The grove outside the academy was supposed to be a sanctuary—a place where the oldest trees whispered secrets only the wind could understand. But tonight, it was anything but safe.

Liora moved cautiously between twisted roots and glowing fungi, the rune on her wrist throbbing like a warning siren. Kael was beside her, eyes sharp as a hawk’s, fingers twitching near the hilt of his dagger.

“Something’s wrong,” he muttered, voice low. “The shadows here aren’t natural.”

Before she could respond, a sudden chill swept the grove, and dark shapes flickered between the trees—shadowy figures that twisted and stretched, almost alive.

“Fae predators,” Kael hissed. “They hunt by fear and shadow.”

Liora’s breath caught. She wanted to run, to hide, but the Binding Mark flared brightly, as if urging her forward.

A low growl echoed. From the darkness, a massive creature emerged—half beast, half spirit—its eyes glowing with malevolence.

“You’re not ready for this fight,” Kael said, stepping protectively in front of her.

“But I don’t have a choice,” Liora whispered, feeling the magic pulse deep within her veins.

The battle wasn’t just for survival—it was for her soul, for the balance between light and dark that the Otherworld desperately needed.