Chapter 1: The Hidden Glow

Brightwood School buzzed with its usual lively energy—students hurried through hallways decorated with floating lanterns and shimmering spell scrolls. Gorath’s mischievous grin stretched as he slipped past a forgotten tapestry, revealing a narrow, shadowed corridor tucked behind a bookshelf. His curiosity sparked; he had always loved exploring the hidden corners of the school, where secrets whispered in the flickering torchlight.

He tiptoed down the dim passage, the stones beneath his feet cool and slightly damp. Suddenly, a faint, pulsing light caught his eye—an artifact nestled in a dusty alcove, radiating a soft, iridescent glow. Gorath’s eyes widened with wonder. Carefully, he reached out, fingertips tingling as they brushed the mysterious object. The moment he touched it, a burst of shimmering energy erupted, echoing through the corridor with a thunderous crack.

Startled, Gorath stumbled backward, heart pounding, as a loud noise reverberated down the hall. Behind him, the distant sounds of startled shouts and hurried footsteps signaled trouble. His friends, Mira and Tolen, burst into the corridor, their faces etched with worry.

“Gorath! What did you do?” Mira exclaimed, eyes wide with concern.

Gorath felt a pang of guilt twist inside him. His mischievous streak had led him into trouble again, and now he wondered if his curiosity had gone too far.

As the glow from the artifact flickered uncertainly, Gorath’s mind raced. Was this object dangerous? Was he in bigger trouble than he thought? And what secrets might still be hidden in the shadows of Brightwood’s ancient corridors?

A faint hum pulsed from the artifact, promising mysteries yet to be uncovered—and a danger lurking just beyond sight.