12. Aria

12

ARIA

W eeks have passed since my arrival at the Dormitorium Mortis, each day a blur of impossible lessons and dark wonders. I've settled into a routine of sorts, though "routine" seems too mundane a word for the daily dance with death and shadow that is life at Ravencrest.

Tonight, I was deep in slumber, lost in dreams of swirling galaxies and whispering spirits - Nova's influence, no doubt. Suddenly, a pulse of energy jolted me awake.

Nova bristles, its fur standing on end and glowing with an otherworldly light. "Danger?" it queries in my mind, alert despite its annoyance at being woken.

"I don't think so," I murmur, though uncertainty gnaws at me. "But something's happening."

As if in answer, a knock sounds at my door, followed by the Headmaster's resonant voice. "Miss Aria, join your classmates in the hall. Immediately."

I scramble out of bed, hastily donning my robes. Nova leaps to my shoulders, its cool form a stark contrast to the nervous heat rising in my cheeks. Heart pounding, I step into the corridor.

My classmates are emerging from their rooms, faces showing a mix of confusion, fear, and excitement. Headmaster Kieran appears at the end of the hall, his form seeming to coalesce from the shadows themselves. His eyes, glowing with eldritch power, sweep over us.

"Follow me, acolytes," he commands, his voice carrying the weight of centuries. "It's time to test your mettle."

As we fall into line behind him, Nova nuzzles my cheek. Kieran leads us through winding passages, descending deeper beneath the necropolis. The air grows thick with the essence of death and old magic, making each breath a struggle. Finally, we arrive at a vast chamber, its ceiling lost in darkness above.

At the center of the room stands an ornate archway, its surface writhing with eldritch symbols. Beyond it, I can sense the shifting energies of a labyrinth that seems to pulse with malevolent anticipation.

"This," Kieran announces, his voice echoing in the cavernous space, "is the entrance to the Abyssal Gauntlet."

A collective gasp ripples through our group. I feel Nova tense on my shoulders, its fur bristling with a mix of fear and excitement.

"The Gauntlet is a vast, ever-changing labyrinth that lies beneath this very necropolis," Kieran explains, his eyes gleaming. "It is a trial of the utmost importance, a forge in which the truly worthy are tempered."

He pauses, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Not all who enter will return. But those who do will have proven themselves true adepts of the Winter Court's magic."

As the reality of what we're facing settles over me, I feel a curious mix of terror and exhilaration. Part of me wants to flee, to hide in the familiar shadows of my room. But a larger part, the part that's been growing stronger with each dark lesson, yearns for the challenge.

As the reality of what we're facing settles over me, I feel a curious mix of terror and exhilaration. Part of me wants to flee, to hide in the familiar shadows of my room. But a larger part, the part that's been growing stronger with each dark lesson, yearns for the challenge.

"All of you will face this trial," Headmaster Gravewood declares, his voice like ice cracking. "But one among you must prove herself especially worthy."

His gaze falls on me, and I feel a chill run down my spine. "Aria," he continues, "you, with your unique heritage and rapid progress, must be the first to enter the Gauntlet."

A brief flash of fear courses through me, but I quickly push it down. I straighten my spine, lifting my chin defiantly. "I'm ready," I say, my voice steadier than I feel.

As the other students are dismissed to prepare, I find myself alone with Kieran. I look up at him, seeking... what? Reassurance? Permission? I'm not sure.

"Kieran," I begin, my voice soft, "what should I expect in there?"

He considers his words carefully, his ancient eyes studying me. "The unexpected," he finally replies. "The Gauntlet will challenge you in ways you cannot imagine. It will prey on your fears, test your resolve, and push you to your very limits."

I nod, absorbing this. A question burns in my mind, one I'm almost afraid to ask. But I need to know. "And if I fail?"

The question hangs in the air between us, heavy with implication. Kieran's expression hardens, his voice harsh as he responds, "If you fail, you die. It is simply the way."

I flinch slightly at his tone, but I refuse to back down. "I won't fail," I declare, feeling a fire burning within me.

"Go," Kieran tells me, his voice cold. "Get your gear, prepare yourself and enter within the hour. The Gauntlet awaits."

After retrieving our gear, we stand before the writhing archway, and I'm the first to enter.

The eldritch symbols pulse with an otherworldly light, beckoning me forward.

With one final look at Kieran, I step through the threshold my, my heart pounding in my chest. For a moment, everything goes dark. Then, as if someone's slowly turning up a dimmer switch, the world around me comes into focus.

I'm standing at the edge of a forest, but I'm still very much underground, the atmosphere damp and stale. The trees are pale, almost white, their bark smooth as polished stone. No leaves adorn their branches. Instead, delicate chains of tiny bones dangle, creating a soft, eerie chime as they sway in a breeze I can't feel.

The ground beneath my feet is soft, yielding. I look down and recoil. I'm standing on a carpet of what looks like... hair? Dark, fine strands stretch as far as I can see, rippling like grass in the wind.

The air is thick with an odd, sweet scent. It reminds me of decay, but not unpleasant - more like overripe fruit on the verge of fermentation. As I breathe it in, I feel a slight buzz, as if the very atmosphere is trying to intoxicate me.

I force myself to focus. I need to move forward, to face whatever challenges this twisted place has in store for me. But which way is forward in a place like this?

As if in answer to my unspoken question, a path appears before me. The hair-like ground parts, revealing a trail of bleached bones. Skull, spine, ribs, laid out in a macabre connect-the-dots.

With no better option, I follow the bone path. As I walk, I notice movement in the corner of my eye. I turn my head quickly, but there's nothing there. Just the pale trees and their chiming bone-leaf chains. But I can't shake the feeling of being watched.