The sky was overcast, thick grey clouds rolling in with a silent urgency, casting a muted pallor over Ravenwood Academy.
The lush greens of the academy grounds, usually vibrant, appeared dull under the heavy clouds.
The air was dense, and students on the pathways exchanged wary glances as they looked up.
Squinting to catch a glimpse of the sun obscured by layers of ash-grey clouds.
A small cluster of students halted, tipping their heads up with mixed expressions of curiosity and concern.
One of them, a red-haired girl, squinted as if trying to peer through the clouds.
"Think it's going to rain?"
A boy beside her with scruffy brown hair shrugged, frowning at the sky.
"It better not," he muttered.
"I still have to get to the town center to pick up supplies, and if it rains... well, I didn't exactly bring anything waterproof."
He sighed, crossing his arms and tapping his foot impatiently.
"Yeah," chimed in another student, clutching a worn notebook.
"I was planning on practicing that light-energy concept I just learned.
I can't do it indoors; it'd blow out all the lamps. .net
The rain would just... ruin everything."
"Rain isn't the worst thing in the world," the red-haired girl replied, though she tugged her cloak tighter around her shoulders as if bracing for it.
A heavy drop fell onto her cheek, cool and warning.
Then another.
She looked up, and so did the others, eyes widening as the sky darkened further.
"Aw, no," muttered one of the boys, swiping a droplet off his face.
Before anyone could say anything more, the skies unleashed, sheets of rain cascading over the academy grounds.
A blonde student swore loudly, yanking the hood of his robe over his head as the rain thickened to a downpour.
The pathways glistened under the relentless rain, and students ducked under awnings, clustering by trees and ledges, any cover they could find to shield themselves from the onslaught.
And then, in a way none of them anticipated, the sky began to shift once more.
A subtle ripple of light appeared in the clouds, barely noticeable at first but growing with an intense, unnatural hue.
The dark grey melted into deep purple, spreading outward like a stain, casting an ominous glow over the academy grounds.
The rain, still heavy, seemed to slow, each droplet now catching the violet tint as it fell, shimmering like crystals tainted with an unnatural color.
Whispers broke through the crowd as students peered up in horror.
One of them, a young mage with piercing green eyes, muttered a quick incantation, his hands glowing faintly as he began to analyze the runes and symbols that twisted across the magic circle above.
Meanwhile, the commander turned to the knights.
"Position yourselves around the perimeter.
We need to make sure no one crosses this area until we know it's safe."
His gaze hardened as he scanned the crowd of students who were still clustered in fear, watching the sky.
"Keep them calm. No one moves unless we say so."
The knights scattered, forming a wide perimeter around the open spaces where students had gathered.
Some students shot the knights questioning glances, their faces etched with worry, while others simply looked to them for some form of reassurance.
"Is this some kind of test?"
One of the knights muttered to another as they took their positions.
The other knight shook his head, keeping his eyes fixed on the purple-pink magic circle looming above.
"I don't think so. I've seen plenty of illusions, training exercises... but nothing like this.
This feels... wrong."
The commander watched as the mages continued their work, their brows furrowed in concentration, hands moving rapidly over incantation symbols in an attempt to decode the massive circle.
The energy from the circle seemed to be pushing down onto them, like the weight of an entire world pressing into their bones.
The commander could feel it too—an oppressive force that seeped into his chest, chilling his blood.
There was something insidious in that magic circle, something that spoke of darker purposes.
One of the mages finally looked up, face pale, his hands shaking as he clutched his notebook.
"Commander... I-I think this might be... some kind of summoning spell. A powerful one.
Whatever is meant to appear... it won't be a friendly sight."
The commander set his jaw, nodding as he tried to keep his calm.
He lifted his sword slightly, eyes narrowing as he scanned the heavens once more.
"Then we'll be ready for it.
Spread the word: everyone needs to hold their ground.
This isn't the time for fear. It's time for action."
The knights gripped their weapons tighter, bracing themselves against the pressure.
The students, however, still lingered in terror, muttering anxiously as they observed the strange phenomena above.
Whispers spread like wildfire, with students speculating about ancient curses, hidden threats, and forbidden magic.