The sun pierced through the curtains as Zaire stirred, the soft chime of his alarm pulling him from slumber. His mind wandered back to the night before—
---
Flashback: The Realm of Anubis
Standing within the smoky void of Anubis's realm, Zaire listened intently as the god's voice boomed around him, each word etched with divine weight.
"The life force within you, Zaire, is called Nejet," Anubis explained, circling him. "Everyone has it, but only the chosen can feel it flow and command it."
Zaire furrowed his brow. "So how do I unlock it?"
"Nejet flows in stages—Echo, Ember, Blaze, and finally Eclipse. Each unlocks a deeper bond with your Ka. Each brings you closer to the divine. Tonight, we awaken your Echo."
Smoke swirled around Zaire as he began to feel his pulse slow, his breathing synchronize with something older, something eternal. It was painful—his body strained under invisible weight, but he held on.
Rael watched quietly from the smoky edge, silently supportive.
Hours passed—or what felt like hours—until Zaire collapsed onto his knees, panting.
"I... can't move. Is it morning already?"
Anubis chuckled. "Only thirty seconds have passed on Earth. You still need sleep, mortal."
Zaire groaned, "That's... unfair."
---
Present Day: Earth
Zaire stumbled into the bathroom and stopped in front of the mirror, stunned.
His body was leaner, more defined—like a martial artist in his prime. He pressed his fingers against his abs in disbelief. "Okay… that's new."
After showering and dressing, he met Reina and Elior outside. They exchanged a quick greeting before their sleek black cars rolled onto campus.
To everyone's surprise, another car pulled in behind them.
Out stepped Aristea Bernowel—the rumored 'ghost girl' of the academy. She clutched a book tightly to her chest, adjusting her glasses as the breeze swept her silver-streaked hair across her face.
Onlookers whispered.
"The unworthy prince… the blessed prince… the battle princess… and now the ghost girl?"
"They're walking together? Are they forming a group or something?"
Unbothered, Zaire kept his hands in his pockets, walking casually with Reina and Elior. Aristea kept her distance, but close enough to draw attention.
Classes passed without incident. The group sat in the cafeteria for lunch—Zaire picking at fries, Reina nibbling on a sandwich, Elior explaining a sparring move, and Aristea quietly reading between bites of her salad.
As the day ended, Zaire turned to the others. "How about ice cream?"
Reina raised an eyebrow. "Us four?"
"Yup. Just to cool down after all the heated equations," Zaire grinned.
They went. The ice cream shop was cozy. Pastel-colored chairs and soft music. Reina and Elior sat together but avoided eye contact too much. Zaire elbowed Aristea subtly.
She smirked, leaned toward Reina and asked, "You know Elior has a soft spot for mint chocolate, right?"
Reina blushed. Elior looked away. Zaire leaned in.
"You know," he whispered, "if you two keep pretending, I might just fall for him myself."
Reina threw a napkin at his face. Aristea chuckled. The mood was light.
Later that evening, Zaire lay on the couch, thinking about Anubis's lesson. He was just closing his eyes when his phone buzzed violently.
It was Reina.
"Zaire... please. My father. He's in the hospital. They… someone attacked his office."
His blood ran cold.
"On my way."
---
To be continued...