The sun was just rising as Jamal and Ula were in John's Refreshment for breakfast. It was a cold winter, as Jamal watched as she was staring outside. He was almost attracted by the way she was looking, especially ever since the school tournament.
The following days after the match, Jamal put what the others had said about Ula aside, and pretended none of what they said ever reached his ears. During the day, training and lessons would continue as they all got stronger. And throughout the night, he would continue to train in the darkness, improving his use of his powers as well as creating and mastering moves he made up. Jamal, while still preparing for the tournament, was also worried about facing Youden. What would they be facing, and would even a year's worth of solid training do anything? He knew it wouldn't be easy, but the threat of Youden still loomed inside his head. Sometimes, the thought of having to face him frightened him, but he knew that they would have to help in order to take him down.
He heard someone's throat clearing and looked to see Ula confusingly look at him.
"Are you good? You've been staring at me for some minutes now." she asked him.
"Oh yea, I was thinking about the tournament. Definitely. Totally preparing for the tournament." he began sputtering.
"Are you sure?" she replied back, almost laughing, "You've been acting a bit strange lately."
Jamal couldn't stop looking at her. The way she smiled at him, always being nice to him, being treated like he hadn't ever been before. Maybe, they others were right. Maybe I could-, he began to think.
"Okay, you've been a bit excessive there. Seriously, are you good?" Ula asked him, a bit more concerning.
"You know, I think I should tell you how I've been feeling lately." he finally spoke up.
"About what?" Ula said, Jamal noticed her blushing a bit.
"Well about y-" Jamal was able to say, before a woman stumbled into the restaurant.
People already inside, suddenly got up and went towards her. Others got up shocked and hugged each other, scared. Both Jamal and Ula rushed out of their seats towards the commotion.
"What's happening?" Ula asked someone near her.
"I don't know, but she doesn't look good. Someone call for help!"
Jamal looked at the woman. She was wearing short clothing, but during the winter? It was almost 20 degrees outside today, and unless your powers allowed you to stay warm, you normally wouldn't be wearing such articles of clothing. But even if she had some type of power to stay warm, Jamal noticed how beat up she was. Multiple bruises and cuts were on her, as well as slight bleeding from her falling inside. She actually looked quite old, but someone quickly was able to ask her for her age and she had said 20, before losing consciousness. How does one end up like that, at such an early age, he thought.
A few moments later, Erythema came rushing in and began to touch her lightly. A soft glow appeared and the woman began to gasp for a bit more air and then she started to scream.
"They're coming! They're going to be ready!" she wailed.
"Ma'am, calm down. We need to know where you're from and what you're talking about." Erythema urgently stated to her.
"They've took over Cenu, my home! The people, they came and took over everything!" the woman cried out, beginning to cough blood.
"Someone get a carriage! Now!" Erythema cried out.
Jamal watched as a few people ran out towards the Academy, hoping to catch a passing carriage.
"Tools of destruction unheard or seen before. They are mad people, and they won't show mercy." the woman croaked, the blood seeping onto the floor.
"Who's the leader?" Jamal finally questioned.
"Large man, with- with dark black eyes, go-goes by the na-na-name of Youden." she muttered, losing consciousness.
"Everyone get out of here! Jamal and Ula head back to the Academy and tell the other Supernaturals and the other students this message." Erythema announced, looking dead into both of their eyes. "Tell them, that a war is coming and that we need to prepare now."
Both Jamal and Ula nodded, and ran out the restaurant like everyone else did, forgetting about what they were talking about. Their days of preparing were now begin shortened by the hour, and soon either they would have to go fight Youden and his army, or let Youden come to Saputa and take them on.