Nova once again found himself in a deep, dark void. After a moment of silence, Bright yellow eyes emerged from the darkness.
"You won't live long with the power you have now, it would be in your best interest to just accept your destiny; Especially if you really care about these so-called friends of yours."
Nova's eyes suddenly shot open, sitting up quickly only to find himself in the school's infirmary. Now relieved, he looked to his side to find Azumi sitting in one of the seats, clearly sleeping still.
"I guess everything worked out in the end." Nova said with a smile and a heavy sigh of relief.
Nova began to finally relax knowing that he was able to save Azumi, but his moment of rest would quickly be taken away from him as he heard the infirmary door slam open. Azumi was also awakened by this.
There Tommy stood as a nervous wreck as he quickly rushed to Nova's bedside.
"I'm so glad you're alright, I feared the worst could have happened!"
"Yeah but I'm alright. Hey listen, my memory is a little foggy, what exactly happened when you found us?"
"Oh, well as soon as the fire department arrived, the fire had already been put out somehow and they were able to clear a path to you two. By the time we got there, Azumi was there holding your lifeless body, I was so worried."
Tommy was clearly shaken up and Nova could see how concerned he was and felt horrible for putting that burden on him.
"Thankfully Azumi said you had just passed out due to smoke inhalation, so we were able to just take you both back here to be evaluated and given rest."
Tommy turned his attention to Azumi with a smile.
"Azumi was actually clear to just wait and get taken back with the rest of us on the bus, but she insisted on being sent back with you in the ambulance. She's probably been here a while now, I only just got back from the bus with everyone else."
Nova also turned his head to her and gave a gentle smile in appreciation. Azumi however quickly turned her head away as her cheeks blushed red.
"Hey Tommy, was there anything unusual around us when you all showed up, like maybe what could have caused the fire?" Nova inquired.
"Well no, you guys were all that were really there. Why do you ask? Did something else happen that you're not telling me?"
Nova looked to Azumi and sat in contemplation for a moment before facing Tommy again.
"No I was just curious is all, we're really not sure what could have started that fire in the first place."
"Yeah neither was the fire department, they said they'd look into it though. Anyways, The nurse said we should be good to go as long as you feel up to it."
"That sounds good to me, ain't no better cure than my own bed and some snacks to make me feel better!"
Azumi quickly gathered that Nova was hiding what had happened to Tommy, but she was more concerned with understanding Nova's powers and to what extent they could go.
As Nova got up and started walking towards the exit with Tommy, Azumi stared intently at Nova, almost as if she was looking for something. Her eyes shot wide in amazement.
From her eyes, Nova was covered in a deep red aura, one that enveloped his body like a flame; She had heard tales of what this immense power was but never thought any truth of it. There was no denying what she saw however, what she felt. It was clear to her that this was no normal energy and that Nova was no ordinary man.
Her disbelief was quickly shattered and turned to fear when two glowing yellow eyes emerged from the top of the aura. Her focus lost, she jumped back in a cold sweat.
"I thought perhaps he was simply an elemental ki user, but that aura, it isn't of his own spiritual power; It's something far darker and far more intense. Could the stories of old really be true?" Azumi urgently thought to herself.
"Oh yeah, Azumi, are you gonna come walk home with us, or do you have other plans?" Nova remembered to ask before leaving.
"Oh, umm I think I'm going to stay back a while, I'm still feeling a bit light headed." Azumi said quickly after she regained her composure.
"Are you sure you don't want us to wait for you?"
"No, it's quite alright, just need a minute to myself is all."
Nova hesitated in concern for Azumi, she was certainly not acting like herself.
"Alright, if you say so, but don't stay out too late if you can help it."
"Don't worry, I won't." Azumi replied in a deceivingly cheerful tone.
After Nova and Tommy left, Azumi let out a heavy sigh as she scrambled to understand what she just witnessed, to try and comprehend the power that surged through Nova.
"How can such a kind hearted man be host to such a beast."
Azumi's mind then quickly wandered to when Nova put himself in front of her and in the line of danger just to protect her. Her face blushed slightly at the thought.
"What a strange feeling it is… To be protected by someone…"
Meanwhile, as Nova and Tommy made their way home, the very awkward silence was broken, and by Tommy no less.
"I don't mean to prod, but the fire in the forest, did that anything to do with your powers?"
Nova hesitated before answering.
"No, it was just a fire, don't worry I didn't start it or anything." Nova said with a somewhat nervous laugh.
"It's not funny, I thought something bad had happened with your powers and you were in danger." Tommy said in a serious tone.
"You were really that worried about me huh?"
"Of course I was."
"But what about what happened back at the bus? Aren't you still mad?"
"A little, yeah, but it doesn't change that we're friends. I'm not gonna let one silly fight keep me from caring, you're my first real friend after all."
Nova gave a relieved smile to Tommy.
"Well you're my first real friend too, so I'll do my best not to worry you so much next time, otherwise you might start losing your hair!"
"Don't even joke about that!"
Nova laughed as he threw his arm around Tommy as they walked back home, leaving behind any doubts about their friendship.
Not long after Nova and Tommy arrived home, Azumi too had finally gathered herself enough to return home, shutting her door only to lean against it in deep thought.
"Why would he put his own life at stake for me… Could he really be the vessel they spoke of in the prophecies?"
The image of Nova with all of his cuts and wounds quickly flashed into Azumi's mind, his body acting as her shield. She soon blushed at the thought and gripped at her chest.
Azumi made her way to her room, where she reached under her bed to retrieve a box that had been tied in an elegant cloth. She unraveled it to reveal a decorated wooden box, when opened, all that lay in the box was folded red material; A material that appeared to have a somewhat scaly pattern to it.
Outside Azumi's house, a man dressed in pure white waited at her doorstep, his gaze fixed on the building as his ashen hair blew in the gentle breeze.