Antennae brushed against my cheeks, and I raised my arms defensively, blocking the fidgeting feelers of the beast looming over me. Then scratchy laughter thundered above, echoing off the cliff side.

  Peering through my fingers, I lowered my arms and blinked. An enormous obsidian shell shimmered in the rising moonslight. My breath caught, and I recognized the shape.

  “Gora!” Tevin shouted farther down the path.

  The giant titan-beetle chirped a greeting, her antennae tickling my chin, as if in an amused attempt to calm me. Sitting astride her saddle was Al, cackling away. The Cinder’s booming laughter sent small stones falling off the cliff side. He was impressed with himself to say the least. My relief mixed with a flicker of annoyance as I put it all together. We’d all fled in terror from what turned out to be . . . just a prank.

  “Hello, friends!” Al’s voice thundered. He wiped tears from his eyes. “By the pillar’s glory, you should’ve seen yourselves! I haven’t seen recruits run that fast in years—faster than spooked turtlecats on hot coals!”

  I took several deep breaths in an attempt to calm my stampeding heart. A few yards away, Mel stamped up to the laughing Cinder, eyes ablaze. “Not funny, old man!” she snarled, shaking her clanking metal gauntlet. “I could have shredded you both just then!”

  Al wiped tears from his eyes. “Oh, yeah? Is that why you ran away screaming?” Mel stuck her tongue out at Al and flicked her head away.

  Gora shifted her bulk, and Al hopped off. The titan-beetle climbed neatly up the mountainside to reunite with Goro. The two beetles nuzzled in greeting while they hung on the side of the cliff wall. Then Goro ran in circles around Gora, clearly excited his mate had returned. He opened his wings to let Gora look at their eggs before the two nuzzled each other again. They’d been separated for quite some time.

  Laska stomped up behind Al. A vein in her temple visibly pulsed, and I could’ve sworn steam hissed from her ears. “Al, you blasted fool. You could’ve made them break their necks sprinting down this slope! You’re so reckless.”

  Al grinned from ear to ear, apparently unbothered by her fury. “Aw, come on, Sergeant, a little adrenaline keeps the blood flowing. Can’t let these recruits get too complacent when the academy’s so close, now can we?” He gave me a mischievous wink. “They need to stay alert.”

  A subdued chuckle escaped from Hopsander. Laska shot him an incredulous look, but he shrugged with a grin. Despite her annoyance, the ghost of a small, reluctant smile hovered at the corner of her lips as she took the lead of our group and began walking back down the path.

  As we descended, the lights of the academy and the town of Ash brightened, forming pockets of illumination that spread across from the farmlands to the foot of the pillar. It was hard to believe that so many voidbloods lived in peace here, far from the oppressive eye of the monarchy. Just a week prior, I would have sworn that there was no hope for happiness for them. Fern’s family even treated him horribly. And now I was seeing a fantastic glimmer of hope appear before my eyes. I thought that being a mercenary couldn’t be all that bad if it meant we could live here. One by one, little orbs of light appeared in the town of Ash and near the base of the pillar at the academy. These Cinders had more advanced technology than what I’d seen in Corello. My mind spun with curiosity.

  Is it electricity? Is it stored magic like a battery? So many questions filled my head that Fern didn’t even bother answering.

  I found myself itching for a library to confirm or deny my guesses. In fact, I was praying for a library in general. There was too much I didn’t know, and there’s no better place than “the archives” in a fantasy academy. Or so I had been told by every fantasy book ever written.

  Each new revelation—like the fact that there are “floors” in the giant pillar, or that powerful monsters guard the floors, or that Cinders have different “levels” to challenge said floors—made me more eager to arrive and learn why these things were the way they were. If I found out how things worked in this world, I could find out what I needed to do to get stronger. Then I could reunite with Noah. My mind broke down each problem like this. It was the only way I could get myself to decide on a path to pursue. Right now, I burned with questions about how the academy functioned, how the town of Ash thrived, and what wonders might hide in that towering spire. But I had to be patient until we got there first.

