Academia - Ability Wielders

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 - The Seventh Trial

The crimson eye did not blink.

It simply watched.

Ancient.

Patient.

Hungry.

Its enormous pupil narrowed as it focused on the floating Aether Heart, and the air inside the sanctuary instantly became heavier.

Fin struggled to breathe.

It felt as though the creature's gaze alone carried the weight of mountains.

Tiny fractures spread across the crystal floor beneath everyone's feet.

Even the silver flowers that had bloomed only moments ago shriveled into dust.

Noctis never took his eyes off the crimson eye.

His face, once unreadable, had lost every trace of confidence.

"...It wasn't supposed to awaken."

Orion slowly picked up his fallen spear.

"You know what it is."

Noctis remained silent.

The silence itself was an answer.

The claw slowly pulled itself farther through the broken floor.

Stone exploded in every direction.

The creature beneath the sanctuary was enormous.

Far larger than any Hollow.

Far older than any kingdom.

Its black scales shimmered with veins of crimson light that pulsed like molten lava beneath obsidian armor.

Each claw was the size of an ancient oak tree.

The sanctuary groaned beneath its weight.

Another claw emerged.

Then a third.

Priston blinked.

"...Please tell me it only has two."

Zanne stared downward.

"...Dragons have four."

Priston closed his eyes.

"...I hate that you know that."

A thunderous growl shook the sanctuary.

The sound was unlike anything they had heard before.

It wasn't merely loud.

It carried emotion.

Agony.

Rage.

Loneliness.

The roar echoed through Fin's chest, making her heart ache for reasons she couldn't explain.

Then...

The Aether Heart pulsed.

The creature stopped moving.

Its crimson eye slowly shifted.

Past Orion.

Past Noctis.

Past Caelum.

Until it rested upon...

Fin.

A strange warmth spread through her body.

Not fear.

Recognition.

"...Why is it looking at me?"

No one answered.

Queen Elara stepped forward.

For the first time since appearing as a memory...

There was unmistakable concern in her eyes.

"Fin."

Her voice was calm but urgent.

"Do not draw the Crownblade."

Fin frowned.

"What?"

"No matter what happens..."

Elara's gaze never left the creature.

"...do not attack it."

Priston looked at the Queen in disbelief.

"There's a giant monster climbing through the floor."

"And your advice is..."

He pointed dramatically.

"...don't hit it?"

"Correct."

"That's terrible advice."

"It is necessary."

The creature continued emerging.

Its massive head finally rose above the broken floor.

Everyone fell silent.

It wasn't a dragon.

Not entirely.

Its body resembled one, but elegant silver antlers extended from either side of its head like the branches of an ancient tree.

Long white whiskers drifted through the air.

Its obsidian scales reflected the stars embedded within the sanctuary ceiling.

Despite its terrifying appearance...

Its eyes held profound sadness.

Around its neck hung seven enormous chains forged from glowing silver crystal.

Every chain disappeared deep into the earth below.

The creature wasn't attacking.

It was imprisoned.

Fin took an involuntary step forward.

"...It's chained."

The dragon slowly lowered its head.

Its enormous crimson eye remained fixed on her.

Then...

Something impossible happened.

A single tear rolled down the creature's face.

It struck the crystal floor with a soft chime.

Where the tear landed...

A tiny silver flower bloomed.

Selene whispered,

"It's crying."

Noctis's expression darkened.

"It remembers."

Elara slowly nodded.

"It always did."

Priston looked between them.

"Would somebody..."

He gestured frantically.

"...please start explaining things before something else ancient wakes up?"

Zanne raised one hand.

"I agree."

"That's the smartest thing you've said all day."

"I've said many smart things today."

"Name one."

"I..."

He paused.

"...Give me a moment."

Even Fin laughed.

The brief laughter eased the tension, if only slightly.

Elara walked toward the chained creature.

Although she was only a memory, the dragon lowered its head respectfully.

She gently placed a hand upon its enormous snout.

"My old friend."

The dragon closed its eye.

A deep rumble escaped its throat.

Not threatening.

Comforting.

"It still knows you."

Fin whispered.

"It always will."

Elara replied.

"This is Astraeus."

"The First Guardian."

"The guardian of the Aether Heart."

Orion's eyes widened.

"The Celestial Dragon..."

"So the legends were true."

"There were no legends."

Elara answered.

