The courtyard at dawn was empty save for the lingering glow of emberpetals scattered across frost-lilies. A pale mist curled around the Lightning Tower's base, and the Iceforge loomed silent in the north. The Academy seemed to hold its breath—an eerie calm before the morning's lessons. Yet I knew that peace was fragile, for Trial Two had warned us that unity could fracture under the weight of regret. Today, we would confront that.
Valmira found me beside the Emberpetal Garden's eastern wall. Her violet eyes were bright with concern. "They've begun to appear," she said softly.
"Who?" I asked.
"Echoes of past failures," she replied. "Phantom wards that never bloomed, wards that turned savage. The Fallen Embers."
I stiffened. "We need to face them?"
Valmira nodded. "They manifest when hope falters. When someone remembers only their mistakes, not their growth. We must confront them—together."
I squared my shoulders. "Gather the team."
Gathering the Circle
