Miko's body ached from the battle. He had a few cuts and bruises, nothing serious, but the memory of how easily Larok had dispatched the creature kept replaying in his mind."Something on your mind?" Larok asked, glancing sideways at him."Yeah." Miko stepped over a fallen log. "A lot of things, actually.""Such as?"Miko hesitated, then decided to just ask directly. "How many Awakened Wraiths have you fought?"Larok laughed, the sound echoing through the trees. "That's what you're wondering about?""Among other things," Miko admitted. "I've barely survived encounters with them, and yet you seem... unbothered by the whole situation."Larok was quiet for a moment, like he was deciding something. Then he stopped walking and turned to face Miko."Let me tell you a secret," he said, his usual amused expression turning serious. "The president and I already know about the rankings of the strongest Awakened Wraiths."Miko stared at him. "Rankings? Like the knights have? Or you mean the 5 top

Anna stared at the letter in her hands, the heavy cream paper embossed with the Church's gold seal. She read it a third time, still not quite believing what it said."This has to be a mistake," she muttered, running her finger over the ornate calligraphy.The common room door swung open as Akiya walked in, a mug of coffee in one hand. "What's got you looking so confused this early?"Anna held up the letter. "I just got a formal invitation from the Church. They want me to visit their healing facilities and 'exchange methodologies.'"Akiya nearly choked on her coffee. "The Church? Since when do they invite AAU personnel for friendly visits?""That's what I was wondering." Anna handed over the letter.Akiya scanned it quickly, her eyes narrowing. "This is weird timing. Right after Miko gets back from the church ? Not a coincidence.""I thought the same thing," Anna admitted. "But it's also an opportunity.""An opportunity to get yourself into trouble," Akiya said, tossing the letter back

Anna rose and moved around the chamber, examining the plants growing from the walls. Many she recognized as healing herbs, but others were unfamiliar, with strange iridescent leaves or unusual growth patterns.A partially open cabinet caught her eye. Inside, she glimpsed scrolls marked with symbols similar to those she'd seen on the doors of the restricted treatment rooms. Curiosity overcame caution, and she carefully slid one out just far enough to read its title.The sound of footsteps in the corridor sent her quickly back to the pool, the strange title filed away in her memory alongside other oddities—the whispered conversation about chambers being ready by the full moon, the "special patient" Matthias had been called away to attend, the restricted areas throughout the facility.Sister Elaine returned carrying what looked like an ancient book bound in pale leather. "My apologies for the interruption. Now, I believe you were going to show me more about your cellular stimulation tech

The next day, the morning sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the polished stone floor of the Sanctum's eastern wing. Anna walked beside Sister Elaine, trying not to stare at the healing procedures taking place in rooms they passed. Three days at the Church facility had shown her marvels she'd never imagined possible—and raised questions she couldn't ignore."Your progress is remarkable," Sister Elaine commented, her white hair gleaming in a shaft of blue light. "Most visitors take weeks to grasp even the basics of our purification techniques.""I've always been a quick study," Anna replied, careful to keep her tone humble despite the pride she felt. The cellular regeneration method she'd mastered yesterday had taken most Church healers months to perfect.Sister Elaine's pale eyes studied her with that now-familiar intensity. "Perhaps too quick."Anna's heart skipped, but she kept her expression neutral. "Is there such a thing when it com

Miko turned."If what you're saying is true, why have you been avoiding me? Why not warn me earlier?"Aria's composure finally cracked. "I was scared," she admitted. "Larok has ways of knowing things. Of watching people. I couldn't risk him discovering what I knew until we were assigned to the mission.""And how did you know we would be?" Miko pressed."Because he always positions his pieces carefully," she said softly. "Nothing about your training, your assignments, even your Academy placement has been random. He's been guiding your path for years."Hayes cleared his throat. "I think you both have much to discuss. And Cadet Asterion, you have some decisions to make before tomorrow night."Miko looked up sharply. "What do you mean?"**Back in the Capital’s Church, The archives smelled of dust and secrets. Anna's footsteps echoed softly against stone floors as she navigated the narrow passages between towering shelves. Moonlight streamed through high glass windows, painting colored pa