𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺.

Seventeen.

The golden hues of dawn bathed Silvermoon Academy in a soft, ethereal light as Akira, flanked by Kael, Rowan, and Renetta, approached the imposing gates. The academy stood as it always had, ancient and daunting, with ivy creeping up its stone walls and enchantments whispering secrets in the morning breeze. Akira's heart thudded in her chest, nerves twisting inside her as memories and fears mingled with hope.

Kael glanced at her, eyes steady. "Remember, you're not alone," he said softly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Rowan gave a quick nod. "We'll be by your side, no matter what."

Renetta smiled, her sea-blue eyes gleaming. "And if things get tough, well, we're tougher."

As they crossed the threshold, Akira's eyes immediately found two familiar figures waiting just beyond the archway. Amara, with her dark, flowing hair and sharp black eyes, stood with an air of confidence, while Nara the red hair with bright green eyes, quieter but no less fierce, adjusted the spectacles perched on her nose and gave Akira a small, knowing smile.

Amara and Nara exchanged startled glances when they saw Akira standing at the gates. The last time they had seen her, she had vanished without warning, leaving behind more questions than answers.

Amara's eyes narrowed, masking the relief she felt. "So, you decided to come back after all," she said, her tone edged with curiosity and a hint of challenge. Amara said, a hint of relief mingled with her usual guarded expression. "And you brought the whole forest with you."

Nara's expression softened as she pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "We weren't expecting to see you again so soon," she admitted, the surprise clear in her voice.

Akira took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Neither did I. But things have changed."

Amara and Nara exchanged uneasy glances as the reality of the situation sank in. The fact that Akira was discovering the truth about her lineage and had found protectors outside the Academy struck a nerve within them. Their expressions darkened with concern, knowing all too well that their positions were precarious.

"Is this really what it's come to?" Amara said, her voice low and strained. "You're trusting them? After everything we've been through?"

Nara felt a knot tighten in her stomach. "What do they know that we don't? Are we really okay with her being protected by strangers?" The unease in her voice revealed the internal struggle they faced, torn between their loyalty to Akira and the secrets they harbored.

"I'm trusting them because, unlike everyone else, they didn't try to hide the truth from me or make me feel unsafe in a place where I'm supposed to live and study. They've been honest, and they actually want to protect me instead of keeping me in the dark about who I really am," Akira said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "I can't be around people who deceive me anymore. I've been deceived my whole life and that's not gonna happen anymore."

They exchanged a fleeting glance, an unspoken agreement passing between them. They couldn't let Akira discover their true connection to the Academy's darker side—the truth that they were part of the very system that had kept her in the dark.

"We'll support you, Akira," Amara said, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Just... be careful who you trust."

She rolled her eyes. Akira knew who she had to trust deep down. It wasn't Amara or Nara. Sure they may have welcomed her into the academy but that doesn't mean they are good people. After all they kept her in the dark about her Grandfather when they knew the entire truth but couldn't bring themselves to tell her because they were apart of the dark truth.

Akira trusted kael rowan and renetta because they were honest with her. That's what she needed. Not to be lied too anymore.

"I know who to trust." She walks in with the rest of them following behind walking past Amara and Nara.

"So that went well.." Nara said with a sarcastic tone of voice.

"Oh my god would you just shut it? I cannot believe she'd believe them who she just met over us. That girl is in for some real trouble..she should've trusted us but instead she left the academy in search for answers she should not be looking for.." Amara said with her eyes turning pure black no white in her eyes at all. She was truly a sinister force.

"What are you going to do?" Nara asked.

"Hand me my spell book I'll handle it." Amara smirked.

"What are you going to do?"

"The classic love spell." Amara said.

"WHAT? Between you and her?" Nara's eyes widened.

"You cannot." Nara said.

"And why not?" Amara asked. "Do you want her to find out?"

Nara sighed keeping whatever she felt inside. "I suppose not."

The girls walked inside the academy.