Magic academy

The midnight call

That night, Liora couldn’t ignore the feeling anymore.

The mark on her wrist wouldn’t stop glowing.

It wasn’t painful like before — just warm… and pulsing slowly, like a heartbeat that didn’t belong to her.

She sat up in bed, staring at it.

“Why now…?” she whispered.

The room was quiet. Mira had fallen asleep hours ago, her soft breathing filling the dorm. Outside, the academy towers stood under a dark sky, their lights flickering faintly.

Then the mark pulsed again.

Stronger.

Liora felt a strange pull — like something calling her.

Her feet touched the cold floor before she even decided to move.

She grabbed her cloak quietly and stepped outside.

The dorm corridor was empty.

The lanterns dimmed as she passed, and the air felt colder with every step. She didn’t know where she was going… but her body did.

The pull grew stronger.

Down the staircase.

Through the silent hallway.

Toward the eastern side of the academy.

Her heart raced.

This is a bad idea…

But she kept walking.

Soon, she found herself standing near the underground archives again.

The same place.

The same hidden corridor.

The mark on her wrist glowed brighter.

The corridor revealed itself once more, like it had been waiting for her.

Liora swallowed nervously.

“I shouldn’t…” she whispered.

But the pull was too strong.

She stepped forward.

The moment she entered, the air shifted again — heavy, quiet, and filled with ancient magic. The black stone door slowly appeared at the end of the corridor.

This time… the crack was already there.

Liora’s breath caught.

It was larger than before.

A faint dark light leaked through.

Her wrist burned gently.

The door was calling her.

Without thinking, she stepped closer.

Her hand lifted slowly toward the stone surface.

Then—

A sudden hand grabbed her wrist.

“Liora.”

Her heart jumped.

Kael stood behind her, his grip firm but not painful. His expression was serious, darker than she had ever seen.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he said quietly.

“I didn’t mean to come,” she replied softly. “The mark… it pulled me.”

Kael glanced at her glowing wrist.

His jaw tightened.

“It’s getting stronger,” he murmured.

The crack in the door widened slightly.

Both of them looked at it.

A faint whisper echoed from inside.

Liora’s eyes widened. “Did you hear that?”

Kael nodded slowly.

“Yes.”

The whisper grew louder — still unclear, but unmistakable.

Like someone calling from far away.

Liora felt her chest tighten.

“It’s calling me…”

Kael stepped in front of her instantly.

“Don’t listen.”

But the whisper wrapped around her mind.

Warm. Familiar.

Inviting.

Her hand moved again.

Kael reacted quickly, placing his hand over hers before she could touch the door.

The moment their hands touched, a surge of magic burst between them.

The corridor shook.

The crack glowed brighter.

Liora gasped as images flashed in her mind.

Dark flames.

A broken tower.

Kael… standing in front of her, surrounded by shadows.

Then everything stopped.

The glow faded.

The door sealed slightly again.

Liora stumbled forward — but Kael caught her before she fell.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

They were close.

Closer than before.

Liora could hear his heartbeat — steady but fast.

“You saw something,” Kael said quietly.

She nodded slowly.

“You were there… in the vision.”

Kael didn’t seem surprised.

“I’ve seen it too,” he admitted.

Liora looked up at him.

“Then what does it mean?”

Kael hesitated.

His gaze softened slightly.

“It means… whatever is behind that door… it’s connected to both of us.”

Silence filled the corridor.

They were still standing close, his hand still holding her arm gently.

Neither of them moved away.

Then suddenly—

A loud crack echoed.

Both of them turned.

The black stone door split open slightly.

Dark mist seeped out.

And from inside…

A shadow began to form.

Kael’s expression hardened instantly.

“Run,” he said.

But Liora couldn’t move.

Because the shadow…

Was looking straight at her.