Cursed By Fate

A dangerous presence

Chapter 6: A Dangerous Presence

The Academy grounds were filled with whispers that morning. Rumors of Aria’s sparring match with the advanced students had spread quickly, and her presence had become a topic of heated conversation. Some spoke in awe of her skill, while others muttered about the cursed gods that had chosen her.

Aria walked through the halls, indifferent to the looks she received. She had always been an outsider—first in her own home, and now here. Nothing had changed. The Academy’s walls might have been grander, and the people more powerful, but their judgment was just as sharp. And yet, it didn't matter. The gods had chosen her, and with their power coursing through her veins, Aria knew she no longer had to fear anyone.

As she arrived at the training grounds once more, she found the advanced students already assembled. Master Kaelan greeted her with a nod, his sharp eyes scanning her posture and demeanor. Without a word, he motioned her toward the training ring. Today, she would face not one, but multiple opponents—students who had been training for years.

One by one, they stepped forward. Aria stood in the center, her face a blank canvas of cold indifference. The first student lunged at her, his sword slashing through the air. With lightning-fast reflexes, Aria dodged and disarmed him in a single, fluid motion. He fell to the ground, clutching his wrist in pain, his sword clattering beside him.

The next opponent hesitated, glancing nervously at the fallen student before attacking. But Aria moved with deadly grace, sidestepping each strike and countering with perfect precision. She moved like a shadow, silent and swift, and within moments, the second student joined the first, defeated.

Master Kaelan watched, arms crossed, his face a mask of approval. "Enough!" he called, halting the sparring session as the other students looked on in awe and fear.

"Impressive, Aria," he said, his voice calm but filled with respect. "You’ve proven yourself more than capable."

Aria simply nodded, her expression unreadable. She didn’t care for their approval, nor did she seek their acceptance. Her focus remained on one thing—her training, and the powers she had yet to fully understand.

As the students dispersed, Aria caught a glimpse of the fiery-haired girl again, her eyes still filled with resentment. It didn’t bother her. Aria had grown used to being hated for things beyond her control. The curse that flowed through her veins was a constant reminder of that.

---

Back at the palace, Prince Kael was still intrigued by the girl from the Academy. He couldn’t help but smile as he listened to the latest reports of her prowess in swordsmanship. "Seems like she’s made quite the impression," he said to his brother, Ryker, who was seated beside him.

Ryker, as usual, was less amused. "She’s a problem waiting to happen."

Kael shrugged, his playful grin never fading. "Or maybe she’s just what this kingdom needs. A little excitement."

Ryker’s cold eyes narrowed. "Excitement isn’t what we need. Control is. The gods of the curse, war, and vengeance have marked her, and that makes her a danger to everyone around her."

"You’re always so serious, brother," Kael said, standing up and stretching lazily. "Why not just see how things play out? Maybe she’s not as dangerous as you think."

Ryker’s expression didn’t change. "We’ll see."

---

Aria’s return to the dormitory was quiet, as always. The room was small, with only the bare essentials—a bed, a desk, and a small wardrobe. She didn’t need anything else. As she unpacked her belongings, her thoughts drifted to her stepmother and Lila. She could still remember the look of shock on their faces when the curse had activated for the first time, forcing her stepmother to cough up blood.

She hadn’t meant to unleash her power then. But something inside her had snapped when they had tried to tear her acceptance letter apart. It was a power she barely understood, yet one that seemed to react whenever she was pushed too far.

Sitting on the edge of her bed, Aria stared at the sword resting against the wall. The Academy was supposed to help her control these powers, to help her find a way to master what the gods had cursed her with. But Aria wasn’t sure if she even wanted to control it. A part of her relished the fear in her stepmother’s eyes, the terror that had gripped Lila when the blood had started to spill.

Perhaps the curse wasn’t something to be feared. Perhaps it was a gift.

---

Meanwhile, in the palace, the royal council gathered to discuss matters of state, but behind closed doors, whispers of Aria’s growing strength and the danger she posed began to circulate. King Thorne listened with interest, while his sons stood by, their opinions on the girl starkly different.

As the council debated her fate, Ryker’s eyes remained cold, his mind calculating. He would not let a cursed girl disrupt the delicate balance of power in the kingdom. And if she became a threat, Ryker knew exactly what needed to be done.

Kael, however, remained curious, his thoughts lingering on the girl who had captured the attention of the Academy—and perhaps, even his own.