The One Who Lived
750 Words
For a moment after the energy settled… no one spoke.
They simply stared at Alexa lying still on the dark stone floor of Duchannes’ chamber.
Even Isolde looked shaken — her usual composure cracked.
Then something unexpected happened.
The very walls of the fortress began to tremble.
A deep rumble echoed through the structure.
Tedros frowned. “What’s happening?”
Instructor Kai looked around sharply. “Her power — it’s destabilizing this place.”
Isolde whispered, almost to herself, “…The balance is shifting.”
Small fractures spread across the stone pillars. Shadows flickered erratically.
Ariella looked at Isolde. “Your power is weakening.”
Isolde clenched her jaw — anger and disbelief mixing in her eyes.
Tedros turned decisively. “We’re leaving. Now.”
He lifted Alexa carefully into his arms.
“Hold the portal steady!” Kai called.
A glowing gateway opened — shimmering with urgency.
Shadow guards tried to reform — but their shapes collapsed into smoke.
Seraphine said firmly, “Take Isolde with us.”
Binding spells wrapped around Isolde — chains of light locking her arms.
She glared but did not resist — her strength clearly diminished.
“You think this is over,” she said coldly.
Seraphine replied quietly, “For now — yes.”
One by one, they stepped through.
—
Arcadia Academy — Headmistress Office
The moment they arrived, relief spread through the room.
Students gathered outside whispering excitedly.
“They’re back!”
“They made it!”
Inside, Principal Elowen rushed forward.
“What happened?” she asked urgently.
Seraphine carried Alexa gently and laid her on the floor.
Sarah knelt beside her, tears streaming. “Alexa… please…”
Elowen looked at Isolde sharply. “Why did you bring her here?”
Tedros answered — voice tight with anger. “Because of this.”
He gestured to Alexa’s unmoving body.
Elowen’s expression hardened. “What did you do to her, Isolde?”
Tedros said firmly, “The better question is — what was that thing that entered her?”
Isolde lifted her chin slightly.
“That,” she said slowly, “was the ITE.”
Murmurs spread.
“It is primordial power — and only the Duchannes bloodline can survive contact.”
She looked at Alexa. “All of it entered her.”
Sarah gasped. “So… is she… dead?”
The room fell silent.
Alexa lay still — eyes closed — unmoving.
Seraphine stepped closer to Isolde. “Explain.”
Isolde said calmly, “Three Duchannes together could harness it safely. Alone… she should not have survived.”
Sarah covered her mouth, sobbing.
Suddenly—
Alexa sat upright.
Everyone jumped.
“I’m not dead, Mother,” she said calmly.
Gasps filled the room.
“ALEXA!” Sarah cried.
Isolde stared — stunned. “…Impossible.”
Alexa blinked slowly — looking around.
Then —
Her eyes flickered orange — glowing briefly like embers — then fading.
Thin lightning-like orange markings shimmered across her cheeks — appearing for a split second before disappearing.
Valerina whispered, “Did you see that…?”
Tedros exhaled in relief. “She’s alive.”
Sarah threw her arms around Alexa. “Don’t ever do that again!”
Alexa smiled weakly. “I’ll try.”
Even Valerina stepped forward awkwardly — then hugged her quickly.
“Don’t make it weird,” Valerina muttered.
Alexa laughed softly. “Too late.”
Ariella knelt beside her, eyes shining. “You scared me.”
“I’m okay,” Alexa said gently.
Isolde shook her head slowly. “You were meant to die.”
Alexa looked at her calmly. “But I didn’t.”
Seraphine straightened. “Take Isolde to the containment chamber.”
Guards escorted her away — bound and silent.
—
Later that night…
Arcadia erupted in celebration.
Lights filled the courtyard.
Students cheered.
Music played.
“She’s alive!”
“We did it!”
Sarah grabbed Alexa’s hand. “You’re the toughest person I know.”
Mia smiled. “You literally absorbed a cosmic power.”
Stella laughed. “No pressure.”
Wendy hugged her gently. “We’re just glad you’re back.”
Ferah nodded. “Very glad.”
Tedros approached quietly. “You gave us quite the scare.”
Alexa smiled softly. “Sorry.”
Ariella stood beside her, watching the celebration.
“We’re safe,” she said quietly.
Alexa looked up at the stars.
“For now.”
Because deep within her…
The ITE pulsed — waiting.
And Arcadia knew…
Nothing would ever be the same again.
- Writer