  My heart rate slowed back to normal by the time we reached the bottom of the path. The twins, a few steps away, clung to each other, both afraid of what could happen next. Tevin hung up front with the beetles as expected, Silas was still passed out on Hopsander’s back, and the rest fell into some sort of clump. Our legs were exhausted, but the fact that we could finally SEE our destination motivated us enough to keep going.

  We stepped onto a path that was cut through knee-high grass that stood silent in the stillness. Something about the hush in the night felt both serene and unsettling. The wind had died down completely, leaving our footsteps and the chirping of crickets the only sounds around. Thankfully, the warm lights of Ash guided us like bugs to the moon.

  But then the crickets fell silent. Our footsteps made no noise, and our breath made no sound. Everyone froze as we all sensed the sudden loss of hearing.

  A sickness formed in my stomach, and my knees felt weak, like I hadn’t drunk water in several days. The hairs on the back of my neck stood, and an unsettling feeling creeped up my spine.

  A tremor rippled across the ground. The silent earthquake was so surreal I almost thought it was me about to pass out. I looked up and saw Laska’s face redden as she was trying to shout orders, but no words came out. Then someone broke the silence. For me at least.

  ‘What was that earthquake?!’ Fern asked, panicking. The sound of his voice shocked me from the silence.

  Shit, Fern! I . . . I can hear you! Or, well, I guess my mind’s ear hears you, thankfully. But, yeah, I felt that! Don’t tell me it’s another Grootslang. I bit my cheek and looked around as the panic flowed through every vein.

  Before he could respond, another rumble traveled through the dirt. Laska held up a hand and turned in a circle slowly, scanning the darkness. The group looked every direction for the source of sorcery. Mel slipped on her metal glove once more, and I pulled out Lightcutter. Hopsander stood a few steps ahead swinging his rope dart, while Silas was still slumped over his shoulder unconscious of what was happening.

  A wave of thick mist rolled in from nowhere, blanketing the plain like a tsunami. The town lights vanished behind a wall of pale fog. Even the twin moons overhead seemed to dim, their teal glow stifled by this new murk. My pulse quickened, and a hand jerked me backward. I turned around to see Laska. She mouthed the words “Group up!” at me. I twisted back and tapped Mel on her shoulder, who gave me a nod and then pulled back Tevin and the others, so we were all in one big circle.

  Then the rumbling grew into heavy footsteps pounding into the dirt. A colossal figure, at least fifteen feet tall, materialized at the edge of the mist. The dim teal light flickered off its monstrous form. My heart hammered up to my throat, and fear took over my body. A panicked hand gripped my shoulder, but I couldn’t turn to see who it was. My eyes were too fixed on the monster. Two long arms stretched down each side of its torso, poking out the holes of its long, ceremonial robe. Its skin was pale white, and its hands, with abnormally long fingers, were wrapped around a blade that stretched out almost as far as the being was tall. Ripped white butterfly wings sprouted from its back, and black glowing embers fell from them. The air around it was warmed with heat. And my vision became hazy like the air above the pavement on a hot August day.

  The Summer Guardian.

  The grass around it sizzled, curling into ash, and a burning smell wafted over to us. A heaviness pressed upon my chest, like the creature’s raw power stifled oxygen itself. Even Al’s usual smirk dissolved as he, Hopsander, and Laska moved to guard.

  Al raised his crossbow and looked over to Laska and Hopsander. He gave a grim nod and pointed at them and then behind them.

  Oh shit . . . he wants to do it, I said to Fern.

  ‘What? What does he want to do?’ Fern asked.

  He wants to do a heroic last stand. He wants to sacrifice himself, I said.

  ‘W-what? No . . . no he can’t, how do you know?’

  I’ve seen too many movies and read too many books, Fern. I know the look of a last stand when I see one.

