chapter five
795 Words
The Announcement
"Every great expedition begins with a single question. Every tragedy begins with the wrong answer."
— Explorer's Journal, Volume III
---
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Royal Awakener Academy.
Classes had ended, but few students were in a hurry to leave.
Everyone was talking about the same thing.
The Echo.
Groups gathered beneath the academy's towering trees, each conversation more exaggerated than the last.
"I heard an entire fortress is hidden inside."
"My uncle said there are treasures from the Age of Giants."
"You're both wrong. My brother is a Seeker. He said the Echo is haunted."
"Haunted?"
"By the memories of the dead."
Aeron listened as he walked by.
Rumors spread faster than the truth.
Especially among students.
---
"Still thinking about it?"
Lyra's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"A little."
"A little?"
She folded her arms.
"You've been staring in the direction of the forest for the last ten minutes."
"...Has it been that long?"
Ethan groaned dramatically.
"I knew it."
"Knew what?" Noah asked.
"He's already planning to sneak into the Echo."
Aeron nearly choked.
"I am not!"
"You made that face."
"What face?"
"The 'I'm about to make a terrible decision' face."
"I don't have a face like that."
"You absolutely do," Lyra said.
Noah nodded in agreement.
"It's surprisingly recognizable."
Aeron sighed.
"I hate all of you."
"No, you don't," Ethan said with a grin.
"...You're right."
---
The academy bell rang again.
All students were instructed to gather in the Grand Assembly Hall.
The massive chamber could hold over three thousand students.
Its ceiling was enchanted to resemble a night sky, with constellations slowly drifting overhead.
At the front stood the academy faculty.
Professor Halden.
Several senior instructors.
And, at the center...
An elderly man wearing deep blue robes embroidered with silver stars.
His white hair reached his shoulders.
A silver compass rested on his chest.
The moment he stepped forward...
Every teacher bowed.
"So that's..." Ethan whispered.
"The Headmaster," Noah replied quietly.
Even Victor straightened his posture.
Headmaster Orion Valerius rarely addressed students personally.
If he had appeared today...
Something important was about to happen.
---
"My dear students."
His calm voice carried effortlessly through the hall.
"You have all heard about the Echo."
No one moved.
"You are also aware that the Explorer's Association has sealed the area."
A glowing image appeared behind him.
It showed the forest surrounding the Echo.
Several camps had already been established.
Seekers.
Scholars.
Royal soldiers.
All working together.
"This discovery may become one of the most significant events of our generation."
The room grew even quieter.
"However..."
His expression hardened.
"It is also extremely dangerous."
"The Echo has already claimed lives."
Gasps echoed through the hall.
"We do not yet understand its nature."
"Until further notice..."
"No student is permitted to approach the Crimson Forest."
His gaze swept across the room.
"This is not a request."
"It is an order."
---
Ethan leaned toward Aeron.
"There goes your weekend adventure."
"I wasn't planning one."
"You hesitated."
"I was thinking."
"Same thing."
Lyra pinched the bridge of her nose.
"One day he's going to drag us into trouble."
Ethan pointed at Aeron.
"No."
"He's going to walk into trouble."
"We'll be the ones dragged."
Noah smiled.
"I can't even argue with that."
---
As the assembly came to an end, students slowly filed out.
The faculty remained behind.
Aeron was halfway to the exit when he heard his name.
"Aeron."
He turned.
Professor Halden stood in the aisle.
"I'd like a word."
Ethan immediately whispered,
"You're finally getting expelled."
Lyra elbowed him.
"What?"
"I'm preparing him emotionally."
---
The professor led Aeron to a quiet balcony overlooking the academy gardens.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
Birds chirped in the distance.
Students trained below.
Finally...
Halden asked,
"Why do you study history?"
Aeron blinked.
"...That's the question?"
"Were you expecting another?"
"I don't know."
"I asked a simple question."
Aeron looked toward the horizon.
"When I was younger..."
"I used to believe every story I read."
"The heroes."
"The kings."
"The wars."
"But the more I studied..."
"The more I realized pieces were missing."
Halden remained silent.
"So I want to know the truth."
"Even if it changes everything."
The professor's stern expression softened, if only slightly.
"You remind me of someone."
"Who?"
Halden looked away.
"...Someone who asked the same question many years ago."
Before Aeron could ask another question...
A loud explosion echoed from somewhere beyond the academy walls.
BOOM!
The balcony trembled.
Students screamed.
A crimson pillar of light erupted into the sky from the direction of the Crimson Forest.
Even from this distance...
Its glow painted the clouds red.
Professor Halden's expression changed instantly.
"Impossible..."
The Echo...
Had become active.
- Writer
