The Covenant Seal

Luke led his family upstairs, the familiar creak of Whitlock Hall's wooden steps grounding him as he tried to push aside the strange sensations lingering in the back of his mind. The hallway was quieter than he expected given the bustling crowd outside, but the energy in the air was unmistakable—charged, alive, like static before a storm.

As they reached his room, Luke pushed the door open, revealing the slightly cluttered space he hadn't seen since before the Shatterstorm. His books were still scattered on the desk, a half-empty mug of cold coffee sitting beside them. The bed was unmade, the posters on the walls tilted slightly, as if the room had been preserved mid-motion.

"You live here?" Aiden asked, eyebrows raised as he stepped in and took stock of the organized chaos.

"It's… quaint," Sophia added, glancing around, though there was a teasing lilt to her voice.

Luke ignored her, tossing his duffel bag onto the bed and turning to Lila. She was hovering near the window, her golden eyes scanning the campus grounds below.

"What do you see?" Luke asked, crossing the room to join her.

"The crowd is gathering around the central courtyard," she replied, pointing toward a dense group of students and faculty. "I can't make out what they're focused on, but there's something happening there. The mana currents are… unusual."

Luke leaned closer to the window, squinting as he tried to spot what Lila was talking about. "Unusual how?"

"It's converging," Lila said, her voice low and thoughtful. "The flow of mana is being drawn to a single point."

Before Luke could respond, a loud gong-like chime reverberated through the air, making everyone jump. It wasn't the bell tower's usual tone—it was deeper, resonating in his chest like a pulse.

"What the hell was that?" Nathaniel asked, stepping into the room with Evelyn close behind.

"That wasn't normal," Luke said, his voice tight. He glanced at Lila, who was already moving toward the door.

"It's a summons," she said simply. "Something—or someone—is calling them."

Luke grabbed his bag and motioned for everyone to follow. "Let's find out what's going on."

By the time they reached the courtyard, the crowd was thick. Students and faculty alike, as well as many others who could only be their families, pressed toward the center. Luke could feel the energy in the air intensifying, a steady hum that seemed to rise with every step. Lila drifted beside him, her expression serious as she scanned the area.

In the center of the courtyard stood a raised stone platform, its surface etched with runes that Luke had never noticed before. A single figure stood atop it—a tall, older man with a commanding presence, his silver hair gleaming in the sunlight. He wore flowing robes that shimmered faintly with mana, and in his hand, he held a staff adorned with an intricate crystal at its peak.

"That's Headmaster Calderon," Luke said, recognizing the man who rarely made public appearances. The sight of him here, at the center of all this, was enough to make Luke's stomach churn with unease. A steady stream of mana flowed into and out of the crystal atop the staff the Headmaster held in his hand. The mana seemed to come from the atmosphere, enter the crystal, then flow out into several streams, some of which drifted lazily toward runes on the buildings nearby and others floated out of sight.

"Lila, is he manipulating mana?"

Lila's golden eyes widened. "Yes, but… this doesn't make sense." She floated slightly higher, scanning Calderon with a sharp gaze. "I wasn't aware of any humans who could wield mana like this—not without a guide. But he's doing it effortlessly."

She turned to Luke, voice lower. "Either he has a Celestial I don't know about… or he's discovered something else."

Luke gulped, his own eyes matching Lila's in their show of shock. He wondered how Calderon could be using mana like that. If no human had ever gone beyond the 5th level on their own, did Calderon have a Celestial guide of his own? Surely Lila would know about that though, right?

Luke pushed the thoughts and concerns down for the moment as Calderon raised his hand. The crowd fell quiet, but anxious whispers could still be heard. His voice, amplified not by volume but by sheer authority, cut through the stillness.

"Students, faculty, and visitors of Everhearth," he began, his tone grave. "Today, we stand at a crossroads."

Luke's pulse quickened. Whatever this was, it wasn't a typical campus announcement.

"The Shatterstorm has forever changed our world," Calderon continued, his eyes scanning the crowd. "The mana that now flows freely through our skies and soil brings both opportunity and peril. It is our duty to understand it, to master it, and to prepare for the challenges it will bring."

