Chapter 6: Order of the Abyssal Star
Night cloaked the academy in silence.
The moon's pale glow spilled across the rooftops like frost, reflecting off Shadow's blade as he knelt in the darkness.
His eyes were closed not asleep, but listening.
Whispers traveled through the wind, soft and fragmented.
Words only he could hear.
…the gate… the ritual… blood of the royal line…
He opened his eyes, glowing faintly violet. "Found you."
The Hidden Chamber
Shadow slipped through the academy's underground tunnels a maze only staff were supposed to know about. His footsteps made no sound, his presence erased completely.
He stopped at an old door covered in rusted sigils. With a gesture, they shattered silently.
Inside, torches flickered to life one by one. The air stank of blood and decay.
Symbols were carved across the floor a ritual circle pulsing with dark energy.
Seven robed figures stood around it.
"The next vessel will be ready by dawn," one whispered. "The princess's blood will awaken the gate."
Shadow stepped out of the darkness behind them.
"You know," he said, voice calm but cutting, "I really hate people who talk about blood rituals before breakfast."
The cultists turned too late.
In one motion, his blade cut through the air. The shadows rippled outward like waves, swallowing everything in silence.
When the darkness faded, only one cultist was left kneeling, trembling.
"Wh-who are you?" the man gasped.
Shadow's eyes glowed faintly. "We are Shadow Organization. We lurk in the shadows… and hunt the shadows."
The man screamed once before vanishing into black mist.
The Message
He examined the runes on the floor. The markings glowed faintly with crimson light demonic magic mixed with ancient royal symbols.
This isn't just a cult, he realized. It's a network. Someone inside the academy is helping them.
He tapped a small crystal on his wrist. "Lyra."
Her voice echoed softly. "Yes, Master?"
"I found proof. They're trying to use the princess's blood to open a dimensional gate. Prepare Shadow Three and Four I want eyes on every noble connected to the academy."
"As you command."
"And Lyra," he added, his tone colder now, "if they make another move… erase them."
The Princess's Doubt
At dawn, Elaria sat in her private chamber, staring at a report on her desk.
Students were missing. Teachers were silent.
And every trail led nowhere.
"Elaria," her younger sister murmured, "you haven't slept."
"I can't. Something's wrong here. The barriers fail, monsters appear, and now… people vanish."
Her sister hesitated. "You think it's connected to that boy… Cid Vale?"
Elaria looked out the window. "He's hiding something. But I can't tell if he's the danger or the one holding it back."
A Shadow's Lesson
Later that day, Shadow stood at the academy courtyard, blending in as usual.
To everyone else, he looked like an ordinary student quiet, plain, forgettable.
A group of nobles strutted by, sneering. "Hey, commoner, still pretending to belong here?"
Shadow didn't look up. "You're blocking my light."
The noble scowled. "What did you"
A sudden gust of wind cut him off sharp, unnatural.
The noble froze as his mana core shuddered inside him.
Shadow smiled faintly. "Careful. Some shadows bite back."
The noble stumbled away, pale.
The Blood Moon's Call
That night, the blood moon rose again.
Shadow sat alone at the highest tower, the wind tearing through his cloak.
Behind him, a faint ripple shimmered a portal forming in the air, its edge lined with red lightning.
Lyra's voice came through the crystal, shaken. "Master! The sigil you destroyed… it was only one of many. There are seven more across the kingdom!"
Shadow stood, eyes narrowing. "And I suppose each one leads to another gate."
"Yes. But… this one's opening inside the academy!"
The portal widened, glowing like a wound in reality. From its depths came whispers laughter, screams, and something vast crawling toward the world.
Shadow drew his blade, mana swirling around him like a storm.
"Then let's make this simple," he said, stepping forward. "I'll erase every shadow they send."
The portal exploded outward and he leapt in.