The sound of a door closing sharply woke Raelyn the next morning. The sunlight poured in, blinding and sudden, making her squint against its harshness. The previous night's events, vivid in her mind yet tinged with the fog of sleep, left her with the disorienting feeling of being caught between dream and reality. She'd slept far too late, her midnight adventure having stolen the precious hours.

Her eyes fell on Rakz, who stood by her bed, growling at something, baring its short fangs.

Raelyn's heart leapt, her body jerking upright in alarm. Her head whipped toward the door, where a familiar figure stood: Corix. His stern gaze was fixed on her, his lips pressed into a tight line. He looked down at her with an expression she couldn't quite place—something between disapproval and frustration.

Rakz continued to growl, clearly unsettled by the intruder. Despite his small size, there was an undeniable air of danger about the creature, something Corix seemed to sense. The balding magus shifted uncomfortably, fiddling with his sepia robe.

"Would you mind calling off your... pet?" Corix asked, his voice tinged with unease.

Raelyn blinked, her mind sluggish from sleep. She was still trying to make sense of the situation when her gaze flicked to Rakz. The little creature's scales trembled as he bared his teeth in warning.

"Right..." Raelyn mumbled, rubbing her face to shake off the last remnants of sleep. She reached out, her voice soft. "Rakz, it's okay." She stroked his back, easing him with gentle hands. Slowly, his growling subsided, though his eyes remained locked on Corix, ever watchful. It was clear Rakz wasn't used to encountering humans other than her.

Corix cleared his throat, looking back at her with an unreadable expression. Raelyn stared at him in confusion, trying to piece together why he had come to find her, especially when he could've easily sent a messenger. The events of the previous night—so surreal, so vivid—rushed back to her: the casket, the locket... the locket!

Her long white hair whipped around when she looked down at her right hand. The wire seemed to have let go of her wrist. It had left a mark where it had latched to her. The locket rested on her blankets, lying innocently on the surface.

Corix seemed to notice her reaction and nodded grimly.

"You're in big trouble, young lady," he said, his tone colder now. "Follow me." He gestured toward the locket. "And bring that with you."

Raelyn remained frozen, her body tense. Her mind was reeling, a whirlwind of guilt, fear, and uncertainty. She had no idea what Keardath would do to her now. The betrayal of his trust weighed heavily on her, the shame of her actions sitting like a stone in her stomach.

"You don't want to keep Magus Keardath waiting, girl," Corix added, breaking through her spiraling thoughts.

The sound of his voice snapped her out of her stupor. "Yes, Magus Corix." She rose slowly, grabbed the locket, and stuffed it into her pocket. Her hand trembled slightly as she adjusted her clothes, the same ones she had worn the night before.

Rakz, ever loyal, approached her, his eyes wide and yellow with concern. Raelyn picked him up, her chest tightening with an unexpected sadness. She opened the window and gazed into his watchful eyes.

"I'll see you tonight, Rakz," she murmured softly, her voice almost a whisper. "I hope."

With a final press of her forehead to his, she reluctantly set him down on the branch outside. Rakz turned, a knowing look in his eyes, and watched her with an intensity that made her heart ache. It was as though he sensed the gravity of the moment, the uncertainty of what was to come.

Corix cleared his throat and Raelyn nodded.

"I'm coming."

Raelyn hesitated for a moment, then turned, the door closing softly behind her as Corix led the way.

As they walked through the streets of Westwell, the tension was suffocating. Raelyn's thoughts raced. Keardath must know what she had done—but how? Had someone seen her? What would happen now? Would she be forced to leave Westwell, or worse, would she face some kind of punishment? The fear of the unknown made her legs feel as if they might give way beneath her.

Villagers looked at them curiously as they passed, but Raelyn kept her gaze fixed on the cobblestones. The whispers and murmurs from the students outside Ardesco did nothing to ease her nerves. The heavy silence between her and Corix only deepened her sense of dread.

A man waited at the entrance to the castle. When they got closer, he stepped aside and let Corix and Raelyn pass. Raelyn recognized him as the man that had carried the casket to Ardesco the day before. He looked down at her with a face that lacked any sign of emotion. Raelyn gulped, gazing up at his dead eyes, the chasm of life drained from his irises. The colored skin on his head reflected the sunlight, exposing more of the scar. She quickly averted her gaze and followed Corix inside.

Raelyn felt anxious when the tall man started to follow them. The sound of his armor clanking filled the halls of Ardesco when they walked up the stairs. They stopped at Keardath's chamber. Corix knocked on the door three times and turned to her as he waited for an answer. After she heard a faint voice coming from the other side of the door, Corix opened it.