  Laska snapped, eyes blazing with protective fury. She couldn’t handle Al’s decision. She started yelling, but no sound came out. Her light brown skin reddened as she shouted and pointed more in silence at Al.

  The bearded man shook his hand and gave a weak smile.

  The Guardian was still slowly approaching, but it was in no rush to cut down its prey. I twisted my head around looking for something, but the fog around us was too thick. I looked back at the Cinders, and Hopsander was pulling Laska away as she continued to yell at Al, tears falling from her eyes. Al looked back at us and gave a nod.

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  ‘Can’t we just run?’ Fern wondered. ‘Would it catch us?’

  Do you want to take that chance? I said.

  Then I heard a low gurgling noise. Sound returned.

  We all hesitated at the return of our hearing. Ground fractured, and the creature began to contort as it approached. Long black hair covered its face, but the gurgling grew louder and louder as it stumbled toward us. The creature roared, half like an elephant and half like the sound of an inferno blazing in the wind. Mel took a step forward, wanting to fight. But the scorching heat emanating from the being forced her back.

  “Go!” Al shouted. “No need to see an old mug like me burn. Move!”

  That was enough for us to move. Laska led the way first into the mist; everyone else followed. I lingered, torn between safety and the insane notion of helping. The Guardian’s eyes flared, focusing on Al—like a predator selecting its prey. Goro hissed behind me, antennae flailing. Gora let out a distressed chirp. She wanted to help Al. But Al turned and barked at her.

  “You go, Gora! Goro, get her and get your babies to safety! Now!” the Cinder shouted. Al turned back toward the approaching Guardian and his eyes began to glow like Laska’s had earlier, but this time, Al’s were red. Steam appeared to exude from Al’s body as he raised his crossbow.

  Then, from nowhere, a fierce wind sprang up, scattering dust and splitting the mist. I squinted, blocking the flying dirt, as I heard a horse’s gallop. A broad-chested stallion thundered into view, and a figure perched on its back.

  CRASH!

  A swirling gust slammed into the Guardian, forcing it to shift its stance. The horse’s rider dismounted in one fluid motion. He was older than us, but not by much—maybe eighteen or nineteen. His eyes glowed with a pale green incandescence, and in his hand, he gripped an enormous scimitar that seemed bigger than him. Bright green runes were etched down the blade that glowed the same green as his eyes. He twirled the blade expertly, intensifying the wind and creating more twisters.

  “Hold fast!” the stranger called, voice echoing. He thrust his blade, forging a large cyclone that blasted directly at the Guardian. The robed monster roared, stumbling backward. It tried to move, but the cyclone circled back and held the monster in place, preventing it from moving toward us.

  Al let out a startled laugh, and everyone stopped running. “If it isn’t the golden boy himself! Recruit Waelid. Stealing my heroic exit, are we?”

  Waelid shot him a bold grin. “Maybe next time, Professor. But we can’t have one of our best teachers go off dying!” He nodded at Al. “Now, let’s retreat before it can come back. My wind should keep it at bay for a few minutes, but even I can’t kill the Summer Guardian right now.”

  Al gave Waelid a wink. “I thought you could do anything! What, has running House Anu taken you away from your training time?” He brandished his crossbow but took a step back as swirling blasts of wind battered the Guardian in place.

  “I could do some damage. But just wait until I get my blood infusion. Then nothing will stop me.”

  Al patted Waelid’s back in thanks and looked back at the Guardian.

  “Now, all of you—run!” Waelid commanded. The Guardian was roaring from inside its wind prison that Waelid had created, so Laska seized the chance. She led us in a headlong dash for town. Al and Waelid followed behind after they ensured we were safe enough away and the Guardian was still trapped.

