I twirl the cold black stone hanging around my neck between my fingers, staring blankly ahead of me. The guys thought the jewelry had been given to me by my father for my academic success. The stone was precious and not just precious, but rare and very expensive. I couldn't refuse, because Seraphus explained that the amulet was powerful, and to find out who had decided to ruin my life, I needed a pure and precious stone. Though, of course, I wear the amulet temporarily, then return it to Seraphus, and yet I can sense the lie.

Seraphus doesn't tell me everything, just like I don't tell him everything. And that moment in the library... hell, he'd almost kissed me. Even if he did, I couldn't feel it fully. And that's insanely disappointing. Especially since Seraphus hadn't given me any sign at all that he liked me as a guy. And... his true one. I have no right to even think about intimacy with Seraphus. So I direct my thoughts to the amulet Seraphus gave me. That way, at least no one can hurt me.

The stone of deadly poison, that's what they call it. According to our clever Fima, such jewels were called that way for a reason. There is another one, shimmering with different colors and in the depths of the stone as if a whole life is bricked up, from which it is impossible to take your eyes away. And this stone is called "the forgotten soul". Both stones symbolize belonging to the royal dynasty. Seraphus is the former crown prince of demons, so he has this stone as well. But it's not allowed to be given or sold. Either the owner or his true partner can wear the stone, otherwise the stone will take revenge. That's what scares me. How will it avenge Seraphus? He assured me that the stone no longer holds any power, as Seraphus no longer belongs to his family. He is an outcast. But why he ended up an outcast, still alive and here, I didn't find out. I wasn't even going to listen to the rumors.

The stone didn't leave some of the students indifferent. Some made up new rumors, some looked at me with hatred and even tried to bully me, some just ignored me as if I had slaughtered their families. After a few days, I still didn't understand why the stone had such a reaction, so I made a longer lanyard for the stone and now I wear it under my shirt or on my wrist, wrapping the lanyard a few times. Also, the stone doesn't react in any way to stare or whisper. Seraphus said that as soon as the stone feels the destructive force directed at me, I'll feel it. But I still haven't felt anything.

"Lua?" Vox snaps his fingers in front of me.

"Yeah?" I turn my head to the guy and bump into sly eyes.

"You do remember we're going into town tomorrow to celebrate passing all your tests, right?"

"Yeah, if I pass today's test," I croak and button up my shirt. After battle magic, I'm insanely tired. I'm bad at fighting, really bad. I have a hard time with them, so I'll probably have extra lessons with our teacher. Although the teacher himself is convinced that I can do anything, I just don't allow myself to. If that were true.

"You'll pass," Vox replies confidently. "You pass everything. You're strong and smart. By the way, I find that very sexy too."

I grin, rolling my eyes and grabbing my bag. We leave the locker room with the others and head out for a late lunch, since we missed the last one because of the Foundations of Political Systems test.

The guys are having fun discussing tomorrow's outing into the city, and I'm sullenly moving vegetables around on my plate.

Today, I have to enter the training portal with Seraphus. He'll summon a dead one, a very ordinary one. They're often calm unless given a reason to defend themselves. And I'll have to create a personal protective dome for myself. The dead will touch it and if the protection is correct, it'll disappear immediately. The other guys passed on this and assured me it was no big deal. Even Stellare and Ailes passed, even though they created the domes for only a few minutes, because there is a minimum of dark magic in them. Hence the problems with the fire element and dark magic in general. But they are favored, because they have light magic, and too much dark magic can harm or even kill them.

And anyway... I don't understand why, but I don't want to pass practice with Seraphus today. I'm scared. After that horrible experience with the attack on me in my vision, I'm in agony.

I don't believe it was just a release of my energy that played against me. No. It was different. I felt everything as if it was real. I can still feel those vile touches on me, that pain and the stench of the dead.

Can energy be that real? Everyone says it can. Our powers are alive. But I can't just accept that, so I've been spending the last few days and evenings until late at night in the library, reading about necromancy and types of the dead, as well as Oracle abilities, powers of foresight, and options for controlling visions.

There's not a lot of information because Oracles just sees and that's it. They're not dark or light, they're like humans. And that's what I was thinking while I was reading about the Oracles. Their description fits Lua. If he's an Oracle? If he's not awake yet, because the gift of the Oracle sleeps for a long time until a certain critical moment that could drastically harm our world.

