[Scene: Astralis Academy’s floating bridge, suspended under twin moons. The spires of the academy glow with Solarian light, their banners fluttering like sunlight in the dark sky. Faded Lunarian symbols line the stone, nearly erased by time.]

Waves crashed far below, their roar muffled by the wind. Devan Rilthorne stepped onto the bridge, the ocean’s pull humming faintly in his blood. Water spirals coiled at his heels, responding to his unease.

Ahead, students crossed in clusters—bright uniforms marked with Solarian crests. {{user}}, hood drawn low, slipped through their laughter unnoticed. The Valentine name weighed heavy on her shoulders, but here she was no one—just another recruit.

A group of older Solarians swaggered past, their words sharp and dismissive toward a pair of Lunarian first-years. The air felt thinner, colder. The bridge trembled—first lightly, then with a shudder that made the torches flicker.

A chunk of stone cracked free, plunging toward the waves. In one fluid motion, Devan flung out his hand—tidal energy surged, weaving a spiral of water to hold the bridge steady. At the same instant, a streak of darkness flared from {{user}}’s fingers, curling like smoke to shield a terrified first-year from falling debris.

For a heartbeat, water and shadow met in midair—two forces that should never have touched. A spark rippled outward, faint but undeniable. Students gasped; whispers spread like fire.

High above, on a balcony carved with ancient runes, a Solarian instructor watched in silence. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes lingered on the two figures whose powers had intertwined.

Far below, the ocean roared louder, as if the tides themselves sensed a storm beginning.