5. The Mark of Reincarnation

Pandora still felt the adrenaline pulsing in her veins from the night before. The memory of the black forest, the fear, the spell that escaped from his lips without knowing how... and Raven. The way she appeared in the shadows, with her eyes twinkling red and hands wrapped by a forbidden energy. That messed with Pandora more than I would like to admit.

The next morning, Raven called her to a private conversation in his tower, this time calmer, more aware of the impact of the previous night.

The tower was silent, with high windows and old tapestries floating softly to a wind that did not come from anywhere. Raven waited for her standing, leaning against the frame of a window, with her body covered by a black, tight-fitting dress and an intense look.

"You need to know the truth," said Raven, straight up. "What you did yesterday was no accident. It wasn’t luck."

Pandora frowned, trying to decipher that tone between affection and caution.

"I didn’t know what I was doing. I just felt... that I needed to protect Amy. And something woke up."

Raven approached slowly, his eyes fixed on Pandora.

"You bear the mark of reincarnation, Pandora. It is engraved on you," he said in a low voice. "It is an ancient symbol, almost extinct. It appears only in the descendants of the Warrior Fairies, the same ones who sealed the veil between the worlds millennia ago."

Pandora blinked, not knowing if she should laugh, cry or run away.

"And why me? Why now?"

"Because you’re coming back. Or better... you’ve come back. But you still don’t remember what it was" Raven touched her shoulder gently. " His power is awakening. And it is drawing things that should never know of its existence."

Before Pandora could react, the tower door opened abruptly. Morgana.

The werewolf came in as if she had been summoned, with a cheeky smile on her lips and hair caught in a misaligned bun, wearing a sports uniform glued to her body.

"Do I interrupt anything?" he asked, with irony flowing from every syllable.

"We’re done," replied Raven, with a serious countenance.

Morgana ignored the tension in the air and looked directly at Pandora.

"I heard you have a hidden power. How about showing me? At the Colosseum. Now."

Pandora raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms.

"Is this an invitation or a provocation?"

"The two" Morgana shrugged, turning to leave. "I’ll see you there, if you have the courage."

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The Colosseum of Arkanum was a stone amphitheatre, surrounded by floating bleachers and protective enchantments. It was where the students played official duels - under supervision. But sometimes the more daring ones risked unauthorized training.

Pandora arrived and there was already a small group of curious people in the place. Amy was there, worried, and Persephone appeared soon after with an angry expression.

"Are you really going to fight Morgana?" asked Persephone, standing next to Pandora. "That wolf is just waiting for a chance to humiliate you."

"I didn’t ask for this. She challenged me."

"That doesn’t mean you have to accept it," Amy replied, but Pandora was already moving into the center of the arena.

On the other side, Morgana smiles like a predator.

"Ready to lose in style?"

"Ready to surprise you," replied Pandora, with her heart pounding.

The duel began. Morgana advanced with impressive speed, her movements were agile, feline. Pandora deflected the first attack, feeling the heat of battle awaken something inside her.

The second blow was more direct - a physical attack, but with partially activated claws. Pandora created an instinctive magic barrier, repelling the wolf.

"So you know how to play" provoked Morgana.

Pandora felt different. Each time Morgana advanced, her reflexes became faster, her body responded as if it had already done that before. She was dancing, dueling, remembering something old inside of her.

In a quick spin, Morgana tried to surprise her from behind, but Pandora raised her hands and a glowing magic circle appeared between them. The light expanded in a lotus shape, pushing Morgana away with force.

The Colosseum has been silent.

Pandora gasped, her hands still burning lilac. Morgana was on the ground, eyes wide.

"This... is no ordinary magic," whispered one of the students around.

Amy ran to her, worried. Persephone approached slowly, but there was something in her eyes. Jealousy. Pandora noticed immediately.

"Are you okay?" Amy asked.

Pandora nodded, still not understanding how she conjured that magic.

Morgana stood up, wiping the blood from her broken lip. She smiled.

"I think I underestimated you, Fairy. It will be fun to face you again."

And left, leaving the echo of his provocation in the air.

Pandora looked at her own hands. The energy was gone, but the feeling still burned under her skin. An unknown, ancestral warmth.

Before he could think of anything, he felt an arm on his shoulder. Persephone.

