Morning came, but the sky stayed dark. As if the academy itself knew something was wrong.
Kael couldn't forget the bracelet. Or the scratch marks near the well.
He waited until nightfall.
Then, with Mikaho and Zehr by his side, he whispered, "We're going to find out the truth."
They slipped out of the dorm quietly. Zehr kept watch while Kael and Mikaho moved toward the back of the academy.
"This way," Kael said. "I saw the scratches here."
The three reached the old stone well again.
Mikaho noticed something this time. "Look here. A symbol… barely visible."
It was an old mark—half-faded, shaped like a demon's eye.
Suddenly, Zehr stepped back. "Guys, this stone is loose."
With some effort, they pulled the stone aside.
Behind it, a narrow staircase led downward into the darkness.
Kael took a deep breath. "Let's go."
The stairs creaked under their feet. Dust filled the air. It was hard to breathe.
After what felt like hours, they reached a door made of black wood, reinforced with rusted metal chains.
Words were carved above it: "THE SEALED WING – DO NOT ENTER"
Zehr whistled. "Well, now I definitely want to enter."
Kael touched the door. "What is this place…?"
Mikaho pulled out a small lantern. The glow showed claw marks on the walls. Old… but deep.
The door creaked open.
Inside was a large, empty hallway. Broken desks. Torn flags. Old training dummies, half burnt.
"This used to be part of the academy," Mikaho said. "Long ago."
They explored slowly.
On one wall, they found old pictures of past students. Many names were scratched out.
But one name remained clear: Ashen.
Kael stepped closer. "He studied here?"
Zehr blinked. "How old is this guy?!"
Mikaho stared at the picture. Ashen looked younger, but his eyes were the same. Cold, sharp, hiding pain.
At the end of the hallway, they found a locked iron door.
Zehr poked it. "Let me guess. We're gonna open this next?"
But before they could, they heard a sound.
A whisper.
Kael turned quickly, eyes wide.
Someone was standing at the end of the hall.
It was Runo.
But something was wrong.
His eyes glowed faintly green.
"Runo?" Kael stepped forward.
Runo tilted his head, then smiled strangely. "He is coming…"
Then, in a flash—he was gone.
Zehr stumbled back. "Wha– What was that?!"
Mikaho gripped Kael's arm. "We need to get out of here."
Kael stared at the locked iron door.
"No… we need to go deeper."
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The mystery of the Sealed Wing deepens. As Kael and the others follow the hidden path, they uncover a secret hidden even from the teachers. A secret that could change everything.