretched into shadows, each lined with tomes that seemed to hum with a quiet, patient power.
Aria Thorne adjusted her cloak and ran her fingers over a collection of necromantic texts. Her thoughts drifted back to last night—her quiet conversation with Val'kor. He didn't answer everything… but what he did say… it wasn't a command. It was a challenge. A warning. Something I need to understand. The unease lingered, threading through her thoughts, but she shook it off. She had work to do.
"Aria!" Riven's voice cut through the quiet, though he lowered it when he saw the librarian's gaze. He dropped a stack of scrolls onto her table with a small puff of fire. "You really are a glutton for punishment, aren't you?"
Selene followed, her boots silent on the polished stone floor. She placed her hands on the table, leaning forward to inspect Aria's notes. "If you don't want to accidentally destroy the library… let me see what you've got so far."
Aria exhaled and spread out the diagrams of her new runes, including the tentative sketches of what would eventually become Bone Shard Volley and Shadowed Bone Lash. "I just… I want to see if I can make the energy flow cleanly," she admitted.
Riven tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his amber eyes. "Cleanly? That sounds ominous. I'd say you're being dramatic, but after seeing what you've done so far… maybe not."
Selene's gaze softened for a fraction of a second. "Focus on control first. Chaos won't help you now. The spell must work, or we'll have shards flying across the library instead of the courtyard."
Aria nodded, fingers tracing the glowing lines she had etched into her notebook. She whispered the activation words under her breath. A few skeletal shards shimmered into existence above her palm, tiny and precise. Her heart hammered with exhilaration. This… this feels right. Controlled, powerful… mine.
"Good," Selene said softly, eyes narrowing slightly. "You're channeling your necromancy without letting it consume you. That's hard for anyone to do."
Riven clapped her lightly on the shoulder, sending a small spark flying. "Yeah, seriously impressive. Don't get cocky though—I'm still going to try and beat you next round."
Aria let a small smile tug at her lips. Despite the unease from her thoughts about Val'kor, the warmth of companionship made her chest lighter. She focused on the next step, integrating elemental bursts with the necrotic energy. If I can merge them correctly… The thought sent a shiver of anticipation through her.
Hours passed. She and her friends laughed at minor failures, celebrated small successes, and argued lightly over rune placement. Riven teased her about the orientation of one rune, and Selene scolded him for distracting her. Aria's pulse raced every time a shard spun smoothly through the air or the bone lash coiled just right.
By the time they packed their books away, molten light had dimmed to a warm amber glow, and the shadows of the library stretched long and solemn. Aria looked at her friends, gratitude and determination mingling in her chest.
"We're ready for the courtyard tomorrow," Selene said quietly, closing her book. "And whatever happens… you'll manage."
Riven grinned, flicking a tiny spark across the table. "Yeah, Death-Touched. Show them what you're really made of."
Alone for a moment, Aria traced the faint glow of her runes in the notebook. She thought again of what Val'kor had said. There's more I need to understand… but I can't wait for him to explain. I'll figure it out myself. Step by step. She pressed her palms to the table, feeling the subtle hum of latent power. If I master this, I can protect them. I can stop the cult. I can survive whatever comes next.
I will master this. I will control it. And I will be ready for whatever comes next.