Emory's eyes snapped open, his body drenched in cold sweat, and his heart pounding against his chest as if seeking escape. Gasping for air, he fumbled blindly for the familiar shape of his inhaler. Finally grasping it, he brought the device to his lips, pressing down on the trigger, desperately seeking relief. With each gasp, he felt the tightness in his chest ease, the air returning to his lungs in shallow, ragged breaths.
As the panic began to subside, Emory's hand instinctively reached out to inspect the inhaler and he then realized it was empty. The effect of the inhaler was nothing more than a placebo, the nightmare or perhaps vision Emory had, threw him into that state.
Emory freshened up and made his way to school, but his mind was still haunted by the lingering cries of his nightmare. Throughout the day, his thoughts kept drifting back to the strange images that had tormented him in the night.
The school day passed by in a blur of his usual lectures and activities, Emory's attention was momentarily diverted when Athena pulled him aside.
"Hey, Emory," Athena said with a warm smile, holding out a handful of cash. "Here's the money I promised you."
"Oh this…"Emory accepted the money with a nod of thanks, but there was a distant look in his eyes, as if his mind was elsewhere.
"Thanks, Athena," he muttered, his voice tinged with unease.
Athena furrowed her brow, noticing his preoccupied demeanor. "I thought you'd be more excited. Is everything okay? You seem a bit off today."
Emory hesitated for a moment before responding. "Yeah, just had a weird dream. Haven't been able to shake it off."
A mixed expression of curiosity and concern flashed across Athena's face. "A dream? Tell me about it, what happened. Did you manage to get any rest at all?"
Emory shook his head. "I'll be fine."
Athena nodded sympathetically. "Well, if you ever need to talk about it, I'm here. And hey, how's the book? You started reading yet?"
Emory's expression darkened slightly. "Honestly, I haven't started yet."
Athena gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. It's just a dream. Just take care of yourself, okay?"
Emory managed a faint smile. "Thanks, I'll try."
As the basketball team gathered for practice, Coach's booming voice echoed through the gym, commanding their attention."Alright, listen up, everyone," Coach announced, clipboard in hand. "We've got a match coming up, against our rivals; Inglewood High's beavers and we need to be ready for it. We'll be stepping up our training regimen starting today."
Emory's heart sank at the mention of the upcoming match. The memory of his haunting dream, particularly the ominous scoreboard, resurfaced with a chilling intensity. Could it be a mere coincidence, or was fate playing a cruel hand?Lost in his thoughts, Emory barely noticed Liam approaching him, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.
"So, Emory, how was your 'date' with Athena?" Liam teased, nudging him playfully.
Emory's brow furrowed "Shut up Liam, I told you it wasn't like that"
"I never took you for the ballsy type though, going after Brian's sister, of all people. Everything makes sense now that I know who the girl you've been telling me about is, Athena is a strange one indeed and let's not even talk about Brian, he'll be even tougher on you now that he knows you're going after his sis." Liam said
"I'm not going after anybody, and I'm really not in the mood for this right now Liam" Emory retorted, his voice strained with frustration.
***
As practice came to a close, Emory made his way to the store, where he was greeted by Gabriel's familiar grin. But Emory's demeanor was serious, his mind consumed by the weight of his troubling dream.
"Hey, Emory, what's up?" Gabriel chirped, attempting to lighten the mood with a joke.
But Emory's expression remained grim as he replied, "Gabriel. I need to talk to you and Michael, now."
Michael materialized beside them, sensing Emory's urgency. "What's wrong?" he asked,
"I had a dream, and I think Zalos might show up earlier than we expected" Emory answered, his tone laced with concern and worry
"This dream of yours, let's hear it" Gabriel said, as he walked towards Emory and Michael, leaving the counter empty
Emory wasted no time in recounting his unsettling dream to his friends, leaving no detail unspoken. As he spoke, his voice trembled with apprehension, his words painting a vivid picture of his ominous dream.
"And then there's the game coming up," Emory continued, his tone heavy with foreboding. "I can't shake the feeling that the winged figure in my dream is Zalos. Gabriel, are you sure he'll remain in slumber until the predicted time?"
Gabriel's expression grew solemn. "My predictions are usually accurate"
"But they're still just predictions." Emory piped in "But what if this time, they're wrong? What if Zalos is stirring earlier than expected?" he continued
"This winged figure, How many pairs of wing did it have?" Michael asked
"Um, just a pair" Emory answered
"I see so it like his Zalos and based on your description he has the throne piece with him" Michael said, as he leaned against the counter
"But I really don't think Zalos would awaken this early, perhaps it's just a dream and nothing more" Gabriel said
"You should have seen it, It felt too real to be a dream" Emory chipped in
"Okay, how about this, when it's time for the game, I keep watch of the area and Michael goes to the game without. That way if Zalos really does come, you and Michael would be there to contain him and if I spot him from my end, I'll call you guys for backup. How does that sound?" Gabriel proposed
"It's a decent plan for now" Michael said
"Sure, let's do that" Emory said
"But before then.Emory" Michael said, fully turning towards Emory "You need more training. If Zalos does show up and you try to fight him as you are this, you'll be dead in an instant"
"As much as that hurt my ego, I agree" Emory said
Michael said to Emory, a look of curiosity in his eyes. "How did the task I assigned to you go?"
Emory shifted uncomfortably, his expression betraying a hint of hesitation. "I had a bit of trouble, but I managed to get it done," he replied
Michael raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to the story. "What happened? Did you encounter any difficulties?"
Emory hesitated before responding, "Well…I may or may not have had to use myself as bait by expelling my aether outwards"
Michael's puzzled expression morphed into one of concern. "You did what? Never do that again. Expelling your aether not only attracts the fallen but also other curious and potentially dangerous beings out there"
Emory's shoulders sagged with disappointment as he absorbed Michael's warning. Sensing Emory's deflated demeanor, Michael placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You showed quick thinking and problem-solving skills, even if it wasn't the safest approach you still got the job done"
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Emory's lips, grateful for Michael's words of encouragement.
A spark of pride ignited within Emory as he said to Michael, determination gleaming in his eyes. "Michael, there's something I want to show you," he declared, his voice tinged with excitement.
Michael raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Emory's sudden enthusiasm. "What is it?"
Emory grinned eagerly. "Can you take us to the training room first," he instructed, gesturing towards the door.
With a wave of his hand, the scenery instantly changed as they appeared in the familiar room, all the dead fallen angels Emory killed were no longer present, their bodies had probably dissipated.
Positioning himself in the center of the room, Emory extended his arm, his focus honed on channeling his aether. With a swift motion, he expelled the energy outward, sending a dazzling blast of aether shooting across the room.
Michael watchedas the blast crackled through the air, impressed by Emory's newfound skill. "That's quite the trick, Emory," he remarked, his tone laced with praise. "It could be useful for stunning opponents, but it's non-lethal. Since you now have a decent foundation with the aether, maybe it's time I teach you something a little more complex for defending yourself"
A sinking feeling settled in Emory's stomach as he realized where Michael's assessment was leading.
"Oh, shit," he muttered under his breath, as he realized where this was going.