Kael stood before the iron gates of Aetherion.
Not just gates—massive obsidian archways etched with glowing sigils that pulsed like veins under the skin of the world. Behind them, a floating fortress defied gravity: towers curled skyward like dragon spines, waterfalls poured sideways across bridges made of stardust and rune-engraved bone. The sky above shimmered with twin suns and a third black orb—an eclipse locked in eternal pause.
"Welcome to Hell-on-a-Mountain," Elira muttered beside him.
Kael took a breath. He could still feel the ticking—no, the burning—inside him. Eighty-two hours left.
They approached a wide stone causeway leading to the front gates. Rows of statues lined the path, each depicting monstrous creatures: dragons with three heads, angelic serpents wielding swords, and even humanoid figures with wings, tails, and jagged halos.
"Those aren't statues, are they?" Kael asked.
"Nope. They're dead alumni. Preserved by war mages as warnings to the rest of us."
The gates creaked open with a sound like groaning mountains.
They stepped into the atrium—and were hit by a rush of energy.
Literal energy. Blue tendrils of mana clung to Kael's skin. He staggered, blinking as a HUD appeared in his vision:
[Aetherion Nexus Detected]
[Mana Compatibility: 74.6%]
[Draconic Core Instability: Critical. Estimated Time to Collapse: 82:07:23]
[Initiating Localized Stabilization... Temporary Seal Applied.]
Kael exhaled. The burning in his chest dulled. Not gone—but subdued.
"You'll need a permanent core anchor soon," Elira said. "The academy gives new students three trials. Pass them, and you live. Fail..."
She drew her finger across her neck.
"Let me guess—another alumni statue."
"You're catching on."
A crowd was already gathering. Students in robes, armor, and outfits that looked ripped from ten different centuries gawked at Kael.
"Is that him?"
"The Last Egg?"
"He doesn't even have proper horns yet."
Whispers buzzed around him.
A bell rang overhead—deep and harmonic.
"Newbloods!" a voice thundered. A woman floated above them in robes of white flame, her hair a river of fire. "Orientation begins now!"
Kael and Elira were ushered into the courtyard, where over a hundred students had gathered—some human, others less so. Beastfolk with panther ears, lizard-scaled hybrids, even a boy with molten eyes and obsidian skin.
The floating woman descended. Her face was stern, scarred, and beautiful in a dangerous way.
"I am Archflame Virellia. Headmistress of Aetherion. You are here because you are unstable, cursed, powerful—or all three. This place does not train heroes. It forges weapons. If you wish to be more than kindling, survive the Forge Trials."
She raised a hand. Three runes appeared in the air:
1. The Flamewalk.
2. The Binding Rite.
3. The Arena.
"Pass all three. Earn your Flamebrand. Fail any—and be consumed."
Kael felt something pulse in his chest.
[Forge Trial I: Flamewalk - Countdown: 03:59:59]
The first trial was today.
Kael was led to his dormitory—if it could be called that. It was a stone chamber carved into the side of a floating cliff, with a bed made of dragonhide and a fireplace that burned with blue fire.
Waiting for him was a girl.
She lay sprawled across the bed, wearing a tunic too short to be regulation and a grin too sharp to be friendly.
"So you're the egg everyone's whispering about," she purred.
Kael froze. She was stunning—slender but athletic, her skin a moonlight shimmer. Horns curled from her forehead like polished ivory, and a thin tail swayed behind her.
"I'm Kael. And you are...?"
"Lyria. Daughter of Sarthak the Black, student of Venomous Flame, and your assigned roommate."
"Roommate?"
She smirked. "Aetherion pairs opposites. You smell like solar fire. I'm all poison and shadow. Should be fun."
Kael sighed. "Of course."
She sat up, her eyes glowing faintly. "You're going to burn out before your second trial unless you get anchored."
"I know."
"Then you'll need help. I know the underground routes. Places the instructors don't see."
"Why help me?"
She stood, walking toward him. Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"Because I saw you in the flames last night. All of us did. The Last Egg... the anomaly. You're not like the rest. You're the fuse. And I want front-row seats to the explosion."
Kael met her eyes. "I'm not planning to explode."
She licked her lips. "Even better."
Hours later, Kael stood at the edge of the Flamewalk.
A bridge of fire stretched over an abyss. Below—shadows moved. Hungry.
"Cross it," Virellia said. "Without burning. Without stopping. And without losing your mind."
Kael stepped forward. The heat was intense, but his blood pulsed with something stronger.
He walked.
The flames licked his boots. Voices whispered in the fire.
You are broken. You are cursed. You are nothing.
His mind reeled. The visions returned.
A girl screaming. Fire falling.
Him. Dying.
Then—another voice. Familiar. Elira?
No. Older. Deeper.
"Get up, Kael. You are the flame. Not the ash."
His back straightened. Wings pushed against his skin.
He roared—and the fire parted.
He reached the end.
Virellia watched him closely. "Interesting..."
Only fifteen of the hundred made it across. Lyria arrived just before the flames swallowed the bridge.
She grinned. "Knew you'd survive."
Kael looked at his hands.
[Flamewalk Complete. Core Stability +3%. Time to Collapse: 79:02:12]
It wasn't much.
But it was something.
And Kael wasn't planning on stopping.
Back in his chamber, he collapsed onto his bed.
Only to find Lyria already under the covers.
"What—"
"Relax, Eggy. I'm cold-blooded. Your heat helps."
She snuggled closer. Kael groaned. "This academy's insane."
"Welcome to Aetherion," she whispered. "Where the crazy ones live longest."
Kael stared at the ceiling.
Tomorrow was the Binding Rite.
And his true trial had just begun.