ShadowBound: The Need For Power

Across the vast lands of Amthar, every academy fell into the same rhythm of sudden disruption. Students were dismissed from their classes not long after the continental announcement echoed through the air. A surprising number of them were excited to return home, even though it had only been two weeks since the last break. The dormitories became a flurry of motion as students rushed in, packing their belongings, eager to vacate the academy grounds.

At the Dark Knight Academy, the scene was no different. The campus buzzed with chatter and motion as students hurriedly made their way to the dorms, ready to catch the next transport out. Many of them embraced the unexpected break with joy, but not everyone wore the same smile. A few, with sharper instincts or heavier hearts, found the sudden closure suspicious.

Among those questioning minds were Liam's cohort—Sheila, Asher, Dylan, Ariana, Charlotte, and Max. Rather than heading straight to their rooms, they regrouped inside the academy's grand library, away from the bustle and noise.

"It's only been like a week since we last saw him," Sheila said, seated in a chair a little away from the others, her legs crossed and posture tense. "And now, out of nowhere, we get an announcement about academy-wide defenses being improved or something. Doesn't that sound off to anyone? Like... what if Liam got kidnapped?"

"Meh," Charlotte muttered, her head resting on the table like the weight of the world was on her. "You make a good point, princess, but I doubt Liam's been snatched. Don't get me wrong, I'm worried about my sweet Bae too, but if Lady Seraphina's been all chill about his absence, I'm guessing he's fine."

She yawned, then added with a cheeky smirk, "And maybe quit sounding like you're his girlfriend or something."

"Yeah, Sheila," Dylan chimed in from above, sprawled lazily across the top of a bookshelf like a cat with no worries. "You looking all stressed got me thinking Liam's stolen your heart too. Ariana's already a goner. Max? Gone. Asher? Bro, Liam stole your heart like five times. And mine? Let's just say I fell the moment he made that dumb deadpan face. Charlotte? She's just here for the chaos."

He looked around and said with a straight face, "But hey, once a whore, always a whore."

A hush fell. Ariana's face turned red, Max's nose wrinkled in disgust, Asher's eye twitched like he was about to blow a fuse, and Charlotte slowly pulled an evil grin across her face.

"I'm gonna shove your face so far up your own ass, blondie," Asher said, his voice laced with pure annoyance.

"I believe you, mommy's boy," Dylan replied with a mock-surrendering shrug, grinning like the menace he was.

"But for real," he added, sitting up slightly. "I think Liam's fine. So let's stop acting like drama queens over our guy. Especially you two—Ariana, Sheila—you're giving off those 'he died in a tragic demon ambush' vibes. Chill."

"What if he doesn't come back, though?" Sheila asked, voice calm, but tinged with concern.

Dylan's smile faded just a little. He looked away. "Then… there's not much we can do about it."

There was a moment of stillness.

"For someone who's always running his mouth, that's kinda dark," Sheila muttered, sounding oddly disappointed.

"Quit the dramatics, ponytail," Asher snapped, sitting up straighter. "That idiot's just saying what you're all thinking but too scared to say. And while we're at it, what makes you think Liam would want you worrying about him like he's some helpless little lamb? That help him? No. That save him? Hell no."

He stood from his chair, voice steady. "Liam's not the type to go crying for your pity. So stop acting like he is. If anything, that weakling bastard's probably somewhere punching a wall or figuring out how to punch death in the face. He'll be back."

Silence hung in the air like a thick fog.

Asher ran a hand through his hair, then started heading toward the exit. "Anyway, I'm out. My parents are probably already outside searching for me like psychos. Catch you guys whenever this lockdown thing clears up."

And just like that, he vanished through the doors of the library, leaving behind an awkward silence and a room full of unresolved thoughts.

After a few beats of silence, Dylan let out a low chuckle and hopped down from his perch. "Man, it's not every day you see Blueflames get all worked up over our brooding king, Liam."

"What makes you say that?" Max asked, finally breaking his own silence.

Dylan gave a lazy shrug. "Because, if we're being honest, no matter how much those two bicker like divorced parents, Liam and Asher know each other better than any of us do. It's kinda creepy how in sync they are."

He stretched with a dramatic groan. "Anyway, like Blueflames over there, I gotta bounce. If I don't get home soon, my mom's gonna take my head off, and my dad might go off on another 'milk run' and forget he has a family again."

He threw on his usual grin, placing a hand over his heart. "So long, my sweet fellow peasants. I know you'll miss me—how could you not? I was here. With you. In heart and spirit." He gave Sheila a wink. "Bye, Princess. Try not to miss me the same way you miss Liam."

"Shut up, Dylan," Sheila groaned, rolling her eyes so hard it nearly counted as an exorcism.

"Aww, you miss me already, don't you? You too, Ariana," Dylan mock-sobbed, dramatically wiping away an invisible tear. "Who would've guessed the golden god himself was this beloved?"

Ariana and Sheila both cracked small smiles, their mood lifting ever so slightly.

"Just get going, dummy," Sheila said with a soft chuckle.

