The academy returned to silence.
Not peace — but stillness, the kind that follows a storm when everyone is afraid to breathe too loudly.
The lockdown was lifted by dawn.
No announcement explained what happened.No records were updated.Officially, nothing occurred.
Unofficially, everything had changed.
The Aftermath
Alia slept peacefully for the first time since the Hollow.
Her Echo no longer trembled — not gone, but settled, as though something unresolved had finally accepted patience over hunger.
Eris stood by the window, watching the light creep across the floor.
Saphine joined him quietly.
"…Janus," she said."He wasn't lying, was he?"
"No," Eris replied."He rarely does."
"What did he leave behind?"
Eris closed his eyes.
"A marker," he said."Not on Alia. On the world."
That chilled her.
The Heirs Depart
By noon, the heirs began to leave the academy, one by one.
Not defeated.Not united.
But changed.
Aerin Valmont bowed to Saphine before departing — stiff, formal, sincere.
"You're stronger than people think," he said."And your shadow…"He glanced at Eris."…is dangerous in ways I hope never to test."
Eris smiled politely.
Lyssandra smirked."Next time we meet, Vale, try not to rewrite reality."
"No promises."
Even Verradine said nothing — and that spoke volumes.
A Quiet Ending
That night, Saphine sat beside Alia's bed, watching her breathe.
Eris stood near the door.
"Is it really over?" she asked softly.
"For now," he answered."Stories don't end. They pause."
Saphine looked up at him.
"You knew Janus before, didn't you?"
Eris didn't deny it.
"Long ago."
She didn't press further.
Outside, the academy lights dimmed.
The Resonant Hollow was gone.The Saintess's legacy was secured.The trial was complete.
But somewhere beyond sight — beyond sense —
A watcher smiled.
And another arc quietly began.