The library smelled of dust and old parchment, the quiet hum of the afternoon interrupted only by the occasional rustle of pages. Aira, Josh, Zara, and Aelric sat around a heavy wooden table, the dim light casting long shadows on their faces. Lana had just finished recounting her experience in the Forbidden Area, and the room still felt charged with her words.
"I… I saw him," Lana whispered, her hands shaking as she gripped the edge of the table. "I wanted to know… ever since I was a kid, I've always been drawn to the places people fear. The Forbidden Area… I felt it. It's wrong. Terrible things have happened there. People dying, screaming, trapped… and then I sensed him."
Aira leaned forward. "Him? You mean… Kyran?"
Lana's eyes widened in shock. "You… you know his name?"
Aelric's expression didn't change. "How do you know him?" he asked instead, his voice calm but probing.
"I… I came to this academy to learn more about the legend," Lana said, voice trembling. "The greatest magician of all time… the eviliest of all… Kyran. And I thought… I thought I could understand, just by seeing the place. But I wasn't prepared…"
She swallowed hard. "He was there, standing… his hand wasn't free. He was in pain. I… I got closer to see, but it wasn't real. It was an illusion, and he tried to hurt me. I almost didn't make it out alive. Since then… I can't sleep. I feel him, waiting… watching, always."
Aira's chest tightened. She exchanged a glance with Josh and Zara.
"We have to go there," she said before anyone could speak.
Zara's eyes went wide. "Are you insane? Did you hear what she just said? That place… it's dangerous. We're not going there!"
Josh crossed his arms, frowning. "Yeah, Aira. I mean… I get that you're determined, but this is serious. We can't just walk in there."
"I'll go alone," Aira said firmly, standing. "If I'm going to do this, I won't risk anyone else."
"You won't go alone," Aelric said quietly but firmly, stepping closer. "We're not leaving you there by yourself."
Aira's jaw tightened. "I can handle myself. I don't need anyone."
"You don't get it," Zara said, voice rising slightly. "It's not about handling yourself. It's about not letting you risk your life for something we can't control!"
Josh leaned forward, pointing a finger at her. "We're a team. If you go, we go. Period."
Aira hesitated, torn between stubbornness and the realization that they wouldn't back down. She exhaled slowly. "Fine. But I'm not taking any risks this time. We go in daylight, stay together, and if we sense any danger, we leave. No exceptions."
"Agreed," Aelric said, nodding. "We find what we're looking for and nothing more."
Before they could leave, news reached them: Sunny had been found.
"She… she's in the medical area," Josh said, disbelief and worry etched into his face. "She was found near the Forbidden Area."
Aira froze. "What… how?"
"She was… found in a bad state," Zara said quietly. "They said she's in a coma."
Aelric's jaw tightened. "Damn…The academy thinks she's connected to Kyran," he explained. "That photo in the library… she was with him. That's enough for them to act."
Aira's chest tightened with frustration. "What but she didn't do anything! She was kidnapped!"
"Exactly," Aelric said grimly. "But to the academy, anyone connected to Kyran has to face consequences."
They abandoned their plan for the Forbidden Area and hurried to the medical wing, the corridors buzzing with students whispering rumors about Sunny's condition. Through the window of the infirmary, they saw her—pale, fragile, and silent, lying on the hospital bed.
Josh's voice was barely audible. "She looks… so small… like she's been through hell."
Before they could process more, two towering figures in military uniforms entered the room, their presence commanding immediate attention. Students parted instinctively, and a murmur ran through the crowd.
Why… why are government officers here?" Zara whispered, her eyes wide.
Aelric stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "I'll find out. Stay here."
Minutes passed before he returned, face grim.
"They're taking her," he said quietly. "As soon as she wakes, the academy plans to hand her over to the government. Anyone who's been near Kyran… anyone with potential influence… they're considered compromised. Sunny being with him in that photograph? That's all they needed."
Aira's hands clenched into fists. "But… It's not her fault…."
Before Aelric could respond,One officer's eyes locked on Aira, and for a moment, his confident composure shattered. His pupils widened, and he stepped back instinctively, a flicker of terror crossing his features. His hand trembled slightly, his jaw tightening as if the air itself had become too heavy.
"Lilian…" he breathed, voice barely audible but trembling with fear.