Helios Academy had never been this loud.
Whispers, cheers, and outright disbelief rippled through every corridor like wildfire — the boy who broke a chain, the Titan-slayer of the first-year class, the kid who fought in rags and won.
But Aiden Cross walked through it all with the same quiet calm he always had, hands tucked in his jacket pockets and a rumble in his stomach louder than the gossip around him.
He hadn't eaten all day.
The Sunforge District, a floating plaza just below the main campus, glowed in the evening light. Steam rose from food stalls, the air rich with the smell of grilled meats, sizzling noodles, and divine spices that shimmered faintly from infused ingredients.
Every meal here was powered by Echo Energy — the essence of minor relics used for cooking. Even the ramen bowls hummed softly with warmth from divine fragments.
Aiden stopped at a small corner stall marked "The Ambrosia Bowl." A wooden sign swung lazily in the breeze, and behind the counter stood an old man with gray hair tied back and a single glowing eye — a retired Vassal, if the aura rolling off him was any indication.
"You look like you've gone twelve rounds with a god, kid," the man said, raising an eyebrow. "What'll it be?"
Aiden smiled faintly. "Just something filling. Whatever's cheap."
The man grinned, ladling steaming broth into a bowl. "You're the first student today to say that. Everyone else's been ordering hero feasts since that Titan attack."
Aiden scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, well… I didn't really do much."
The old man chuckled. "That's funny. 'Cause rumor has it, some 'nobody with a sealed Mythos' stopped a Titan's fist with one hand."
Aiden sighed. "Rumors spread fast here, huh?"
The man slid the bowl across the counter. "In a place where gods once walked, truth travels even faster."
Aiden sat down, the wooden stool creaking beneath him. The noodles glowed faintly, infused with solar energy from the Echo forge. As soon as he took a bite, warmth flooded his body — his exhausted muscles finally relaxing.
He didn't notice Lyra Vale until she sat down beside him.
"You eat like you haven't in days," she said, adjusting her glasses.
He looked up mid-bite. "Didn't know this was a ranked meal."
Her expression softened — just a little. "You surprised everyone today, Aiden Cross. Including me."
He shrugged. "You were supposed to win. I just… reacted."
"That's what's strange," she said, her analytical tone returning. "When you broke your chain, your body should've torn apart. But you stayed stable. Controlled. Even after the Titan's energy blast."
He set his chopsticks down, gaze distant. "Maybe I'm just lucky."
"Luck doesn't bend stone with its bare hands." She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "Who exactly are you?"
Aiden hesitated, eyes flickering gold for just a heartbeat. "Someone who's trying to figure that out, too."
Before she could respond, a faint ping echoed from their bracelets — a glowing seal bearing the crest of Helios.
A message.
⚡ EMERGENCY ASSEMBLY – ORION HALL. ALL STUDENTS REPORT IMMEDIATELY.
Lyra's eyes narrowed. "That's not normal. They never call assemblies after dark."
Aiden stood, tossing a few coins on the counter. "Guess dinner's over."
The old man nodded toward him as he left. "Hey, kid."
Aiden glanced back.
"Whatever power you've got inside you," the man said, voice suddenly solemn, "make sure you control it. Not the other way around."
Aiden nodded silently and turned away.
The night sky above Helios shimmered with divine lights — constellations said to be the spirits of the old gods, watching from afar. As he and Lyra made their way toward the academy halls, the wind carried faint whispers of thunder — an omen only Aiden could feel deep in his chest.
And somewhere in the distance… a chain rattled.
The Assembly Hall of Helios was built like a cathedral to the divine — massive pillars carved with glowing runes, light flowing through golden veins in the marble walls. The air buzzed with tension as hundreds of students gathered, whispering about the sudden summons.
Aiden and Lyra slipped in near the back. Kael Drakon was already there, leaning against a column with arms crossed, his crimson aura flickering faintly like a dying flame.
"Took you long enough," Kael muttered as they approached. "Heard you two had dinner while the rest of us were panicking."
"I was hungry," Aiden said simply.
Kael smirked. "And modest. Great combo, hero boy."
Before Aiden could respond, the room dimmed. The massive doors sealed shut with a sound like thunder.
A figure stepped onto the raised platform — Professor Orion. His silver eyes glowed faintly, his presence alone silencing every voice. The faint hum of divine energy radiated from him — not overpowering, but commanding.
