Vaelin had stayed up the entire night with a lot on his mind, the nightmare he witnessed shook him to the core, so much he felt like closing his eyes will plunge him back into the same dreaded nightmare.
"I reckon that Kaito fella ain't gonna part ways with me 'til he's gotten what he came for," spoke Vaelin with a muddled tone, "What's ailing me now, should I keep myself from sleepin' or what?"
The day went by fairly quickly as Vaelin got on with his daily routine. The weight of his dreams has been weighing on him all day.
___
-later that afternoon-
A disheveled teenager, Vaelin, stood in front of the mirror, fumbling with a tie. He tries several times to master the art of knotting it but fails miserably. Sweat starts to bead on his forehead, frustration etched on his face.
Just then, a gentle knock reverberates through the room.
Feeling defeated, he answered, "Enter, Sister."
The door creaks open, revealing a poised and elegant nun who looked to be in her 40s. She walked in, her eyes instantly landing on the struggling boy.
"Having a little trouble there, are we?" Sister Margaret teased.
Vaelin sheepishly smiled, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief.
"Hmm, this here ain't comin' together for me," Vaelin grumbled.
"Well, lucky for you, my dear, I'm a professional in the art of necktie mastery." Sister Margaret said, grinning.
With remarkable ease, she stepped behind Vaelin, her hands weaving the tie like an intricate dance. Vaelin watches in awe as the nun effortlessly maneuvers the long piece of fabric.
As she worked her magic, the room fills with a serene silence. The tension gradually dissipated, replaced by a soothing feeling of love and understanding.
Finally, the knot is perfected, with the tie hanging at an impeccable length.
"There you go, handsome. All set and looking incredible." Margaret complimented him sincerely.
She placed her hands on Vaelin's shoulders, pulling him closer to the mirror to admire himself.
Vaelin's eyes widen like a puppy's as he sees his reflection. He looked sharp, sophisticated, and grown-up.
"Golly, Sister Margaret. I reckon I look downright splendid," Vaelin exclaimed.
"You've always been amazing, sweetheart. I'm just here to remind you of that." She said tenderly.
She caresses his cheek gently, her eyes brimming with pride as she whispers
"You're growing up so fast, Brother. But no matter how much you change, you'll always be our little boy."
Vaelin beamed, a mixture of gratitude and affection shining in his eyes. "I appreciate it kindly, Sister Margaret. I feel mighty blessed to have you," he spoke with humility.
"This native accent of yours humors me a lot. It's complimentary to your charms..." They laugh hysterically, sharing a heartfelt moment and basking in the warm glow of their love for each other.
"Lest I forget, Mother told me to pass this on to you," she said, with an envelope in hand, "she claims it concerns what you two talked about last night, and that it came in this morning."
Vaelin stares at the envelope with unyielding nerves, wishing he could somehow reject it, or better still, vanish.
'If it don't concern these Omicron shenanigans,' he pondered in his thoughts, 'I reckon I ain't got no other option.'
"Any problem?" She asked, noticing the distress etched onto Vaelin's face.
"Nay! Mag, I appreciate your concern." Vaelin said humbly.
"Alright, have a blast." Sister Margaret said as she took her leave.
It took a while for Vaelin to come to terms with opening the letter and viewing it contents, but at the last moment, he refused, placing it in his coat.
___
As the sun set and darkness fell upon Las Geiger, the streets buzzed with anticipation. It was no ordinary night; it was prom night, promising memorable moments for those fortunate enough to attend.
A black limousine glided gracefully to a stop, its sleek appearance hinting at the adventures to come. Prom-goers stepped out one by one, exuding confidence and charm.
The entrance to the prom venue was stunning, with elegant chandeliers casting a beautiful glow. As the attendees walked on the crimson carpet, their stylish outfits swayed gracefully in the breeze, adding to the atmosphere of glamour.
Inside the ballroom, an enchanting dance floor invited couples to sway to music. The DJ's platform lit up with cosmic lights, creating a vibrant ambiance. The pulsating bass added excitement, energizing everyone in the room as the night celebration had already begun.
A hidden portion of the venue revealed a cool hangout spot. The walls were adorned with graffiti art depicting urban scenes and wildlife. Enormous screens showcased thrilling video games, captivating players with their adrenaline-inducing competitions. Laughter mixed with the sounds of arcade games, creating an exciting atmosphere that redefined traditional prom expectations.
A balcony above beckoned the adventurous souls, offering a stunning view of the city skyline. Prom-goers gathered there, sharing tales of their thrilling escapades under the enchanting moonlight.
Throughout the evening, hidden rooms revealed themselves, hosting private parties within the larger celebration. A dimly lit lounge, furnished with comfortable velvet seats, held whispers of secret rendezvous. A rooftop bar, accessible through a mysterious maze of passageways, invited the bold to delight in crafted cocktails designed to tantalize the senses.
