The forest near Crescent Academy was off-limits.
So of course, that's where Aarin and Lyra were headed.
It was past midnight when they slipped out of the east gate, cloaked in darkness and nerves. Aarin's heart beat loudly in his chest, not because of fear—but because of who was walking beside him.
Lyra.
He glanced at her. She walked with steady steps, her hood pulled up, eyes focused straight ahead. Her hand gripped the ancient book they stole from the secret library.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Aarin whispered.
"No," she replied. "That's what makes it exciting."
Aarin gave a nervous laugh. "That's what usually gets people eaten."
They followed a narrow path through the tall trees. The forest was quiet—too quiet. Even the wind seemed to be holding its breath.
"According to the map," Lyra said, stopping, "we're close."
She opened the glowing book. The pages shimmered and revealed the magical map again—the same one they saw in the library. A silver tree appeared at the center with a glowing tower behind it.
Lyra looked up and gasped.
"It's here."
In front of them stood the exact same silver tree. Its bark glowed faintly, and its leaves shimmered like stars. Behind it, hidden behind vines and mist, stood a tall, crumbling stone tower.
Aarin stared. "That thing doesn't look safe."
"It's not supposed to be," Lyra said softly. "It's old. Very old."
She stepped forward and touched the bark of the tree. A symbol lit up on its surface—a rune neither of them had seen before.
Then the tower door creaked open.
They looked at each other.
"Ready?" Lyra asked.
"Nope."
"Good," she said, smiling. "Let's go."
Inside the tower, it was cold and dark. Dust floated in the air. Spider webs covered the corners. Aarin pulled out a small lightstone from his pocket—it glowed a soft blue and lit their path.
The floor was covered in ancient carvings, symbols of the stars and moons.
"This place is connected to the Order," Lyra whispered.
"How do you know?"
"Because... I feel it."
She pointed to a symbol carved into the stone wall.
"It's the same one from my dreams."
Suddenly, a noise echoed from behind them.
CRACK.
A branch breaking.
Aarin spun around. "Did you hear that?"
"Yes," Lyra said, pulling her wand from her belt.
"Please tell me that was a rabbit."
Lyra didn't answer.
They moved deeper into the tower. At the center was a small room with a glowing pedestal. A single crystal floated above it, spinning slowly.
Aarin reached out.
"Wait—" Lyra said.
Too late. His fingers touched the crystal.
A flash of light exploded from the pedestal. The walls of the room lit up with star symbols. The tower trembled.
A deep, growling sound echoed outside.
"Whatever you just did," Lyra said, "it woke something up."
Suddenly, the door slammed shut behind them.
A low growl came from outside.
Aarin grabbed Lyra's hand. "Run?"
"Run."
They turned and sprinted back the way they came. The tower shook harder now. Dust fell from the ceiling. Something large and fast was chasing them.
They reached the exit and burst out into the forest.
Behind them, a creature stepped out of the shadows.
It was tall, thin, and smoky—its body made of dark mist and eyes glowing red.
"What is that?" Aarin asked, breathless.
"A shadow wraith," Lyra said. "I've read about them. They're supposed to be extinct."
"Clearly not!"
The wraith let out a scream—a horrible sound that made the trees tremble.
Aarin's rune burned.
He stopped running.
"What are you doing?" Lyra shouted.
"I think I can stop it."
"You're insane!"
He turned to face the creature. His rune glowed bright gold on his back.
The creature charged.
Aarin raised his hands and focused.
A protective shield burst out from him, surrounding both him and Lyra.
The wraith hit the shield and screamed, dissolving into smoke.
A few seconds later, it was gone.
Silence returned to the forest.
Aarin dropped to his knees, gasping.
Lyra ran to him.
"That was—"
"Insane?" he coughed.
"Amazing," she said. Then softer: "And stupid."
He smiled weakly. "I'll take it."
She helped him up, and they stared at the now-quiet tower.
"I think that crystal was a test," Aarin said.
"Or a warning," Lyra replied.
They stood there for a moment, both breathing hard.
Then Lyra turned to him and said, "You really are different."
Aarin looked at her. "So are you."
She didn't say anything after that. But she didn't let go of his hand.
Back at the academy, they climbed quietly through the window of the dorm building. No one saw them return.
They didn't speak much as they walked down the hall.
But as they reached the split in the corridor, Lyra stopped.
"Aarin," she said.
"Yeah?"
"Next time we do something this stupid..."
"Yes?"
"Let's bring snacks."
He laughed. "Deal."
She smiled and disappeared down the hall.
Aarin walked back to his room, his heart still racing—not from fear.
But from her.