The three of them moved quickly down the hall as their boots echoed against the worn wooden floor.

  The dim light along the corridor flickered weakly against the walls and every shadow seemed to twist and stretch as though the house itself were alive and watching them.

  The air carried a strange pressure that made the hallway feel tighter with every step.

  Kyra scanned the hallway, her eyes moving from wall to wall. She searched for anything reflective, anything that might serve as the key Tymir had mentioned.

  Tymir felt the sharp sting in his side again and instinctively pressed his hand against it.

  The sensation was not entirely physical.

  Through the faint thread of awareness that still lingered in the back of his mind, he felt Marcellus's energy slipping further away.

  His chest tightened as the sensation spread through him like a slow leak of light fading into darkness.

  "Go find the mirror," Tymir said as he slowed. "I'm going to find Marcellus."

  Kyra and Cleo exchanged a brief glance before nodding.

  They split apart without another word and hurried in opposite directions down the hallway.

  Tymir turned and sprinted toward the staircase.

  His boots pounded down the steps as he rushed into the darkened lower floor.

  "Marcellus!" he shouted as his voice echoed through the empty rooms. "Where are you?"

  For a moment there was only silence.

  Then a weak voice answered from somewhere nearby.

  "In here."

  Relief and fear collided in Tymir's chest as he rushed toward the sound.

  He burst into the room and immediately spotted Marcellus slumped against the wall.

  Dark blood stained the side of his uniform where the shadow blade had pierced him.

  A sharp pressure gripped Tymir's chest.

  He hurried over and dropped into a crouch beside Marcellus.

  He placed his hand gently against the wound, worry in his expression.

  Heat pulsed beneath his palm as Marcellus groaned quietly, pain rippling through his body.

  "I got you. I'm going to get you out of here," Tymir said urgently.

  He slipped one arm beneath Marcellus's shoulder and started to pull him upright.

  Before he could lift Marcellus, the shadows along the wall behind them twisted.

  The darkness thickened and pulled inward as though it were forcing its way through the surface of the room.

  The entity erupted from the wall.

  A violent force slammed into Tymir's chest and ripped him backward across the room.

  Marcellus slipped from his grasp and collapsed back to the floor with a cry of pain.

  Tymir's body flew into a swirling pocket of shadow that opened behind him like a living void.

  Cold darkness swallowed him completely.

  In the next instant the shadow folded inward and hurled him back out upstairs.

  Tymir crashed hard against the wooden floor and rolled across the hallway before slamming into the wall.

  Pain rattled through his body as the air rushed from his lungs.

  The impact echoed down the corridor.

  Cleo rushed into view.

  "Tymir!" Cleo shouted as she ran toward him.

  She dropped beside him and grabbed his arm, pulling him upright.

  "What happened?"

  Tymir forced himself to steady his breathing.

  "That thing attacked me while I was trying to help Marcellus," he said quickly. "He's hurt."

  Cleo's expression tightened as concern flashed across her face.

  "Then we need to find this mirror immediately," she said, her eyes scanning the surrounding room with urgency.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Cleo caught a glimpse of something glinting faintly in the distance.

  "There," she said, pointing toward the far corner of the parlor.

  A tall standing mirror leaned against the wall. Its wooden frame was scratched and cracked with age, and a dusty white sheet hung over the glass, dulling the surface beneath years of neglect.

  Tymir followed her gaze and nodded.

  "That has to be it," he said. "The entity cannot hide from its own reflection. This is our chance."

  They began moving toward the mirror.

  Before they could reach it, the shadows in front of them twisted violently.

  The entity appeared in the center of the room.

  One hand gripped Marcellus by the collar of his uniform while the other held a shadowed dagger pressed tightly against his throat.

  "Marcellus!" Cleo gasped as fear flashed across her face.

  Tymir balled his fists while his heart pounded violently in his chest.

  The entity pressed the blade slightly deeper against Marcellus's skin and a thin line of blood ran down his neck.

  "Stop!" Tymir shouted.

  The creature's lips curled into a cruel smile.

  Its dark eyes locked onto Tymir with obvious amusement.

