The torchlight flickered against the stone walls, casting long shadows that danced like silent sentinels over the underground chamber. Deep beneath the academy, hidden from students and soldiers alike, four figures stood around a circular stone table. Each wore the robes of a house master, but there was no unity in their presence—only the brittle silence before a storm.
Master Tamado, robed in crimson with gold trim, broke the stillness first. His voice was calm, low, and heavy with restraint."He's not ready yet. But the signs are there—the sealed one stirs."
Master Hornstein stood tall in his wolf-pelt cloak, arms crossed over his chest. The blue in his eyes did not flicker with fear, only steel."And yet he fights it. I've watched the boy. He fractured his own feet to stop it from spreading. That wasn't possession. That was resistance."
Master Keen, stroking his cobalt-blue beard, nodded slowly."It's rare," he said, eyes glinting purple under the torchlight. "To have that kind of will so early. Most hosts lose themselves in the first outburst. Senko pulled back."
The fourth man did not share their composure. Master Korp leaned forward, sparks crackling faintly at his fingertips. His green robe, marked with the thunder-shaped emblem of the Spark Guardians, swayed with tension."You're all fools," he snapped. "A demon lives inside that boy. You've seen it—it leaks into his aura like a parasite. And you want to coddle him? Train him?"
Tamado turned, calm as ever."We don't deny the risk. But we also don't ignore the choice he made. He had a chance to give in, and he didn't."
Korp's eyes narrowed, voice darkening."The demon in his eye is the same one that tore my parents apart during the Eternal Night. I still hear the screams, you know. My mother's spine split in two. My father's heart burned black."
The room quieted.
Hornstein's voice came, level but firm."You think we don't have scars too? This isn't about vengeance, Korp. You swore an oath to guide the next generation."
"I also swore to defend the realm," Korp growled. "And guess who else is watching him now? Koya. The Warrior King. He reported it to the Council. You think they'll just sit back?"
Master Keen raised an eyebrow."Koya betrayed his role the moment he snitched to the government. Senko's just a student. He didn't ask for this curse."
Korp stepped forward, resting both hands on the table."They've given me orders," he said coldly. "From the Inner Circle. I'm to observe him. If he loses control again—truly loses it—I end him."
The words hit like thunder.
Tamado's fists clenched beneath his sleeves."You'd kill a student in our academy?"
"I'd kill a demon hiding inside a child. Don't confuse the two."
Keen's voice sharpened."Then maybe you shouldn't be a teacher."
Korp's lip curled."I didn't come here to be liked. I came here because the nation trusts me to make the hard call. And I will."
Hornstein's cloak shifted as he turned away from the table."You see a threat. I see a broken boy trying to stand on his own. He's not the demon, Korp. He's fighting the demon. And that matters."
Korp stepped closer to Hornstein, fury brimming."And what if he stops fighting? What happens when he gives in and razes this place to ash? What happens when your little White Fang cub slaughters fifty students in a rage?"
No one answered immediately.
Tamado finally spoke, colder now."If that happens… we deal with it then. But we do not preemptively murder children based on fear."
Korp looked at them all in turn."Fine," he said at last. "But know this. The next time he loses control, I won't ask your permission."
He turned, sparks lighting the ground under his boots as he disappeared into the stone corridor, lightning humming in his wake.
The silence that followed was deeper than before.
Keen exhaled, rubbing his temples."Idiots like him start wars."
Hornstein nodded grimly."We protect Senko as long as we can. But we can't keep the Council blind forever."
Tamado looked into the torchlight."Then we teach him faster. Stronger. If the government comes for him, they'll have to fight more than a boy."
Keen grinned faintly."They'll have to fight the academy."
As the three remaining masters filed out into the shadows, one thought echoed in all their minds: The war hadn't started yet, but its pieces were moving.
And Senko Yuhira stood unknowingly in the center of it all.
Two days earlier — National Government Hall, Land of Serenity
Grand Consul Myria Veyren sat elevated on the grand dais of the national council chamber, her sharp eyes scanning the room as armored warriors stood guard at every entrance and corner. The golden emblems of the Land of Serenity shimmered on the banners behind her. The heavy double doors creaked open as two elite warriors escorted Koya the Great, the Warrior King, into the hall. At the far edge of the chamber stood Shinra of the Thunder Mark, silent and observant, her arms crossed beneath her cloak. Koya took his seat without a word, his presence commanding an air of reverence. Myria stood slightly and offered a formal bow from her elevated desk. "The highest of all, grant me your respect," she said solemnly. Koya nodded once. "You are respected." Beside Myria sat High Arbiter Juno, clad in ceremonial white. He leaned forward. "Warrior King Koya, we thank you for joining us. You've claimed that the purple demon, Ezrak, was not destroyed during the Eternal Night… but sealed inside a child's eye?" Koya gave a grim nod. "This is no ordinary child. His name is Senko Yuhira." The room stilled. Even the guards stiffened at the name. Myria blinked in disbelief. "Yuhira? As in… former king Raizo Yuhira's son?" Koya confirmed with a second nod. "The boy nearly killed my son with that cursed purple aura. I've kept this buried long enough—but as ruler of all lands, I could no longer withhold the truth from this council." Myria's voice lowered. "Where is the child now?" "Resting," Koya replied. "At the warrior academy. Still recovering from his fight with my son." Juno raised a brow. "So your son did manage to wound him?" "My son has inherited my teachings," Koya said, voice edged with pride. "But I would not allow him to fall while I still draw breath." Myria exchanged a quick look with Juno, then straightened. "Give us two minutes. The High Arbiter and I must speak privately."
