The gates of Ashbourne rose before them, dark stone familiar after days in hostile territory. The team rode through as twilight settled over the mountain fortress, weary but victorious. Students training in the yards stopped to watch—elite squires returning from mission, covered in monster blood and battle dust.
"Straight to Mistress Elara," Van said. "She'll want immediate report."
They dismounted at the main hall, handed horses to stable hands, and moved with purpose toward the headmistress's office. The hawk message had arrived hours before their return—Mistress Elara would be waiting.
She stood at her window overlooking the training yards when they entered, turning to assess them with sharp eyes. "Your hawk message was... concerning. Enhanced monsters, organized faction, trained operatives. Sit. Tell me everything."
The team arranged themselves before her desk. Van took lead, professional and concise.
"Mission started simple. Thornpeak Village, monster attacks, eight gnolls and three trolls reported. We tracked them to a den, engaged, discovered they were enhanced." Van gestured to Kade, who placed broken collars on the desk. "Enslavement runes with power amplification. Strength, speed, durability all boosted significantly above normal monster capabilities."
Mistress Elara examined the collars carefully, eyes narrowing. "Sophisticated work. This requires advanced rune theory and significant resources."
"Confirmed," Kade said. "The enhancement patterns are expert-level application. Whoever made these has training equivalent to Master Torven or higher."
"After eliminating the enhanced monsters, we tracked the controllers," Van continued. "Trail led to ambush position. They were waiting for us—fifteen gnolls, six trolls, all enhanced. And five human operatives in black masks."
"Human combatants?" Mistress Elara's attention sharpened.
"Trained warriors, not scholars. They engaged us directly, coordinated with the enhanced monsters." Van's expression was grim. "Professional combat capability, tactical extraction protocols. They called themselves The Endless Night."
Mistress Elara went very still. "The Endless Night. You're certain?"
"One of them announced it during the ambush," Adrian confirmed. "Shouted it specifically—'Endless Night, show these academy children what real combat means.'"
"That's... problematic." Mistress Elara sat down heavily. "The Endless Night is not unknown to kingdom authorities. They're a secretive organization, suspected of various illegal activities. But this is first confirmed sighting in years. And enslavement rune operations have been reported before, but they're becoming more frequent lately. There are even rumors that a neighboring kingdom is in cahoots with using runes to control monsters."
Van placed the partially burned paper on the desk. "We found this after the battle. Addressed to someone with initials M.C. Message says 'mission finished.'"
Mistress Elara read it carefully, face grave. "M.C. Unknown to our records. But if The Endless Night completed a mission at Thornpeak, we need to understand what that mission was. Enhancement rune testing? Intelligence gathering? Something else?"
"We don't know," Van admitted. "Could be any of those. But whatever they accomplished, they were prepared to defend it. The ambush was professional—they knew we'd track them, set up advantageous position, used monsters as cover for extraction."
"All five operatives escaped?" Mistress Elara asked.
"All five," Lyra confirmed. "We were focused on surviving the enhanced monster assault. By the time we cleared them, the controllers had extracted."
"Don't fault yourselves for that. Five trained operatives with enhanced monster support..." Mistress Elara shook her head. "You're lucky you survived with zero casualties. Speaking of which, team assessment. How did you perform?"
"Excellently," Van said without hesitation. "Initial struggle when we encountered enhanced monsters—the power boost caught us off-guard. But Kade identified the enhancement source, we adapted tactics, eliminated the threat efficiently."
"The ambush tested us harder," Korvan added. "Greater numbers, coordinated human-monster tactics. But team coordination held. Everyone executed their roles perfectly."
Mistress Elara looked at Adrian. "And your crimson Spirit Sword? Van's message mentioned it proved critical."
"Saved lives," Van confirmed before Adrian could respond. "Adrian was surrounded—three enhanced gnolls, one troll, two human operatives. White Spirit Sword wouldn't have been enough. Crimson manifestation ended threats with overwhelming force. Without it, we'd have taken casualties."
"The power difference was significant," Kade said respectfully. "Crimson manifestation cut through enhanced durability that resisted normal Spirit Sword strikes. Game-changing capability in critical moment."
Adrian met Mistress Elara's eyes. "I saved it for when it mattered. The ambush qualified."
"Agreed. That's exactly when unprecedented power should be used—genuine life-or-death situations." Mistress Elara's expression was approving. "You showed tactical judgment alongside combat capability. Both matter for early graduation consideration."
"Early graduation status?" Adrian asked.
"Still on track. Top academic marks, perfect combat record, now successful elite mission with kingdom-level threat encounter. You're exceeding requirements." She looked at the whole team. "All of you performed to elite standard. This mission will be noted in your records."
Van shifted forward. "What happens now? The Endless Night is out there, M.C. is unknown, and we don't know their objective."
"I report this to kingdom command immediately. Enhanced monster operations, confirmed Endless Night sighting, evidence of larger organization. And if there's truth to the rumors about neighboring kingdom involvement..." Mistress Elara gathered the evidence carefully. "This escalates to High Command and possibly royal attention. You've uncovered something bigger than village protection."
"Thornpeak Village?" Lyra asked. "The hawk message mentioned they need assistance."
"Kingdom forces will be dispatched—protection detail, medical aid, rebuilding resources. Your recommendation will be enacted." Mistress Elara stood. "You've done your duty admirably. Mission success, critical intelligence gathered, zero casualties. Dismissed for rest. Report to normal training schedule tomorrow."
The team stood, bowed, and filed out. Exhaustion hit them as adrenaline finally faded—three days of travel, enhanced combat, professional ambush. They'd earned rest.
In the corridor, Van clapped Adrian's shoulder. "First elite mission, kingdom-level threat, crimson Spirit Sword revelation. Not bad for second-year placement."
"We all performed well," Adrian said. "Team effort."
"True. But that crimson..." Van smiled. "I understand why Mistress Elara placed you in second year now. You've got capability beyond normal progression."
They separated to their quarters. Adrian entered his room, finally alone, and sat heavily on his bed. The violet pendant rested warm against his chest—Alice's color, her promise.
Three months at Ashbourne. First elite mission complete. The Endless Night revealed as organized threat. M.C. identity unknown. Mission objectives unclear.
But tonight, mission accomplished. Village saved, threat eliminated, intelligence gathered.
Tomorrow, training resumed. The path to early graduation continued.
And somewhere far away, The Endless Night planned their next move.