"Students of Helios," Orion began, his tone calm but edged with authority. "You all witnessed today's events. A Fallen Titan — long believed dormant — appeared within our sky barrier."
The murmurs started instantly.
"But that's impossible—"
"Titans can't manifest this close to divine wards—"
"Was it attracted by the Echo surge?"
Orion raised a hand, and silence returned.
"This was not a coincidence. The Titan was summoned."
The air shifted — cold, heavy, almost electric.
"Summoned?" Lyra whispered. "By who?"
Aiden's jaw tightened.
Orion continued, pacing slowly across the stage. "Someone within these walls interfered with the Echo network that shields Helios. Their intention was not destruction… but testing. Testing for something — or someone — strong enough to resist a Fallen."
His gaze swept over the crowd.
And for just a heartbeat… his eyes lingered on Aiden.
Aiden's stomach sank.
Kael leaned closer, whispering, "You think he means—"
"I don't know," Aiden murmured.
Orion's tone hardened. "Effective immediately, all Mythos users who manifested unstable Echo signatures during the attack will be evaluated by the faculty. You will report to the Ascendant Chamber tomorrow morning."
"Unstable signatures," Lyra repeated under her breath. "That's code for 'anyone who went beyond their limits.'"
Aiden exhaled quietly. "So… me."
Orion's gaze finally turned toward the students directly.
"And understand this: whoever tampered with the wards used Obsidian sigils."
Gasps filled the room. Even the most stoic students tensed at that name.
"The Obsidian Order?" Kael hissed. "They're supposed to be a myth."
"They're real," Lyra said grimly. "And if they're here…"
Orion's voice cut through the murmurs again.
"The Order seeks to resurrect the fallen gods through the collection of Divine Echoes. If they've reached our walls, it means one thing — Helios is no longer a sanctuary."
His eyes glowed faintly silver, his Mythos resonating through every stone in the hall.
"Be vigilant. Trust your instincts. And for those chosen for tomorrow's evaluation… prepare yourselves."
The lights brightened again. The crowd slowly began to disperse, buzzing with anxious energy.
Kael stretched, cracking his knuckles. "Well, that's comforting. 'We're all in danger, see you in the morning.'"
Lyra adjusted her glasses, frowning. "If the Obsidian Order infiltrated the academy, that means someone powerful let them in."
"Someone with access to the inner systems," Aiden said quietly.
Kael glanced at him. "You sound like you've already got a suspect."
Aiden didn't answer. His mind kept circling back to the Titan — the way it looked at him, almost as if it recognized him.
As the three walked out under the night sky, Aiden caught his reflection in one of the crystalline windows — the faint golden shimmer still flickering in his irises.
He thought he heard it again — the rattle of chains in the distance.
But this time, the sound wasn't from within him.
It came from above.
Thunder rolled through the clouds above Helios Academy. Lightning flickered — not natural, but shaped like ancient sigils forming briefly before vanishing.
And far above the floating citadel, a cloaked figure stood on a distant platform, holding a black shard pulsing with divine energy.
"The first chain has broken," the figure said softly, voice echoing with multiple tones. "Hercules' heir has awakened."
From the shadows behind him, several eyes glowed violet.
"Then the Twelve Trials have begun."
The assembly had ended, but tension still lingered in the air like static.
The night wind blew through the marble courtyards of Helios Academy, carrying faint whispers of thunder. Students clustered in small groups, talking about the Titan attack, the Obsidian Order… and the boy who had stopped it.
Aiden tried to ignore it all. He and Lyra walked side by side through the outer gardens — a quiet stretch lined with glowing blue lotuses that pulsed faintly with divine energy.
Lyra was talking softly, analyzing Orion's announcement. "If the Obsidian sigils were genuine, then whoever planted them has access to restricted Echo channels. That means this isn't just infiltration — it's a message."
Aiden nodded slightly, not looking at her. "A message meant for me."
Lyra frowned. "You think the Titan was—"
Her words cut off as a sudden splash of water arced across the path, drenching the front of her uniform. The glowing flowers rippled from the impact.
"Well, well," a smug voice said. "Didn't think the top strategist of Helios spent her nights chatting up the weakest link."
They turned.