  Tymir held the entity's gaze while forcing himself to remain still. His attention stayed fixed on the blade resting against Marcellus's throat.

  The thin line of blood slowly traced its way down Marcellus's neck before disappearing into the collar of his uniform.

  Marcellus struggled to remain upright in the creature's grip. His breathing had become uneven, and the wound in his side continued to bleed through the fabric of his uniform.

  Tymir could see the strain in his eyes as he fought to stay conscious.

  The entity watched Tymir with unsettling patience, its dark eyes tracking every flicker of emotion that crossed his face.

  A slow smile crept across its twisted features.

  "You can feel your little boyfriend dying, can't you?" the creature murmured, the words dripping with amusement.

  A harsh laugh followed as it leaned closer to Marcellus, its breath brushing against his skin.

  Its tongue dragged slowly along the edge of his ear, deliberate and taunting.

  The sight sent a sharp surge of anger twisting through Tymir.

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  Cleo stepped forward until she stood beside Tymir, her attention still fixed on the creature.

  Boyfriend?

  The word lingered in her mind as her gaze flicked briefly toward Tymir, a quiet question forming behind her eyes.

  Her attention shifted to Marcellus.

  He struggled weakly in the creature's grip, his breathing shallow as blood continued to seep through the side of his uniform.

  Even through the pain, his eyes searched the room until they found Tymir.

  Tymir's reaction was subtle, but she noticed it.

  His shoulders stiffened as the insult settled in.

  "Let him go," Tymir snapped, his fists curling at his sides.

  The creature's smile widened as its fingers cinched around Marcellus's collar. "Or what?"

  Tymir glanced toward Cleo.

  She met his gaze immediately.

  The entity's expression changed, sensing the shift in energy.

  "If either of you attempts to link, I will open his throat before the connection even finishes forming."

  Tymir forced himself to remain still.

  Cleo felt the hesitation ripple through him.

  The faint thread of connection between them trembled, and a surge of fear bled across it before Tymir could fully suppress it.

  Her hands slowly clenched at her sides as the echo of those feelings settled into her awareness.

  Behind the entity, Kyra moved silently along the edge of the room.

  Her steps were slow and deliberate as she circled toward the tall mirror leaning against the wall.

  The dim light slid across the floor beneath her boots while the shadows along the walls shifted with each careful step.

  Cleo caught the movement in the corner of her eye.

  Tymir noticed it as well.

  Neither of them turned their heads.

  They kept their attention fixed on Marcellus and the entity, careful not to draw the creature's suspicion.

  Kyra reached the mirror.

  Her hand closed around the edge of the sheet that hung over the glass. The fabric felt thick with dust as she tightened her grip and steadied herself.

  "You talk a lot of shit for someone who is too afraid to face themselves."

  The creature's head snapped toward her, its hollow eyes locking onto Kyra.

  Kyra yanked the sheet away from the mirror.

  The dusty fabric tore free from the glass and collapsed to the floor in a heavy sweep of cloth.

  The creature turned fully toward the mirror.

  Its reflection stared back at it from the dark surface of the glass, twisted and monstrous beneath the dim light of the room.

  A piercing scream ripped from its throat, shrill and violent as it recoiled from the sight of itself.

  The dagger slipped from the creature's hand as both of its arms flew up to shield its face.

  Marcellus collapsed to the floor the instant the creature released him, his body hitting the ground in a rough gasp of breath.

  Tymir moved at the same moment.

  The link between him and Cleo ignited fully as their energies collided and fused together, flowing through the space between them with sudden force.

  Tymir's emotions rushed through the bond, raw and scorching.

  His anger surged along the link like molten fire, wrapping around Cleo's awareness and setting her senses alight with the heat of his fury and desperation.

  Tymir charged forward as a crimson sword blazed into existence in his hand.

  The entity twisted violently in an attempt to evade, and its shadowed limbs lashed through the air in wild arcs.

  Tymir stepped through the sweeping shadows and drove the blade deep into its chest.

  A shriek tore from the creature.

  A violent shockwave erupted from its body. The wooden walls rattled as the blast hurled Tymir across the room.

