Aether is it?

It had been two days since the field mission at Low Vale Forest, and though the academy's halls had returned to their usual hum of structured chaos, a certain tension clung to the air.

Classes resumed with minimal commentary from instructors. Most students were too busy nursing bruises and bragging to notice that something was different—especially for Vale and Lyra.

Because only they received it.

It happened in the middle of a quiet theory class. Instructor Thane was droning about Aether theory and elemental attunement. Vale had his chin resting on his hand, half-distracted. Lyra was doodling diagrams on the side of her notebook.

Then the world… shifted.

Not outwardly. There was no flash or sound. But both Vale and Lyra felt it at once—a subtle, familiar hum in the air.

Their status windows flickered open with a soft, silvery chime.

Only visible to them.

[Hidden Quest Unlocked]

Name: The Forgotten Vault

Objective: Discover the Vault hidden beneath the Academy.

Note: Only those with synchronisation above 25% can perceive the seal.

Reward: Unknown.

Vale straightened subtly in his seat. Lyra's eyes snapped up to meet his.

It was the same for her.

A moment later, a second message appeared:

"You are nearing convergence. Not all paths lie on the surface. Seek the library archives. Begin where all lost stories sleep."

And just like that, the message vanished. The status window folded into itself like mist on a lake.

Neither of them said anything.

But after class, they didn't need to speak to know where to go.

The Archives Beneath the LibraryThe library's upper floors were crowded with students catching up on coursework. But Vale and Lyra slipped past the usual shelves, past the restricted section door, and down into the stone stairwell that led to the lower archives.

These catacombs were rarely visited. Dust coated the railings. Old magic clung to the walls in flickering runes, like guardians long forgotten. The deeper they went, the colder it got.

"Do you feel it?" Lyra asked quietly.

"Yeah," Vale murmured. "Something's waiting."

They reached a hall of sealed wooden doors, most locked by iron glyphs.

Then, about halfway down, they both stopped.

There was one door that shimmered faintly in their vision. A ripple of silver, like a veil of magic covering it. A symbol appeared only for them—two intertwined stars glowing dimly in opposing rotation.

"Saw that in my sleep," Lyra said under her breath. "In the memories."

Vale reached out—and the door clicked open.

Inside the VaultIt wasn't a vault of treasure or weaponry. At least, not in the traditional sense.

The room was circular, carved of black stone and lined with ancient murals. The images glowed faintly—scenes of pairs, always a boy and a girl, standing against shadows, speaking to dragons, shaping cities. Each pair held hands, or weapons, or Aether itself.

But none wore crowns.

And none were alone.

In the center of the room was a pedestal. Upon it sat a glowing crystal orb—no larger than a fruit—but pulsing with strange, rhythmic light.

As they stepped closer, their synchronisation stat flashed in the corner of their vision.

Vale Lumire – Synchronisation: 29%

Lyra Albert – Synchronisation: 30%

The orb responded.

A voice, soft and genderless, echoed through the chamber.

"You have come, just as they did before. Few awaken. Fewer still survive. The Vault remembers those who walk in step."

The light brightened.

"Two paths now lie before you. One leads to clarity. One to power. Choose wisely. For with each answer… the bond deepens."

A new message formed in their status windows:

[Quest Updated: Choose Your Path]

A] Seek Clarity – uncover the history of the synchronised and what became of them.

B] Seek Power – train in the hidden technique known only to those who walk in step.

You may only choose one. Your partner will be bound to the same path.

Vale turned to Lyra. "…Well?"

She was already biting her lip, torn between curiosity and ambition.

"We could learn what this really is," she whispered. "Who we're becoming. Why this is happening."

"Or learn how to fight with it," Vale said. "Use it."

Lyra took a step toward the pedestal, hesitated, then looked back at him.

"I want to know," she said at last. "Not just what we're turning into. But what it means."

Vale gave a slight nod. "Clarity, then."

She touched the orb.

It pulsed—and released a surge of light that wrapped around both of them, forming a ring of glowing script in the air. The murals shifted. New images formed—of the 7th King and his Queen Consort, of ancient duels, of lovers parting and reuniting across centuries.

And in the final mural: two students. One with daggers. One with a sword. The Academy in the background.

Lyra shivered. "That's… us."

Vale stared in silence.

Then, their status window flashed:

Quest Updated: Clarity Path Chosen. Investigate the records of the 7th Crown. Uncover the truth of their rise—and their fall.

Next Step: Library Record Vault E-5. Seek the sealed record 'Twin Souls in Flame.'

As they turned to leave, the orb dimmed. The door closed behind them without a sound.

Back in the LightWalking out of the archives, everything looked the same—but felt different.

No one else could see what they'd seen. No one knew they'd taken the first step toward unlocking a path untouched for generations.

"Do you think the Crown Prince knows?" Lyra asked as they crossed the courtyard.

"He knows something," Vale said. "But maybe not everything."

Then their status window blinked again—one final time for the day.

[Quest Complete – Discover the Vault]

Synchronisation +2%

[3/10]

They looked at each other.

Three of ten.

And now… the pieces were moving faster.