The academy halls were quiet.
It was past midnight. Most students were asleep. The only sound was the ticking of the old wall clock… and Leon's quiet breathing.
He lay on his bed, eyes shut, but not asleep.
His dreams had become dangerous.
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw fire. He heard screaming. And tonight, the voice was clearer.
"They're coming."
🗡 In the Shadows…
A window near Leon's room creaked open.
Something slipped inside—tall, fast, and silent.
A figure dressed in black robes stepped forward. Their face was hidden by a silver mask. In their hand: a blade coated in black poison.
The assassin moved like a ghost, steps making no sound.
They reached Leon's bed and raised the blade.
But Leon's eyes snapped open.
He grabbed the pillow and threw it into the attacker's face, rolling off the bed just in time.
The blade stabbed into the mattress where he had been.
"Who are you?" Leon shouted, backing up.
The figure didn't answer. It dashed forward again.
Leon raised his hand. Fire burst from his palm, lighting the room—but the assassin flipped back, unharmed.
"The Flameblood dies tonight," a cold voice said.
💥 The Fight
The assassin charged again. Leon blocked the blade with a desk chair, but it shattered.
He barely dodged another strike, fire flaring from his hands to push the enemy back.
But he was tired. His body still burned from yesterday's training.
The assassin threw a dagger—it cut Leon's arm. Pain shot through him.
He fell.
"I'm not ready," Leon whispered. "I can't—"
Suddenly, the door burst open.
"Leon!"
Astha.
She rushed in, light magic glowing from her hands.
"Shield Sigil: Mirror Veil!"
A wall of light appeared between Leon and the assassin. The dagger bounced off and clattered to the floor.
Astha stepped beside Leon. "Can you stand?"
He nodded slowly.
"Then we fight."
🔥 Together
Leon pushed himself up. His hands glowed with red fire. Astha stood beside him, her palm shining with silver light.
The assassin attacked again, spinning in the air.
Leon threw a wave of flame.
Astha launched a beam of light.
BOOM!
The magic hit together. Fire and light exploded across the room.
The assassin crashed against the wall, mask cracked.
With a hiss, they vanished into a swirl of black smoke, escaping through the window.
🩹 After the Battle
The room was a mess. Smoke filled the air. Leon's bed was torn apart.
He sat down on the floor, blood dripping from his arm.
Astha tore a strip from her sleeve and tied it around his wound.
"You okay?" she asked softly.
Leon gave a tired nod. "Yeah. Thanks to you."
She sat beside him. "That wasn't just a random attack. Someone powerful sent them."
Leon looked at the burned mark on his hand. "They're not going to stop."
Astha met his eyes. "Then neither will we."
👁 Far Away…
In the ruined fortress, the silver-masked assassin knelt before the bone throne again.
"My lord," they said, breathing heavily, "he is stronger than expected. And the girl… protects him."
The deep voice growled.
"Then kill them both."