"Only forgotten memories."

Fin studied the dragon carefully.

Despite its terrifying size...

She couldn't sense hatred.

Only exhaustion.

It had been imprisoned for a very long time.

"...Who chained him?"

She asked softly.

No one spoke.

Finally...

Noctis answered.

"I did."

Every head turned toward him.

"You?"

His gaze remained fixed upon Astraeus.

"He stood between me..."

"...and the Heart."

The Hollow King's voice carried no pride.

Only regret.

"I could not kill him."

"So I imprisoned him."

"For eternity."

The dragon slowly opened one eye again.

Its gaze lingered on Noctis.

Not with anger.

With disappointment.

Noctis looked away first.

The sanctuary trembled violently.

One of the seven crystal chains cracked.

A deafening metallic snap echoed throughout the chamber.

Astraeus lifted his head.

The broken chain dissolved into silver particles.

Elara's expression changed instantly.

"No..."

Zanne noticed.

"What happened?"

"The seal is weakening."

She answered.

"If the chains all break..."

The dragon suddenly roared.

The sound shook the heavens.

"...he will die."

Fin stared in disbelief.

"Wouldn't breaking the chains free him?"

"They're the only thing keeping him alive."

Elara's words struck like lightning.

"The chains don't imprison him anymore."

"They sustain him."

Silence.

Everything seemed to revolve around sacrifices.

The Heart.

Orion.

Caelum.

Now Astraeus.

Everyone protecting the future...

At the cost of themselves.

Fin clenched her fists.

"There has to be another way."

"There is."

Everyone turned toward Elara.

"But it has never been completed."

She looked toward the Seven Doors.

"The Trials."

Zanne immediately understood.

"If Fin completes them..."

"The Heart can be restored."

Elara nodded.

"And Astraeus will live."

Priston grinned.

"There we go."

"A quest."

"Now we're talking."

Selene sighed.

"You sound excited."

"I am."

"We've had enough ancient disasters."

"I prefer ancient adventures."

Fin rolled her eyes.

"Only you would say that."

He smiled.

"You smiled."

"I didn't."

"You absolutely did."

Before anyone could continue—

The second chain snapped.

CRACK!

Astraeus cried out in pain.

The roar shook loose dozens of crystals from the ceiling.

The Aether Heart dimmed again.

Its heartbeat became weaker.

Caelum staggered.

The golden magic surrounding him flickered violently.

Orion caught him before he collapsed.

"You've reached your limit."

The Headmaster smiled weakly.

"I know."

"You should rest."

"We don't have that luxury."

His gaze found Fin.

"Neither do you."

The Seven Doors began glowing one after another.

Each crest illuminated in a different color.

Fire.

Water.

Earth.

Wind.

Lightning.

Ice.

Stars.

The Star Door shone brightest.

Ancient words appeared across its surface.

Not carved.

Written in living light.

Only Fin could read them.

She didn't know how.

She simply... understood.

Only those who know themselves may walk the path of the stars.

The great stone door slowly opened.

Not with a loud rumble.

With quiet elegance.

Beyond it stretched a long corridor illuminated by floating constellations.

It looked endless.

Peaceful.

Almost inviting.

At the far end...

Someone stood waiting.

A young woman dressed in silver armor.

She held a familiar sword.

The Crownblade.

Fin's breath caught.

"...That's..."

Elara smiled.

"The First Starborn."

"The woman who forged the Crownblade."

"The first Queen of Astralis."

The mysterious woman slowly lifted her gaze.

Even from such a great distance...

Her silver-blue eyes met Fin's.

Then she smiled.

Not as a queen.

Not as a legend.

But as if she had been waiting for Fin's arrival for a very, very long time.

A gentle voice drifted through the corridor.

Clear as starlight.

"Welcome home, little one."

Behind Fin, another crystal chain around Astraeus shattered.

The sanctuary trembled harder than ever before.

Time...

Was running out.

The words lingered in the corridor.

"Welcome home, little one."

They weren't loud.

They didn't echo.

Yet everyone heard them.

Fin felt something inside her chest tighten.

The voice wasn't unfamiliar.

It carried the same warmth as the lullabies her adoptive mother used to sing.

The same comfort she had heard in Queen Elara's voice.

The same feeling she'd chased her entire life without realizing it.

Home.

The woman waiting at the end of the corridor slowly lowered the Crownblade.

