The flashback brought back painful memories of broken trust and resentment. The high school hallways were once familiar, but now they are filled with whispers and sidelong glances.
I walked down the hallway, unaware of the invisible daggers aimed at my back. The air seemed to carry the weight of unspoken words, and the vibrant posters on the walls appeared to blur in the background. It was a typical day, or so I thought.
As I walked towards my locker, I could hear people talking in hushed tones. Their whispers grew louder as I approached, and I sensed that something had changed in the atmosphere.
I opened my locker, and there it was—a crudely written note filled with accusations and false claims. The ink smeared as if it had been hastily penned, but the damage it inflicted was indelible.
Rumors quickly spread about me, fueled by those who believed the worst. I didn't know that someone I once called a friend created a false story about me. I ran to find solace with my childhood friend.
I reached the secluded corner of the school courtyard and saw Ethan leaned against a brick wall, engaged in a conversation with another friend, Jordan. Unbeknownst to them, I happened to overhear snippets of their exchange as I hid behind the wall, my ears catching the tail end of Ethan's resentful words.
Ethan, his tone laced with jealousy, muttered, "I don't get why everyone's so impressed with Magnus. Scoring top marks and having such 'nice' friends. It's like he's living a charmed life or something."
Jordan, attempting to diffuse the negativity, replied, "Come on, Ethan. Magnus is just doing his thing. Maybe we should focus on our own stuff instead of being bitter."
Ethan smirked as he banged on the wall. "Oh, Jordan. I know you felt the same. Did you know I spread false rumors about him? That Magnus deserves this hate."
Jordan's expression shifted, caught between discomfort and reluctance. "Ethan, spreading rumors is low. Magnus is our friend, and he doesn't deserve that kind of treatment. You're just jealous because he's doing well. Why can't you be happy for him?"
Ethan chuckled dismissively. "Happy for him? Jordan, you're too naive. Magnus doesn't care about any of us. He's always been too self-centered. I'm just showing everyone the truth."
Feeling a mixture of anger and hurt, I lingered at the edge of their conversation, the weight of Ethan's betrayal settling in my chest. Jordan, though hesitant, stood his ground and said, "This isn't right, Ethan. If you have issues with Magnus, talk to him directly. Don't spread lies behind his back."
Ethan scoffed. "Talk to him? I've tried. He thinks he's better than everyone. But soon, everyone will see his true colors. Just watch."
With those venomous words hanging in the air, I couldn't bear to hear more. I turned away.
I felt betrayed when I heard Ethan, whom I considered a friend, talking behind my back and spreading negativity. It hit me hard, leaving me feeling emotionally drained and confused.
I felt weighed down by the betrayal and hurt by the deceitful words. It was hard to concentrate on my surroundings as the other students laughed and the colorful school environment blurred into the background. The truth that had been revealed left me struggling to process it all.
I walked away without saying anything and started walking faster, my heart beating faster than usual. The courtyard, which used to be a friendly place, now felt like a place where emotions were running high. Every step felt heavy, reminding me of the broken trust, and the sounds of laughter around me sounded like they were making fun of me.
After being betrayed, I distanced myself from the source. It left me feeling a mix of emotions, including hurt, anger, and disillusionment. The desire to escape overwhelmed me, and without a conscious decision, I broke into a run. The school's hallways became a blur as I navigated the labyrinth of emotions.
I ran, my heart pounding and seeking comfort in moving. I felt the pain of betrayal in every breath, pushing me forward to escape my emotions.
Friends began to distance themselves; conversations hushed when I approached, and the once-friendly faces turned into masked judgments. The hallways that I used to use to meet people now feel like a lonely and isolating path. Jordan was the only one who supported me in my high school years. He was the only reason I didn't want to kill myself.
I tried to fix things with my relationships, but I found myself caught in deception's crossfire. But the more I spoke, the louder the rumors became, drowning my protests in a crowd of lies.
Each step I took, every glance exchanged, became laden with suspicion. The weight of false narratives bore down on me, making even the simplest interactions feel like a battle against an unseen adversary.
