As fate would have it, Shayne, Verxy, and Lyra found themselves sharing the same dormitory

room at Starlight Academy. Their friendship blossomed quickly as they discovered the common thread
that wove their hearts together—a deep love for creativity and a yearning to explore the untapped
potential within themselves. The three would hang out in their free time in a secret corner of the
academy, a hidden grove in which was bordered by many trees. The ground is beautifully mottled with
light and shadow as a result of the sunshine filtering through the leaves. They would share their dreams
and aspirations, each finding solace and inspiration in the others' presence.

One warm afternoon, as the gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the grove, Shayne mustered the
courage to share her personal story with Verxy and Lyra. She took a deep breath, her voice filled with a
mix of determination and vulnerability.

"There's something I haven't told you about my family and the connection it has to Starlight Academy,"
Shayne began. Verxy and Lyra leaned in, their eyes filled with curiosity and concern.

"My mother was a former student here," Shayne continued, her voice tinged with sadness. But she
possessed something unique—a rare bloodline that bestowed extraordinary artistic abilities. It's a
bloodline that runs through me as well."

Verxy's eyes widened with intrigue. "So, your talent with the paintbrush is not just a gift, but something
deeper?"

Shayne nodded. "Yes, it's a part of my blood, passed down through generations. It also attracts those
who would seek to exploit its power." Lyra's expression shifted to concern. "Shayne, are you saying
someone killed your mother for her blood? Why would anyone do such a thing?"

Shayne nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes, someone killed my mother, hoping to claim that
power for themselves. That's what I've been investigating. I believe my father may be involved
somehow. He disappeared shortly after my mother's death, leaving behind a trail of unanswered
questions."

Verxy and Lyra gasped, their eyes filled with empathy and concern. Verxy reached out and placed a
comforting hand on Shayne's shoulder, silently conveying his support.
 Turning to Lyra, Shayne gently prompted her to share her own story. Lyra hesitated for a
moment, the weight of her past heavy upon her heart. Gathering her strength, she began to speak.
"Verxy, Shayne, my story is also one of abandonment and loss. I was born into a complicated situation,"
Lyra continued, her voice laced with a touch of sadness. “My mother was a maid, and my father was a
wealthy man who could not acknowledge our connection. Their relationship was shrouded in secrecy,
and I was the hidden consequence of their forbidden love."

Lyra's voice faltered momentarily as she recalled painful memories. "As I grew older, my mother
struggled with the weight of her decisions. She regretted having me and couldn't bear the shame any
longer. One fateful day, she left me behind in the depths of a dense forest, hoping to escape the burden
she believed I had become." A flicker of fear danced in Lyra's eyes as she continued her tale. "Alone and
defenseless, I found myself surrounded by the haunting presence of wild animals. Their eyes gleamed
with hunger, inching closer with each passing moment. But before they could harm me, a mysterious
figure appeared.

Shayne and Verxy listened intently, captivated by Lyra's tale.

"That figure," Lyra continued, her voice filled with a mix of awe and longing, "transformed into a
majestic tiger, defending me from the danger that surrounded us. It was my older brother, someone I
never knew I had. Lyra paused, the weight of her past clinging to her words. "Inheritors of our father's
legacy, we both possessed the power of shape shifting.”

Verxy's eyes widened, his voice filled with wonder. "Your brother, he saved you?"

Lyra nodded, a mix of gratitude and sadness crossing her features. "Yes, he brought me to our father's
house, where I grew up hidden from his knowledge. But as time went on, my brother disappeared
without a trace. I've been searching for him ever since, hoping to reunite with the only family I have
left."

The weight of their intertwined destinies hung in the air, the depths of their shared stories bringing
them closer together. Shayne, with her bloodline and the mystery of her mother's murder, and Lyra,
with her longing for her lost brother and their shared abilities, found solace in each other's
understanding.

Verxy spoke softly, his voice filled with determination. "We're here for you, Shayne and Lyra. Together,
we'll uncover the truth and reclaim what has been taken from you both."
 As the words of Shayne and Lyra hung in the air, Verxy took a deep breath, preparing himself to
share his own story with his newfound friends. The weight of his past weighed heavily on him, but he
knew that true friendship meant being open and vulnerable with one another.

"Shayne, Lyra, I haven't been completely honest with you either," Verxy confessed, his voice tinged with
a mixture of regret and determination. "I come from a different world—a world of secrecy, danger, and
rebellion. My story is one of duality, a life split between the bandit gang I was born into and the person I
yearned to be. You see, my parents were both members of a renowned bandit gang called the
Blackshade Thieves, known for their unparalleled stealth and skill in acquiring valuable treasures.

Shayne and Lyra exchanged curious glances, their interest piqued by Verxy's confession. Verxy
continued, "From a young age, I was groomed to follow in their footsteps, honing my skills in thievery
and subterfuge. The Blacktshade Thieves were feared and respected, always staying one step ahead of
their rivals. But as I grew older, I started to question the morality of our actions, the lives we disrupted,
and the pain we caused."

His voice trembled with a mixture of guilt and determination. "I wanted to break free from the cycle of
theft and deceit. Starlight Academy became my sanctuary, a chance to pursue my true passion for music
and find a different path in life. I kept my past hidden, afraid of the judgment and the repercussions it
might bring." A heaviness settled upon Verxy's shoulders as he continued. "But there was one secret I
couldn't keep hidden—the truth of my feelings. Among the bandit gang, there was a fellow member
whom I held deep affection for. He was taken by a rival gang, the Night Fangs, who envied the
Blackshade Thieves' success and sought to undermine us at any cost. They knew He was precious to me
and used Him as leverage, forcing me into a vulnerable position."

Verxy's voice cracked with emotion as he revealed this painful chapter of his life. "I have been torn
between my loyalty to the Blackshade Thieves and my love for him, unable to save him from their
clutches. I've been searching for a way to free him, to reunite with him and make things right."

Shayne and Lyra exchanged sympathetic glances, their hearts going out to Verxy as they empathized
with the weight of his burden. In that moment, the bond between the three friends grew even stronger,
united by their shared pain and the determination to face their respective challenges.

"We're here for you, Verxy," Shayne said softly, her voice filled with compassion. "Just as you support us
in our journeys, we'll help you save your beloved. Together, we are stronger."

Lyra nodded in agreement, a fire igniting in her eyes. "We'll find a way to outwit the Night Fangs and
bring him back to you. No one deserves to be used as a pawn in their malicious game."

Verxy felt a surge of hope rising within him as he looked into the eyes of his friends. They were a beacon
of light in the darkness, the strength he needed to confront his past and fight for a better future. With
their bond solidified and their determination renewed, Shayne, Verxy, and Lyra embarked on a shared
mission—to uncover the truth behind Shayne's mother's murder, find Lyra's lost brother, and rescue
Verxy's secret crush from the clutches of the Night Fangs. United in their friendship, talents, and
unwavering support, they would face the challenges.

POSTED BY: Sharlene Rayne D. Simondo

WRITTEN BY: Thara Julla E. De los Reyes

EDITED BY: Oliver Jr. A. Mantalaba