Council of Alarm
645 Words
The moment Alexa left the principal’s office, the atmosphere inside shifted.
Principal Elowen Maris slowly closed the door, her expression grave.
Seraphine folded her arms tightly. “We cannot ignore this any longer.”
Instructor Kai exhaled. “A crack in the barrier… that is not a minor disturbance.”
Elowen walked toward the center of the room where a circular sigil glowed faintly on the floor.
“I am convening the council,” she said firmly.
Seraphine nodded. “It’s time.”
Kai asked quietly, “Do we tell them everything?”
Elowen paused. “…Yes. They need to understand what we are facing.”
She placed her hand over the sigil.
“Council summon.”
The room dimmed.
Lines of silver light rose from the floor, forming translucent figures around them — members of Arcadia’s hidden council appearing as shimmering projections.
A deep voice spoke first. “Elowen, this had better be urgent.”
“It is,” Elowen replied calmly. “We have confirmation — the barrier has been compromised.”
Murmurs erupted.
“That is impossible.”
“The forcefield has held for years.”
Seraphine stepped forward. “A crack has formed at the eastern boundary.”
Another council member asked sharply, “Cause?”
Elowen answered slowly. “We believe… Duchannes activity.”
Silence fell like a weight.
One figure whispered, “She returns…”
Kai spoke, voice steady but tense. “Alexa has also manifested significant power.”
A council elder asked, “Has the dragon mark surfaced?”
Seraphine nodded. “Yes. On the back of her hand.”
More murmurs.
“She awakens faster than expected.”
“Is she stable?”
Kai hesitated. “Emotionally… uncertain.”
Elowen added, “She has met her twin — Ariella.”
The council erupted.
“What?!”
“How did that happen?”
Seraphine said quietly, “Through the breach.”
A stern voice demanded, “Does the girl know her lineage?”
Elowen nodded. “She suspects — and now knows enough.”
Another member asked, “Where does her loyalty lie?”
Kai answered honestly. “With the school… but she is conflicted.”
Elowen continued, “She has requested that Ariella be admitted.”
A shocked voice responded, “Admit the other twin? That is reckless.”
Seraphine spoke firmly. “Ariella appears resistant to her mother’s influence.”
“Appears,” one elder repeated skeptically.
Elowen raised her hand. “Listen. We must consider that Alexa may be our strongest defense if Duchannes attacks.”
A council member asked quietly, “And if she turns?”
Silence.
Kai spoke carefully. “Then we face a power unlike any before.”
Seraphine looked around. “We must prepare — reinforce the barrier, increase surveillance, and monitor Alexa closely.”
An elder nodded slowly. “Agreed.”
Another voice asked, “What of the crack?”
Elowen said, “We will send wardens to investigate immediately.”
The council leader spoke gravely. “Arcadia stands on the edge of conflict. Remain vigilant.”
One by one, the projections faded.
The room brightened.
Kai exhaled deeply. “That… could have gone worse.”
Seraphine looked toward the window where the distant barrier shimmered faintly.
“She is testing us,” she murmured.
Elowen nodded slowly. “Yes.”
Kai asked quietly, “Do you think Alexa realizes how dangerous this is?”
Seraphine replied softly, “Not yet.”
Elowen said firmly, “Then we must guide her — before someone else does.”
A faint tremor passed through the floor.
They all froze.
Kai looked toward the window. “Did you feel that?”
Seraphine whispered, “The barrier…”
Elowen’s voice was low. “Something is pushing.”
Far beyond the academy walls, unseen in the dark forest…
A shadow moved.
Watching.
Waiting.
And smiling.
- Writer
