Chapter 5: The Dark Warning
Sera lived at a magic school. The school was called Nytherra Academy. It was big and beautiful. Many days passed since she came here.
But Sera felt something was wrong.
Every morning, when she woke up, she felt a little scared. She didn't know why. There was no monster. No storm. No reason. But her heart felt heavy. Her stomach felt tight.
She tried to smile. She tried to be happy. But inside, something felt strange.
The other students were happy. They laughed. They played. They learned magic every day.
Some made fire come out of their hands.
Some talked to birds and cats.
Some could fly high in the air using magic wings.
Sera liked to watch them. It was fun. Magic was so amazing. But Sera still wanted something more.
She wanted to know her own magic.
One day, after class, Sera went to the school library. It was big and very quiet. The floor was shiny. The air smelled like old books and candles.
There were many, many books. Some books were about spells. Some were about potions. Some were very, very old.
Sera picked up a big book. It was about the school's past. It told stories from many years ago.
It talked about witches, heroes, and magical wars.
It said that Nytherra Academy had secrets.
Sera turned the pages slowly. She liked reading. It made her feel calm.
But then… something strange happened.
The candle near her started to flicker. The flame danced. Then—it went out.
Suddenly, the room became dark. Very dark.
And cold.
Very cold. Like winter wind had entered the room.
Sera felt her heart beat fast.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
She looked around. No one was there.
And then she heard a soft voice.
A whisper. Very quiet. Very scary.
"You are not safe, Sera Ashgrave," the voice said.
Sera stood up very fast. Her chair fell over.
She looked behind her.
No one was there.
Her hands were shaking. Her legs felt weak. She picked up her book and ran out of the library.
In the hallway, the lights were still on. But as she walked, she saw a shadow move across the wall.
She stopped.
"Who's there?" she asked.
No answer.
She looked again. The shadow was gone.
Maybe it was just her mind. Or maybe… someone was watching her.
Sera walked fast back to her room. She didn't sleep much that night. She kept thinking of the voice. The cold. The shadow.
The next day, the sky was cloudy. The air was gray and cool.
Sera went to the garden after breakfast. The garden was full of pretty, glowing flowers. Some were blue. Some were pink. Some sang tiny songs.
The garden was quiet. A good place to think.
Soon, Lira flew to her. Lira was Sera's fairy friend. She had small wings and a tiny glow.
"You look sad," Lira said, landing on Sera's shoulder.
Sera told her about the voice. The cold. The shadow.
Lira's face became serious. "Dark magic is near," she said. "I can feel it too."
Then Kael came. Kael was strong. He had wild hair and sharp eyes.
"I felt something last night too," Kael said. "Something is coming. Something bad."
Next came Valen. He was quiet and calm. He was a vampire but kind. "Old enemies are near the school," he said. "They want the school's magic."
Sera looked at him. "Do they want to hurt me?" she asked.
From behind a tree, Riven appeared. His red eyes glowed. "Not only you," he said. "They want to hurt all of us."
The friends looked at each other.
They knew it was time to act.
"We should meet in secret," Valen said.
"Yes," Kael nodded. "Tonight."
At midnight, when the school was quiet, the five friends met again.
They met under the library in a hidden room. The room had stone walls and a low ceiling. There were candles and old scrolls.
Valen took out a map. It was a map of the forest near the school.
"There is a place called Shadow Hollow," he said. "It is dark. Very old. The bad magic is coming from there."
"We must go there," Sera said. She was scared. But she was brave.
"It's dangerous," Lira said.
"But we are together," Sera said.
Everyone nodded. They were ready.
That night, the moon was high in the sky. The stars shone above them.
The five friends met near the garden gate. Sera held her magic scroll. Valen had the map. Kael had a fire stone. Lira flew close. Riven walked quietly beside them.
They entered the forest.
It was dark. Very dark.
The trees were tall. The leaves made rustling sounds. Strange eyes looked at them from the bushes.
They kept walking.
After a long time, they reached Shadow Hollow.
It was cold.
So cold that even Valen, the vampire, shivered.
Suddenly, a tall woman stepped out of the shadows.
She wore a long black cloak. Her eyes were red like fire.
"I have waited for you, Sera Ashgrave," she said.
Her voice was cold. It made Sera's skin feel tight.
"I am Morwenna," she said. "Long ago, your family hurt me. Now, I want revenge."
Sera stepped forward. Her friends came close behind her.
"You will not hurt us," Sera said. Her voice was strong.
Morwenna smiled. "We will see."
Then she lifted her hands.
Dark magic flew out like smoke and lightning.
Kael threw fire. Riven sent out dark shadows. Valen used light beams. Lira made glowing balls to block the attacks.
Sera used her small spells. She made a shield. She pushed back with light.
Boom! Zap! Whoosh!
The fight was big. The magic lit up the trees.
Sera fell once, but Kael helped her up.
Valen got hit, but Riven blocked the next attack.
They worked like a team.
At last, Morwenna stepped back.
She was angry.
"You are lucky," she said. "But this is not over. This is only the beginning."
And then—she disappeared into the night.
The forest became quiet again.
Only the sound of wind in the leaves was left.
The five friends stood still. Then, slowly, they smiled at each other.
They had done it. They had faced the dark.
But it was not the end.
Sera looked at the stars.
"We must be ready," she said.
"She will come again," Valen said.
"And next time, we will be stronger," said Kael.
Sera looked at her friends.
She felt scared. But also strong.
Her story was just beginning.