"After you." He said, holding the doorknob.

Raelyn remained where she was. Nothing in her body seemed to work and fear overtook her. Her knees shuddered as she stared into Keardath's room.

"You really want to keep Keardath waiting after what you did?" Corix pressed, sounding impatient.

Before she could reply, the silent warrior behind her gave a sharp push to her back, nudging her forward. Raelyn gasped in surprise, but it broke the spell of fear that had held her still. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment before stepping into Keardath's chamber.

Keardath sat behind his desk, his usual gentle smile absent. Instead, his face was hard, unreadable. Disappointment radiated from him in waves, and Raelyn's heart sank into her stomach. The man who had always cared for her, the man she had trusted, now looked at her as though she were a stranger.

The door clicked shut behind her, and silence filled the room. The stillness seemed to stretch on forever. Raelyn lowered her gaze, unable to meet Keardath's eyes.

"Why isn't he yelling?" she thought, the tension building in her chest.

"Keardath, I..." she began, but he interrupted her before she could finish.

"I am extremely disappointed in you, Raelyn," Keardath said, his voice steady but laced with cold authority. "I told you to forget about the casket, yet you disobeyed my orders and stole its contents. What were you thinking?"

Raelyn's throat tightened, her heart pounding in her chest. She could barely form the words as the weight of her actions pressed down on her.

"I... I'm terribly sorry, Keardath," she stammered, her voice shaking. "I didn't know what came over me. It felt like it was calling out to me. I never..."

Keardath raised a hand, silencing her. "Tell me what happened. How did you find the casket? How did you open it? And don't leave anything out." He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing.

"And no lies!" Corix added, his voice sharp.

Raelyn took a deep breath to steady herself.

"I first sensed it when I saw the casket being escorted into Ardesco. When I came into your room later that day, I could feel it again."

Raelyn gulped. She wasn't used to having all eyes on her. But she managed to gather the courage to look up at Keardath.

"I couldn't sleep, all I could think about was that casket." She took a deep breath and averted her gaze, looking down at the tips of her shoes. "So, I...I snuck into Ardesco to take a closer look. But the door to your office was locked."

"So, you picked the lock?" Corix interjected sharply. Raelyn turned to him, shaking her head.

"No. I climbed out the window and into Keardath's room." She looked away, unable to face the skepticism in Corix's eyes.

"Lies!" Corix shouted, but Keardath turned on him, his voice calm yet firm.

"Corix," he said, his gaze silencing the old magus. Turning back to Raelyn, he gestured for her to continue.

Raelyn nodded, taking another breath. "I climbed through the window and found the hidden staircase behind the painting. That's where I found the casket. When I touched it, it started glowing, and then it opened."

She pulled the locket from her pocket, placing it gently on the desk. As soon as her fingers left it, the once radiant white metal dimmed. The magi leaned forward, eyes sharp with curiosity, while even the silent guard stretched his neck for a better view.

"Inside, there was this locket." Raelyn's fingers brushed over her arm, where the wire had wrapped itself around her. "It latched onto me." She shivered at the memory. "That's when I heard a noise and fled. That's when I saw the door had opened, but there was no one there."

Keardath nodded, as if processing every word. After a long pause, he tilted his head thoughtfully.

"Do you know of our gods, Raelyn?" His voice was gentle, yet carried the weight of something ancient.

Raelyn's cheeks flushed. She had never been one for religion—had never found any comfort in the gods that seemed so distant from her life.

"No," she murmured.

Corix let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head in disapproval. Keardath, however, smiled reassuringly at Raelyn.

"It's ok Raelyn, you will be taught all about the gods, but right now I need you to know the story of one." 

Keardath leaned forward, his fingers lightly tracing the edges of the locket. "Have you heard of Lucifer?"

Raelyn gave a weak nod. Of all the gods, Lucifer was the most known.

"Sixteen years ago, darkness threatened to consume Unevia. But the god Lucifer intervened, saving us from the encroaching evil at the Battle of Fallden."

He placed the locket in his hand and pressed the crown at the top, causing the lid to open and revealing the smooth white rock inside.

Keardath opened the locket, pressing the crown at the top to reveal the smooth white rock inside. "He told us that if darkness ever returned, this casket would hold the key to finding a weapon capable of extinguishing it—a weapon once wielded by the Lightbringer himself. Lucifer hid it, to keep it out of the hands of those who would misuse it. This casket was meant to be opened only by one from the realm of gods, someone who could wield the weapon and save Unevia once again."