As he spoke, the crystal atop his staff began to glow, its light casting strange, shifting patterns over the runes beneath him. The mana in the air surged, drawn more powerfully toward the platform in shimmering streams.

Lila tensed beside Luke. "Be ready, Luke."

The headmaster lowered his staff, and the glow intensified, spreading outward like a wave. The runes on the platform ignited, casting the courtyard in a radiant light.

"This is not a time for fear," Calderon declared. "It is a time for strength. For those who are willing, Everhearth will guide you. For those who are able, Everhearth will train you. And for those who are chosen…" His gaze seemed to linger directly on Luke. "Everhearth will prepare you for what lies beyond."

As the light surged around the platform, the runes began to shift, forming patterns that Lila immediately recognized.

"Luke," she said, her voice tight with urgency. "Those runes—they're a gateway."

"To what?" he asked, his chest tightening.

Lila remained silent, her eyes fixed on swirling energy atop the platform. The runes flared one last time, and a shimmering portal materialized. The crowd gasped, but Calderon remained calm. He paced back and forth atop the raised platform, his presence commanding but not imposing. His silver hair caught the sunlight, and the faint shimmer of mana around him gave him an almost otherworldly glow. 

His pulse quickened as the shimmering portal stabilized above the platform, its swirling light casting eerie, shifting shadows across the courtyard. The air was thick with mana, and the energy radiating from the portal seemed to resonate deep within him, like a distant melody he couldn't quite place.

Lila hovered beside him, her golden eyes locked on the portal. "I can't sense where it leads," she said, her voice low and tense. "It's… veiled. That's not normal."

"Veiled? What does that mean?" Luke asked, his chest tightening.

"It means someone has cloaked its destination. We can't know for sure what's on the other side until we step through." She glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "This could be a test."

"Or a trap," Luke muttered.

The crowd below was restless—students, families, and staff shifting anxiously, whispering among themselves. Fear and uncertainty hung in the air like a storm cloud.

Calderon raised his hand, and the murmurs quieted. When he spoke, his voice was calm, resonant, and steady, cutting through the tension like a warm light in the darkness.

"My friends, I know you are afraid," he began, his piercing blue eyes sweeping over the crowd. "I know the world beyond these walls feels like it has descended into chaos. The Shatterstorm has brought with it fear, danger, and uncertainty."

The crowd seemed to lean in, drawn by the quiet confidence in his voice.

"For those who may not yet understand, the Shatterstorm was no ordinary disaster. The Arcadium Particle Accelerator's failure did not merely damage a machine or alter a landscape. It tore through the veil that separates our world from another—the Aetherion Universe, a realm of unimaginable energy and untamed mana."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.

"This veil was fragile, though we did not know it. Now, mana flows freely into our world, and with it come changes. Many of you came from off campus. You've seen what's out there. The Riftwilds are spreading through the Ozarks and beyond. Creatures once thought to be legends are stalking the forests. Nature itself is beginning to transform before our eyes."

Calderon's expression softened, his voice taking on a tone of reassurance. "But I want you to understand this: this is not the end. This is the beginning of a new chapter for our world. Yes, the Shatterstorm has brought danger, but it has also brought potential—potential for growth, for learning, for change. And it is here, at Everhearth, that we will rise to meet that challenge."

Calderon paused and the voices of those in the crowd picked up again. Luke could hear worried whispers and someone nearby crying. After a few moments, Calderon raised a hand, and the restless murmuring stilled. When he spoke, his voice carried the kind of warmth and confidence that soothed even the most anxious hearts.

"My friends," he said again, his tone measured and kind, "you have come to Everhearth seeking refuge from the chaos that has gripped the world beyond these walls. And you were right to do so. Everhearth is more than a university. It is a sanctuary, a place of safety in a world that now feels unrecognizable. I do not have time to explain everything, but just know that I am here to protect you and Everhearth, and to help those who are able to grow in strength and power and face this new threat."

