The storm over Starwhisper Academy had passed, but it left a scar. The grounds, once full of life and magic, were now a wreck—burnt grass, shattered branches, and glowing remnants of spells scattered like shattered stars. The calm that followed didn't feel peaceful. It felt like the world was holding its breath.
Harper Quinn stood at the edge of the courtyard, staring at the mess. This was more than just a battle won or lost. It was a wake-up call. Everything they'd been through—the celestial event, the attack, Malina—it was all tied to something deeper. Something older.
She clutched the silver pendant around her neck, its cool metal grounding her. It had belonged to her great-grandmother. That meant something now. Too much, maybe.
Behind her, the familiar click of Professor Hawthorn's boots broke the silence. "Harper," he said. "We need to talk."
Harper turned. He looked serious—more serious than usual—and that alone made her nervous.
"What is it?"
Hawthorn stepped closer. "Do you remember how everyone already seemed to know who you were when you arrived at Starwhisper?"
"I figured it was some magical tracking system," she said, trying to sound casual, but the knot in her chest was tightening.
"It's more than that." He paused. "We've been waiting for you."
Her breath caught. "Why?"
"Because you're tied to all of this—more than you know. Your great-grandmother… she killed Malina's mother."
Harper went still. It felt like time stopped around her.
"She what?"
"She was part of an older war," he said, his voice grim. "Malina's mother was dangerous—maybe more than Malina. Your great-grandmother stopped her. But the price of that victory is coming back around."
Harper could barely think. The pendant around her neck felt heavier now.
"There was a prophecy," Hawthorn added, his voice lower now. "Made the day Malina was born. I still remember it word for word."
He recited it slowly, each word hitting like a hammer:When darkness shall rise from the ashes of despair,A girl will emerge, wicked beyond compare.In her mother's footsteps, she shall tread,Only the blood of her mother's slayer can bring her to dread.
The words echoed in Harper's mind. She didn't say anything. She couldn't.
"You are the only one who can stop her," he finished.
That was it. She had to get out of there.
Harper turned and left the room, practically running through the halls. Her heart was pounding, her head spinning. Her family's past had just collided with her present, and now everything felt heavier—more dangerous.
When she reached the main study room, her friends were already gathered. Asher, Nova, and Luna looked up as she burst in.
Asher's eyes narrowed. "Harper? What's wrong?"
She shook her head. "It's not just Malina. It's about me. My family. All of this."
Nova stood. "What happened?"
Harper forced the words out. "My great-grandmother… she killed Malina's mother. There's a prophecy. And apparently… I'm the only one who can stop her."
The room fell silent.
Asher was the first to speak. "Wait. That's why Malina's been targeting you?"
"She's continuing what her mom started," Harper said, her voice flat. "And now I'm supposed to stop her just because of who I'm related to."
Luna looked stunned. "That's... a lot."
Nova put a hand on Harper's shoulder. "You're not alone in this."
"I know," Harper whispered, though it still felt like the world had just dropped a mountain on her chest.
Asher leaned forward. "So what do we do next?"
"We start by finding that hidden chamber," Harper replied, steadying herself. "We need to protect the relics before Malina gets to them."
The rest of the day was a blur of research. Old books, maps, runes, blueprints—anything that might lead to the hidden chamber where the academy originally stored its most powerful artifacts.
Finally, Nova found something. "There's a hidden panel in the old north wing. It's tied to the celestial map."
"Let's go," Harper said, already on her feet.
They moved fast. The old wing was silent, shadows stretching across stone walls. Nova traced her fingers over the markings on the floor, then pressed a spot.
A low rumble echoed as part of the wall shifted, revealing a heavy door covered in glowing runes.
They entered slowly. Inside, the chamber looked untouched by time—dust floating like stars, relics glowing softly in protective cases.
"This is it," Luna whispered.
Harper stepped forward. The room felt sacred. Powerful.
"We'll protect them," she said. "No matter what."
They worked quickly, setting wards and strengthening barriers. Harper's hands trembled as she placed her great-grandmother's pendant into a protective sigil. The past had collided with the present—and now it was her job to stop the future from falling apart.
Later, standing in the academy courtyard as the sky turned orange and pink, Harper looked at her friends.
"We're not just students anymore," she said.
"Nope," Asher agreed. "We're the front line."
"We always were," Nova added.
And Harper knew one thing for sure: they weren't just fighting for the academy—they were fighting for every future that hadn't yet been written.