Warsong | Celeste Academy Series Book #4

Prologue

4TH INSTALLMENT TO THE CELESTE ACADEMY SERIES. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE PREVIOUS BOOKS, PLEASE TURN BACK NOW UNLESS YOU WANT TO THE STORY TO BE SPOILED

Prologue

Classes did not resume like the usual. The recent turn of events had put the academy in a crisis, causing most of the students to leave like fleeing birds at the face of danger. Because of this, the start of the second semester was halted indefinitely. No one knew when the academy would recover from such an attack, especially since it gave people the notion that it was not the safe place it once was.

It had never been safe, never. But, it couldn't be helped.

Unlike the Celestial Twelve, there weren't many people in the academy who were willing to stay after they knew demons managed to infiltrate. This was exactly the reason why the headmaster wanted the situation handled delicately. Unfortunately, luck wasn't playing on their side. No one died from the encounter, thankfully, but the blow Celeste Academy took was huge. In the face of such a big event, the fall was simply too hard to bear.

Thankfully, the crown prince was present and served as a buffer. If the demons got their way, the entirety of the world would be in a much bigger ruckus. The prince wasn't a demon, but what of the king? They were debating whether or not to release the truth about the summoning. Even if it helped, no doubt it would not account to much. If things took turn for the worse, it wouldn't be helpful at all and would only serve as means to an end.

"I apologize for having delayed this Gathering," Headmaster Kylon began as he looked between each member. Zevlin had gone back to rest in the infirmary and Genevieve buzzed around him like a busy bee. They were the only ones not present. "Unfortunately, I have brought more bad news than good ones."

The Twelve were feeling anxious ever since last week. The academy felt vacant and empty in contrast to the buzzling crowd they saw days before. The betrayal of a fellow student was weighing heavily on their minds. For Valeriana, there was no denying it was far heavier since this traitor had been one of the first faces that welcomed her when she first came. But Chavi was being held, and the demon they captured before, the one who had passionately hit on Corvan, had escaped. There was a sign of relief on the first-ranker's face when the news came, but it came with a hint of distress.

"I am afraid the activities within the academy would have to be . . . suspended," the headmaster said and a deep sigh followed.

"What?"

The Twelve voiced out their protests but the headmaster was quick to get them to settle down. His face was pained as he spoke.

"I am deeply sorry, everyone," he said. "But this decision is temporary. I am unsure about how things would go about this. Even so, the only issue here had been the fact that demons have managed to get past the barrier and cause havoc. No lives were taken. We still have a chance to set things right."

"But how?" asked Tamara.

"We will persevere," Kylon said. "If we run with our tails between our legs, then we will not be fit to be called Celeste Academy."

"How about the-" Raziel started, but was cut off when the doors abruptly burst open and Lords Lienhard and Aeron came stumbling through the door with their hands around their shoulders, laughing about stupid things that did not make sense. These two were like long lost twins with their attitudes that it felt almost hard to tell who was who.

"Long live the walls we crashed through!" they sang.

"Lalalalala! How did that one go again?" Lienhard asked.

"I don't know. Perhaps-oh! I know. How the kingdom lights shined! Just for me and you!" Aeron sang.

They then looked at each other, peered into their eyes as though looking through a telescope and sang in chorus, "KEEP YOUR E-EYES OPEN! I WANNA SEE YOU BE BRAVE!"