The Royal Magic Academy had become a fortress not only against the encroaching undead but also against the invisible enemy within its walls. Trust was fragile, and every shadow seemed to conceal a secret.
Kertia and his close circle — Arielle, Tomas, and Liora — moved cautiously through the labyrinth of alliances and betrayals.
Late one evening, beneath the flickering torchlight of the eastern wing, Arielle whispered urgently, "I found something in the archives — encrypted messages between certain council members and unknown figures outside the kingdoms."
Tomas frowned. "Could it be collusion with the Veil of Shadows?"
Kertia's gaze hardened. "We need to know who and why."
The team began surveillance in earnest, watching council meetings from hidden passages and decoding the encrypted texts Arielle discovered.
Their suspicions were confirmed when they uncovered a clandestine meeting between Lady Morwen and a hooded figure in the dead of night.
One night, Kertia followed them through the misty gardens.
The conversation was hushed but chilling.
"The Guardian's rise threatens our power," Lady Morwen hissed. "The kingdoms must fall so we can rebuild anew."
The hooded figure nodded. "The Veil of Shadows grows stronger. Soon, their influence will be undeniable."
Kertia's heart pounded. The traitor's reach was deep — and their plans far more sinister than he imagined.
He returned to his allies with grim news.
"We must act carefully," he warned. "If the council fractures, the kingdoms will fall apart before the darkness even arrives."
Plans were made to expose the traitor during the upcoming Grand Assembly — a rare gathering of all magical and political leaders.
Kertia trained harder, honing both his magic and his strategy.
Meanwhile, Alric, sensing the shifting tides, sought an uneasy truce with Kertia.
"Perhaps we can work together," Alric said reluctantly. "For the sake of the kingdoms."
Kertia considered but remained cautious. "Trust is earned."
As the day of the Grand Assembly drew near, tension gripped the academy.
The stage was set for a battle of magic, wit, and will — one that would decide the fate of kingdoms and the true meaning of loyalty.
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