Subtle Warning

"You are an evil woman," Gwen exclaimed, massaging her aching shoulder as she walked with Sibby in the corridor. They were currently making their way to the cafeteria to fill their starving stomachs. They finished their training session and the sun had risen, indicating that the combat class would begin soon.

Sibby chuckled as she looked at Gwen's battered form, "Hey, I'm just making sure you're prepared for the combat battles. Those kids don't play around, you know. They'll tear you apart, and Damian won't be there to hold your hand."

Gwen scowled at the mention of his name. She was still pissed at him too much to entertain the idea of him protecting her again.

"I can handle myself, thank you very much," Gwen responded, her pride stung a bit.

As they continued walking down the corridor, she noticed a group of students congregating around a notice board, their attention drawn to something pinned there.

The area was filled with gasps and murmurs, making them curious as they moved closer to the crowd.

Suddenly, Rose emerged from the crowd, followed by Lance, and both their faces were paled. Gwen and Sibby exchanged a glance, their expressions turning serious as they noticed Rose and Lance's panicked expressions. They could feel the tension in the air, and the sight of the crowded notice board only increased their curiosity and confusion.

"What's going on?" Gwen asked as they approached their friends, her eyes flickering to the notice board.

Rose looked pale and her hands were trembling. Lance, on the other hand, had a worried expression on his face, his jaw clenched tightly as he looked at Gwen and Sibby.

He swallowed hard before speaking, "You guys better come see this."

They frowned, pushing through the crowd to get to the notice board. On the centre of the board was pinned a page on which some messy words were scribbled with black ink. All the colour drained from their faces as they read its content.

'Our vengeance shall descend like a storm,

In a roar of thunder, in a mournful torn.

We shall claim what was once ours,

And those who stand in our path shall face a dire hour.'

"Damn it all..." Zyre muttered silently in Gwen's mind, his voice laced with concern and anger.

"Is it who I think it is?" Gwen asked, a shiver running through her spine as she repeatedly read the words.

"Fae threats are a different beast altogether. They revel in the art of manipulation and subversion," he replied gruffly before pausing for a moment, contemplating the situation. "But yes, it is possible that it's merely a petty child's attempt at rebellion. This Academy does attract all types of delinquents..."

Gwen and Sibby exchanged glances, walking back to where Lance and Rose stood with concerned frowns on their faces. Despite their attempts to keep their expressions stoic, it was clear that the message had rattled them. Gwen's face paled as her heart pounded rapidly, a deep sense of foreboding settling over her.

"Do you guys think it's... the Fae?" Rose was the first to speak, making Gwen jump out of her thoughts.

"It's a possibility," Sibby replied, her voice low and tinged with unease. Her eyes narrowed, scanning the notice board as if expecting it to change in front of her very eyes.

"It's probably a kid trying to impress his friends," Lance assured them, his voice calm and reassuring, though there was a hint of scepticism in his eyes. 

"I think Lance has a point. It has been almost 300 years since the Fae were banished. It wouldn't make sense for them to show up all of a sudden," Gwen reasoned, trying to think straight despite her inner turmoil.

Lance nodded in agreement. "Exactly. I doubt it's the Fae. Why would they come back now after centuries?"

But despite everyone's attempts to sound rational and calm, the tension in the air was palpable. Everyone's eyes kept drifting back to the bulletin board, the unease growing with every passing second.

Suddenly, Professor Winguard stepped in at the site, followed by Professor Edwigg of flying lessons and the old white-haired Professor Fairbourne of the Healer Division of the Academy. He was the Head Master of all the cadets with healing stones who would later become Healers in the Military and only get into the battlefield with their firebreathers as a last resort. 

The crowd parted for the three professors and Winguard harshly tore the paper from the notice board. He crumpled the paper in his hand, his expression stern and serious.

"This is nothing more than a prank," he declared, his voice ringing with authority and disbelief. "Nobody should take this nonsense seriously."

Fairbourne nodded in agreement, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. Professor Edwigg however said nothing, his face betraying nothing.

"The cadet responsible for this act will be punished severely for breaching the disciplinary rules of the Academy," he finished, turning to leave with the paper still in his hand when Thorndyke, along with Ty and Vlad arrived at the scene. 

Professor Winguard narrowed his eyes at them. Thorndyke raised an eyebrow nonchalantly, while mischief danced across Ty's face, and Vlad stood with a blank expression, revealing nothing. There was a silent argument between Thorndyke and the professor and it seemed that the young cadet was almost daring Winguard to say something.

Professor Winguard bared his teeth, but stepped away, leaving the site, followed by the other two professors. Gwen raised her eyebrows in curiosity when the younger trio exchanged amused glances with each other. The moment after, Thorndyke spotted Gwen and walked in her direction, smirking in amusement.

Gwen felt her heart thump in her chest as she saw Thorndyke approaching her, a smirk on his face that only made her want to punch him even more. She tried to maintain a neutral expression, clenching her jaw tightly as she stood her ground. She raised an eyebrow at him, her hands on her hips defiantly.

"What do you want, Thorndyke?" she asked, her voice laced with irritation.

He raised his eyebrows, his grin widening, "Still don't need my help, I see."