I was jerked awake by the toll of the bell, its resounding chime cutting through the haze of a restless, dreamless sleep. My head throbbed—a dull, insistent ache that served as a constant reminder of the chaos from the night before. Memories flooded back in fragments: the ceremony, the god weapon choosing me, the overwhelming surge of power and fear that had crashed over me like a storm. Even now, the tempest lingered, a chaotic swirl inside me that left me feeling both numb and electrified.
Dragging myself upright, I moved sluggishly, every motion weighed down by an invisible force. My body felt like it was moving through molasses, as if it hadn't fully caught up with the whirlwind of events. The aftermath of everything—physical and emotional—hung heavy in the air like an approaching storm. Confronting it head-on made my skin crawl.
My gaze shifted to my arm, and my breath hitched. The bracelet was still there, clasped tightly around my bicep, its eerie beauty commanding my full attention. Up close, it was even more surreal. The polished silver glimmered like moonlight on still water, its serene glow disrupted by jagged veins of obsidian that cut through it like frozen lightning. Threads of gold wove through the chaos, tying the opposing elements together in a fragile yet unyielding harmony.
The runes carved into its surface seemed to shimmer with life, flickering between radiant silver and shadowy black, as if they couldn't decide which side they belonged to. Their intricate designs spiraled and intertwined in a mesmerizing pattern, teasing at familiarity before morphing into something alien. Each rune pulsed faintly with an arcane energy that tugged at the edges of my mind, whispering promises and warnings in a language I didn't yet understand.
Its energy rolled over me like a tide—warm and inviting one moment, cold and biting the next. The dual sensations sent shivers across my skin, filling me with both comfort and unease. It wasn't just a weapon. It felt alive, like it had a will of its own. A bond. A promise. A warning.
I ran my fingers over its surface, my touch skimming across textures that shouldn't have existed together. Some parts were smooth, almost soft, while others felt rough, jagged, like they'd been shaped by chaos itself. It didn't rest on my arm; it claimed it, as though it had always belonged there. The thought made my chest tighten with a mix of fear and reluctant acceptance.
What the hell had I gotten myself into? And how was I supposed to wield this thing when I could barely handle its presence?
I groaned and flopped back onto the bed, burying my face into the pillow, wishing the world would just stop for a moment.
"Rise and shine, sleepyhead!" Elaeya's voice pierced through the stillness, far too chipper for this hour—or any hour, really.
I yanked the blanket over my head with a muffled groan. "No. I'm vetoing today."
Elaeya's response was as dramatic as I'd expected. She ripped the blanket away with a flourish, grinning as she did. "Too bad! You survived the ceremony—congratulations, by the way—and now you get to deal with the aftermath. Oh, and you're officially the academy's new hot topic."
I sat up slowly, every muscle in my body protesting. "Aren't I always?"
Elaeya perched herself on the edge of my bed, her bright green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Last night wasn't just about you being a hot topic, Jay. It was history. A god weapon hasn't chosen anyone in centuries. Everyone's talking about it."
"Great," I muttered, rubbing my temples. "Just what I needed—more attention."
Elaeya laughed, a sound so infectious it almost made me smile. Almost. "Hiding won't help. Speaking of attention..." She tossed a folded piece of parchment onto my lap. "Someone left this at the door. Probably a secret admirer."
I unfolded the note and could immediately guess who wrote it just by the elegant script.
"Meet me in my study after your classes. Don't be late.
—Aethera"
I sighed, my head falling back against the bedframe. "Not an admirer. Just Aethera summoning me."
Elaeya leaned in, reading over my shoulder. Her grin widened. "The general herself? You've really outdone yourself this time. Think you're in trouble?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I tossed the note onto the bedside table and pushed myself to my feet. "I need food."
"And a shower," Elaeya added, wrinkling her nose. "You smell like stress and bad decisions. Oh, and you really should do something about your hair. It is an eyesore."
I huffed and dragged myself out of bed, trudging toward the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face and stared at my reflection. My reflection stared back at me, and I could barely recognize myself. I looked as tired as I felt—surprising, considering I hadn't done anything physically demanding yesterday.
I sighed, glancing at my hair. I should fix it, but I wouldn't even know where to start. Whatever. It wasn't like I had the energy for it.
I brushed my teeth and threw on my casual training uniform. The fabric was light and comfortable, designed for movement, but the short-sleeved design made the arm cuff impossible to hide. It gleamed ominously against my skin, announcing its presence like a beacon.
I could already feel the eyes on me. Great. Just what I needed.
After a moment of contemplation, I tried to take the damn cuff off. It wouldn't budge.
The hell?
I tugged and pulled, but it stayed in place like it was fused to my skin. Panic bubbled up, hot and unwelcome. Please don't tell me this thing is stuck.
For fuck's sake. Really?
I stormed out of the bathroom, already pissed. Elaeya was perched on my desk like she owned the room, her platinum blonde bob swishing as she looked up at my grumpy expression.
"Hmm. You look like a mix of someone who got chewed on and spit out, and a badass Fae ready to kick ass," she commented, one eyebrow raised as she looked me up and down. "I'm troubled."
"I can't take off the cuff," I muttered, trying not to freak out.
"You mean the god weapon." Elaeya corrected. "And what do you mean you can't take it off?"
"It's fucking stuck."
"Huh." Elaeya jumped down from the desk and came closer, inspecting the cuff before trying to pull it off herself. It didn't even twitch.
"Weird," she murmured. "We'll have to do some research."
"Can't I just wear the uniform from yesterday?" I groaned, already dreading the attention.
"Nope." Elaeya smirked, clearly enjoying my misery. "Those are the official uniforms for special events. These are what we wear every day."
I groaned again, dragging my feet toward the door. "Ugh. Great."
---
By the time we reached the dining hall, grabbed food, and rushed to Room 2 for Fae Diplomacy, we were late. All eyes turned to us as we entered, and I felt the weight of every stare immediately shift to the bracelet on my arm.
Ambassador Iren's sneer was immediate. "Jay, congratulations on being chosen by a god weapon. However, that does not excuse your tardiness."
Before I could respond, Elaeya stepped in. "My fault, Ambassador. I delayed us at breakfast."
His cold gaze shifted to her briefly before returning to me. "Bad company will drag you down, Elaeya. Consider that."
The venom in his tone wasn't subtle, and I clenched my fists to keep from snapping back. Instead, I let Elaeya lead me to a seat in the back, the whispers around us growing louder.
The runes on the bracelet pulsed faintly, sending sharp, cold tendrils of magic through my arm, like it was reacting to the tension in the room. I gritted my teeth and focused on breathing, but the whispers and stares felt suffocating.
I slumped in my seat, a single thought pounding in my mind.
This day couldn't end quickly enough.