  We hurtled down the plain without stopping. The twin moons were high in the sky, and after twenty minutes, the monstrous howls faded behind us, replaced by the rhythmic beat of our frantic footsteps. My lungs burned, sweat stinging my eyes. But eventually, the wooden walls of Ash loomed before us, lit by orange crystal lamps and flanked by alert guards. Voidblood guards. Sentries called out, and the gates swung open just wide enough for us to squeeze through before slamming shut.

  Inside the town’s gate, an unexpected hush greeted us. The streets were mostly empty, shutters were latched, and curtains were drawn. A handful of patrolling guards acknowledged Laska and Hopsander with salutes as we stopped to catch our breath. Al and Waelid joined us. The Guardian hadn’t followed, thanks to Waelid, and we were safe—for now.

  “That was a close one,” Waelid said, smoothing a hand over his horse’s mane. “We posted a watch for that Guardian the last few days. Good thing I found you in time.”

  Tevin looked around, noticing the deserted streets. “Where is everyone?”

  “Staying indoors,” Waelid replied simply. “The Summer Guardian is known to roam unpredictably in its final weeks of the season, so at night everyone stays inside and locks up. The less noise and commotion the town makes at night, the less of a chance it wanders over here. Luckily it goes up into the mountains during the day.” He gave a nod to Laska. “I can take you all to the academy, but Captain Phillip might want a word first.”

  At that, a giant of a man approached from a side street. He dwarfed even Tevin, wearing thick bracers of polished steel and sporting a well-groomed mustache. “Waelid,” he said in the deepest voice I had ever heard. “You found them?”

  “Yes, Captain Philip,” Waelid answered, saluting. “I drove off the Guardian with a wind spell. Recruits, this is Captain Philip. You won’t learn from him in your first year, but he is very important for soul and infusion development in the later years.”

  The captain spread his arms wide, grinning. “Yes, now if only YOU weren’t so picky with your infusion, you could take my class.”

  “You know why I haven’t, Captain,” Waelid said in a hushed voice.

  Captain Philip rubbed his temples with his fingers.

  “Yes, yes. I know,” he mumbled. Then he looked up at the rest of us with a big grin peeking under his mustache. “Welcome to Ash, dear recruits! My name is Captain Philip Louis Willard, second son of the illustrious Willard family. The Cinders rely on me for many tasks, but I promise, I always have time for bright new faces. Come, come!” He gestured extravagantly.

  Hopsander offered him a half bow. “We appreciate your assistance, Philip. The roads were rough, but we made it.”

  Philip’s grin wavered when he spotted Silas’s bandaged stump. “Ah, a casualty?”

  Laska nodded. “He lost his arm on the road. We treated it with pillardust. We’re hoping the academy’s medics can help.”

  “Of course,” Philip said, eyes lowering. “We have advanced prosthetics and healing specialists, remember? He’ll see the best among them. Orientation is soon, but we’ll handle his case first.” Then, with a flourish, he pointed through the town’s main thoroughfare. “All of you must be exhausted. Let me at least guide you to the academy gates, or have Waelid do so, while I keep watch for that Guardian. The rest of the town is stable enough.”

  Waelid signaled for us to follow him down a narrower road. “This way, everyone. You’re nearly home.”

  We drifted through Ash, witnessing the deserted streets and closed shops. Occasional crystal lampposts cast bright arcs of light across the cobblestones and dark buildings. Small veins of what looked like glowing wires weaved through the road, and the closed businesses and homes revealed glimpses of a vibrant town hidden behind shuttered windows. The architecture merged stone and metal in ways I hadn’t seen in Corello, and the occasional arcs of glowing cables suggested to me that there was a power grid of some sort.

  After about ten minutes, we reached a broad land bridge that extended over calm waters, connecting the mainland to a separate island. On that island, the pillar soared above, overshadowing all. I gazed upward; lights dotted some of the lower areas, indicating structures carved into the base of the tower. Higher up, all was dark, and the imposing monolith rose high into the night.

