บท 33: Chapter 33: Whispers in the Wind
The fading light of the evening sun bathed Aurora Academy in a soft, golden glow, casting long shadows across the sprawling grounds. Rian Ashford stood by the edge of the training field, the familiar stretch of grass and stone feeling both like home and a battlefield where new challenges constantly awaited. He squinted at the sky, watching as the purples and pinks of the sunset deepened into darker shades, giving way to the encroaching night.
A breeze picked up, stirring his hair and carrying with it faint whispers from the students scattered around the academy. They weren't close enough for Rian to make out any words, but the occasional sidelong glance or hushed conversation was enough to tell him what he already knew: they were talking about him. Ever since that night in the underground chamber, ever since his battle with Zephyr, rumors had spread like wildfire through the academy.
The whispers followed him wherever he went. Some regarded him with awe, others with uncertainty, and a few with suspicion. It wasn't just about his growing power; it was about the unsettling mystery surrounding Essentia and the lingering question of what truly happened during that battle. No one, save for Dante, Lyria, and Seraphina, knew the truth.
Rian had changed, and though he wasn't sure if he could put the exact transformation into words, he felt it in his bones. His connection to his Essentia—its light, its strength—had grown more intense, more intertwined with his very being. At times, it felt like it pulsed beneath his skin, reacting to his emotions and thoughts. And yet, he hadn't even begun to fully understand it.
"Rian?"
The familiar voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Turning, he saw Lyria Greenbriar approaching, her green eyes shining with concern. Her long brown hair was tied back, revealing the faint silver lines of healing Essentia running down her forearms. She, too, had been different ever since that night. The battle had forced them all to evolve in ways they hadn't anticipated.
Lyria came to a stop beside him, her gaze drifting to the sky, mimicking the way Rian had been staring off into the distance. "They're still talking, aren't they?"
Rian nodded, not bothering to lie. "Yeah. They are."
"Do you think they'll ever stop?" Lyria asked softly, her tone weighed down by the unspoken tension between them and the rest of the academy.
"I don't know. Maybe once something else grabs their attention." He forced a smile but knew it wouldn't fool her.
Lyria frowned, her concern deepening. "It's more than just rumors, Rian. People are afraid. They're questioning what's happening to us—what's happening with Essentia. And now with Zephyr still out there..."
At the mention of Zephyr's name, Rian felt a familiar, cold anger stir within him. The shadowy figure had left an indelible mark on his life, and he was sure they hadn't seen the last of him. Whatever Zephyr's goals were, they were tied to Essentia in a way none of them understood yet. But Rian wasn't about to let that fear control him. He had vowed to become stronger, to unravel the secrets of Essentia, and to protect those he cared about. No matter the cost.
"He'll come back," Rian said, his voice steady. "I can feel it. But when he does, we'll be ready."
Lyria gave him a side glance, her lips pressed into a thin line, as if debating whether to say more. Finally, she sighed. "I just wish we had more answers. The more I think about it, the more I realize how little we know about Essentia, about its origins. And now... after what we've seen, I don't know if anyone can help us find those answers."
Rian glanced at her, nodding slightly. She was right. The professors at Aurora Academy, skilled as they were, had their limits. They taught what they knew, but there were gaps—holes in the history and knowledge of Essentia that none of them had been able to fill. The mystery of Essentia was deeper than anyone had imagined.
"That's why we have to keep searching," Rian said. "We're not done yet."
A soft rustling of leaves interrupted their conversation, and both Rian and Lyria turned to see Dante Valen approaching, his dark cloak billowing slightly in the wind. His sharp features were set in a serious expression, though his eyes, always burning with intensity, softened when he saw his two closest friends.
"There you are," Dante said, his voice deep and gravelly. "I've been looking for you."
Rian raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"
Dante glanced around, ensuring no one else was nearby before he spoke again. "I heard something interesting from the upperclassmen today. It seems like the academy's been keeping tabs on us ever since the battle."
"Keeping tabs?" Lyria asked, her brow furrowing.
Dante nodded. "They're watching us. Monitoring our progress and our abilities. It's subtle, but I overheard one of the professors talking about how our connection to Essentia is... different."
Rian's eyes narrowed. "Different how?"
"From what I gather, they think we've tapped into something beyond what the academy teaches. Something that's outside the normal range of Essentia manipulation."
Lyria folded her arms, her voice sharp with frustration. "So they're spying on us?"
"More like studying us," Dante corrected. "We've become something of an experiment, I think. And I don't like it."
Rian felt a surge of irritation rise in his chest. He had expected questions and rumors, but not this. The academy was supposed to be a place of learning and trust, not a place where students were observed like test subjects.
"They don't understand," Rian muttered, mostly to himself. "They don't know what we've been through. What we've seen."
"That's the point," Dante said, crossing his arms. "And if we're not careful, they might try to control us or worse—restrict us. We need to stay ahead of them, figure out what they're hiding before they decide we're too dangerous."
Rian clenched his fists, his frustration mingling with the ever-present sense of responsibility that weighed on his shoulders. It wasn't just about Zephyr anymore. It was about the academy, the professors, the other students. Who could they trust? Who was on their side?
Before anyone could say more, another voice broke through the tension.
"You three always look so serious."
Seraphina strode toward them, her chestnut hair flowing in the evening breeze, her striking blue eyes gleaming with curiosity. She smiled as she approached, though there was a knowing edge to it. Ever since she had joined their small group, she had proven herself an invaluable ally, particularly with her mastery of fire and air Essentia. But Seraphina was also a mystery in her own right. Even though she had fought alongside them, Rian often got the sense that she knew more than she let on.
"We have good reason to be serious," Dante said, his gaze fixed on her. "We're being watched."
Seraphina's smile faded, and she tilted her head thoughtfully. "I had a feeling something like that was happening. I've noticed some of the professors acting... strange. But we should have expected this after the battle with Zephyr. The academy can't just ignore what's happening, even if they don't fully understand it."
Rian sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "So what do we do? We can't just keep going on like this, not knowing what's really happening."
Seraphina's expression softened as she looked at him. "We keep training, keep pushing forward. Whatever Zephyr's plan is, he hasn't given up. And if we want to be ready for whatever comes next, we need to be stronger than we've ever been."
The group fell silent for a moment, each of them lost in their own thoughts. The weight of the situation was heavy, but it was a burden they had to carry together. They couldn't rely on the academy to protect them or provide them with answers. This was their fight now.
Finally, Rian spoke, his voice firm with resolve. "We'll figure it out. We'll find the answers. And when Zephyr returns, we'll be ready."
Dante nodded, his fiery determination mirrored in his eyes. "Agreed. We can't let anyone stop us. Not the academy, not Zephyr, no one."
Lyria smiled faintly, her usual optimism shining through despite the tension. "We've come this far, haven't we? We'll face whatever comes next. Together."
Seraphina looked at them all, her eyes filled with quiet confidence. "Then it's settled. We keep moving forward."
As the last rays of sunlight disappeared beneath the horizon, the group stood together, united by a shared purpose. The whispers in the academy would continue, the questions would linger, but they had a mission. They would uncover the truth about Essentia, about Zephyr, and about the academy itself.
And when the time came, they would be ready to face whatever darkness lay ahead.
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