He paused, letting his words settle before continuing. "Some of you may have noticed the shimmering barrier that surrounds us. That barrier is not simply the product of human ingenuity. It is ancient, older than the university itself. Long before Everhearth became a place of learning, it was something far greater. It was built—layered, you might say—on foundations laid by beings who understood mana in ways we cannot currently comprehend."

Luke looked around at those nearby as Calderon spoke. He could tell by most of their expressions that they didn't know anything about the barrier Calderon was speaking of. A couple of them, though, showed surprise at the Headmaster's words. They must have been among the very few like Luke who were sensitive enough to mana to see it.

His gaze swept over the crowd, a flicker of sadness in his eyes. "And now, that ancient protection shields us once more. The runes carved into our stones and etched into our halls were not simply decorations—they were a warning, and a promise. A warning of what could come, and a promise that we could endure it. Here, you are safe. Here, the chaos of the Riftwilds cannot reach you."

A ripple of relief passed through the crowd, and Calderon let them have that moment before his tone shifted, becoming more resolute. "But we must not allow safety to breed complacency. The Shatterstorm has changed the world forever. The veil that once separated us from the Aetherion Universe has been torn in more places than one, and because of that, mana now flows freely into our world. And while the barrier protects us here, the rest of the world is not so fortunate."

He gestured toward the glowing portal behind him, its swirling light a mesmerizing contrast to his steady presence. "That is why this portal has been opened. It leads to what is known as a Shardrealm—a fragment of the Aetherion Universe itself. These realms were created by the Ancient Builders, the same ones who long, long ago, ensured this place would be protected, and who understood the power of mana and the trials necessary to harness it. Within the Shardrealm lies challenges that will test you, push you, and transform you."

"So this place really was built by the Ancients…" Luke said, trailing off as his mind reeled. What could this mean? And who was Headmaster Calderon really?

Calderon paused, his gaze steady and reassuring. "I will not attempt to force anyone through the portal. It is a choice. A choice for those who feel called to rise to the occasion. To step into the unknown and return stronger, wiser, and ready to protect this world. And let me be clear, we will absolutely need that protection."

Calderon took a step forward, his voice softening but losing none of its power. "I know you are afraid. I know the world feels broken beyond repair. But within this storm lies opportunity. The Shardrealm is a forge. It is a place where heroes are made. And while I will never ask you to take a step you are not ready for, I will say this: the world needs heroes now more than ever. The Ancient Builders may have laid the foundation for this sanctuary, but it is our responsibility to protect it, to nurture it, and to ensure that it stands as a beacon of hope for generations to come."

The courtyard was silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air like a tangible force. Calderon straightened, his presence radiating calm and certainty. "To those who feel the call, trust yourselves. The portal is open. The choice is yours. Today marks the beginning of a new era. Step forward, and take your first step into the unknown."

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, one by one, figures began stepping forward, their faces a mixture of determination and trepidation. Those nearby who had responded with recognition and surprise at Caleron's words about the barrier were the first to walk forward. Luke watched, his chest tightening. 

"What's your best guess?" Luke asked Lila.

She sighed, then spoke softly. "I don't know, Luke. It could lead anywhere from the other side of campus to the other side of the Aetherion Universe."

Luke's heart skipped a beat. The Aetherion Universe. The thought of stepping into that vast, mana-saturated parallel realm filled him with equal parts dread and exhilaration.

Luke felt a strong and sudden pull in his chest, an insistent tug that made his breath hitch. It wasn't physical, but it was unmistakable, like the portal's energy was reaching out to him, urging him forward.

"Luke," Lila said softly, her gaze snapping to him. "Do you feel that?"

"Yeah," he said, swallowing hard. "It's like it's… pulling me."

"That's the call," she said. "This is your first Trial. The portal seems to have a certain sentience. It's resonating with our Covenant Seals."

"Trial? What do you mean?" Luke's words caught in his throat as a sudden heat pulsed across his forehead. A surge of energy flared outward, and gasps rippled through the crowd.

He didn't need a mirror to know—the Bet symbol of the Covenant Seal had ignited, shining bright as a beacon.