As I ran across the school hallways, I felt weighed down by rumors that had no basis. These rumors were a constant reminder of a friend who had betrayed me. The once-bustling corridors now felt lonely, and I was always wary of encountering people who might judge me unfairly.
I turned away from the scene, my jaw clenched to suppress the storm of emotions brewing within. The echo of Ethan's betrayal reverberated in my mind, a stark reminder of a past I had tried to leave behind. I reached for Alina's hand, gently pulling her away from the park's gathering.
As we distanced ourselves from the old oak tree, Alina looked at me, concern etched across her features. "What happened back there, Magnus? You seemed upset."
I took a deep breath, my gaze shifting to the ground, before meeting hers. "That guy, Ethan, he's from my past. We used to be friends, or at least I thought we were. But he spread rumors about me—false ones that tarnished my reputation."
Alina's eyes narrowed, a glint of anger surfacing. "Rumors? What kind of rumors?"
I recounted the hurtful stories Ethan had fabricated, the weight of each word feeling heavier as I spoke them out loud. Alina's expression darkened with each revelation, her fists clenching involuntarily.
"That backstabber!" she exclaimed, her voice edged with anger. "If I had known, I would've—"
I cut her off. "Alina, violence won't solve anything. He's not worth our time."
She huffed, frustration evident in her eyes. "Maybe not, but he deserves to be taught a lesson."
The fire of anger in Alina's eyes couldn't be contained any longer. As we walked away from the park, we coincidentally found ourselves passing by the bench where Ethan sat, blissfully unaware of our presence.
Alina's grip tightened on my hand as she approached him, her expression a mix of determination and restrained fury. Without a word, she swung her fist, landing a solid punch square on Ethan's jaw. The force of the blow sent him sprawling backward, his eyes widening in shock.
"You spineless weasel!" Alina spat, her voice dripping with disdain. "That's for Magnus and the lies you spread about him."
Ethan, recovering from the unexpected blow, stammered, "Wha—what is this about?"
I stepped forward, my tone sharp. "You know exactly what this is about, Ethan. Your betrayal, your lies. It ends here."
Alina, her anger palpable, leaned in close and whispered, "Consider this a taste of the consequences of your actions. If you ever think of harming Magnus again, you'll get more than just a punch."
We left him there, nursing his jaw, as we continued our way through the city.
A few hours later:
As we wrapped up our stroll in the park, the weight of the encounter with Ethan began to lift. The air was filled with a sense of satisfaction—a small victory against the ghosts of the past that lingered. Little did I know, another challenge awaited us.
Just as we were about to head home, the atmosphere around us shifted. Seraphiel appeared, accompanied by Anna and Rowan. His presence, always heralding a turn of events, prompted a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.
"Magnus," Seraphiel began, his voice resonating with a solemn undertone, "it is time. The next Eldorian shard lies in the Eldoria Empire, and you must cross dimensions to retrieve it."
I replied seriously, knowing the gravity of the situation. "Yes, I know."
Seraphiel nodded, acknowledging my readiness. With a wave of his hand, a shimmering portal materialized before us. Its edges glowed with ethereal light, inviting us into the unknown.
As we stepped forward, the world around us twisted and folded. It was like being caught in a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes. Gravity seemed to lose its hold, and for a moment, we were weightless.
The sensation was akin to falling, yet not in a way that induced fear. It was as if we were carried by the currents of the cosmos, hurtling through a tunnel of vibrant energy. The colors blurred, and time itself seemed to dance in a rhythmic flow.
Before we could fully grasp the surreal experience, the kaleidoscope of dimensions began to stabilize. The swirling lights subsided, and we found ourselves standing on solid ground once more. The air felt different, and the surroundings bore the mark of an unfamiliar realm.
We had crossed dimensions, landing in the enigmatic Eldoria Empire.
We landed on the edge of a cliff, which was touching the empire. It felt like reaching my second home. As we peered across the edge, an unexpected twist materialized before us. Smoke and flames had engulfed this once-beautiful empire.
The prophecy became true.