Under the dazzling lights of the prom venue, Jayson and Emily, the couple from Mrs. Harris' detention, enter hand in hand, their faces radiant with excitement and anticipation.
"I can't believe we are finally here, Jason! You clean up nicely in that suit." Emily giggled.
"And you look absolutely stunning in that beautiful dress, Emily. I'm the luckiest guy tonight." Jason said, blushing.
As their favorite song starts playing, Ryan and Emily take to the dancefloor, their bodies moving in perfect harmony.
"I love how we always find ourselves in sync, Jason, even when we torment teachers and coursemates alike. It even feels like we're the only two people here." Emily laughed.
"You're right, Em. Everything else looks blurred out under our aura." Jason said as they both laughed it out.
___
Stepping away from the lively beats of the dancefloor, Savanah and Mike, the uneven couple, found themselves on the prom's outdoor terrace, immersed in the enchantment of the night sky. Savanah had a lot of blemishes, whereas Mike exuded a lot of charms, making him a prideful one. If others were to see them together, their first impression would be that Mike was taking advantage of the little Miss due to her wealthy background.
"Mike, this moment feels like something out of a fairytale. Just look at the moon, the stars, and being wrapped in your arms—it's pure magic." Savanah said, hugging herself.
"You have a way of making every moment magical, Savanah. It's been a crazy year, but tonight reveals to me how stunning you are and how lucky I am to have you by my side." Mike said with a warm smile.
"Really?" Savanah was lost for words, "you think I'm stunning?"
"Of course!"
"Um, you know what, being crushing on you since 3rd grade." Savanah revealed with a blush, now feeling a bit shy to look him in the eye.
"Really, well, let's see how things play out."
As they spoke, loud fireworks suddenly illuminate the sky, showering magical colors upon the pair.
"Mike, are those fireworks just for the two of us?" Savanah giggled.
"In my heart, they are. A perfect ending to a perfect night, wouldn't you say?" said Mike adoringly.
"Awwwnnn!" Savanah could hold back her excitement any longer.
___
Retreating to a quiet table, far from the crowd and the dancefloor, Jess, the captain of the female soccer team, and Ryan found themselves lost in an intimate bubble, their hands tightly entwined. These two had had it for each other for so long, only falling short of who would be so confident to ask the other out.
"Ryan, being here with you is beyond anything I could have imagined. Having you as my prom date feels like an incredible dream come true, and I'm so grateful." She mused in excitement.
"Jess, the honor is all mine. Being by your side tonight is an unforgettable highlight of my high school years. I couldn't ask for a better partner." Ryan grinned.
In the quietness of their shared space, Jess and Ryan delicately share a kiss, their connection growing deeper with every second.
"Ryan, I can't help but feel the excitement of our future together. This prom night is just the beginning of our extraordinary journey." said Jess, gazing lovingly into his eyes
"Jess, my heart is filled with anticipation. Together, we're going to conquer the world. You and me, forever." Ryan assured sincerely.
Amidst the joy and laughter, the couples savor the magical moments of their prom night, etching these memories deep into their hearts.
As the night progressed, sparks of pyrotechnics illuminated the sky, painting vivid colors across the darkness. The fireworks danced in sync with the electrifying energy of the attendees. Laughter, dancing, and a genuine zest for life filled the air.
___
On one of the many balconies was a neatly suited teenager - Vaelin. He stood staring at the stunning view of the town skyline. In his hand was the letter he had been given. He had been pondering on whether or not to open it for a while now. However, his curiosity was finally peaked.
"How much worse could my already troubled life become, just by layin' eyes on one foolish letter?" He growled as he tore open the edges of the envelope, unveiling a letter, the size of an A4 sheet.
Upon opening it, a peculiar letter known as the fifteenth letter of the Greek alphabet - Omicron - was displayed behind the paper.
As for the content of the letter, it said...
[Beloved Vaelin, we trust this message imbues you with magnanimous prosperity. Having been enlightened by the venerable Madeline, we, Omicron, shall henceforth assume guardianship over your existence. Our generosity is non-negotiable, permitting no avenue for evading its embrace. We implore your willing collaboration, thus forestalling any inconvenience to our collective accord. The auspicious hour of your departure commences this very eve, precisely at the stroke of midnight. Henceforth, an escort awaits to attend you. With gratitude and profound affection, we extend our love to you.]
Right below the letter, there was a stamp that looked to be made from a signet ring - a ring used in the middle-ages by men of influence and nobility to sign letters and legal documents. And next to it was a signature. But the horror that came with them was that they were both signed in blood.
"By the spirits above!" Vaelin hollered, his fury boiling over. "I sensed the trickery hidden behind their masks. How has Madeline entangled herself and the nuns in this mess? Declining will surely endanger them. What path must I now tread?"
***