Standing near the fountain was Darius Vane, a second-year known for his arrogance — tall, broad-shouldered, with ocean-blue eyes that shimmered like waves. His Mythos of Poseidon radiated faintly around him, droplets of water orbiting his body like a miniature tide.
Two of his friends laughed behind him, their Echoes flaring in faint solidarity.
Lyra straightened, her expression sharp. "Vane. You're blocking the walkway."
Darius smirked, stepping closer. "Relax, Athena. Just curious what the academy's prodigy sees in him."
He nodded toward Aiden. "The guy who broke one chain and thinks he's some kind of godslayer."
Aiden exhaled through his nose. "I'm not interested in trouble."
"Too late," Darius said, his tone dripping with mockery. "You humiliated every second-year today. You think we're just gonna let that slide?"
He flicked his wrist, and water condensed into a swirling trident of liquid light — the weapon humming with aquatic resonance. The air around him shifted, heavy with pressure, like standing near a crashing wave.
Lyra stepped in front of Aiden. "Don't. This isn't a sanctioned duel."
Darius chuckled. "Oh, I'm not fighting him. I'm just making a point."
His eyes dropped to her — and the smirk that spread across his face made Aiden's blood turn cold.
"Tell you what," Darius said, voice low. "Maybe you'd be better off with someone who can actually protect you. Not a weakling playing hero."
Lyra's expression hardened. "Move. Now."
Darius leaned closer, the trident dissolving back into mist. "Or what? You'll lecture me to death?"
That was it.
Aiden stepped forward, placing a hand gently on Lyra's shoulder — guiding her aside. His calm blue eyes met Darius's oceanic ones, and for the first time that night, the quiet boy looked dangerous.
"Apologize," Aiden said simply.
Darius blinked, then scoffed. "What was that?"
"I said," Aiden repeated, his tone even, "apologize to her."
Darius laughed, a deep, arrogant sound that echoed through the courtyard. "And if I don't?"
Aiden's gaze didn't waver. "Then I'll make you."
Darius' grin widened. "You don't scare me, Chainbreaker."
Water exploded upward from the fountain, coiling around Darius like serpents. His Poseidon Mythos flared fully now — the ground trembling under the pull of his power. "You're out of your depth."
The water surged forward like a tidal wave — crashing toward Aiden and Lyra.
Aiden didn't move for a moment. His hand clenched into a fist. The golden shimmer returned to his eyes.
Then—he stepped forward.
The air cracked.
He punched once — straight into the oncoming water.
The impact didn't just break the wave — it parted it. The entire surge split apart, water scattering harmlessly around him as steam hissed into the air.
Darius froze mid-summon, eyes wide. "What—"
Before he could finish, Aiden was already in front of him. One second he was ten feet away — the next, his fist hovered an inch from Darius's throat. The courtyard tiles spiderwebbed from the shockwave that followed.
Golden light flared briefly around Aiden's arm — the faint echo of Chain I: Lion's Valor still resonating within him.
"Last chance," Aiden said quietly. "Apologize."
The tension snapped. Darius's water trident shattered into droplets, falling harmlessly to the ground.
He stepped back, jaw tight. "Fine." His tone was bitter, but there was a flicker of fear behind it. "Sorry."
Aiden dropped his hand. The golden light faded.
Lyra exhaled, finally stepping forward. "You'd think a Poseidon wielder would have better control of his temper."
Darius glared at her, then turned on his heel and stormed off, his entourage scrambling to follow.
The courtyard went quiet again, save for the faint trickle of water returning to the fountain.
Aiden stood there, breathing steady but heavy — faint cracks of golden light still pulsing across his forearm before fading completely.
Lyra looked at him for a long moment, her usual sharp tone softer. "You didn't have to do that."
He gave a small shrug. "Yeah, I did."
They stood in silence for a few seconds before she spoke again.
"You know this is only going to make things worse. Darius isn't the type to take humiliation lightly."
Aiden gave a faint smile. "Then he'll have to train harder."
Lyra couldn't help it — she smiled back. Just barely.
"…You really don't act like the hero everyone's painting you as."
"I'm not one."
His gaze turned toward the horizon — the stars gleaming faintly above the academy towers.
"I'm just someone trying to earn my power."
And far off in the distance, lightning flashed again across the clouds — forming the faint outline of a trident.
As if Poseidon himself had taken notice.