Unlike Elara, she didn't appear as a transparent memory.

She looked...

Real.

Silver armor rested lightly across her shoulders, engraved with constellations that moved as though they were alive. A white cloak flowed behind her despite the absence of wind, embroidered with seven golden stars along its hem.

Her silver hair reached her waist, catching the glow of countless floating lights.

She couldn't have been older than twenty-five.

Yet the calm in her eyes belonged to someone who had witnessed centuries.

She smiled patiently.

Not once did she rush Fin.

Not once did she call her again.

She simply...

Waited.

Priston looked toward the corridor before glancing at Fin.

"You know..."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I've got a really bad feeling."

Fin laughed softly.

"You always have a bad feeling."

"Yeah."

"This one's different."

"How?"

He hesitated.

"...I can't come with you."

His voice was quieter now.

No jokes.

No teasing.

Just an uneasy certainty.

Zanne stepped closer to the entrance.

The floating constellations reflected in his cracked glasses.

He carefully extended one hand toward the glowing doorway.

The instant his fingertips crossed the threshold—

A transparent barrier shimmered into existence.

It didn't hurt him.

It simply...

Refused him.

He withdrew his hand.

"As I suspected."

Fin looked over.

"What happened?"

"It recognizes bloodline."

Zanne answered thoughtfully.

"No."

Queen Elara corrected.

"It recognizes destiny."

She turned toward Fin.

"Only the Starborn may enter."

Silence settled over the sanctuary.

Priston immediately frowned.

"...That's stupid."

Selene blinked.

"What?"

"It's always one person."

He threw both hands into the air.

"The chosen one has to go alone."

"The friends wait outside."

"The hero nearly dies."

"It's a terrible system."

Even Orion chuckled.

"It has been rather consistent throughout history."

"I hate history."

Priston muttered.

Fin smiled despite the fear creeping into her heart.

"You'll survive a few minutes without me."

Priston folded his arms.

"You seriously overestimate my emotional stability."

"You'll be fine."

"I might cry."

"You absolutely won't."

"...You're right."

He sighed dramatically.

"I'll complain instead."

"That sounds more like you."

Zanne remained silent.

Fin noticed immediately.

He always became quiet whenever something truly worried him.

She stepped beside him.

"What is it?"

He looked toward the corridor.

"...You're walking into something none of us understand."

"I know."

"You don't."

He sighed.

"I've spent years reading about Starborn legends."

"Every surviving record ends the same way."

She tilted her head.

"...How?"

"They all sacrifice something."

The words hung heavily between them.

"I don't like stories where you're expected to lose something just to prove you're worthy."

Fin smiled gently.

"Since when were you superstitious?"

"I'm not."

He answered honestly.

"I'm just..."

His voice faltered.

"...worried."

Their eyes met.

Neither spoke.

Neither needed to.

A loud cough interrupted them.

Priston loudly cleared his throat.

"Ahem."

Both of them turned.

He wore the most exaggerated expression of annoyance Fin had ever seen.

"I know we're surrounded by ancient mysteries..."

He pointed between them.

"But if this becomes another emotional staring contest..."

"I'm going to be offended."

Fin rolled her eyes.

"You're impossible."

"I've heard that."

"Mostly from you."

Selene quietly smiled.

"They care about you."

Fin looked around.

Priston pretending not to worry.

Zanne failing to hide it.

Selene standing beside Orion despite her own fears.

Headmaster Caelum watching all of them with quiet pride.

Family.

Not by blood.

By choice.

Perhaps...

That had always been the meaning of Academia.

Another deafening crack echoed throughout the sanctuary.

The third crystal chain around Astraeus shattered.

The Celestial Dragon cried out.

Its enormous body trembled.

Black corruption spread slowly across several of its once-brilliant silver scales.

The Aether Heart dimmed again.

Queen Elara's expression grew urgent.

"There isn't much time."

Fin nodded.

Then took her first step toward the glowing corridor.

Before she crossed its entrance—

A hand gently caught her wrist.

She turned.

Priston.

He wasn't smiling anymore.

"...Come back."

His words were barely above a whisper.

Not dramatic.

Not poetic.

Just honest.

"Promise me."

Fin looked at him.

For once...

The cocky fighter wasn't hiding behind jokes.

His amber eyes carried genuine fear.

She smiled.

"I promise."

He nodded.

"...Good."