  We crossed the land bridge, and upon reaching the far side, we found ourselves at the giant stone arch that had the words Academy of Ash etched into it. The academy had thick stone walls, several uniformed guards who stood on top of them, and the faint hum of activity beyond the gates. The guards recognized Waelid and our escorts, offering them a respectful salute.

  Inside, a wide courtyard spread in four directions, one leading straight into the pillar. Ornate statues—depicting mythical beasts and famed voidblood heroes—lined the walkways. Benches were placed all around, and some students were even sitting on a few, studying.

  Gothic spires stretched out from the pillar and soared overhead, joined by hanging walkways. Stone archways gave glimpses of interior corridors, lit by more crystal lanterns. The atmosphere felt charged with a quiet power like a subtle vibration was all around me. I quickly got used to the feeling and continued with the group.

  Fern shared my sense of wonder and barked orders at me to turn my head in different directions to see. Sora let out a small “ooh” after her sister pointed out a statue of a woman brandishing a massive scythe. Tevin brightened at the sight of a huge complex of greenhouses, their glass walls glowing from within. Mel stomped forward, looking impressed despite herself, while Lucius held a dignified posture, attempting not to gape.

  At last, Waelid led us inside the massive pillar to a spacious reception hall. The academy had been built inside the megastructure almost like it was a cave. The Gothic style continued inside too, with detailed carvings and dark, cryptic paintings lining the walls.

  Inside the center chamber, a wide, polished stone floor glimmered under an enormous orange crystal, reflecting the intricate mosaic designs overhead. The ceiling soared several floors up, showing dozens of people milling about. Staff in formal uniforms hurried around corridors carrying stacks of paper, older students leaned against walls wearing robes of various colors, and a handful of young recruits who looked as rough as we were sat in small groups. Some recruits wore traveling cloaks, others carried large packs, and many whispered excitedly about tomorrow’s orientation.

  Waelid waved to a staff member in black attire. “We’ve got a wounded recruit,” he said, pointing to Silas. “Needs immediate attention.”

  The staff member nodded, summoning a pair of medics who helped Silas off Hopsander’s back. They rushed him down a hallway marked with a red cross symbol, presumably the infirmary.

  Hopsander let out a long sigh and turned to Laska. “We’ve done it, Sergeant. Another group delivered.”

  Laska stiffened her posture. “Yes, Captain. We can finalize the paperwork in the morning.”

  The other recruits and I drifted into the room in a half daze, scanning the hall. The architecture was even more mind-boggling up close. Winding staircases twisted upward into hidden alcoves, and suspended swinging bridges led to higher floors.

  A staff attendant approached, a tall woman with beast-like, feline ears. She wore an official academy badge. “You must be the new arrivals.” Her voice purred with a slight accent. “Dorm arrangements are prepared for your orientation group. Follow me, if you please.” She gestured elegantly down a side corridor.

  Eventually, the attendant showed us a large, multibedded guest room. Each bed was set in a cozy alcove with a trunk at the foot for personal belongings. The windows displayed a mesmerizing view of the cliff we’d scaled earlier with the night sky draped over it like a starry curtain.

  The attendant gave us final instructions about orientation times. Laska, Al, and Hopsander gave their goodbyes, and they vanished into the corridor.

  We’re safe . . . for now, I said.

  Fern spoke up for the first time since the Guardian’s attack.

  ‘We . . . we made it. We actually made it. Gods, I can’t believe it, Erik, we did it!’ He was ecstatic and clearly not exhausted like I was.

  Yeah . . . Now we can rest, I mumbled in my mind as my eyes became heavy.

  ‘Oh, yeah. That’s right. You’re probably about to pass out.’

  Yep . . . I said, drifting off to sleep as I slipped into covers for the first time in a long time.

  Before I lost consciousness, I thought a dark silhouette, with multiple tails, stood in the doorway, watching all of us sleep. My heart skipped a beat, and I made a move to stand up, but before I could muster up the energy, the shadow vanished and I passed out.