Five days had passed
Today was their first official day of classes. Armed with backpacks overflowing with textbooks and notebooks, Aiden and Max navigated the bustling campus,
"Hey, isn't that Sarah from middle school?" Aiden nudged Max, pointing towards a group of girls chatting near the fountain.
Max followed his gaze, her laughter ringing melodiously in the air.
"Wow, I haven't seen her in ages," he mused
Max's heart skipped a beat. He squinted, trying to get a better look. Sure enough, it was Sarah, her vibrant smile and familiar laugh echoing across the plaza.
"Looks like someone has a reunion on their hands," Aiden teased, nudging Max playfully.
Max's cheeks warmed at the thought, . "Yeah, maybe I should say hi," he replied,
Max felt his cheeks warm. He hadn't thought about Sarah in years, yet the sight of her brought back a rush of forgotten feelings.
Before he could muster the courage to approach her, the campus bell tolled, its sonorous chime announcing the start of their first class.
"Dude, where's even our first class?" Max grumbled, squinting at his crumpled course schedule.
"This map looks like a toddler drew it."
Aiden chuckled, his own map clutched tightly in his hand.
"Relax, We'll find it. Maybe ask someone who looks like they know where they're going."
They spotted a group of students huddled.
"Let's see if they're as lost as we are," he joked, nudging Max forward.
"Hey, excuse me," Max began, his voice surprisingly polite.
"We're looking for English 101. Any idea where that might be?"
A friendly-looking girl with bright pink hair smiled. "Actually, we are too."
As they finally reached the classroom, breathless and slightly lost, a sense of accomplishment washed over them.
"Well, that was an adventure," Aiden chuckled, wiping sweat off his brow.
The bell rang, and the professor, a stern-looking woman with a thick stack of papers, began her lecture.
Meanwhile in Aethel.
"Elara," Aeon's voice echoed through the chamber,
"We must gather the Inner Ring now."
With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a shimmering portal, its surface swirling with vibrant hues. Each color pulsed with an intensity that resonated with a specific power.
The Inner Ring members, chosen not for birthright or lineage, but for the extraordinary abilities that burned within them. These were the chosen few, in all of Aethel. Each a master in their own right, they were the paragons.
Stepping through the portal first, a tall man with an air of quiet confidence.
Kael, a name that resonated with blades and the echo of fallen foes. Kael possesses complete knowledge of swordsmanship. He knew not just the physical form of swordsmanship, but its very soul. He is capable of adapting his devastating sword techniques to any opponent
The chamber pulsed with a renewed energy, the colors shifting once more as she sought out the next member of the Inner Ring.
Seraphina stepped out. Her gentle hands tended to a patch of wildflowers, each bloom bursting with vibrant life under her touch. She can heal different types of injuries, from physical wounds to even ailments affecting the mind or soul. She could have the power to not only heal but also enhance the physical capabilities of others, potentially accelerating recovery or even granting temporary boosts.
Seraphina looked up, her eyes filled with compassion and understanding. "I am ready," she replied, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
The shimmering portal pulsed anew, its colors swirling like a maelstrom, with a crack like thunder.
Lance, the embodiment of speed, stepped out of the portal. Lance's speed transcends human limitations. He can move at blinding velocity, exceeding the sound barrier and blurring past opponents. In his wake, reality itself seemed to stutter.
Lance stood tall beside Kael and Seraphina.
The portal shimmered once more, swirling with colors as bold and fiery, Rylan stepped out, radiating raw power. His every step resonated with a deep, primal power. He has the aura of a warrior who had stared into the abyss and found his own strength reflected back. Rylan embodied superhuman strength, durability, and resilience – a living shield against any threat and a spirit that refuses to break.
The portal shimmered once more, this time displaying a mesmerizing dance of swirling colors, encompassing the entire spectrum of light. Ion walked out. A being who danced with the fundamental laws of the universe. Ion holds dominion over gravity, manipulating its pull and repelling forces. He could turn foes into helpless puppets, pinning them with an invisible hand or flinging them through the air with devastating force. He is also the master of all elements, summoning and shaping them to his will. His power was not merely destructive; it was the delicate balance between creation and destruction
The portal shifted again, Prism, the embodiment of creative potential walked out of the portal. At the whim of his playful thoughts, the very fabric of reality danced to his tune. He possesses the uncanny ability to manifest his thoughts into reality, essentially weaving the fabric of reality with his imagination. However, his childish nature hinders his full potential, often leading to unpredictable, playful and immensely powerful results in combat. He could conjure landscapes from thin air, summon creatures from the depths of his imagination, bend the laws of physics with a mere whim, or anything he wants. But, this power, as immense as it is, was wielded with the innocence and playfulness of a child. Yet, if harnessed, could reshape reality itself.
The swirling portal shimmered one last time, Luna walked out. Though lacking any powerful physical or magical abilities, Luna possessed a mind unlike any other. Her mind, a labyrinth of boundless capacity, held within its grasp the secrets of memory, the lightning-speed of analysis, and the relentless precision of a born strategist. She wielded no devastating attacks, yet her presence was as critical as the strongest warrior, as vital as the most potent spell. Her exceptional memory, rapid processing power, and unparalleled analytical skills made her a critical asset. It was these qualities, coupled with her unwavering loyalty and strategic brilliance, that earned her a place amongst the Inner Ring.
Aeon surveyed the seven figures that stood before him, their presence echoing with an unmatched potency.
"Eos walks amongst the humans," Aeon began.
"He is yet unaware of his true nature, his power dormant but potent. You must find him, guide him, and prepare him for the challenges that lie ahead."
"So," Kael began, his voice low and serious, turning to his comrades.
"We're going to Earth. A bustling city, you say? Sounds chaotic."
