Raven stepped out of the library with the strange boy in tow. The cold air outside felt sharp against her skin, but it was a relief after the suffocating presence of the shadow creatures. The boy had yet to tell her his name, and Corvus, perched on her shoulder, was unusually silent.
"Alright," Raven began, stopping in her tracks and turning to face him. "I think it's time for some answers. Who are you, and what were you doing in there?"
The boy hesitated, glancing nervously over his shoulder. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
Raven folded her arms. "Try me. My best friend is a talking bird, and I just fought off shadow monsters in a haunted library. My bar for 'believable' is pretty flexible."
Corvus ruffled his feathers. "I'm not your 'best friend.' I'm your guide."
"Not now, Corvus," Raven said through gritted teeth, her eyes never leaving the boy.
The boy sighed, his shoulders slumping. "My name is Elias. I was…hiding. From them. The shadows."
"Why were they after you?" Raven asked.
Elias's eyes darkened. "Because I know too much. About this place. About the curse." He pointed at her arm, where the mark still glowed faintly through her sleeve.
Raven narrowed her eyes. "What do you know about it?"
"Enough to know it's not just a curse," Elias replied. "It's a bond. A link to something ancient. Dangerous."
Raven's stomach churned. She had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed sent a chill down her spine. "And what does that have to do with you?"
"I…," Elias hesitated, his voice faltering. "I was part of an experiment. They were trying to recreate it. The mark. But something went wrong, and now the shadows won't leave me alone."
Corvus cocked his head. "An experiment? By whom?"
Elias looked away. "I can't say. They'll find me if I talk."
Raven stepped closer, her voice firm. "If you want my help, you need to start talking. Otherwise, you're on your own."
Elias's jaw tightened, but he nodded reluctantly. "Fine. There's a group—The Covenant of Umbra. They've been trying to harness the power of the mark for centuries. They believe it's the key to controlling both life and death."
Raven's eyes widened. "And you were part of this… Covenant?"
"Not by choice," Elias said bitterly. "They took me when I was a kid. Trained me. But I escaped."
Raven studied him for a moment. His story felt half-true, but there was a desperation in his eyes she couldn't ignore.
"Alright," she said finally. "You can stick with me for now. But if I catch you lying…"
Elias raised his hands. "I get it. No lies."
"Good," Raven said, turning back toward the academy. "Let's go. I need to figure out what this mark is before it burns a hole through my arm."
As they walked, Corvus broke the tense silence. "You're taking a risk, trusting him."
"I don't trust him," Raven muttered. "But he knows more than I do. And right now, I'll take whatever help I can get."
Corvus let out a low caw. "Just don't forget, the mark doesn't just draw enemies. It tests its bearer. The library was only the beginning."
Raven frowned. "What kind of tests?"
"You'll see soon enough," Corvus said cryptically.
Elias glanced at Raven, his brow furrowed. "He's not joking. The mark is tied to ancient wards scattered throughout this place. Each one holds a piece of its power. If you want to understand it, you'll have to face them."
"Fantastic," Raven said dryly. "Because I haven't had enough near-death experiences this week."
As they approached the central courtyard of the academy, Raven felt the air change. It was subtle at first, a faint hum in the back of her mind. But with each step, the sensation grew stronger.
"Do you feel that?" she asked, glancing at Elias.
He nodded, his expression tense. "It's one of the wards. It's close."
Corvus flew ahead, circling a stone archway that led to the west wing of the academy. "This way."
Raven followed, her mark beginning to thrum with a steady pulse. The sensation was both painful and hypnotic, pulling her toward an ancient iron door at the end of the hall.
"This is it," Corvus said, landing on the door's handle.
Elias stopped a few paces back. "Are you sure about this? The wards aren't exactly friendly."
"I don't think I have a choice," Raven said, pushing the door open.
The room beyond was circular, its walls lined with glowing runes that pulsed in time with her mark. At the center stood a pedestal, atop which rested a crystalline orb. The air was heavy, thick with an unseen energy that made her skin crawl.
Elias lingered in the doorway. "This is your first test. You have to activate the ward and claim its power. But be careful—it won't give it up without a fight."
Raven stepped toward the pedestal, her fingers tingling as she reached for the orb. The moment her hand made contact, the runes flared to life, and the room was plunged into darkness.
A voice echoed in the void, deep and resonant. "You seek the power of the shadowed bond. Prove yourself worthy, or be consumed."
Raven's heart raced as the darkness shifted around her, forming a massive, serpentine figure with glowing red eyes.
"Of course," she muttered, bracing herself. "Why couldn't it just be a friendly quiz?"
The creature lunged, and Raven dove to the side, narrowly avoiding its fangs.
"Raven!" Corvus called. "Strike the orb! It's the source of its power!"
"That would've been useful information ten seconds ago!" she snapped, dodging another attack.
The creature's tail lashed out, catching her off guard and knocking her to the ground. Pain shot through her ribs as she struggled to her feet.
Elias shouted from the doorway. "You have to focus! The ward feeds on fear—don't let it control you!"
Raven gritted her teeth, her mind racing. She needed a plan.
The creature lunged again, and this time, she sidestepped, grabbing a shard of broken stone from the floor. As it reared back, she hurled the shard at the orb.
The impact shattered the orb, and the creature let out a deafening roar before dissolving into mist. The runes dimmed, and the room returned to its normal state.
Raven collapsed to her knees, breathing heavily. The mark on her arm burned, but the pain was quickly replaced by a strange sense of strength.
"You did it," Corvus said, his tone almost impressed.
Elias stepped into the room, his expression a mix of awe and relief. "One ward down. But there are more."
Raven pushed herself to her feet, determination hardening her features. "Then let's keep going. If this mark wants to test me, I'm not backing down."