  He struck the floor hard and slid several feet before stopping.

  Cleo raised both hands as the power of the link surged through her.

  Fiery crimson energy gathered around her fingers and spilled outward into the air like living lightning.

  The currents twisted and folded over themselves as they expanded, shaping into massive glowing hands.

  The blazing constructs shot forward and seized the creature's arms.

  They forced its limbs outward and held them there as the entity thrashed violently against the restraint.

  Kyra stepped in beside them, her own hands moving in quick, fluid motions.

  Bolts of violet lightning burst from her palms and formed into crackling energy hands that lunged forward and clamped around the creature's ankles, locking its legs to the floor.

  Energy surged from Tymir's core, igniting through his body.

  He pushed off the floor, flipping forward as brilliant yellow light burst from his hands, crackling and arcing outward like molten fire ready to strike.

  He rushed forward again and grabbed the creature's head.

  The entity fought against him, twisting and clawing as it tried to turn away.

  Tymir forced its face toward the mirror.

  "Look at what you are," he growled through clenched teeth.

  The creature's eyes met its reflection in the mirror.

  Something inside it ignited.

  A deep green light burst from its chest.

  Cracks raced across its limbs and face until its entire form looked ready to shatter.

  Its scream rose into a final deafening cry.

  Then the green light erupted outward, searing through the room like molten energy.

  The wooden walls splintered and dissolved, the house itself unraveling into shards of light.

  A shockwave slammed through the space, throwing them backward as if the very air had become a battering force.

  The world around them shattered in a blinding flash, leaving only raw, pulsing brilliance.

  A moment later the four of them gasped as they snapped back into their physical bodies on the training platform.

  Air rushed into their lungs as the astral plane dissolved around them.

  Each of them struggled to breathe as coughing shook their chests.

  The specialist stepped forward and stopped the timer.

  "Twenty minutes," he said calmly. "Not bad, team."

  Cleo wiped sweat from her face as she coughed.

  "Twenty minutes?" she said in disbelief. "It felt like we were in there for hours."

  "That was very intense," Kyra said, still catching her breath.

  The specialist stepped closer, his expression calm but firm. "It is meant to be," he said. "The entity attacks not just your body but your mind. It highlights your concealed emotions, your insecurities, your fears. It uses those closest to you, those you trust most, to strike where you are most vulnerable."

  Tymir slowly turned his head toward Marcellus.

  Marcellus met his gaze and gave him a small nod before stepping off the platform.

  Cleo watched the exchange silently.

  Her eyes moved from Marcellus back to Tymir as suspicion slowly settled across her expression.

  Marcellus swayed slightly, his knees threatening to buckle.

  The exertion from the training still weighed heavily on him, the raw surge of astral energy leaving his body trembling as though every muscle had been stretched beyond its limit.

  Tymir was instantly at his side, a firm arm steadying him around the waist. "I've got you," Tymir said quietly, concern threading through his voice, the pressure in his chest tightening as he felt the lingering strain radiating from Marcellus.

  Marcellus managed a faint smile, though the fatigue behind his eyes was impossible to hide.

  "I am fine," he murmured, even as more of his weight leaned into Tymir's support.

  The specialist, standing a short distance away, observed with a sharp gaze. He raised an eyebrow, noting the tremor in Marcellus's form.

  "Marcellus," the specialist said calmly, "take the day. You are dismissed."

  Marcellus exhaled softly in relief.

  Tymir gave a respectful nod and guided him down the corridor. Their boots echoed faintly against the polished floor as they walked.

  The hallway felt unusually quiet after the chaos of the training chamber.

  Marcellus leaned more heavily against him with each step.

  By the time they reached his room, the exhaustion had clearly settled deep into his body.

  Tymir pushed the door open and carefully helped him inside. He guided him toward the bed and eased him down onto the mattress.

  Marcellus sank into the soft covers with a long breath, his head falling back against the pillow.

  Tymir's hand lingered on his shoulder, steadying him, the warmth from his touch anchoring Marcellus to the present.

  "You really had me worried in there," Tymir said softly, scanning Marcellus's face for any signs of lingering strain or pain.

  Marcellus let out a low, tired laugh. "I've had worse, but that was tougher than I expected," he admitted, the words slightly breathless.

  Tymir allowed himself a faint smile, though the tension in his chest did not fully release. He leaned down, brushing a hand along Marcellus's arm with careful gentleness. "I'm glad you're okay, but you need to rest."

  Marcellus nodded faintly and closed his eyes for a moment as Tymir stepped back and turned toward the door.

  Before he could leave, Marcellus reached out and caught his wrist.

  The touch was gentle but deliberate.

  Tymir turned back toward him.

  Marcellus looked up at him with a softness that rarely appeared when others were around.

  "Come see me tonight," he said softly, a note of vulnerability threading through the words.

  Tymir's lips curved into a small, genuine smile. "Okay," he whispered.

  The room fell silent as they leaned toward one another, sharing a tender, intimate kiss that lingered in the dim light. It was gentle, unhurried, a quiet promise held between them.

  When they parted, Tymir rested his hand briefly against Marcellus's shoulder.

  "Get some sleep," he said.

  Marcellus gave a small nod, his eyelids drooping with fatigue.

  Tymir stepped into the hallway and eased the door closed behind him. He paused just before it clicked shut, glancing back once more.

  Marcellus was already reclining against the pillows, his breath steadying as sleep began to claim him.

  Tymir made his way down the hallway, each step quiet against the smooth floor.

  A faint warmth stirred in his left hand.

  He slowed, glancing down at his palm as a dull tingling spread across it. The sensation pulsed softly beneath his skin, subtle but impossible to ignore.

  His mind drifted back to the simulation. To the moment he had grabbed the man's hand.

  The memory rose slowly, surfacing in fragments. A ruined battlefield stretched beneath a violent sky.

  Chancellor Sterling standing beside the dark figure, their movements perfectly synchronized as they fought together.

  The current of power had surged between them.

  The sensation had felt eerily familiar. The same living current that passed through him whenever he linked with Marcellus.

  Tymir frowned and flexed his fingers as the warmth in his palm slowly faded.

  He had not given the vision much thought after the training ended. At the time it had seemed like nothing more than a lingering echo of the entity's illusion.

  The memory lingered at the edge of his thoughts.

  Tymir rubbed his palm against his pants as he walked, trying to shake the strange warmth that still seemed to echo there.

  A chill slid slowly up his spine.

  He stopped and glanced over his shoulder.

  The hallway stretched out behind him, quiet and empty beneath the academy lights.

  Nothing moved.

  Tymir stood there for another moment, listening, his senses stretching outward into the stillness.

  After a few seconds he released a slow breath and turned forward again, quietly pushing the thought from his mind.

  As he rounded the corner, he saw Cleo a few steps ahead, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

  Her eyes were locked on him, sharp and unwavering, every movement measured.

  Suspicion flickered across her expression, a tension that pulled at the edges of the air between them.

  Tymir held her gaze, though a flicker of tension passed through him.

  "We need to talk," she said, her voice calm but cutting, carrying an edge that left no room for argument.

  Tymir exhaled slowly, letting the air hiss quietly through his teeth, and forced a small, wry laugh.

  "You really love these we need to talk sessions," he said, trying to ease the weight pressing against his chest.

  Cleo pushed herself off the wall and stepped closer, her gaze sharp and unrelenting. "What was that during training?"

  Tymir's jaw tightened slightly, though his face remained calm.

  "What do you mean?" he asked evenly, keeping his tone neutral, careful not to reveal more than necessary.

  Her eyes narrowed, sharp and unwavering. "What's going on between you and Marcellus? Don't lie to me, Tymir."

  He swallowed, the weight of her gaze pressing against him. His mind raced, measuring each word, calculating how much she might have sensed through the link.

  Every instinct urged caution.

  "It's not what you think," he said slowly, deliberately, letting his tone remain steady even as uncertainty flickered beneath the surface.

  He wasn't entirely sure how to explain the bond they shared, how much of it could be put into words without giving too much away.

  "Bullshit, Tymir. That thing called Marcellus your little boyfriend. And when we linked earlier, I felt it. You were holding something back in your sacral center."

  Tymir's chest tightened at her words, a flicker of heat spreading through him. He forced his face calm, careful not to betray more than he intended.

  Kyra appeared around the corner, her expression calm but observant. "Not trying to intrude, but I noticed the same thing when I first linked with Marcellus," she said softly, almost hesitant.

  Cleo crossed her arms, her tone dry. "So either both of you suddenly find Kyra incredibly attractive, or there's something else happening."

  Tymir inhaled slowly, feeling the weight of their scrutiny.

  "I felt bad for him," he said quietly, letting the words hang in the air.

  Both of them watched him closely.

  "You remember the Gina situation," he said quietly. "He was shaken up that night. I figured he could use someone to talk to."

  He let the words fall lightly, casual in tone, carefully concealing the intimacy that lay beneath them.

  Cleo's eyes narrowed as she studied him, searching for the smallest flicker of dishonesty, any trace of what he wasn't saying.

  After a long, careful pause, her expression softened.

  "You're right," she said quietly, the tension in her shoulders easing. "I probably jumped to conclusions."

  "I get it," Tymir said, his voice steady and measured. "We were up against an entity built to deceive, to twist perception and plant doubt."

  A small, controlled smile tugged at his lips, the weight in his chest loosening just enough.

  He kept the truth of their connection carefully hidden, letting the conversation drift toward calmer waters.

  Cleo seemed satisfied, though the faint crease between her brows hinted that a trace of doubt still lingered.

  "Catch up later?" Tymir asked, his gaze steady on hers.

  "Sure," she replied, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "You know where to find me."

  Kyra's eyes flicked between them, curious but careful.

  "You handled yourself well today," Tymir said, turning to her with a small, genuine smile. "You're a strong addition to the level seven team."

  Kyra blinked at the praise, then returned the smile, warm and unguarded.

  "Thank you," she said softly, her voice carrying a quiet satisfaction.

  Tymir gave a brief, measured nod, then shifted his attention forward and continued down the empty hallway.

  His steps carried him to the library.

  The large doors opened with a soft creak as he stepped inside.

  The space was dimly lit, rows of towering shelves stretching endlessly across the room. The faint scent of aged paper and polished wood lingered in the air.

  Shelves climbed the walls, filled with volumes detailing the academy's long history with astral entities and spiritual phenomena.

  Tymir moved deliberately between the aisles, his fingers brushing lightly along the spines as he searched for something specific.

  He found the research section and ran his hand along several old volumes before selecting one. Settling at a nearby table, he flipped through the pages, scanning carefully.

  The library was silent except for the faint rustle of pages.

  A shadow flickered in the corner of his vision, just beyond the reach of certainty.

  His fingers froze mid-turn, the paper trembling slightly beneath his touch.

  His eyes narrowed, scanning the edges of the dim aisle.

  He wasn't sure if the movement had been real, or if his mind was sharpening the shadows into something that wasn't there.

  Moments later, a book slipped from a nearby shelf and thudded softly to the floor, the sound echoing faintly through the otherwise silent library.

  Tymir closed the volume in his hands and rose slowly.

  His footsteps were measured as he crossed the aisle, crouched, and picked up the fallen book, brushing dust from its cover.

  His eyes caught the small label along the spine, and he carefully returned it to its proper place.

  As he pressed it firmly into the row, a subtle shift rippled beneath his palm.

  Click.

  His hand hovered, fingers stiffening as his brow creased in concentration.

  The section of wood groaned softly, then began to slide inward, revealing that this was no ordinary wall.

  A narrow stone passage yawned before him, twisting downward into darkness. Ancient stairs, worn smooth by time, disappeared into the shadows below, silent and foreboding.

  He leaned closer.

  A faint chill rose from the hidden depths, brushing against his skin.

  It whispered of secrets long buried.

  A thrill of curiosity surged through him, mingled with the pulse of caution.

  Tymir's gaze lingered on the darkness, the quiet hush of the library behind him fading until all that remained was the pull of the unknown below.