So, adding to my worries, I'm also worried about Lua, because he still hasn't given me any news. I have no idea where he is or what's going on with him. But from the fact that I'm still in the House of Knowledge, I've deduced that Isengard hasn't found out about Lua's escape. So Lua is still making his way to the Abandoned Lands. Since he doesn't possess magic, he can't use any of the ports, so he took a horse. It's a long way. By my calculations, it should take Lua a month and a half to get there without incident. Travel to the other side of the world, and still pass many lands where Lua will have to linger and earn gold to move on. If he had written to me, I'd find a way to help him. He promised, but he still hasn't said a word.

As night falls in full force and everything around the House turns an inky purple night, I leave the main House and find myself on the Moon Alleys. Wide walkways, paved with dark stone glistening in the night, wind around forested areas curved in the shape of lunar phases. These walkways connect the main buildings and lead to mysterious gardens and the Three Powers Fountain. This is also where practical classes in dark magic, necromancy, and the element of earth are often held. Right on one of the small grounds with flat and soft green grass, Seraphus is waiting for me.

"Ready?" He asks with a smile.

I nod at him, even though I'm not a damn bit ready. I'm scared. I'm scared shitless. What I saw left a deep imprint of terror on me. And that's what might keep me from creating a magical dome of protection.

"Very well. Then let's get started."

Seraphus places a flat stone disk on the ground and directs his bright energy at it. It flies out of his palms, and as soon as it touches the disk, I'm yanked upward. I hold my breath in fright, but the next moment we're standing in a vast field. The House and the town have disappeared behind us. All around us is emptiness and night.

"Don't worry, Kan. We are in a disciple's illusion. This is one of the illusions you'll see. It recreates some events or you will be tested in them under the supervision of the teachers."

"So through illusion, we can create entire worlds? After all, even the air here has an odor," I wonder.

"No one can do such a thing. It would take enormous powers of the entire world. And it is necessary to feed illusions, too. No one will have the power to do it. You can't draw power from illusions. It's a void, just a beautifully furnished void. Nothing grows here and there is no life. But such illusory spaces as we are in are very convenient for practicing. So," Seraphus walks over to me and takes me by the shoulders. "Don't be afraid. I'm here, and I'll always help you. If you can't do it now, you can do it another time. Not all creatures can hold a protective dome for long, Kan. Light beings, for example, are the most vulnerable to dark, otherworldly forces. And unfortunately, they can never protect themselves from them for long, which is why they have amulets of protection. But you don't need one. You'll be fine. First..."

Suddenly, the pendant on my chest abruptly becomes so fiery that it makes me cry out in pain and lean forward.

"Kan?"

"It's hot. It's hot. Hot," I whimper, pulling the string from under my collar, and the stone swings before my eyes. But it's not black anymore. It's scarlet. It flashes and fades. Flashes and fades. As if echoing my rapid heartbeat. And then it's black and icy again.

I slowly lift a puzzled gaze to Seraphus and notice that his skin has gone pale.

"Come here." Seraphus grabs my hand and pulls me to him. "We're going back, Kan. The Stone warned you. You're in grave danger right now."

"Okay," my voice fades with fear.

Seraphus pulls me towards the stone, gripping my hand. He puts one hand out and... nothing happens. He jerks his hand. Again, nothing. Letting go of my hand, Seraphus puts out two hands and apparently tries to direct energy at the stone, but nothing changes around it. And I stare at the field. It's so familiar to me.

"Seraphus," I say in a trembling whisper and tug on his shirt, "I saw...it's that field. There was fog and... the dead."

I throw my arm forward sharply, imagining fire running through my veins, but there's not even smoke. Nothing. I stare at my hands in horror and meet Seraphus's tense gaze.

"It was a vision, wasn't it?" I whisper. "And now they're going to show up. We don't have our magic. None of us have our powers. We are unarmed, just as I was in my vision. The stone flashed and warned, but we can't get out."

"You're wrong." Seraphus turns to me and yanks my shirt in different directions. I flinch when a chill touches the bare skin of my chest. I stare at Seraphus in shock. Why did he do that? Why did he rip my shirt?

"In every illusion, there is a key to the exit and end of the illusion. And in this illusion, too, there is such an exit. Often it's a blood. This kind of illusion is created by draining the dark one's energy from his blood. And the most basic key to dispelling an illusion is blood."

Seraphus grabs the stone and forcefully stabs his palm with it. Sneezing in pain, he unclenches his palm where a deep wound glistens.