After they were finished speaking they continued went back to speak with Koya "In three days the execution of Senko Yuhira will be placed." Koya stood up smiled. Shinra's expression went blank "He's just a child" she thought. Koya the Great left the hall with warriors escorting him back.
A few quiet minutes passed behind closed whispers, and then Grand Consul Myria and High Arbiter Juno returned to their seats, their expressions steeled. The air in the chamber felt heavier than before. Myria's voice rang out, clear and resolute. "In three days, the execution of Senko Yuhira will be carried out."
Koya the Great rose slowly from his seat, a cold smile stretching across his face. Satisfaction flickered in his eyes. "A necessary sacrifice," he said, his tone devoid of remorse.
At the far end of the room, Shinra's expression shifted for the first time. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her jaw tense. He's just a child, she thought, the words pounding quietly in her mind like distant thunder. A boy with power he never asked for…
Without further ceremony, Koya turned on his heel. The golden doors opened once again as the warriors flanked him, guiding him out of the hall in silence. His boots echoed against the marble floor as he departed, leaving behind only tension—and the shadow of a decision that would ripple across the lands.
One Day Before the Execution
The scent of dried herbs clung faintly to the walls of the infirmary, but Senko Yuhira's thoughts were far from the bandaged wounds and bitter medicine. He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor, eyes hollow.
Shinra had just told him the truth: the National Government had scheduled his execution for the next day.
He didn't say much after that.
Now, back in his small academy apartment, Senko packed his few belongings in silence. His hands moved mechanically—folding a shirt, tightening a satchel strap, grabbing his sword. Every movement carried a finality to it, like he was sealing away a piece of his life. This wasn't running. It was survival.
Then came a knock—three soft raps that broke the quiet. Senko froze, then tiptoed to the door and peeked through the eyeglass. His breath caught.
It was Leon.
Senko opened the door. "Leon…"
"You can't go without saying goodbye," Leon said, his voice already shaking. Without hesitation, he stepped in and wrapped Senko in a tight hug. "I'm gonna miss you, man."
Senko hugged him back, his eyes stinging. "I'm not gone forever. Just for a while… until the masters can convince the government to let me live."
"But I hate this," Leon said, tears falling freely. "You never asked for this. None of it."
Senko exhaled deeply. "One thing I've learned," he said quietly, "is that we don't ask for love or joy. We have to earn it. And I still plan to." He pulled back, managing a smile. "Just keep my apartment clean, alright?"
Leon chuckled through his tears and nodded.
Outside, leaning against the wall beside the door, Shinra waited with arms crossed. Her eyes met Senko's when he stepped out.
"You ready?" she asked.
Senko gave one last look at the place he had barely called home. Then he nodded. "Yeah… I'm ready."
She handed him a dark cloak. "Put this on. The public can't see your face. The Warriors might be watching."
He pulled it over his shoulders and followed her through the quiet academy halls, each step taking him farther from the world he knew.
As they neared the academy's outer gates, footsteps echoed behind them. A voice rang out, breathless.
"Senko!"
He turned.
Korra was running toward him, one arm in a sling. "Korra…" he said softly.
She reached him and punched his arm. Senko winced, grabbing the spot. "Oww—what was that for?"
"You were going to leave without saying goodbye," she said, her voice trembling.
Senko looked down. "Sorry. I wasn't trying to cause a scene… or get yelled at."
Korra frowned, then without warning, stepped in and hugged him with her good arm. "Take care… purple eyes."
He blushed, caught off guard, but returned the hug gently.
"We have to go," Shinra said, already turning toward the gate.
Senko waved at Korra. "I'll be back," he said softly. Then he followed Shinra into the darkness.
They crossed the outer gates of Jenkiora into open night. A breeze swept through the trees. Standing in the shadows ahead was a tall figure, arms folded and eyes sharp.
"A-Rank Arden," Senko said, recognizing him. "You're coming too?"
Arden didn't smile. "I'm tagging along. Orders from the Masters."
Senko raised a brow. "You planning to train me?"
"Just know," Arden said firmly, "your training won't be taken lightly."
Senko looked ahead, into the vast open path.
"So where exactly are we heading?" he asked.
"Stillflame Ravine," Shinra replied.
"A ravine?" Senko repeated, surprised.
"Yeah. And it's not just the two of us," Shinra said. "It's three."
Senko adjusted his cloak and gave one last glance back at the academy.
Then he stepped into the unknown.
To be continued…