THE RETURN OF MAGIC

SHADOWS IN THE DARK

The cafeteria doors burst open behind Orion.

More students rushed inside screaming while shadow creatures chased them through the hallways. The monsters crawled across walls and ceilings unnaturally fast, their glowing eyes cutting through the flashing red emergency lights.

The entire school had become chaos.

Orion looked completely calm.

We move now, he ordered.

Another creature lunged toward him.

Sssshhhh!

His golden blade flashed once.

The creature dissolved instantly into black smoke.

Jax stared with wide eyes. Okay, that was actually insane.

This isn’t a game, Orion said sharply.

His voice changed suddenly harder, colder.

If those things surround us, you die.

That shut everyone up immediately.

Kai looked around the destroyed cafeteria. Terrified students were crying, hiding beneath overturned tables, or trying to escape through broken exits.

Teachers shouted desperately for help.

Everything felt unreal.

This can’t be happening Elena whispered.

But it was.

A loud explosion echoed somewhere upstairs.

The building shook violently again.

Dust rained from the ceiling.

Orion’s expression darkened. They’re already inside the lower levels.

What are those things? Lyra asked.

Void Crawlers, Orion answered. Scouts from the Void.

Nobody understood a word he said.

Jax blinked. You say that like we’re supposed to know what the Void is.

Orion looked at the five of them carefully.

Then his eyes stopped on Kai.

Especially Kai.

The fact that you awakened means the seal is weakening faster than expected.

Kai frowned. What seal?

Before Orion could answer

SCcreeeh!

A massive creature crashed through the cafeteria ceiling.

Students screamed.

Concrete shattered everywhere as the monster landed heavily in the center of the room. Unlike the smaller creatures, this one was enormous nearly ten feet tall with armored black skin and glowing crimson cracks running across its body.

Its eyes locked onto Kai instantly.

The Heir it growled again.

Kai felt his stomach twist.

Why did they keep calling him that?

The creature roared and charged.

“MOVE!” Orion shouted.

Everyone scattered.

The monster smashed through tables while racing toward Kai with terrifying speed.

Kai tried raising his hands instinctively

Lightning flickered weakly.

Nothing happened.

Oh, great, Kai muttered.

The creature swung one massive claw toward him.

Before it hit

BOOM!

Fire exploded into the monster’s side.

Jax stood nearby with flames spiraling wildly around his arms.

HEY UGLY!

The creature staggered backward angrily.

Jax grinned nervously. Okay that worked better than expected.”

Elena! Orion shouted.

Elena reacted instantly.

Ice burst across the floor beneath the creature, freezing its legs in place.

Crack!

The monster roared furiously while struggling against the ice.

Lyra! Kai yelled.

Silver light glowed around Lyra’s hands as moonlit chains wrapped around the creature’s arms.

Zion stepped forward next.

Dark shadows exploded outward beneath him like living smoke, pinning the monster against the ground completely.

For one second

The five friends moved perfectly together.

Like they had done this before.

Orion noticed it immediately.

His eyes widened slightly.

Impossible

The monster broke free with a deafening roar.

The ice shattered.

Moonlight chains snapped apart.

Shadow energy exploded across the cafeteria.

The creature raised its claw again

Straight toward Lyra.

Kai moved without thinking.

Lightning erupted violently around his body.

Booom!

He slammed into the creature with pure electric force, sending both of them crashing through the cafeteria wall and into the hallway outside.

Pain exploded through Kai’s shoulder as he hit the ground hard.

The monster recovered instantly.

Its red eyes glowed brighter now.

You carry the king’s blood

Kai backed away slowly.

I don’t even know what that means!

The creature lunged again.

Then suddenly

Everything froze.

A pulse of golden energy swept through the hallway.

The creature stopped moving completely.

Orion appeared behind it silently.

His glowing blade pierced through the monster’s chest.

The creature let out one final horrible scream before crumbling into ash.

Silence filled the hallway.

Kai stared at Orion breathing heavily.

Orion slowly removed his blade.

Then he looked directly at Kai.

The Voidborn should not recognize you this early, he said quietly.

Kai frowned. Recognize me as what?

Before Orion could answer, every light in the school shut off completely.

Darkness swallowed the building.

Then outsid

e

The giant red moon glowed brighter than ever.

And beneath the school

Something ancient opened its eyes.