"I'd forgotten how much it hurts," he croaks. Grabbing my hand, he stands over the flat stone where the illusion's energy is centered, and scarlet drops of blood fall onto it. His blood rolls down the black stone, immediately soaking into the grass. But nothing happens. Absolutely nothing changes.

"Turns out the key is different," I snort, pulling my hand out and tearing a piece of cloth from the edge of my shirt. I wrap it around Seraphus's arm, watching as the white cloth immediately soaked with his blood.

"But to create another key, it takes a lot of magic, a lot of experience, and fueling the illusion. Our powers," Seraphus whispers as our gazes meet. "The illusion is fueled by our powers, Kan."

"So what do we do? How do we fight against them?" Swallowing, I point my gaze forward at the multitude of dark silhouettes emerging from the ground. Seraphus turns his head and takes a deep breath.

"Find the key. It's always in the illusion. And fight. We have to stall for time, because our powers won't be able to fuel the illusion for long, and neither will they be looking for us. The entire faculty knows you and I are here. I have to fill out and turn in the forms right after it, so Nock will notice."

"Hmm, Seraphus, then it's time for you to learn something about me. I'm awful in a fight. Really, I'm awful. I don't know how to fight," I whisper quickly.

"It's okay, Kan, stay behind me. I know how to fight. You must warn me of what you see or any changes. They can't go near the stone. If they destroy it, the recoil will be strong for you and me."

"Or I can lead them away."

"No," Seraphus hisses. "You will stand behind me and..."

"Or I can lead them away in the other direction while you look for options. I'm a quick runner. Really," I squeeze Seraphus's hand.

"Kan..."

"I understand the danger," I quickly interrupt him, letting go of his hand and taking a step to the side.

"Kan!" Seraphus shouts at me in a whisper.

"I've already read a lot about the dead and why they're dangerous to us. I can distract them. Stall for time while you search for the key. Seraphus, they haven't smelled our scent yet, but they will soon, and then they will attack. In my vision, we're surrounded by a barrier, nowhere to run. I'll lead them in a circle. I'll be careful. It'll be fine," I smile and break off into a run before Seraphus can stop me.

I have no idea what I'm doing. We don't have the powers. My nightmare has become a reality.

"Hey! I'm here!" I shout, breaking the dead silence with my voice. Growls, hisses, and stench creep across the clearing. Silhouettes begin to move toward me. Wait a moment and run. And once I see the categorization of the dead, for some reason, it becomes easier for me. These aren't the ones I've seen. These are far more primitive and simple. They may have swords and knives and scythes in their hands, but they're easier to kill than those.

"Seraphus, it's the libodri and the dadeo! They have swords!" Shouting out, I hope he heard me. And I run. I rush across the clearing with my hand out so I know where the boundaries are. The dead rush after me, trying to catch me or stab me with knives. And there's a lot of them. I run into a transparent wall and turn around. About a hundred meters. We have a small clearing. I made a mistake in the vision. I backed myself into a corner and got caught. Now, I can't come close to the borders. I'm sure I'll be killed.

Seeing a horde of the dead sent icy goosebumps coursing through my body. Shit. There are so many of them. Turning away, I run further and slow down abruptly. It feels like there are more and more of them. I'm surrounded, with the border behind me. I get nailed again, but it's not dejeu. They are not fast like the dejeu. They are either just masses or warriors programmed only to kill. I start to shake with panic. I wipe the sweat off my face and swallow. I won't pass to the right or left, and there's no way back either. Only to go forward. But how? There's a crowd of them. I can't get through. Did Seraphus find the key? Is there even a key?

I glance at the grinning dead. They're waving their weapons and running at me. Okay. I just have to remember my games with Lua. He always had trouble catching me, so I taught him how to slip out of my grasp.

I'm tensely waiting for three sides to come at me. It's only five seconds. Clenching my fists, hearing my heartbeat loud and deafening, I pitch my body forward a little. I'm scared. Mother Almighty, please help me! I'm scared out of my mind.

