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My gaze snapped to Levon, whose expression hardened in response to Kaizen's threatening words.

"Others?" I demanded, stepping out from behind Levon's protective stance, my voice trembling with urgency. "What do you mean,others?"

"You will, Levon. It'sforbidden. Rememberyourplace," Kaizen spat, taking hold of Levon's collar. The room's cool blues morphed into searing oranges and reds as if reflecting Kaizen's simmering anger.

"I don't care.I've waited long enough and won't waste my time any longer," Levon countered, forcefully pushing Kaizen's hands away.

"You don't care?" Kaizen snapped with enough hatred I took a step back.

The two of them snarled at each other with venom, having that silent conversation within their eyes. Levon's jaw clenched, and with purpose, he turned toward me, reaching out for my hand. But I hesitated, retreating and watching the once tranquil blue ambiance erupt into a tumult of fiery hues, painting the room in shades of crimson and gold as if they reflected the feelings in the room.

"The truth, Levon," I interjected, looking back to him and suppressing my confusion and rising fear. Kaizen scoffed as a smug grin spread across his face, crossing his arms over his chest. He shot Levon a challenging glare, silently daring him to speak.

Levon's jaw tensed, his eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and frustration as he locked gazes with Kaizen. "I thought we were on the same side," Levon seethed, his voice tight with suppressed emotion.

"We are, but I think it's time she knowsthe truth," Kaizen replied, his tone heavy with brooding intensity. Levon bristled, puffing up his chest with irritation.

"This ismy lifeyou're both toying with.No more secrets," I rasped out, my frustration simmering beneath the surface. Despite my wish that Kaizen had never intervened, a part of me was grateful for the potential knowledge he might bring. "No more."

Levon stood there looking in shock and anger. Kaizen growled lowly, waiting for Levon to answer.

"Eliah," Levon began, his voice strained with hesitation. The vibrant scarlet hues of the crystals surrounding us began to soften, returning to their tranquil blues. "Eliah, you're being…" His voice faltered as he fought against the truth with sorrowful eyes.

"Say it," I demanded, my voice quivering with fear.

"That day at the markets, when you asked about the Spellcasters," Levon continued, each word heavy with dread. My blood ran cold at the unexpected mention of them. "They are just as malicious and evil as you feared. And…" he paused, the truth catching in his throat. "They'rehuntingyou."

He instantly held my arms, anchoring me as my limbs went slack.

"Hunting?" I breathed; my mind spun with a whirlwind of dread and endless questions, suffocating as if the air itself had been sucked from my lungs.

"We won't let them touch you, Eliah. I swear," he vowed, his words a flicker of hope in the abyss of my terror. He clung to my hands. My heart pounded in my ears, drowning out all else as he pressed on, his voice dripping with desperate urgency.

"Their leader, he feeds on the fears of our souls," Levon's voice quivered with horror and disbelief, each word heavy with the weight. "They all infiltrate minds, dreams, and even the earth beneath us. I didn't want to believe it during our breathing exercises, before your evaluation, or when you wouldn't wake up after our encounter," he said, gesturing towards his barely bruised face. "Or with the Miehja attack…" His voice trailed off, his gaze distant as if haunted by the memories.

"Before Creos' civil war between the Magics and the Mundanes, the Spellcasters were once ordinary…Magics, wielding their abilities for good, or so many thought. Rumorsspread about certain Magics delving too greedily into their powers and breaching boundaries that should have never been crossed. From their leader, they birthed a darkness that twisted their magic into something horrific that should have never existed in time or here in this realm," he paused, looking towards Kaizen. "This was the beginning of the Cataclysm." I narrowed my brows, trying to remember ever hearing of the Cataclysm in any of the history lessons Jesri demanded I take, but none came to mind.

The two of them glanced at each other again, having that annoying silent conversation with their eyes before Levon continued.

"King Leonard foresaw the devastation these Spellcasters would bring and attempted to contain the threat through tests and trials. But when the people rebelled, Creos plunged into civil war, starting the Great Cataclysm in more than just…" he stopped, quickly glaring at Kaizen. "More than just this world, and therefore, King Leonard had no choice but to eradicate all Magics for the safety of his Kingdom and his people."

"Peace reigned for years here in this world," he said as if he could recall being in such times. "Until a group known as the Onyx Market arose—a group of bounty hunters targeting those few individuals whose lineage possessed magic, and branding them as threats to society. Falsehoods spread like wildfire, and bounties were placed on any leads to a Magic, leading to countless disappearances in the dead of night for a wealthy sum. Even those innocent souls, devoid of any magic, vanished without a trace," a single tear slid down his cheek, which he quickly wiped away.

He drew in a sharp breath, his fists clenching with anguish.

"When I was in the Royal Guard, I had no option but to obey orders and follow these rumors to see if they were true."

The air thickened, turning the tranquil blue hues into a torrent of dark purples that seemed to swallow the room, mirroring the same turmoil within me. Instantly, I regretted almost kissing him, regretted coming here, allowing him to train me and lull me into submission.

I stepped back, speechless, feeling the tendrils of darkness from my dreams cling to my mind as if it were simply making itself comfortable.

"Eliah," Levon said, reaching out. I yanked my arm back from him as anger sliced through me like a tidal wave.

"Are you still on that mission?"I snapped, now shaking with anger. The mere suggestion thatIcould possess any trace of magic ignited a blaze of indignation within me.

His eyes darkened, the air around us crackling with an intense amber glow, swirling with fiery reds, scorching yellows, and gleaming golds. We swiftly turned our gaze to the shimmering crystals, the room pulsating with tension.

"I told youI left that years ago," Levon anguished, his emotions rising.