Lila tapped her chin with her index finger for a moment as she thought. "I didn't expect the first Trial to come so soon or in such an overwhelming way," she said finally, placing her hands on her hips, brow furrowed. "Otherwise I would have clued you in earlier. But, we're here now. I'll tell you what I can when I can, but right now we need to move."

"What if I'm not ready?" Luke asked, his voice low. He glanced at his family, all of them watching him with a mix of confusion and concern. Their gazes rested on the shining Bet symbol on his forehead, reflecting in each uncertain pair of eyes.

"You're as ready as you can be right now," Lila said firmly. "But if we wait too long, the portal might close. We can't miss this."

Luke took a deep breath, steeling himself. Then he turned to his family. "I don't know where this goes, but I have to find out. Stay here. I'll come back as soon as I can." He handed his dorm room key to his father, Nathaniel. "It's small, but you're welcome to use the dorm." His father nodded his thanks. 

Evelyn stepped forward, her hand gripping his arm. "Luke, are you sure about this?"

He nodded. "I don't think I have a choice. Something's waiting for me on the other side."

Before anyone could stop him, Luke stepped forward, pushing through the crowd and climbing the steps to the platform. The portal's light grew brighter as he approached, the tug in his chest intensifying with every step. Luke thought he heard a few gasps from the crowd as he and Lila topped the platform. Then he realized they must also be mana sensitive enough to see her floating along with him.

Before entering the portal, Luke stopped and looked at Headmaster Calderon. A small smile crept onto the old man's face as he returned Luke's gaze. He nodded reassuringly, his eyes lingering on Luke's Covenant Seal. Luke could swear he saw recognition in the Headmaster's eyes.

He looked away and met Lila's gaze. She gave him a small, reassuring smile. "Together, Luke."

He nodded, took one last breath, and stepped into the light. As they did so, the shimmering light of the portal engulfed them. The moment they crossed the threshold, the sensation of falling hit Luke like a tidal wave. There was no solid ground beneath him—only a vast, weightless expanse of swirling light and shadow.

A rush of mana flooded his senses, surging through his veins like a living current. It wasn't like the ambient mana of the Riftwilds. This was purer, heavier, more demanding. It pressed against him, testing, probing, as if it were measuring his worth.

Luke gasped, his body tensing, but Lila's hand found his wrist. Her golden glow anchored him against the disorienting void. "Stay calm," she said, her voice steady despite the warping reality around them. "We're in the transit phase. The Shardrealm is forming around us."

Luke forced himself to focus. The swirling energy twisted and folded, gradually solidifying into shapes—crystalline structures formed from glowing runes, jagged stone pillars stretching toward a sky that didn't seem to exist. Then, with a sudden jolt, the sensation of falling stopped, and gravity slammed back into place beneath his feet.

The ground was smooth obsidian, faintly reflective, yet alive with pulsing blue and violet runes. An eerie stillness hung over the landscape. There was no wind, no sky, just an endless, open expanse, dotted by towering stone monoliths inscribed with shifting symbols. The air was thick with mana, humming in a way that made Luke's bones vibrate. 

"Where… are we?" Luke asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lila floated a few feet ahead, scanning their surroundings with narrowed eyes. "This is a sealed fragment of the Aetherion Universe, just like the Headmaster said: a Shardrealm." She turned back to him, her gaze flickering with concern and intrigue. "It was built for one purpose—to test those who enter."

Luke exhaled, trying to steady himself. "How exactly is it gonna test us?"

As if in response, the runes beneath them flared brighter, and a deep resonant voice echoed from the pillars around them:

"The Chosen have arrived. The Trial begins now."

A rumbling shook the ground, and shadows twisted at the edges of the realm. Shapes formed from the void—figures clad in ancient, spectral armor, their eyes burning like embers. They carried weapons made of crystallized mana, and their presence radiated raw power.

Lila tensed. "These aren't just constructs," she whispered. "They're echoes."

Luke took a step back, heart pounding. "Echoes of what?"

Lila's golden gaze locked onto the advancing warriors. "The ones who came before us."

Luke clenched his fists as the first of the spectral figures raised a glowing blade. The weight of the Trial settled fully upon him.

No more time for questions. The battle had begun.