Kapitel 19: Chapter 19: In the Shadows
The wind howled through the academy grounds, carrying with it the promise of a storm. The once bright and inviting campus now seemed draped in an unsettling gloom. Every corner held a whisper, every shadow seemed alive, and the chill in the air wasn't just from the oncoming weather. Elias couldn't shake the unease that had settled in his bones since the trials. The physical exertion had been taxing, but what lingered in his mind were the whispers—the sense that something far more sinister was at play.
As the evening descended, Elias found himself pacing in his dormitory room, his thoughts racing. He couldn't help but recall the fleeting encounter with Seraphina, the mysterious girl who had warned him the first time he had tried to enter the academy. Her words echoed in his mind, "You don't belong here." At the time, they had stung, but now, they resonated with a deeper meaning. What had she seen in him? And why did she seem to know more than she let on?
He glanced out the window, watching as the clouds gathered, blotting out the remaining light. The world outside his window seemed a reflection of his own state of mind—dark, tumultuous, and filled with unknown threats. The trial had left him with more questions than answers, and he knew he couldn't afford to remain ignorant. There was too much at stake.
Elias couldn't ignore the feeling that someone—or something—was watching him. It wasn't just paranoia; he had felt it during the trials, and it lingered now, an oppressive presence that made his skin crawl. He had noticed glances from some of the instructors, their eyes filled with something he couldn't quite place. Was it suspicion? Concern? Or perhaps something darker?
Unable to sit still, Elias grabbed his cloak and left his room. He needed answers, and there was one person who might have them: Quinn. She wasn't the top student in the academy, not by a long shot. But she was formidable in her own right, one of the best among the first years. More importantly, Quinn had a knack for finding things out, things others couldn't. If there were secrets to be uncovered, Quinn would know how to find them.
The corridors of the dormitory were eerily silent as Elias made his way to Quinn's quarters. Each step he took seemed to echo louder than the last, as if the academy itself was holding its breath. As he approached Quinn's room, he hesitated for a moment, his hand poised to knock. He had no idea how Quinn would react to this uninvited visit, but Elias knew he couldn't back down now.
He rapped on the door three times, the sound sharp against the oppressive silence. There was a pause, then the door creaked open, revealing Quinn standing in the doorway. Her expression was curious but guarded, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in Elias's tense demeanor.
"Elias," Quinn greeted him, her voice smooth but tinged with surprise. "What brings you here?"
"I need to talk to you," Elias said, trying to keep his voice steady. "It's important."
Quinn raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued, but she stepped aside, gesturing for Elias to enter. The room was simple, like his own, with a few personal touches that hinted at Quinn's character. Books were piled on the desk, along with several scrolls, and a map of the academy was tacked to the wall, marked with annotations in Quinn's neat handwriting.
Quinn closed the door behind him and turned to face Elias. "What's on your mind?"
Elias took a deep breath, trying to organize his thoughts. "There's something going on in the academy—something that doesn't add up. During the trials, I felt like we were being watched. And not just by the instructors. There's been this… presence, like someone's keeping tabs on me, on all of us."
Quinn's expression didn't change, but Elias could see the flicker of interest in her eyes. "You're not the first to notice," she said calmly. "There are rumors, whispers of things happening in the shadows. But rumors are just that—rumors."
Elias frowned. "You don't believe them?"
"It's not about belief," Quinn replied, her tone measured. "It's about facts. And the fact is, this academy has always been shrouded in secrecy. We're being trained for something far greater than ourselves, something that requires us to be tested, observed, and sometimes… manipulated."
The weight of Quinn's words hit Elias like a punch to the gut. Manipulated? The thought hadn't crossed his mind, but now that it was out in the open, it seemed all too plausible. "What do you mean, manipulated?"
Quinn moved to the window, looking out at the stormy sky. "This place isn't just a school, Elias. It's a crucible. We're being shaped, molded into something—something that will serve a purpose. The trials, the training, even the interactions we have with each other—it's all part of a larger design."
Elias felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. "But why? What's the point of all this?"
Quinn turned back to him, her gaze piercing. "That's the question, isn't it? What's the point? The truth is, none of us know for sure. The instructors are tight-lipped, the administration even more so. But there are clues if you know where to look. The question is, are you willing to see them?"
Elias's mind raced. He had come here looking for answers, but all he was getting were more questions. Yet, there was something in Quinn's tone, something that suggested she knew more than she was letting on. "What do you know, Quinn? Tell me."
For a moment, Quinn seemed to hesitate, as if weighing her options. Then she sighed, a rare sign of vulnerability from someone usually so composed. "There's a place," she said quietly, "beneath the academy. A place where the real secrets are kept. I've been there once, by accident. It's a labyrinth of sorts, filled with old magic, ancient texts, and… things that shouldn't exist."
Elias's heart pounded in his chest. "Where is it? How do I get there?"
Quinn shook her head. "It's not that simple. The entrance is hidden, and it's guarded by wards I've never seen before. Even I couldn't get past them. But if you're determined, there might be a way. You'll need a key—an artifact that can bypass the wards. I've heard rumors that such a key exists, but finding it… that's another challenge altogether."
Elias felt a surge of determination. He didn't care how dangerous it was—he needed to know the truth. "Where do I start?"
Quinn studied him for a long moment before finally nodding. "There's an old library on the east side of the campus, one that's been abandoned for years. If the key exists, it's likely hidden there, among the forgotten relics. But be careful, Elias. There are things in that library that are best left undisturbed."
Elias nodded, already making plans in his mind. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he couldn't back down now. "Thank you, Quinn," he said, his voice filled with resolve. "I won't forget this."
Quinn's expression softened slightly, and for a brief moment, Elias thought he saw a flicker of something almost like concern. "Be careful, Elias. This academy has secrets, and not all of them are meant to be uncovered."
With that, Elias turned and left the room, his mind buzzing with newfound purpose. The storm outside had intensified, the wind howling like a chorus of lost souls. But Elias wasn't afraid. He had faced darkness before, and he would face it again. Whatever secrets the academy held, he was ready to uncover them—no matter the cost.
As he made his way back to his room, his thoughts drifted to Seraphina. She had seen something in him, something that made her warn him away from the academy. Now, more than ever, he wanted to know what that was. But for now, his path was clear. The library awaited, and with it, the answers he so desperately sought.
But as Elias approached his room, a shadow moved in the corner of his vision. He stopped, his heart leaping into his throat. The shadow was gone as quickly as it had appeared, but the sense of unease remained. He knew now, without a doubt, that he was being watched. And whoever—or whatever—was watching him, was not going to let him uncover the academy's secrets without a fight.
Elias steeled himself, pushing open the door to his room. He had come too far to turn back now. The storm outside raged on, but inside, Elias felt a cold, calculating calm settle over him. The shadows may have been watching, but he was ready. The game had begun, and Elias was determined to win.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein