The pale light of the twin moons cast our shadows ahead as Lunafreya and I stepped into the secluded glade.

  The forest was quiet, the usual chirping of insects replaced by heavy silence. I spotted the familiar faces of my House Anu comrades huddled around a small fire. Relief filled me—they were safe. At two other campfires, members of Houses Enlil and Nin sat recovering from the day. Several were missing, not just Waelid and Marcus. Jiho was absent, along with some from House Enlil. House Nin—the one filled with muscle heads—was also missing a few recruits.

  “Erik! You’re alive!” Silas yelled, rushing toward me. He swung out his metal hand, and I clasped it firmly, feeling the cold brass against my skin.

  I patted his back. “Couldn’t let you have all the fun,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

  He smiled and eyed the new sword at my hilt. “Whoa, whoa,” he said. “What’s with the new weaponry? Where’d you get that, boss?”

  “Let’s just say a dog gave it to me. And what’s with this boss talk?”

  “I nominated you, boss of the class. I told the rest how you led us through that ambush and your sensing of the Scrollguard in the mist!” Silas raised his eyebrows. It felt weird to be praised so much. He was about to speak more when Fan pushed him aside.

  She held out her hand for me to shake. “We all made it,” she said. “House Anu stands strong. Waelid fights for us.” The porcelain girl was bandaged. She had fought again.

  I glanced at Lunafreya beside me. Our eyes met, and we lowered our heads. Her House Enlil gold and black sash caught Piqah’s eyes. The short, pink-haired Chapter Master hopped forward.

  “Well, hey there, little one! Can’t believe you survived a flight like that!” Piqah said, looking up at me. Then she glanced at Lunafreya. “Where’s Marcus?” Piqah asked, her tone demanding.

  Lunafreya shook her head slowly, casting a quick look toward me.

  “Chapter Master Piqah, we need to talk,” I said.

  She frowned and led us to my House’s campfire.

  The group settled around the fire. Piqah broke the silence. “Just so you know, Waelid and Jiho are out there distracting the Guardian,” she said. “They’ve been fighting it for hours. We need a plan to back them up, and we need to do this now. So make it quick. What is this about?”

  I took a deep breath. “It’s about Waelid,” I began. “There’s something you need to know.”

  Murmurs rippled through the group. Fan leaned forward. “What is it, recruit? Spit it out.”

  “Lunafreya and I saw him sacrifice Marcus to the Guardian,” I said bluntly.

  Gasps echoed around the circle. Rinka’s eyes widened. “That’s impossible! Why would he do that?”

  Tevin shook his head. “Waelid’s an academy hero. He’d never do something like that.”

  Mel spat on the ground. “I knew he was all fake smiles.”

  Barrett crossed his arms. The big co-captain for House Nin raised an eyebrow. “Those are serious accusations, Erik. Do you have any proof?”

  “We have two witnesses. Me and Luna here.” I gestured toward her.

  “It’s true. He used Marcus as a distraction while he attacked the Guardian,” Lunafreya said. “I saw him do it to two other classmates of mine.”

  Piqah stood up, her eyes hardening. “Enough,” she said. “Seeking justice isn’t possible right now. We have no evidence, and technically, if what you say is true, Marcus was killed by the Guardian.” She locked eyes with me.

  More whispers went around the group.

  “Are you saying that’s justified?” I stepped forward.

  Barrett stepped in front of Piqah, hand on the sword at his hip. Piqah placed a hand on his arm and pushed him aside.

  “If you think this school is about fun and friendship, you’re dead wrong. From the start, the Head Master has been clear. This school reeks of death and violence. We’ll do anything to make it through and become Cinders. You need to be ruthless. The Cinders are looking for warriors. Do you think they’d punish one of their strongest?”

  “Waelid isn’t strong—he’s a coward,” I retorted.

  Voices rose around us, arguments breaking out between different houses. I noticed they had all been listening. Everyone heard my accusation.

  “Look, kid,” Piqah said with a grim smile. “I don’t like it either. Trust me! I’m all for honor, loyalty, and justice. But listen here. Strength is above all. It may seem like fun and games, but you’ve seen how hard you train, you’ve taken the classes. We’re learning to kill. We’re learning to take over a country of magic-wielding pricks. Do you think we’ll do so without a little treachery? This is war. We’re mercenaries now, soldiers, for the war to come. Get used to it.” She sighed, and the glade quieted under her rant. “They won’t punish Waelid unless they deem him a threat to more promising students. If you have an issue with that, you’ll need to wait until this is all over.”

  Hushed whispers grew into arguments about morality within the academy. Voices rose, and Piqah stood with arms crossed, glaring at me. The once peppy girl was serious. This was the reality here. Fan sat quietly, eyes closed.

  “Please!” Zenobia shouted, raising her hands and quieting the arguments that had broken out. “We don’t have time to fight among ourselves.”

  Piqah nodded. “She’s right. The real threat is the Guardian. We need to focus on stopping it.”

  —‘This is bullshit,’ Fern said.

  —This is dangerous, I thought, agreeing with Fern. If we let him off the hook now, it will come back to bite us. We need to be careful; he will hear about how I outed him. I gulped. School politics were not something I expected to deal with so early.

  “Waelid isn’t against using others as bait. I’m warning you, we need to be careful. But,” I took a deep breath, “if we can take down the Guardian ourselves, we can protect everyone.”

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Piqah considered this. “Well, I guess he has been using underhanded tactics from the start,” she admitted.

  “He waited until both you and Chapter Master Jiho were exposed before he made a move,” Barrett said. His short silver hair glowed in the moonlight. "And there is, of course, the rumors..."

  Piqah shot Barett a look and raised an eyebrow. “Yes...there's...well...that. But we can’t deny the damage Waelid has caused. The Guardian isn’t invincible. It can be hurt—it bleeds,” Piqah said, a grin forming.

  “What's the plan then? We only have so many bodies left.” Lucius asked, sitting next to the twins. He was covered in small cuts, and whatever remained of the healing food was seemingly gone. I wondered if he had defended the twins from one of the Guardian’s attacks.

  "Well, thanks to the Chapter Masters, the beast is sluggish now. Its blades are still deadly, yes, but it’s slower to attack and even slower to recover. We've rested and frankly, we've only got one shot at this. There are a few plans we could do but...”

  Piqah stepped forward and clapped her hands together. "One of the lessons you'll learn about being a Cinder is that any day could be your last." She looked at Barrett and showed him two thumbs up pressed against each other.

  “Squad Combat: Shatter Mirror then?” Barrett said, looking at his Chapter Master.

  Piqah nodded and then split apart her thumbs. “We attack in thirty minutes. We can’t risk losing the other two Chapter Masters. You three,” she said, pointing at me, Tevin, and Mel, “you’ll be on the front lines with me.”

  “Barrett,” she added, “you and the House Nin recruits set up defensive barriers. Be ready to rush around us when the beast strikes.”

  “Got it,” Barrett saluted and ran off to gather the rest of House Nin.

  “Lucius, Zenobia, and the Veclan twins can execute quick hit-and-run attacks,” I added. “Are they suited for the task, Fan?”

  Our co-captain nodded. I noticed she was bandaged, and long cracks ran through her skin. How did her race heal if they became cracked? Did they have to self-repair?

  “Rinka, Sora, and I will handle ranged attacks,” Ruriel said, glancing at Sora, who now held a bow.

  Piqah nodded. “You go too, Enlil recruit. Gather the rest of your house and take our extra bows.” She nodded toward Lunafreya.

  Lunafreya stood; her long black hair shimmered. She turned toward me, leaned in, and whispered, “That idea you have... do it.” Then she walked away with Ruriel, Rinka, and Sora.

  I looked after her, confused.

  —How did she know I was...you know what? Now's not the time.

  I turned and shouted before the House Nin leader got too far.

  "Hey Piqah hold up a minute!" I shouted. I grabbed Silas by the arm and pulled him along with me.

  Piqah turned around and raised her eyebrow.

  We ran up to her. "Not sure what you had in mind but..."

  [30 Minutes Later]

  We moved out, leaving Fan and several injured recruits behind in the small clearing. Each of us slipped into our assigned positions, with Piqah leading the front. The shadows of the trees enveloped us, but instead of fear, I felt a strange calm.

  —‘This could be it,’ Fern whispered.

  —Nonsense. Just believe, Fern, I responded. I tapped my new sword on the hilt. Like Fan, it was far too early for me to die.

  We walked quickly along the forest floor, following a dirt path carved by earlier Cinders or students. It seemed that while the bigger monsters revived in the tower floors, physical changes to the floor remained.

  My ears twitched. I tapped Piqah on the shoulder and held up a finger.

  Piqah raised a fist, and everyone following us stopped. The forest went silent until it wasn’t.

  A low growl echoed through the trees. Far ahead of us, the Guardian emerged, its massive form long and distorted, four spider-like arms growing from its sides. Instead of a face, a mass of shadowy tentacles flickered. Where eyes should have been two red orbs glowed. Shadows clung to its body like dark flames.

  “Now!” Piqah shouted.

  Barrett and the House Nin recruits raised their shields and ran in a semicircle behind us, forming a protective wall. The creature heard this and turned its head. It started to trudge toward us, dragging its long blade fingers on the ground. Rinka, Sora, and Ruriel grappled up to the trees. Ruriel shouted for House Enlil’s recruits to follow. They raised their bows and unleashed a volley of arrows and throwing darts, aiming for the creature.

  The daggers and arrows peppered the Guardian’s lanky, lumbering body. They stuck with soft thuds, but it kept creeping toward us.

  Tevin, Mel, and I charged forward, following Piqah. She had a long staff with a ball and chain attached to one end, swinging it as she ran. I drew my sword and channeled the Twin-Soul power for speed. I blazed across the ground and passed Piqah. The world blurred, but my vision was focused on the Guardian. I raised my sword and sliced through the Guardian’s arm with ease, black mist and dark purple blood spilling out. I turned, sliding in the dirt behind the tall beast. Its arm bubbled, and a new arm shot out from where I cut through.

  —‘The sword,’ Fern noted. ‘It’s affecting it more than any other weapon before.’

  —Good, I thought, pressing the attack.

  I charged back toward the Guardian as it turned toward me. I landed another blow, this time across its chest. I was sprayed with hot purple blood before I kicked backward, flying into the air toward safety. The Guardian shrieked. But we were ready for that. Its ear-piercing scream was muffled behind cotton earplugs we had all put in before we left. I gave Tevin a thumbs-up; he smiled as he slammed his hammer into the Guardian’s left leg.

  The Guardian seemed unprepared for our continued assault after its scream. It buckled from Tevin’s blow and twisted to swipe at him. Before it could move its arm, Piqah jumped high into the air and slammed her giant flail into its arm. A softened thud shook the ground as its arm was knocked back. Mel jumped to the side and yelled as she slammed her axe into the Guardian’s other leg.

  We were doing it. I jumped high into the air toward the beast and cleaved my sword down, the runes pulsing black light as it cut down the beast in the middle. A shallow gap opened in the beast. I was hit with hot blood again, and for a brief moment, I saw a young man inside the Guardian—clean black hair, eyes closed, wearing ancient royal robes. The boy’s eyes opened quickly, and the Guardian’s body repaired instantly. Its face twisted violently, and its arms grew long blades once again. It began to thrash, throwing off our assault.

  I stumbled back, shocked. “There’s someone inside!”

  “What?” Tevin shouted, dodging a swing from the Guardian.

  —Did you see that? I asked Fern.

  —‘I did,’ he replied. ‘This isn’t just a mindless beast.’

  From above, movement caught my attention. Waelid stood on a tree branch, watching the battle with a smirk.

  Our eyes met. His expression was cold, devoid of warmth.

  “He’s waiting for something,” I muttered.

  “Erik, focus!” Piqah shouted, narrowly avoiding a swipe from the Guardian.

  Just then, a rumbling noise filled the air. Trees snapped as a Scrollguard burst into the clearing, led by Silas.

  “Thought I’d bring some backup!” Silas yelled.

  The two massive creatures clashed, shaking the ground. Shadows and thick green scales intertwined in a chaotic dance.

  “Attack now!” I commanded.

  We surged forward, targeting the primary Guardian while it was distracted.

  Jiho appeared on the battlefield, face tense.

  “Can you transform?” Jiho shouted to Piqah.

  "Nope, you?"

  "Yeah I'm spent too."

  “Guess we’re finishing this old school!” Piqah said, charging back in.

  We used the Scrollguard as a distraction, just like Waelid used the students. The Guardian was the superior fighter as its blades pierced the green scales of the Scrollguard. But that was all we needed. Lucius, Zenobia, and the Veclan kids dove out of the forest and unleashed strikes against the back of the Guardian. It screeched and tried to fling blades at them, but the Scrollguard’s dying body was too heavy and held the Guardian down.

  Arrows and daggers from above pelted the beast. The Scrollguard was dead now, its body collapsing on top of the Guardian. It screeched again and again. I looked up at Waelid, who winced with each scream, but he didn’t move. Piqah dove in again to land a blow. Black mist and blood sprayed, and the body repaired. Mel jumped in and slammed her axe into the Guardian’s side. Black mist and blood sprayed, and the body repaired again. Tevin dove in and crushed its elongated spine. But its body was repaired again.

  I ran in last, my sword’s black runes pulsing, and I thrust the blade into the Guardian’s heart. I felt my blade vibrate inside the Guardian’s body.

  —‘Die!’ Fern yelled.

  I yelled as I ripped the blade up and cut the Guardian open. I saw the ghost-like body of a young man inside the Guardian again. He glared at me and pointed.

  “You, of course it’s... you. Cursed fates.”

  I furrowed my eyebrows and didn’t hesitate. I lunged my blade forward and pierced the young man’s heart. The Guardian fell limp. The young man disappeared in a mist, and the body did not repair again.

  “We did it!” Silas yelled, now standing on top of the Scrollguard. He held up the two scrolls. We had won the trial and killed a Guardian. We did the impossible. The recruits let out cheers. Piqah hopped up and jumped into Barrett’s arms. Mel stood on top of one of the Guardian’s massive bladed hands and let out a howl like a wolf. Tevin laughed and howled too, mimicking her. The rest of our house joined in amidst the cheers of the other houses. I was about to join them when I saw a shadow pass in front of me.

  Waelid landed in front of the Guardian’s body, a satisfied grin on his face.

  He held out a vial where the Guardian’s heart would be, and drops of black and purple blood fell into it.

  I stepped forward. “What are you doing?”

  He tucked the vial away. “Finishing the job,” he replied.

  “You used us as bait earlier. You did nothing during the fight. Now you claim its power as your own,” I accused.

  He met my gaze. “I’d be careful who you accuse of what, Erik. Only the strong prevail. This vial isn’t for me; it’s for the academy. Guardian blood has never been acquired. I messed up the opportunity last time. I wouldn’t mess up again.”

  Without another word, he stepped back into the forest. “I’ll go get the others. Get to the Mouth.”

  I stood there, anger and confusion swirling inside me.

  Lunafreya approached. “Did you see it?” she asked. “The person inside?”

  I nodded. “What exactly are the Guardians? And... who are you? How did you know about my plan and all this?”

  She looked around at everyone gathering, celebrating our victory. “Not now. Later, after all of this. I will find you.”

  As dawn’s first light peeked through the trees, I looked at my friends.

  “Guys, let’s go. The rules say we need to get back down to win the trial.” Silas called out.

  “Hey now, hold it there, metal hand,” Piqah said with a smile. “You guys win this one. We just took down a Guardian. This is huge news that will bring the Cinders back from their expeditions. You can have the early blood transfusion.” She looked back toward her house recruits. “My kids need a rest anyway.”

  “They will come back?” I asked.

  “With one recruit dead for now and the Winter Guardian down on Stylos, there are only two Guardians now guarding the door to the fifth floor. We need all Cinders to come back to Ash. It’s time we break through the door.”

  —‘What do we do about Waelid? Lunafreya, what's her deal? And what about that kid inside the Guardian?’ Fern murmured.

  —We have to do what Dog suggested. Do some research in the library. We’ll figure out the rest as it comes. But for now, we get a power-up. I clenched my hands. With this sword, my training here, and now the blood infusion as a reward, I was one step closer to reuniting with Noah and maybe getting my body back.