"Alright, alright. Later! And Charlotte, try not to whore around too much," Dylan called out as he strolled toward the door, throwing a peace sign over his shoulder.

"Guess I should head out too," Max muttered, rising from his seat.

"I'm coming with you," Charlotte chimed in, standing as well.

Max gave her a side-eye. "Why? We don't even live in the same direction."

"Sure we do, genius. Besides, I need someone to help carry my stuff. And I just know you'll help a poor, cute girl like me… right, Maxie~?" she purred.

Max stared at her, disgust in his eyes like she just stepped on sacred ground. "Fine. Let's go."

"Yay~ That's why I loooove you, Max!" Charlotte squealed and lunged for a hug.

Max stepped aside like a dodgeball champion. "Keep your love to yourself, Char," he said with a smirk, walking toward the exit.

Charlotte followed after him, tossing a wink over her shoulder. "Bye, cuties! Be safe for mommy!" she called to Ariana and Sheila. Then, with a teasing pout, added, "You're really a meanie, you know that," before disappearing after Max.

Being the only two left in the library, Ariana and Sheila lingered in the quiet. The distant murmur of students making their way off campus had faded, leaving the space filled only with the echo of their breathing. The silence hung thick—just awkward enough to make it noticeable.

After a moment, Sheila broke it with a quiet voice. "Mm… wanna walk with me back to the dorms?"

Ariana looked up from the floor and gave her a small, warm smile. "Yeah, sure. I'd like that."

They stepped out together, the library's massive wooden doors groaning shut behind them. The sun was still hanging high in the sky, casting a golden glow across the academy grounds. What had once been a lively storm of students now looked half-abandoned.

Their footsteps crunched gently on the gravel, a soft rhythm filling the calm between them. The breeze carried the scent of flowers from the garden hedges nearby, their leaves swaying like they were whispering secrets.

After a while, Sheila broke the silence again. "You think he's really okay?" Her voice was lower now, vulnerable. "Liam, I mean. I know it's him we're talking about, but… he's been gone too long. And this lockdown? It doesn't feel like just some safety drill."

Ariana sighed softly, tucking a stray lock of auburn hair behind her ear. "I've been trying not to think the worst. But yeah, it's been eating at me too. Liam's strong… but strong people break too. He acts like he doesn't need anyone, but I think deep down, he really does."

Sheila nodded slowly, her hands hidden inside her sleeves. "It's crazy, huh? How someone who keeps everyone at arm's length still finds a way to… matter. I remember the last time I saw him—he looked so tense. Like he knew something was coming."

"Yeah, I caught it too," Ariana said softly. "I asked him about it, but…"

"'It's nothing,'" Sheila said, dropping her voice into a perfect Liam impersonation—low, stoic, deadpan.

Ariana giggled. "Yup. That's the Liam Classic."

They both laughed, and for a moment, the weight on their shoulders lightened. But soon, the quiet returned—not uncomfortable this time, just... thoughtful.

"Mm, Ariana?" Sheila said gently.

"Yeah?"

"You know, when we first met, I was kind of a jerk. To Liam. And to you too. I never really said sorry for that." Her voice was soft, but sincere.

Ariana blinked, then looked over at her. "You don't have to apologize, Sheila. We were all figuring things out back then."

"I know, but still…" Sheila sighed. "I judged you. Thought you were just another bookworm trying to stay close to Liam because you knew nothing about what he was. But you actually cared about him. Probably more than any of us ever did at the time."

Ariana smiled faintly, eyes downcast. "Maybe. But you care too, you know. You wouldn't be worrying this much if you didn't."

"…Maybe." Sheila chuckled under her breath. "Still, I'm sorry. You deserved better."

Ariana gently bumped her shoulder. "Apology accepted, Princess."

They walked a little longer in silence before Ariana added, "We'll see him again, Sheila. He's too damn stubborn to stay gone."

Sheila smirked. "Yeah. The day Liam Hunter goes down without a fight is the day I shave my head and become a nun."

They both laughed again, their voices soft against the stillness of the academy grounds. But as they approached the dorm building, their steps slowed.

Two knights stood firmly at the entrance, armored and unmoving. The gleaming Crescent insignias on their breastplates made it immediately clear—they were Crescent Kingdom knights.

Standing just in front of the armored guards were two other men. One of them, short and round, looked as though he'd swallowed a watermelon whole. He stood no taller than 5'6", with a thick, curling mustache that he twirled between his fingers. Berg Thuden—Royal Advisor of the Crescent Kingdom.

Beside him stood someone far more imposing, both in presence and height. An older man, tall and statuesque, with a long, snow-white beard that matched the wisdom in his stern gaze. He wore royal blue robes that shimmered faintly with runes, and a pointed hat that marked his station without words. Eliv Borges—the Royal Mage of the Crescent Kingdom.

As soon as they saw Sheila, Eliv took a step forward, his voice calm and composed.

"Princess Sheila," he said with a slight bow of his head. "You appear well. We are here to escort you home."