Lance, a cocky grin playing on his lips, stretched his arms above his head.
"Yeah, wouldn't want our swordsman to get lost in a sea of… what was it again, Elara? Humans?"
Rylan snorted. "Humans, huh? Sounds like a bunch of weaklings. Don't see them needing much protection."
Prism squealed with delight. "Are we going on an adventure? Can we ride a flying unicorn? Or maybe a giant robot?" His innocent question elicited a chuckle from Luna.
Luna rolled her eyes playfully. "Prism. This is a serious mission, not a playground."
Ion stood motionless. He gave a slight nod, acknowledging the others' words
Luna stepped forward, a map appearing in her hand, her mind already calculating the most efficient route.
"Based on the information Elara provided, we should head towards this city."
Luna pointed to a bustling metropolis on the map.
"It's the most densely populated area, increasing our chances of finding the Heir quickly."
As they exchanged glances, a silent understanding passed between them
Aeon interrupted their chatter. "The portal is ready. Remember, the fate of Aethel hangs in the balance."
With a shared nod, the inner ring stepped in the portal.
Meanwhile, as the final class bell echoed through the campus, Aiden stretched his arms above his head, feeling a newfound sense of satisfaction.
College wasn't so bad after all. Perhaps the key was surrounding yourself with the right people – like Max, whose infectious humor and laid-back attitude made even the most mundane tasks seem bearable.
Suddenly, Max's gaze darted across the bustling stream of students.
A familiar blonde head caught his eye.
"Uh, Aiden," he stammered, a slight blush creeping up his neck.
"Look who it is again."
Aiden followed Max's gaze to see Sarah, the girl from their middle school, chatting with a group of friends. Memories of her infectious laugh and friendly nature flooded back.
"Oh, hey, that's Sarah again," Aiden acknowledged, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Going to go say hi now?"
"Just, try not to embarrass me." Max swatted his arm playfully but couldn't hide his obvious interest
Aiden chuckled, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "No promises."
As Sarah and her friends approached, Aiden stepped forward, a friendly smile on his face.
"Hey Sarah, didn't expect to see you here"
Sarah's eyes lit up with surprise and a hint of recognition. "Aiden! How funny, small world, isn't it? Max, you too?"
Max, suddenly struck with awkwardness, mumbled a stammered greeting.
Aiden, sensing his friend's plight, decided to take the lead.
"Max and I were just heading out to grab something to eat," Aiden explained casaully.
"Any chance you and your friends want to join us? The more, the merrier"
Sarah glanced towards her friends, who exchanged hesitant smiles amongst themselves. One of them, Chloe, a girl with bright pink hair, spoke up.
"Actually, we were just heading out to catch a movie. But maybe next time?"
Sarah nodded in agreement, her voice filled with genuine warmth.
"Yeah, definitely next time. It was great running into you both"
The girls walked away.
Max seemed surprisingly unfazed by their rejection. He shrugged nonchalantly,
"More pizza for us then"
Aiden nudged him playfully. "Man" he said with a grin. "Pizza can wait. Maybe we can find a decent coffee shop or explore the campus more. At least we won't get lost again."
Max responded "Aight, lead the way"
They set off, navigating the bustling pathways and weaving through groups of students.
Aiden suggested, "Maybe we should stick to the main pathways until we get familiar with the campus layout. Wouldn't want another wrong turn and end up at the library instead of the cafeteria."
Just then, as they rounded a corner, they stumbled upon a group of four older-looking guys. One of them, a broad-shouldered guy with a shaved head and a scowl permanently etched on his face, locked eyes with Max and Aiden. He recognized them instantly - the guys who were talking to Sarah earlier.
Mark, Sarah's on-again-off-again boyfriend, has his gaze settled on Max, his eyes narrowing like a predator sizing up its prey.
"Well, well," Mark drawled
"what do we have here? Looks like Sarah found herself some new friends."
Max, despite the butterflies erupting in his stomach, straightened his posture and met Mark's gaze head-on.
"We're just exploring campus," he replied
Mark's eyes flicked to Aiden, his gaze lingering for a moment before returning to Max.
"Looks like someone forgot his place. Freshman shouldn't be trying to poach other people's girls."
"We weren't poaching anyone," Max said, his voice firm.
"We were simply spending time with a friend"
"And for your information," Aiden added
"We're just looking for a place to grab a bite."
The other three members of Mark's group had moved closer, their faces mirroring the hostility emanating from their leader
Aiden nudged Max, hoping to avoid a confrontation.
"Max, just walk away," he whispered urgently. "We can find another way around."
But before Max could react, Mark stepped forward, blocking them. "Don't think so. We haven't finished our little chat."
His eyes narrowed, fixated on Max. "You know, Sarah's off-limits, understand?"
The leader's scowl deepened. "I know what I saw. And I don't like the way you were looking at her."
He shoved Max back, sending him stumbling against Aiden.
The other three guys closed in, forming a tight circle around them, their shadows lengthening in the afternoon sun.
Max lashed out. His fist connected with Mark's jaw with a dull thud.
However, the impact barely fazed the larger figure. The leader scoffed, a cruel smile twisting his lips. "Nice try kid"
With a smack, the Mark sent Max reeling backward. He crashed into Aiden, their combined weight sending them both sprawling onto the ground.
Pain shot through Max's jaw, his vision blurring momentarily.
With another ruthless blow to Max's stomach, Mark doubled him over, sending him crashing to the ground once more.
Max lay gasping for breath, his bravado shattered, replaced by a dull ache of defeat.
The leader spat on the ground beside Max, his voice filled with icy contempt.
"Next time," he snarled, "remember who runs this campus. And stay away from Sarah."