Lyla Emberfell:- House of Secrets

It began with whispers.

And ended in silence.

But between the two... something shattered.

Two days had passed since Thornwick Academy was shaken to its very core. Since venom seeped into trust, and betrayal wore the face of a friend.

The name on every trembling lip?

Mona Emberfell.

Bright, kind, soft-spoken Mona.

The same girl who had once bandaged Livra's scraped knees. Who had memorized Lyla's favorite lullaby. Who had smiled like sunlight through rain.

Now, she was a storm no one saw coming.

The poison that nearly killed Rive.

The attack that left Keal's spine cracked.

The cruel blow that took Lyla's hearing.

All of it was her.

Or… something wearing her skin.

Thornwick reacted like a wounded animal.

Nova passed her in the halls without a glance.

Livra looked through her like she was a ghost.

Keal winced at her name.

Lucian, Adien, even Ilisha and Celestia—kept their backs turned.

No screams. No slaps. No rage.

Just a heavy, soul-crushing silence.

The kind that follows a funeral.

The kind that follows war.

The Magical Council responded swiftly. A letter, sealed with the High Circle's sigil, floated into the headmaster's office:

"Mona Emberfell was under magical influence.

She is young. She is not lost.

She shall remain at Thornwick—under strict surveillance.

No magic. No potions.

One misstep, and she will be removed permanently… to the Tower of Ashes."

Mona didn't cry.

Not when the letter came.

Not even when her classmates turned their backs.

But later… in the silence of her dorm…

She shook.

Because even the mirror didn't recognize her anymore.

In the infirmary, Rive's eyes flickered open.

"...Where... am I?" he whispered, barely awake.

Livra gripped his hand. "You're safe. You're okay now."

She smiled through tears. "Adien saved your life. You've been asleep for two days."

Rive tried to sit up. "Keal? Lyla?"

"Recovering," Livra said gently. "Keal's walking. Lyla… she can hear again. She even smiled yesterday."

Then, after a pause, she whispered the name:

"Mona."

Rive frowned. "She did this?"

Livra nodded, slowly. "She was controlled. By Thorne. She never told anyone."

The door creaked open.

Lyla entered.

No bandages. No shadows under her eyes. Just a quiet strength.

She smiled faintly at Rive, then walked to the window and opened her small diary.

She was writing again.

She could hear the world again.

But the pain hadn't left her eyes.

Outside the castle, suitcases rolled over cobbled stone.

It was the last day before break.

Students were leaving.

Parents had already departed.

And Thornwick… felt hollow.

Mona sat alone.

No spells.

No voices.

No dreams.

Just the weight of what she'd done…

And what she might still become.

In her trembling hands, a note she'd written to herself over a year ago fell from her book:

 "I will never become like Thorne."

She stared at the words.

And she didn't know anymore if they were still true.

But far away, in a hidden chamber beneath the Academy...

A bl

ack crystal pulsed. Once. Then again.

And a whisper, soft as breath, echoed in the void:

"The game has only just begun."