Eclipse of Fate

Raine and Aldric followed the academy steward through the winding corridors of the Headmaster's tower. The tension between them was thick, but neither spoke. The events of the past few days had already shaken the foundations of everything they thought they knew—about the academy, about themselves, and about the Eclipse Prophecy.

At last, the grand doors of the headmaster's office loomed before them. The steward gave a respectful nod before pushing the doors open, revealing Alden Mordain seated behind an ancient oak desk. Candlelight flickered against the high walls, casting elongated shadows.

"Come in," Mordain's voice was measured, his piercing gaze studying them as they entered. "Sit."

They obeyed without question, exchanging a glance before facing the headmaster.

"You both have drawn significant attention," Mordain began, his fingers interlacing. "More than I would have liked at this stage."

Raine's brows furrowed. "From who?"

Mordain's gaze darkened. "That is what I intend to find out. There are forces moving outside the academy—some expected, others… less so. But before we discuss that, I need to hear from you."

He leaned forward. "Tell me, what do you know of the Eclipse Prophecy?"

Aldric's jaw tensed. Raine felt a chill creep down his spine. They had suspected that the prophecy was at the center of all this, but to hear it spoken aloud by the headmaster himself made it all too real.

Selene's words echoed in Raine's mind: 'How much do you know about the Eclipse Prophecy?' They had been too cautious to speak freely before, but now, under Mordain's watchful eyes, they had no choice.

Raine exhaled. "Not much, only rumors… that it speaks of someone who will bring either salvation or destruction."

Mordain studied them both, then nodded slowly. "Then it is time you learned the truth."

He stood, walking toward a bookshelf filled with ancient tomes. With a flick of his wrist, a hidden mechanism clicked, and a section of the wall slid open, revealing a staircase leading downward into darkness.

"This academy was built upon secrets," he said. "And you are about to uncover one of its greatest."

Without another word, the headmaster descended into the darkness below, leaving Raine and Aldric with no choice but to follow.