The road twisted through mountain passes, forests, and sky-bridges made of light. Wyverns soared overhead. Floating islands shimmered with crystals that sang in the wind.
Auron gripped the side of the sky-carriage as they rose higher.
Lyra, by his side, had her nose pressed to the window.
"It's real," she whispered. "It's all real."
Stormblade Academy stood atop a cliff surrounded by thunderclouds — a vast citadel carved from white stone and lightning ore. Its towers reached into the sky, wrapped in glowing runes. Elemental banners flapped in the wind.
At the gates, massive blades floated in slow orbit — weapons of former legends.
As they entered, students filled the courtyard — some levitating through air, others sparring with weapons that burned with magic.
Whispers followed Auron.
"That's him…"
"The lightning soul…"
"Another reborn one?"
They were led through echoing halls lined with murals of great battles — heroes wielding swords of light, darkness, flame, and storm.
At the central tower, a figure waited.
He wore a robe stitched with lightning threads and bore a staff crowned with a thunder-gem. His hair was silver, his eyes fierce.
"I am Master Kaelen," he said. "And you… are the storm we've been waiting for."