Raelyn's heart began to race as realization started to dawn on her. "Do you mean to say... I'm from that realm?"

The room fell into a heavy silence, all eyes on Keardath. He let out a soft chuckle, breaking the tension.

"No, of course not," he said with a bemused shake of his head, closing the locket and setting it down on the desk. "You are definitely human, from this realm."

Raelyn frowned, confused. "Then... why did the casket open for me?"

Keardath sighed, his brow furrowing deeper.

"I am still speculating on this. But my guess would be that you, Raelyn, are able to harness what is known as ancient magic." 

Corix snorted, trying to stifle a laugh, but Keardath ignored him, his focus entirely on Raelyn.

Raelyn shook her head, uncertainty flooding her. "I've never used magic in my life."

"That doesn't mean you can't channel it." He explained and leaned back in his chair "The casket has traveled across Kaiswen, searching for someone capable of opening it. We've only tested it on those who can wield magic. What we hadn't considered was the possibility of someone like you—someone who channels ancient magic without even realizing it." He paused, his eyes darkening with concern. "But your lack of formal magical training is a complication. That's why Corix will teach you."

Raelyn felt her world spinning. "I don't even know what ancient magic is."

Keardath slid the locket back toward her, its once-dimmed surface gleaming again as it came into contact with her fingers. "Corix will teach you everything you need to know. Starting tomorrow."

Raelyn glanced over her shoulder at the old magus, his arms still crossed and an irritable frown plastered on his face. "I'm not looking forward to it either, girl," he muttered under his breath.

Keardath walked to a nearby bookshelf, pulling down a stack of thick tomes. "Try to read up on the different types of magic tonight," he suggested. "It will make your lessons easier."

Raelyn nodded weakly, reaching for the locket and placing it back in her pocket. As she did, she noticed the soft gleam of the metal, as though it were still alive with its own magic.

Before she could leave, Keardath raised a hand. "One more thing," he said, his gaze shifting to the silent guard standing by the door.

"This is Hovan Ran'ash," Keardath said. "He has been escorting the casket and will now be responsible for protecting you."

Raelyn looked at the silent warrior, meeting his hollow eyes.

"Hovan will stay with you at all times to ensure no one steals the locket."

Raelyn hesitated but nodded. She was still struggling to wrap her mind around everything, but there was little room left for questions.

Corix, who had already moved to the door, glanced over his shoulder. "Tomorrow. Ten in the morning. Don't be late," he said as he swung open the door. "Hovan will show you to your room."

Raelyn opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat. "M... my room?" she asked hesitantly.

Keardath's voice followed her as she turned to leave. "We need you close, so we can keep an eye on you."

"But... Rakz..." Raelyn started, but Corix's harsh interruption cut her off.

"No pets, girl. School rules," he barked as Hovan gave a soft nudge in her back, guiding her out of the room.

"Your belongings will be collected, and Miss Ranati will be notified," Keardath called after her.

Raelyn sighed, turning away and following Hovan up the stairs.

When they reached her room, Hovan stopped and gestured for her to enter. Raelyn eyed him for a moment before stepping inside. The door clicked shut behind her, and she gasped.

The room was massive, easily three times the size of her old quarters. A grand four-poster bed stood in the center, its iron frame intricately curled. Paintings adorned the walls, and a chandelier hung from the high ceiling, casting a warm glow over the luxurious space.

"Wauw..." she whispered, her breath catching as she set her books down on a nearby desk. She crossed to the window, her heart leaping when she saw the stunning view of Westwell below. The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink.

A knock on the door startled her. She opened it a crack and saw the guard standing with a tray of food at his feet. Raelyn bent down, taking it from him and bringing it inside.

The aroma of skillet potatoes and sizzling pork sausage filled the room. Raelyn's mouth watered, and she couldn't resist a soft moan as she tasted the tender meat. Every bite was better than the last, and she savored the rare pleasure of a full stomach.

As the room darkened, she lit a candle, its flickering light dancing on the walls. She picked up the thick book titled The Four Branches of Magic, and her fingers traced the embossed letters. Opening it, she was met with dense, academic text. Despite being able to read, the volume was intimidating.

Her thoughts wandered to Rakz. Would he be okay without her? The thought tugged at her heart, but she forced herself to focus. After several minutes, her eyes grew heavy, and she gave up on trying to read. The words blurred together, and she sighed, closing the book.

The soft bed called to her, and she changed into her nightgown. The covers were like a cloud, enveloping her in warmth. Raelyn closed her eyes, and before she could think of anything else, she drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.