The academy’s great bell trembled under the weight of a lone butterfly, its stained-glass wings shimmering in the dawn’s golden light. A gentle breeze swept through the towering city of Coral, carrying whispers of distant blooms and the quiet hum of morning life.

Ding.

The bell’s chime rippled through the city like waves, signaling the end of the day- the final bell of the season.

Below, the once-quiet streets burst into motion. Butterflies and moths rushed through the walkways and flyways, their iridescent wings painting the sky in vibrant swirls beneath the Coral’s soft glow. Workers zipped between buildings, folding their wings tightly as they landed in crowded courtyards, while students moved in flocks, chattering excitedly about the approaching break.

Hovering above the bustling crowd, Richmond tightened his grip on the small bag dangling from his hand, the nectar bottles inside sloshing gently. “Five bottles,” he muttered, recounting them for the third time. “One for Deadleaf, Glasswing, Luna, Tinea… and one for me. No more arguments about who’s paying this time.”

The flyway was crowded as usual, with workers darting past and students gliding lazily, but Richmond had long grown used to the chaos. The Coral-lit city stretched around him, familiar yet always full of movement. To him, it was just another day.

As the towering academy came into view, its emerald walls shimmering with embedded Coral light, Richmond landed lightly in the outer courtyard. Folding his wings neatly, he stepped through the arched entrance, the last echoes of the bell still lingering in the air.

The study lounge was quiet except for the scratch of a pen and the occasional rustle of paper. Deadleaf sat cross-legged on a cushion, his dark green hair sticking out in all directions, his dried-leaf-like wings twitching idly as he scribbled into his thick notebook. Across from him, Glasswing paced restlessly, his crystal-clear wings flickering under the dim lantern light. His silver hair shimmered faintly, but the tension on his face overshadowed his usual cool composure.

Richmond strolled in and tossed a bottle of nectar onto the cushion beside Deadleaf. “Studying stars again? Or still drawing those stick figures with… questionable proportions?” he teased.

Deadleaf didn’t even look up. “The stars won’t study themselves.” He paused, then smirked faintly. “And who told you about my artistic talents?”

Richmond grinned, plopping onto a nearby chair. “You never change.”

Glasswing shot him a sharp look, pointing at the pile of notes spread across the table. “You guys even remember our assignment’s due tomorrow? Or are we just here to joke around?”

Deadleaf closed his notebook with a loud thud. “I care,” he drawled. “Just… not right now.”

Glasswing groaned in frustration, pacing again. Richmond shrugged. “Relax, we’ve got plenty of time to not finish it.”

“Oh sure,” Glasswing snapped. “Because you’re known for being productive.”

“Don’t be jealous,” Richmond shot back, leaning against the table with a smug grin.

Before Glasswing could retort, Deadleaf rolled his eyes and muttered, “Children, let’s not turn this into a crime scene. Some of us actually enjoy not being arrested.”

Richmond snorted, biting back a laugh, while Glasswing sighed, his wings flickering but settling down slightly.

The door creaked open, and Luna strode in, her face glowing with excitement. “Sorry I’m late! Tinea said she’s taking her time tonight.”

Richmond raised a brow. “Taking her time? At this hour?”

Glasswing scoffed, straightening his notes. “Of course she is. Midnight snacks and procrastination- her perfect combo.”

Luna grinned and shrugged. “She says taking things slow is an art form.”

Richmond smirked but noticed Luna’s gaze drifting to the window, where the night sky stretched endlessly. “Alright, spill it,” he said. “Why are you so distracted?”

Luna hesitated, then leaned in like she was about to reveal the world’s greatest secret. “There’s a comet passing by tomorrow night.”

Richmond blinked. “You mean the usual ones we see every month?” He gestured out the window to a faint streak of light in the sky. “Look, there’s one now.”

Luna groaned. “No, not the boring Coral comets. I’m talking about the Gem Comet.” She rummaged through her bag and slapped a newspaper onto the table. “It only appears once every few centuries!”

Glasswing leaned over, reading the headline aloud. “‘Gem Comet Sighting Tomorrow Night: A Rare Celestial Event.’” He frowned. “So what?”

Luna huffed. “It’s said to contain unknown magic- maybe even secrets about ancient life!”

Deadleaf raised an eyebrow. “Secrets about life, magic, and the universe?”

Luna pouted. “You guys never take me seriously!”

Glasswing leaned back, arms crossed. “Maybe we’ll join you… maybe.”

Luna’s face lit up. “Really? You guys never come to these things!”

Deadleaf sighed, his wings twitching. “If it’s boring, I’m out.”

Luna scoffed. “Oh please, at least try to enjoy it.”

Richmond smirked, tossing a crumpled piece of parchment at Deadleaf. “Come on, even you have to admit it sounds a little cool.”

Deadleaf rolled his eyes. “Fine. But if I have to hear Luna lecture about comet particles, I’m blaming you.”

“I’ll take full responsibility,” Luna declared triumphantly.

Later that night, as they walked home under the Coral lights, Richmond gazed up at the sky. A streak of light burned across the heavens, brighter than anything he’d seen before.

“I’ve never seen a Coral burn that brightly,” he murmured.

Luna smiled. “It’s beautiful.”

Deadleaf rubbed his eyes. “Save the poetic talk for tomorrow. My wings are drooping.”

The four shared a quiet laugh before parting ways. Luna fluttered toward her dorm, disappearing into the warm-lit entrance. Glasswing gave a small wave before heading off, his crystal wings flickering in the dim light. Richmond and Deadleaf drifted toward their own, the towering structure looming against the Coral-lit sky.

At the entrance, they unclasped their pendants, casting the unlocking spell. The wing-shaped gates creaked open, revealing the grand dormitory hall, glowing softly with shimmering runes.

Richmond entered his room, exhaustion settling in. As he set his books down, his gaze drifted to the window. A streak of silver carved through the sky- fast, deliberate.

He blinked. Did that really just happen?

But when he looked again, the sky was calm, twinkling innocently. He exhaled, shaking his head. "I really need to sleep."

Outside, the night remained eerily still, as if holding its breath.