Full Chapter – Return to Ashenwell
Location: Ashenwell Academy — a towering structure of obsidian and flameglass, floating gently above the Spine of Velthar. The storm barrier around it pulses with golden light. It has changed. But it remembers them.
The wind howled as the airship crossed through the academy's outer wards.
Grim stood at the edge of the deck, cloak snapping behind him. Sparks stood beside him, chewing on a dried fruit stick and squinting at the floating fortress.
"So this is it. The mythical Ashenwell Academy. Where the fire babies were raised and occasionally exploded things in chemistry class?"
"Basically."
"Wow. Smells like self-importance and detention."
Behind them, Max remained cloaked in shadow. Hadi leaned on the railing, practically vibrating.
"I missed this place," she whispered. "Mostly the cafeteria. Also the duel pits. And the Headmaster's creepy library."
"You missed detention," Ayesha muttered.
"That too."
The ship docked on a levitating obsidian platform.
As the siblings stepped off one by one, the sky itself seemed to pause.
They weren't just returning students.
They were Kindled now.
And someone knew it.
Inside the Academy – The Headmaster Appears
The doors to the academy creaked open as if by thought.
No guards.
No staff.
Just a single figure standing in the grand atrium—surrounded by twisting time glyphs that rippled the air like heatwaves.
A boy. Maybe ten years old. Pale blue eyes. White hair with streaks of gold. In his hand, a cane far too tall for his childlike frame.
He was smiling.
"About time," the child said. "You're late."
Hadi blinked. "Is that—?"
"Headmaster?" Grim asked.
The boy tilted his head.
"Yes. For the next ten minutes."
And then his form shimmered — aging up in a ripple. He blinked and became a man in his twenties. Sharp suit. Wild eyes.
Then he blinked again — now in his forties, hair graying, face creased with wisdom and mischief.
"Time's a loop, children," he said with a grin. "I simply refuse to walk it linearly."
"Okay," Sparks whispered to Grim. "He's worse than you described. I like him."
"That's not comforting."
The Headmaster clapped his hands. The sound echoed with delay, like time stuttering.
"Grim, Ayesha, Max, Tristan, Hadi — all returned and Kindled. Congratulations on surviving what I explicitly warned you about."
"You weren't here," Max replied coldly.
"Ah. I was busy saving ten thousand years from collapsing inward. My apologies. Also, I'm not sorry."
He turned, walking backward toward the main hall.
"Come. Let's talk business."
The Briefing – Upgraded and Employed
Inside the war chamber, runes shimmered on the walls. Timelines drifted like constellations above a massive glowing table.
The Headmaster snapped his fingers.
"You're all too dangerous for first-year classes. The moment Max sneezes, someone ends up in the Shadow Realm."
"Not my fault," Max muttered.
"So! You'll join second year. Stronger fieldwork. More combat. Less babysitting."
Hadi fist-pumped.
"Tuition?" Ayesha asked.
"Paid for this year," he said. "By me. With deep regret."
Tristan frowned. "And the other years?"
"Oh, you'll work," the Headmaster replied with a sparkle in his now sixty-year-old eyes. "Library security. Artifact retrieval. Mopping lava off floors. Dangerous tasks that the janitors union refuses to cover."
"You're exploiting children," Sparks said flatly.
He squinted at her. "And you are?"
"His problem," she said, jabbing a thumb toward Grim.
"Accurate," Grim muttered.
"Ah. The spark with no file." The Headmaster looked intrigued. "Curious…"
He blinked — now a boy again.
"We'll talk later."
Planning for the Court
Back at the Flame Tower — the dormitory for elite-ranked students — the siblings gathered in their shared suite.
Grim stood by the massive window overlooking the arena.
"The Court won't wait. They know we're gathering power again."
"They also know we're afraid," Ayesha said.
"Not anymore," Grim replied. "We're back where it started. We're together. And this time… we're not running."
Sparks raised her hand. "Objection. We never ran. We just tactically teleported away from overwhelming threats."
"Your support is inspiring."
"So is your brooding."
The siblings smirked.
And then Max leaned forward.
"Let's make a plan. Let's make them fear our name for once."
Hadi grinned wide. "Oh yes. Let's burn."
Tristan nodded. "Flame meets shadow. Ice supports. Sound scouts."
Ayesha looked to Grim. "You'll lead?"
Grim inhaled deeply.
"No. We'll stand together."
The flames outside rose higher.
Ashenwell had never burned brighter.