Then quickly added,

"Because if you die..."

He forced a grin.

"...I'll never forgive you."

"You'd yell at my ghost?"

"For hours."

She laughed softly.

"I believe you."

As Fin turned again—

Another voice stopped her.

"...Fin."

She looked over.

Zanne stood awkwardly with both hands in his pockets.

He opened his mouth.

Closed it.

Opened it again.

Priston smirked.

"Come on, genius."

"This is your moment."

Zanne glared at him.

"This isn't helping."

"I know."

"It's entertaining."

Fin couldn't help smiling.

"What is it?"

Zanne took a slow breath.

Then walked closer.

"I've spent years studying stars."

He began quietly.

"I know their names."

"Their movements."

"Their history."

"But..."

He looked directly into her blue eyes.

"...I've never met one until you."

Fin felt her heartbeat stumble.

"I..."

Before she could answer—

Priston groaned dramatically.

"Oh, come on."

"Really?"

"That's actually..."

He placed a hand over his heart.

"...kind of smooth."

Zanne's face immediately turned red.

"I wasn't trying to—"

"You absolutely were."

"I wasn't."

"You compared her to a star."

"I was making an observation."

"You were flirting."

"I was scientifically complimenting."

Selene burst into laughter.

Even Orion chuckled.

Headmaster Caelum shook his head with an amused smile.

"Youth."

Fin laughed harder than she had in days.

The fear.

The battle.

The uncertainty.

For one precious moment...

Everything disappeared.

She stepped forward.

Without overthinking.

Without hesitating.

She wrapped Zanne in a brief hug.

Only a few seconds.

Nothing more.

When she stepped back—

His entire face had turned crimson.

"...You..."

He blinked several times.

"...hugged me."

"I did."

"I wasn't prepared."

"I noticed."

Priston sighed dramatically.

"Great."

"The nerd wins Round One."

"I didn't know this was a competition."

"It is now."

Fin shook her head, laughing.

"You two are unbelievable."

"We're charming."

Priston corrected confidently.

"Speak for yourself."

Zanne muttered.

Headmaster Caelum watched the three of them quietly.

A distant memory surfaced.

Three young students.

One stubborn prince.

One brilliant scholar.

One reckless swordsman.

Laughing before walking into a battle they weren't sure they'd survive.

History...

Always repeated itself.

He only prayed...

This time...

It would end differently.

The floating woman at the end of the corridor finally spoke again.

"Fin."

Her voice had become more serious.

"The trial has already begun."

Fin looked back toward her.

"What is your name?"

The woman smiled warmly.

"I have carried many names."

"But the one I treasured most..."

She rested a hand over her heart.

"...was Lyra."

Everyone froze.

Priston looked confused.

"...Lyra?"

Selene frowned.

"But..."

Professor Lyra...

The lightning instructor...

Shared that name.

Even Orion's expression changed.

"...It can't be."

The mysterious woman nodded gently.

"Every Guardian leaves behind more than power."

"They leave behind their name."

"The title is inherited."

"Just as the stars are."

Realization dawned on Zanne.

"The instructors..."

He whispered.

"...They're descendants."

"Some."

Orion answered.

"Others..."

His eyes widened.

"...were chosen."

Fin stepped across the threshold.

This time...

The barrier welcomed her.

Silver light wrapped gently around her body before fading away.

The corridor behind her slowly began to close.

Priston instinctively took a step forward.

"Fin!"

She turned.

He smiled.

Not his teasing smile.

His real one.

"We'll be right here."

"No matter how long it takes."

Zanne nodded.

"We'll find another way to help."

Selene drew her remaining dagger.

"And if anything comes through that door..."

She looked toward the trembling sanctuary.

"...it answers to us first."

Fin smiled.

"Thank you."

The stone entrance slowly sealed shut.

The last thing she saw...

Was the three people she trusted most.

Standing together.

Watching her.

Believing in her.

Then...

The door closed completely.

Silence.

Fin turned around.

The corridor stretched endlessly beneath a sky full of stars that didn't belong to the world above.

At the far end...

Lyra—the First Starborn Queen—waited with the Crownblade in her hands.

She smiled.

Then asked the one question Fin had never expected.

"Tell me, Fin Ashford..."

Her silver eyes searched gently into Fin's soul.

"If I told you everything you believe about yourself is a lie..."

She paused.

"...would you still want to know the truth?"