Eclipse Academy — Auditorium, After the Announcement
The heavy doors groaned open as the crowd surged outward, voices tangled in confusion and fear. Students shuffled through the aisles with wide eyes and trembling hands. Some clutched their phones, others spoke in hushed, panicked tones. It felt less like a school and more like the eye of a storm, holding its breath before destruction.
Tara turned back toward the seats, scanning the lingering faces.
"Nadia?" she called, uncertain.
From the dim corner near the pillars, Nadia appeared. Her walk was composed, her face unreadable.
"Hey," she said, her voice flat.
"Did you see Rose?" Tara asked, stepping toward her.
"No. She's your best friend. You should know where she is," Nadia replied coldly.
"She's not answering. I've tried calling, over and over." Tara's voice trembled.
"And?" Nadia's tone sharpened. "Did you not hear what Sir Cyrus just said? We're not supposed to go out. Especially not alone."
"I know that. But I can't just sit here doing nothing."
Nadia's eyes narrowed. "I know you're a Fireborn, Tara. But maybe you've started thinking you're stronger than everyone else. Above the rules."
Tara blinked, stunned. "What? No—I'm just trying to help."
"If she's really missing, the Academy will deal with it. Her mother is one of the strongest witches alive."
Tara clenched her jaw. "Whatever."
Nadia gave her a final glance, then turned and disappeared into the dispersing crowd.
Alone now, Tara stared at her hands. They were trembling—not from the cold, but from the conflict within.
Am I being reckless? Or is everyone just afraid of my power?
If she doubted herself now, the fire might not come when she needed it most.
---
Training Zone — Winter Morning
The field was blanketed in fog so dense it swallowed the outlines of trees and towers. A chill hung in the air like a warning.
Students lined up in formation—third and fourth semester warriors. Their uniforms bore the crest of Eclipse, barely visible in the grey light. Silence gripped the field like a fist.
Then came the voice that cut through it all.
"Is everyone ready?" Cyrus Throne's words echoed like thunder.
"Yes, sir!" the students roared in unison.
Cyrus paced before them, each step a drumbeat.
"You trained for this moment. It's here. Time to prove your strength, your courage… your worth."
He stopped, staring into the fog as though it could hear him.
"But we've discovered something new. We haven't found many bodies. Which means… they may not be dead."
A murmur spread like fire.
"They might be kidnapped."
Gasps rippled through the students.
"But why?" someone whispered.
"Because," Cyrus's voice rose like a war horn, "if we believe they're already dead, the true enemy remains hidden. And we won't see the next strike coming."
He paused. The fog grew heavier.
"Your mission isn't just to kill monsters. It's to bring our people back."
Then, with sharp precision, he declared:
"From this moment on, you're not just students. You're soldiers. Protectors of Eclipse Academy and every soul within it."
"Grab your swords. Steel your hearts. And fight!"
---
Outside the Training Zone
Tara stood alone, watching as the students marched into formation. Every footstep pounded like a drumbeat against her chest. Her breath clouded in the air, but she wasn't cold. Her heart was burning.
They think I'm arrogant. Even Arib might think so.
Then—
"Tara!"
She turned, startled. Arib was running toward her, his breath visible in the frigid air. The moment he reached her, he pulled her into a tight embrace.
She didn't hug him back.
"I was going to call you," he said, breathless. "But I thought it would be safer if you stayed in your room."
She pulled away, her expression stiff. "Okay. But listen—"
He smiled and raised an eyebrow. "Wait. How do I look in the uniform?"
A small, involuntary smile tugged at her lips. "Handsome."
"Just handsome?" he teased.
Her smile faded. "Rose isn't answering. I think she's been taken."
His eyes darkened instantly. "Yeah. Neel told me. He reported her missing."
"Then I have to go. I can help."
"No, Tara. You can't."
"I'm a Fireborn. I—"
"I know what you are. I saw it. But don't act like you can't be hurt. Or worse."
Her voice cracked, pain flashing through her. "Even you think I'm showing off? That I'm a curse like my father said?"
Arib froze. "Tara, no, I didn't mean—"
"Let's just find our own paths."
The words struck like a blade.
"Are you… breaking up with me?"
"Think whatever you want."
She walked away, boots sparking faint embers on the icy ground.
He reached out—but—
"ARIB! TO FORMATION—NOW!" Cyrus's voice boomed across the fog.
Arib turned back, torn. His duty called. And Tara disappeared into the mist.
---
The Battle Begins — Without Tara
The jungle near Eclipse Academy shivered under the weight of fog and silence. It was the kind of quiet that came before screams.
Arib and Neel stood at the front lines, weapons drawn, eyes flickering between the trees. Around them, other students held their ground—some trembling, others burning with purpose.
Then it came.
A guttural roar tore through the stillness, and from the fog emerged a monstrous form—long, sinewy limbs, oversized teeth, and eyes like something born from a nightmare.
"Steady!" Arib shouted. "Remember your training!"
The creature lunged. A scream rang out.
Neel stepped forward with his shield, intercepting the strike. The beast snarled, its jaws snapping inches from his arm.
"Attack now!" Neel bellowed.
The students erupted. Fire, stone, and light exploded into the fog. One student sprinted like wind, another summoned glowing chains that wrapped around the creature's limbs.
Arib moved with focus, sending sharp beams of light into its chest. Each hit made the creature stumble—but not fall.
It fought back. One student cried out, collapsing as claws tore into his side.
"Medic!" Neel shouted, dragging the injured boy to safety. The medical team rushed in, barely dodging the creature's rage.
"Keep pushing!" Arib called. "It's weakening!"
Then, with a final scream, the beast retreated into the shadows.
Breathing hard, the students stood in place. Mud, blood, and sweat soaked their uniforms. They had survived.
For now.
Arib looked to the jungle, heart thudding. "This isn't over," he whispered. "They're not just monsters. They're hunters."
From the dark trees, unseen by any of them, a second pair of glowing eyes blinked… and smiled.
---
TO BE CONTINUED…