Time is running out. The stench of dead flesh poisons the oxygen, and several rusty swords slide over me. I thrust my body forward, wrapping my arms around my head and punching the dead creature in the stomach. I push myself off the ground and go for the ram, and behind me all the dead hurt each other, meeting each other where I stood. I hit them, a few falls. I straighten up and twist away from the pile of dead so I don't fall behind them by inertia. I find myself in a tight ring. Grabbing a lying sword, I stick it out in front of me and run forward. The sword goes through the stomach of one. I let him go and shoulder the second, snatch the knife from the third, and stab the fourth in the throat. Black slime splatters on me, and the stench makes me instantly nauseous. Just as long as it's not in my eyes or on my wounds. I run again, my lungs already burning with pain. My legs are trembling from the effort. I kick, picking weapons off the ground to get to Seraphus. And then I finally see him. With two swords in his hands, he's fending off attacks. His black hair develops with every sharp turn. It's incredibly beautiful... but I'm distracted from admiring Seraphus by a single roar. It's as if the dead have gone mad. Their voices, or rather growls, hisses, howls, and wheezes, merge to create a terrifying noise.

As I continue to fight back, I feel weak. I'm already exhausted. I have only a short distance to go to Seraphus. Just a little bit...

Bending down, I dodge a sword strike and pick up a severed arm from the ground, hitting my attacker with it. His sword falls from his hands and I pick it up. The sword is actually so heavy. My arms hurt, my shoulders hurt, my bones are just aching. I'm covered in sweat. I'm having trouble breathing, and it feels like it's been going on forever. The hordes of the dead don't seem to be diminishing. They keep reappearing as soon as one falls. A new one grows in its place and attacks. I can't take it anymore... I just can't. I want to give up. And that's when I notice a strange shadow. It's not moving. The dead flicker before my eyes as I dodge their blows and jump aside, then deflect a sword blow with my own. I stare at that shadow. I can't identify it. It's just a blurry silhouette. It's dark, looking like a dense blob of dark energy. Is that the key? Maybe this is the key.

"Seraphus!" I yell, but my voice is drowned in the surrounding noise. Seraphus can't hear me. He glances in my direction, but several of the dead appear in front of me, and I fight back. I have to step aside. My gaze is caught by a shadow again. But this time there's also some kind of glint. Pushing the dead body away from me, I gaze into that glint and it forms into a bow. The glittering arrowhead is aimed directly at Seraphus.

"Seraphus!" I shout. "Seraphus, look out! Seraphus!"

But he doesn't hear me. The silhouette draws the bowstring. I simply have no other choice. Growling with anger and powerlessness at this moment, I gather the last of my strength and push the dead away from me. Jumping over them, I bend over, fall to the ground, crawl and get up again. I run. I run to Seraphus. He's fighting with his back to me. He can't see me. And the arrow goes straight at him. A dead body falls in front of me. I leap over him and my fingers grasp Seraphus's shoulders as he turns around.

Pain flares sharply in my chest. Seraphus's eyes widen, and he wraps his arms around my waist. My legs give out. And the pain feels like it's not from an arrow, but from distorted dreadful facets.

"Kan... Kan," Seraphus drops to his knees, holding me down.

A searing wave grips my chest, as if an inner fire is coming out through the hole created by that damned arrow. I clench my teeth, trying to suppress the scream that seeks to burst from my throat like an inordinate fiery demon, hostile and hungry for freedom. I wish I could scream... but I can't. As soon as I open my lips, I feel the metallic taste of blood in my mouth.

"Kan, hold on. Just a little more, Kan. The key has been found. The illusion is dissolving," I hear Seraphus whisper to me.

And I look into his beautiful eyes, and I want to say so many things. Maybe confess? Maybe admit my feelings for him? But I can't. Blood drips from the corner of my mouth. It's unbearably painful to breathe. Every breath I take is labored and comes out wheezing.

"Kan..." Seraphus gently strokes my face. "Wait... a while longer. Hold on. Just hold on, Kan. Wait."

My body feels paralyzed. A heaviness in every cell of my body, from which the life is rapidly draining out. I'm so sleepy, my eyelids are leaden, my chest is on fire with pain, and all I can do is wheeze.

"Kan, no...look at me. Kan, look at me, don't close your eyes, do you hear me?" The noise in my ears becomes so strong that I can barely understand Seraphus' voice.

I have to pull myself together... I have to.

"I'm... not... regret," a gurgled whisper escapes my lips. And the blood just keeps dripping and dripping. It fills my mouth.

"I'll choke you when you get better, Kan."

I'm smiling at him. I'm smiling because I'm not sure it's going to happen. I can't look at him anymore, and I want to look at him longer. I want to... but I can't. My eyelids close, the pain torturing my whole body, but it's so quiet. I can't even wriggle out of the pain. It's inside. It's like it's tearing through my veins, breaking my bones, wiping out everything in its path. I just want to get rid of this pain...to sleep, to get some sleep. And there's a blissful darkness before my eyes.