"If I may," Lira steps forward, her voice steady. "I've worked with Kaia extensively. Her control over her abilities—"
"Control?" Lady Virath interrupts, one perfect eyebrow arching. "Is that what we witnessed in the arena? When her shadows multiplied without warning, when her power shattered our wards?"
The Heart of Eternity pulses warm against my chest, responding to my rising anger. I force myself to breathe, to stay calm as my shadows coil tighter around my feet.
"Those wards," Malrik's voice cuts through the chamber like ice, "were already compromised by Thorne's corruption." He rises from his seat,silver eyes gleaming with dangerous light. "Or did the council miss that detail in their... thorough review?"
Lady Virath's perfect composure cracks slightly. "Prince Malrik, this matter concerns—"
"The Shadow Faction?" His smile is sharp enough to draw blood. "Precisely my point. We've allowed fear of shadow magic to blind us to its true potential. Kaia's power isn't a threat, it's proof that we've been mishandling our approach to shadow manipulation for generations."
Bob, apparently sensing an opportunity, creates what can only be described as a shadow presentation board. Patricia immediately starts filling it with evidence of my training progress, while Finnick adds what he probably thinks are helpful illustrations. I say probably because what he's currently drawing is... well... anatomically creative.
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing, even as my heart races. Malrik stands before the council like he was born for this moment, all royal bearing and barely contained power. My shadows ripple in response, drawn to his confidence like moths to flame.
"The Shadow Faction," Lady Virath recovers smoothly, straightening her already perfect robes, "currently lacks leadership to make such assessments. Unless you're offering to fill that role, Prince Malrik?"
"Actually," Malrik steps forward, and something in his stance makes my shadows ripple with interest, "I am. The faction needs leadership that understands both the politics of power and the nature of shadows themselves."
The chamber erupts in whispers. Even Elder Thaddeus looks taken aback, his bushy eyebrows disappearing into his hairline. "This is highlyirregular—"
"What's irregular," Malrik cuts in, "is how long we've allowed fear to dictate our approach to shadow magic. The corruption in Absentia spreads while we debate semantics and protocol."
Lady Virath's eyes narrow. "You speak of corruption, yet propose no solution."
"Don't I?" Malrik glances at me, and something in his expression makes my heart skip. His silver eyes hold mine for a moment too long, something fierce and protective flashing in their depths. "We have a Valkyrie whose power bridges light and shadow. We have an ancient realm in need of cleansing. Perhaps instead of fearing what we don't understand, we should prove our worth to lead."
"A challenge then?" Lady Virath's smile turns predatory, all teeth and no warmth. "Enter Absentia. Face its corruption. Prove that your... unique abilities serve the academy's interests."
"Both of us," Malrik says before I can respond. "My claim to lead the Shadow Faction. Kaia's place at the academy. Let Absentia itself judge our worth."
The Heart of Eternity pulses warm against my chest, and for a moment I swear I hear my mother's voice—distant but clear:Remember who you are.
My shadows still, as if hearing it too. Even Finnick stops his inappropriate artwork to listen.
"The council accepts these terms," Elder Thaddeus declares, though his expression suggests he'd rather be anywhere else. "You will enter Absentia in two days' time. Face its corruption. Prove your right to remain among us."
As the council disperses, my shadows cluster close. Bob has given up trying to censor Finnick's increasingly detailed "art," while Patricia's notes have devolved into pure chaos.
"You didn't have to do that," I murmur to Malrik as we leave the chamber. "There's no sense in both of us dying for this."
His silver eyes meet mine, and something flickers in their depths that I can't quite read. "Yes," he says quietly, "I did."
The weight of those three words settles into my chest, making it hard to breathe. His eyes change to something softer, making my heart stutter in its rhythm. "No one is dying. I'm with you, Kaia. Always."
***
Tension coils in the air as we leave the chamber. I walk ahead, shoulders rigid, shadows curling around my feet like restless sentries. Finn stays close, hands shoved in his pockets, his usual grin subdued. Aspen moves beside me, his steady presence a quiet reassurance, though I catch the concern in his icy blue gaze.
Torric exhales sharply. "I still think we should've handled it differently."
"By handled, you mean punched someone in the face?" Finn arches a brow.
Torric glares at him. "If it worked, I wouldn't rule it out."
I don't speak. My mind still spins from the weight of the meeting, my shadows flickering with unease. I force myself to keep moving, to not let them see how shaken I am. The Heart of Eternity feels heavier against my skin, pulsing with what feels like urgency.
We reach the Shadow faction common room, the shadows along the walls shifting in response to our presence. I stop just inside the threshold, exhale slowly, then turn to face them.