"You shouldn’t have done that," he said, with a smile that hid something else. "Now everyone will want to know what you’re made of. Including me."

She approached dangerously, her eyes amber-colored shining, and whispered:

"You’re messing with me, Pandora. And that can be dangerous."

But before Pandora could respond, Persephone turned and walked away slowly.

Amy seemed insecure, watching everything from a distance, and Pandora felt that the pieces were moving too fast.

That night, looking in the dorm mirror, Pandora felt something strange. A subtle glow appeared in the corner of the mirror, like a mark.

She approached slowly.

And then he saw. An ancient symbol - the same one that Raven had mentioned - shining behind his reflection. As if the mirror itself was trying to reveal who she really was.

The mark began to pulse... and the mirror responded, whispering a name forgotten by time.

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The Arkanum Academy was unrecognizable.

Translucent fabrics floated through the halls like enchanted veils, crystal lanterns danced in the air, emitting a soft light in shades of blue, lilac and gold. Music floated between the walls like an enchanted, ancient and sweeping breeze. It was the night of the Enchanted Ball, a traditional academy event where students celebrated the union of clans, even if it was for one night.

Pandora looked at her reflection, dazzled.

Persephone had helped her get dressed - or rather, she had made a point of it. She wore a long shimmering dress that looked like it was made with moondrops. The purple hair was stuck in a loose bun, with some strands falling gently on his shoulders. His eyes shone with a mixture of expectation... and restlessness.

"Ready to steal glances?" Persephone said behind her, fitting a flower brooch at the waist of Pandora’s dress.

"That wasn’t the goal... but I confess I’m curious to see what will happen."

"Anything can happen in an enchanted ball" the elf whispered to her ear, with that malicious smile that had already become his trademark.

As they entered the main hall, the magic was palpable. Vampires, werewolves, fairies, elves, healers, all were there, mixed as pieces of a delicate game. The eyes crossed like spells. There were sweet and intense perfumes in the air, and secrets being whispered in every corner.

Amy appeared shortly after, beautiful in a pale pink dress that contrasted with her black skin and serene green eyes. She walked with shyness, but her smile illuminated everything around.

"You look... amazing, Pandora."

"You too, Amy. It looks like it’s straight out of a short story."

Pandora barely had time to respond when she felt a shiver in the back of her head. She looked towards the staircase and saw her: Raven, dressed in a long black dress with crimson embroidery, her hair loose and wavy, her eyes red burning under the gloom.

It descended slowly, like a controlled storm.

"Do you dance?" asked Raven, when she stopped before the three.

Amy quietly walked away, leaving the trio in a tense triangle. Persephone narrowed her eyes.

"Only if it’s with me," said the elf, pulling Pandora by the hand and dragging her to the track.

The music was charming, and the dance flowed almost naturally. Pandora was spinning in Persephone’s arms, but her eyes were looking for Raven... and found the vampire watching them intensely.

With each step, the tension increased.

Until Morgana appeared.

He wore something casual, a pair of tight pants and a dark silk blouse that left his shoulders exposed. His eyes were sharp, almost predatory. She came with determined steps and stood between Pandora and Persephone with a cheeky smile.

"Can I steal this dance?"

"You never ask for permission" rebuked Persephone.

"Maybe today is the exception," said Morgana, grabbing Pandora by the waist and spinning with her in the center of the hall.

Pandora was taken by surprise. The dance with Morgana was different - more intense, more physical. Their bodies approached as if dueling in rhythm. The crowd watched them. The looks multiplied. Raven pressed his fingers on the cup he was holding. Persephone crossed her arms.

"You know they’re all watching us, right?" Pandora muttered, panting.

"That’s why I’m going to do this," said Morgana, before bending over and kissing her.

The hall silenced. The kiss was bold, public and charged with electricity. Pandora for a second replied. Then she moved away, stunned, blushed.

"You are crazy."

"Just a little bit," replied Morgana, with a wolf smile.

Raven turned and left the cup aside, walking to the terrace. Pandora wanted to follow her, but before she could move, a gust of cold wind ran through the hall. The lights flickered. The music stopped.

At the top of the staircase, a figure wrapped in cloaks appeared, with white hair floating and eyes completely white.

"The Heiress has awakened." said the elder with a voice that echoed beyond the physical. "The cycle begins again."

The hall plunged into silence.

All eyes turned to Pandora.