The sunrise over the Ember Academy was a wildfire devouring the sky, painting the obsidian towers in furious red.
I stood in the training field—a stretch of black sand surrounded by rune-carved pillars that pulsed like embers.
My body still screamed from the wounds of the Crucible and the attack by the warrior of Wrath. Black veins of Aether ran under my skin, hidden beneath a new academy tunic. Dried blood marked my hands.
Lirien's amulet, dark and cold, hung from my neck—a fading echo of the past. Dren's reliquary burned in my pocket with a purple flicker, a whisper of the Threshold that haunted me.
Nyra stood beside me, sharpening her knife. Her eyes sliced the air, focused on the other trainees.
The Threshold roared in my mind.
"The academy is a battlefield, Echo. Dominate, or the throne will crush you."
Master Lysara stood before us, her robe burning with living fire, her presence shaking the runes.
"Fire doesn't wait," she said, her voice ringing like a hammer striking an anvil. "Today, your training begins. Master the elements—or be consumed by them."
Her ember eyes locked onto mine.
"And you, Arion Vaelis—keep your Aether under control. The Academy does not tolerate chaos."
Kaelith was among the trainees, his white hair glowing, fire-forged sword sheathed but radiating heat. His presence drew admiration and fear. Beside him, Sylene played with her water whip, green eyes glinting with mockery.
A dozen trainees stood around us, their tunics marked with elemental runes—fire, water, air, and earth. Whispers about the "Echo" and "forbidden Aether" floated like ash in the air.
"Silence!" Lysara's voice boomed, and the field fell still.
"The first lesson: control. Elements are not weapons. They are extensions of your soul."
She raised her hand. A pillar of white fire roared up and etched a glowing rune into the ground.
"Pair up. Show me your spark—or burn."
Nyra turned toward me, spinning her knife in her hand. The wind swirled around her.
"You and me," she said softly, but her eyes gleamed with challenge.
Before I could answer, Kaelith stepped forward, drawing his blade. Flames danced on the edge.
"Not so fast, savage," he growled. "Vaelis is mine."
His presence seared the air, runes flashing at his feet like they recognized his power.
Nyra stepped forward. Blades of wind tore through the sand as she snarled,
"Touch him, and I'll cut your tongue out."
Trainees backed away, the field heavy with tension.
Lysara laughed, a sound more growl than joy.
"Interesting. Kaelith, Arion. Nyra, Sylene. Let the fire judge."
She snapped her fingers. Runes erupted beneath our feet, circles of flame surrounding each pair.
Kaelith struck first. His sword sliced through the air like a comet.
I dashed forward, dagger still stained with ash. I blocked the blow, arms shaking from the impact. Fire licked at my skin, forcing a grunt from my throat.
"Pathetic!" Kaelith roared, swinging again.
I rolled aside, analyzing him.
Fast. Too fast. But arrogant. Blind to his own weakness.
Nearby, Nyra faced Sylene. Her water whip cracked through the air—a frozen river crashing into Nyra's vortex. Steam burst between them like fog on the battlefield.
Nyra spun. Her blade sliced through the whip. She was a storm shaking the sand beneath her.
Sylene laughed. Her water twisted like a serpent. A torrent smashed into Nyra, throwing her back.
"Nyra!" I shouted.
Kaelith took the opening. His sword raced for my chest.
The Aether screamed to be released. I held it back.
Not here. Not now.
I blocked with my dagger. Fire scorched my hand. I kicked low, striking his knee. He growled and staggered.
"Your Aether won't save you!" Kaelith shouted.
He raised his hand. The ground exploded—spikes of flame shooting upward like teeth.
I dodged, one spike tearing through my leg. Blood dripped onto the sand.
Nyra rose. Her storm howled, shattering Sylene's torrent. Her knife slashed across Sylene's face, forcing a snarl.
Lysara watched us like wildfire given form.
"Show me your soul!" she bellowed.
The runes flared. The flames surged.
Kaelith lunged again. His sword blazed.
I blocked, but the impact threw me. My dagger slipped from my grasp. Fire scorched my side. The black veins pulsed, desperate to break free.
"Arion!" Nyra cried.
She unleashed a vortex, halting Kaelith mid-swing.
But Sylene's whip struck her arm, drawing blood.
Nyra growled, slicing the whip apart. Her storm raged, her pain ignored.
I couldn't hold it anymore.
The Aether screamed—and I let it out, for just a breath.
My eyes burned violet. The air cracked.
A purple blast exploded from my hand, slamming Kaelith into a pillar.
Pain blinded me. Blood spilled from my lips. The veins crawled deeper.
I fell to my knees, soul splintering.
Another piece… gone.
Lysara raised her hand. The fire died.
"Enough."
Her voice cut through the silence.
"Kaelith, Arion—you've shown control. Nyra, Sylene—your fury is promising."
Her gaze pierced through me.
"But the Aether, Vaelis… contain it. Or it will destroy you."
Kaelith rose. Cracks split his armor. His red eyes burned with hatred.
"This isn't over," he growled.
Sylene coiled her whip. Her gaze locked on Nyra. A sharp grin curled her lips.
Nyra helped me stand, knife still gripped.
"You're insane," she muttered, wiping blood from her arm. "That power… it's killing you."
"I don't have a choice," I growled, retrieving my dagger.
The reliquary pulsed in my pocket, glowing with purple heat.
When I touched it—visions hit me.
The obsidian throne, dripping blood. Nyra dead. Lirien fading.
Wrath smiled, sword of fire burning. The other Sins rose:
The shadow king. The ice queen. The chained beast. The golden specter. The figure in mist. The warrior with wings of blood. The crystal-eyed phantom. The colossus wrapped in ash.
"The Academy is your trial," the Threshold roared.
"But the Sins are your destiny."
Lysara led us to another training hall.
Before we entered, a boy approached me.
Gray eyes. Earth runes on his tunic.
"Vaelis," he whispered. "The reliquary… hide it. The Sins aren't the only ones who want it."
He vanished into the crowd.
Nyra frowned. "Who was that?"
"Trouble," I muttered.
Lirien's amulet felt heavier. The Academy was a board, and I… a piece in a game I didn't understand.
But the throne was closer now.
And I would not step back.