forbidden to speak

Anticipation hung thick in the air as the medical team and the two 7th-year students prepared for Selene's arrival. The two seniors, called away from their studies with the promise of extra credit, each had their own contracted beasts—one from the House of Shadows, a white snake, and the other from the House of Seas, a sea turtle.

Suddenly, the portal shimmered with energy, and Selene appeared before them, a vision of beauty with her pink hair flowing. In a split second, her gentle green eyes turned cold, and with a flick of her wrist, ice spikes shot out in all directions while flaming fireballs erupted from her palms.

The House of Shadows senior, quick on his feet, raised a barrier to block the attacks, while the rest of the medical team stood stunned by the sudden onslaught.

"What the fuck is wrong with you all? Go, go, go!" The House of Shadows senior yelled, snapping the team out of their shock.

But Selene's assault wasn't over. Ice spikes and fireballs continued to rain down outside the portal, creating a mist that filled the room. Suddenly, the team felt the hissing presence of a beast, and the House of Shadows senior called upon his contracted snake to release a poisonous gas. The room descended into chaos as team members succumbed to the poison, frothing at the mouth.

"Don't breathe it in! It's poisonous!" The warning echoed through the room, but the damage was done. The House of Shadows senior, wielding a metal whip infused with poison, hissed in pain as he tried to control his beast. The white snake, smaller but cunning, coiled around the larger green-scaled snake from the House of Seas, both engaged in a deadly dance.

"Fucking enough!" The House of Seas student finally cried out in frustration, and with a wave of his hand, everyone was suspended in water, frozen in place.

"Put her down now!" He ordered, his voice firm as he directed the boiling water around Selene, finally tranquilizing her. However, Hima, not understanding her owner's plight, continued to thrash about, causing further chaos. The larger green snake, restrained but still dangerous, managed to subdue Hima in a display of immense strength.

As the chaos settled, Selene lay unconscious, surrounded by the aftermath of her power. The room was a mess, with team members nursing burns, cuts, and the effects of the poisonous gas.

Those who had witnessed the scene were left astounded. To see such power from a first-year was unprecedented. Their mouths left agape.

*

Nathaniel sits slumped against the rough cave wall, his body weary and his mind heavy with exhaustion. The mountain looms above him, seeming to stretch endlessly into the sky.

Outside the cave, a massive eagle swoops down, its talons ready to strike, but before it can reach Nathaniel, Raijin and Tenebris spring into action. With swift and deadly precision, they attack the eagle, their movements a deadly dance of fangs and coils.

As the battle rages on outside, Nathaniel's thoughts drift to Selene. He longs for her presence, for the comfort and strength she brings. The struggle of this mountain, the endless climb, it's all taking its toll on him.

With a heavy sigh, Nathaniel closes his eyes and lets himself become weightless. He finally gives in.

*

The anticipation for Nathaniel's return grew with each passing day, reaching a fever pitch among the members of the House of Shadows. Elder Archon, unseen by most, hovered high above the tower, eager to see the results too.

Among those waiting was Daniel, his cousin, and even Dalton, surprised at the transformation of his once ordinary relative into a genius.

As the clock struck midnight, the leaderboard suddenly changed, displaying Nathaniel Shadowcrest's astonishing results: 59 Endurance and 47 mental resilience. The House of Shadows members erupted into cheers and applause, their excitement palpable in the air.

Elsewhere, in the House of Skies lobby, a lamp's shadow seemed to dance unexpectedly, revealing an unwitting shadow spy who had come out of hiding in excitement. This led to an unfortunate turn of events as the spy was caught and brutally beaten by enraged students.

Meanwhile, Elder Archon, thrilled by Nathaniel's remarkable achievement, laughed excitedly before disappearing from his spot. He made his way to the other house and tower masters, eager to showcase the incredible feat of the House of Shadows' newest prodigy.

*

Moments after Nathaniel's arrival, chaos erupted as the teams stationed there raised their weapons and readied their spells. Nathaniel, taken aback by the aggressive stance, was immediately thrust into a flight-or-fight response. Without hesitation, he teleported out of their midst, reappearing in front of the tower with his two loyal serpents, Tenebris and Raijin, circling protectively around him.

Raijin, the purple serpent, crackled with sparks of lightning along its scales, while Tenebris, the black serpent, emanated an ominous shadow. Together, they formed an impenetrable defense around Nathaniel, their presence both menacing and protective.

The teams, stunned by this display, found themselves facing Nathaniel with his spear drawn and a fierce glint in his blue eyes. Before they could react, Nathaniel slammed his spear down, sending crackling lightning in all directions. As they scrambled to dodge the electrifying bolts, Nathaniel teleported next to a 7th year royal, his spear aimed at the young man's neck with deadly intent.

Reacting swiftly, the 7th year royal, raised his sword to block Nathaniel's strike. In a blur of motion, Nathaniel teleported away, swiftly taking down several more members of the medical team in a flurry of lightning-charged attacks.

"Stop this," the 7th year royal commanded, his golden aura radiating power and leaving most immobilized. "Sarah, now," he ordered.

Sarah, in response, summoned her contracted beast—a massive spider—to restrain Nathaniel with its sticky silk. However, the sight of the spider triggered a deep-seated fear in Nathaniel, Tenebris, and Raijin. Memories of the desert spider trauma flooded their minds, intensifying their panic.

Nathaniel's aura erupted in a burst of dark energy, shrouding the area in a terrifying darkness. Those with an affinity for shadows felt a sense of reverence, while those aligned with the divine sun goddess church and light affinity were overcome with fear or repulsion. Amidst the chaos, Tenebris hissed loudly, adding to the pandemonium. All snakes in 100 mile radius began to hiss uncontrollably.

In a split second, Nathaniel teleported at lightning speed, his spear charged with dark aura and crackling with lightning, aiming for the spider. Just as he was about to strike, Elder Archon arrived in the nick of time, tapping Nathaniel's forehead with a gentle yet powerful touch, rendering him unconscious.

As if awakening from a dream, Nathaniel collapsed, and the chaotic scene around him dissolved into nothingness. Elder Archon, relieved that he had intervened in time to prevent a bloodline secret from being exposed, waved his hand, causing shadows to engulf Tenebris and Raijin, making them disappear.

With a final glance at the bewildered onlookers, Elder Archon vanished from the scene, taking Nathaniel with him. The tower's surroundings returned to their normal state, but the memory of Nathaniel's formidable power and the mysterious intervention of Elder Archon lingered in the minds of all who witnessed the event.

*

Daniel, with a mysterious aura surrounding him, summoned a swirling ball of black fog that crackled with unstable energy. As he gazed at it with an enigmatic expression, he suddenly vanished into the night, leaving Dalton standing there, staring dumbfoundedly at the orb.

Those who had been watching the scene unfold from their orbs were left speechless and bewildered by Nathaniel's fight.

In the aftermath, members of the House of Shadows received a strict order from Elder Archon himself: they were forbidden to speak of the chaotic events involving the shadows and serpents that had transpired. The command hung heavy in the air, instilling a sense of secrecy and caution among the house members.