MYSTERY OF SAINT HILLER DORMITORY

The days following their escape from Aegis Tower weighed heavily on Brian. Ever since the incident, he had grown increasingly sensitive to the shadows that now clung to him. It felt as if the world around him had peeled back a second skin—an unseen layer that pulsed beneath the surface of everything he thought he knew. Even in the most unexpected places, Brian could sense a faint aura—a presence without form, lurking just beyond the veil of reality.

Behind the familiar eyes of his friends, beyond the tightly sealed classroom walls, and beneath the echo of footsteps in empty hallways—it was there. Sometimes clear as mist, other times dark and dense like spilled ink that devoured the light.

"I… see a different world now," Brian thought to himself, confused yet aware that this change was inevitable. It was part of a destiny he hadn’t chosen, but could no longer avoid.

Lucian, more concerned than usual, took Brian to the Hidden Training Room—a secret chamber owned by the Fellowship. Tucked behind the old library, it was protected by dampening enchantments that made it nearly undetectable to the untrained eye. Inside, Brian found himself surrounded by mirrors of dimension, each one reflecting a different world—a glimpse into realities only visible to those with the gift of sight.

"From now on, you must learn to see the dimensional rifts consciously—not only when you're under threat," Lucian said seriously, his voice tinged with hope. "Your power is still young, Brian. But only by mastering it can you unlock the Second Vault."

Nika, ever the steady supporter, added, "And remember, the Second Vault cannot be opened by ordinary strength. Only eyes that are trained can find its entrance."

A heavy weight settled on Brian's shoulders. Until now, he had relied solely on intuition and a power he barely understood. But to find the Second Vault—a place believed to hold answers about his very existence—he would have to step further into this hidden world.

## The Second Vault: A New Clue

A few days earlier, they'd discovered an ancient manuscript hidden within Aegis Tower. The text described the elusive Second Vault:

"The heart of Saint Hiller, bound by blood and betrayal, lies beneath the shadow of a throne no longer recognized."

The sentence was cryptic, but Tomas quickly spotted a potential clue. "A throne no longer recognized… That could be the Old Council Chamber."

Once used by the founding clans of Saint Hiller for major gatherings, the Old Council Chamber had long since been sealed off after power shifted to the Shadow Council. Now it was largely forgotten, spoken of only in whispers.

"We have to go there. It's the only way," Brian said with conviction, feeling the path ahead call to him.

But something more sinister was clawing at Brian’s mind—betrayal. Among hushed voices in the Fellowship, rumors began to spread: a traitor might be among them, someone feeding information to the Shadow Council. If true, they would face grave danger long before they reached the Vault.

Lucian, Nika, and Tomas agreed to hold a secret meeting in a secure location. "If the traitor has informed the Council, we'll never get close to the Vault," Nika said, worry lacing her voice.

The Traitor's Shadow

Brian began noticing strange auras around certain Fellowship members. People who once seemed trustworthy now radiated something… off. The most suspicious was Armand, a senior student known as the keeper of secret records, and once a respected member of the Fellowship.

But behind his usual smile, Brian glimpsed a flicker of dark aura—not enough to prove anything, but enough to awaken suspicion. Every time Armand was nearby, a chill crawled up Brian’s spine. Something was wrong, even if he couldn’t explain it.

"I need to be careful," Brian thought. If Armand was indeed the traitor, they needed to act—soon.

Infiltrating the Old Council Chamber

That night, they moved.

Carefully, they crept through a hidden passageway concealed behind the Statue of the First Founder in the main hall. The statue, depicting Lord Archiemore Thompson, had long stood as a symbol of strength and honor. But behind it lay a secret door leading to the underground.

The corridor was dark, littered with shattered statues and haunting paintings depicting scenes of war and betrayal. The air was thick with the scent of old paper and something more ancient—darker.

"Many spirits are trapped here," Nika whispered, her voice trembling. Brian could feel the icy presence in his bones.

They pressed on, descending a staircase to a massive bronze gate carved with symbols of the old clans. Etched into the door in an ancient tongue were the words:

"Only those of true blood and open eyes may pass."

Lucian turned to Brian, eyes full of resolve. "It’s time, Brian."

Brian stepped forward, clutching his pendant, and focused his dimensional sight. Slowly, the carvings began to glow, and a shadowy rift opened—revealing the path to something deeper.

**GROAAANKK.**

The gate creaked open. They stepped into the Old Council Chamber, a vast, echoing space cloaked in darkness.

The room was like a black cathedral, towering pillars arching up into a ceiling lost in shadow.

"The Vault is there," Nika said, voice tight with unease.

But before they could move, a cold, commanding voice echoed across the chamber.

"You do not belong here."

From the darkness emerged Armand, his expression empty and icy. Behind him stood other Fellowship members—eyes glowing deep red, the unmistakable sign of those consumed by darkness.

"Traitor," Tomas spat, his voice laced with fury.

Armand smiled—a slow, cruel thing. "You’re right. And you're too late."

With a swift motion, he hurled a shadow curse at Brian.

Lucian leapt to shield him, taking the blow to his shoulder. Nika immediately conjured a protective barrier around them.

"Go, Brian!" Nika yelled. Brian dashed through the violet-lit gateway that had opened and fell into a circular chamber lined with amethyst crystal pillars.

## Inside the Second Vault

At the chamber’s center stood a cracked black throne, faintly engraved with the ancient crest of House Vindrae. Below it, a pulsing fissure glowed—like something breathing.

Before the throne rested a stone altar, and atop it, a weathered book.

As Brian touched the book, visions surged into his mind:

A noblewoman with a crown stood beside Silvester in this very room—decades ago.

She was Ariadne Vindrae, also known as Queen Elena Andreevna Sokolova, consort to King Roman Alexandrovich Pavlov.

Ariadne had hidden part of her power in this Vault, meant for Brian.

A final sentence echoed in Brian’s mind:

"My child… if you read this, know that your enemies are not only outside. Within the Council, among friends, even among teachers—there are traitors hungry for the power of Vindrae."

"You were my grandmother?" Brian whispered, stunned. There was no doubt—she stood with his father, Silvester.

The vision faded. The book now glowed softly in his hands.

"I know what I must do," he said quietly.

Return and Resolve

With new power burning inside him, Brian leapt from the Vault.

Above, the battle raged. Lucian and the others were wounded. Armand was growing stronger.

But now Brian could see the shadow paths clearly.

He called forth a new incantation:

"Velathar... Umbrae... rupturum!"

A rift opened, pulling Armand and his followers into a swirling void—just long enough for the others to escape.

In the secret corridor, they caught their breath.

Lucian turned to Brian.

"You’ve risen, Brian. But this is just the beginning. And now we know—the traitor is real. And your enemy… is much closer than we ever thought."

Brian gripped the book tightly.

"I won't run. I’ll face them."

Beyond the stone walls of Saint Hiller, the conspiracy deepens.

And the shadow of betrayal still waits.