"Aetheya"

An Aetheya is a unique ability that an individual can manifest after experiencing a significant, life-altering event. This power is deeply tied to a person's beliefs, life experiences, soul, and their true nature. It is not merely a tool or skill—it is a reflection of who they are at their core, and it shapes the choices they make and the path they walk.

An Aetheya is a manifestation of one's inner self, and it is only unlocked when a person undergoes an event that drastically shifts their understanding of the world. This transformative event acts as a catalyst, revealing the latent power within them. Due to the profound and often personal nature of this occurrence, only around 25% of the world's population is capable of manifesting an Aetheya.

The form and function of an Aetheya can vary greatly depending on the individual, but at its heart, it is a reflection of their deepest desires and motivations. However, when a person's desires begin to overpower their sense of self-control, the power can be misused. In these cases, those who give in to their darker urges are called Arai. These individuals are led by the Disasters, the malevolent leaders of this faction, who use their power for selfish or destructive purposes. They often fall into chaos, driven by greed, vengeance, or unchecked ambition.

On the other side, there are those who are able to control their desires and channel their Aetheya toward virtuous goals. These individuals are known as Edeyan, and they are guided by the leaders known as Miracles. The Edeyans and Miracles represent the force of good in the world, standing as protectors and defenders against the misuse of power. Their strength comes from their unwavering virtue and their desire to help others, ensuring that their powers serve the greater good.

While the Arai and Edeyan factions stand in stark contrast, they share the same origin: the unlocking of one's Aetheya through a life-changing event. The key difference lies in how they choose to wield their power.

...

"Aubrey!" The sharp call of her name made the woman flinch. She turned toward the source of the sound, her expression already souring.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she locked eyes with the man who had just entered. "Ash? So you finally decided to come home now?"

Aubrey sat at the table, her golden-brown skin glowing softly in the dim light. Her wavy brown hair, streaked with vibrant blue near the roots, faded into deep cobalt at the tips, falling loosely around her shoulders. Her bright cobalt blue eyes met Ash's with a mix of annoyance and exhaustion. She was dressed simply in a white shirt under a light blue cardigan, paired with dark blue sweatpants that gave her a relaxed yet stylish appearance.

Ash stood in the doorway, his fiery orange hair pulled back into a ponytail, and his pale skin almost glowing under the dim light of the room. His eyes were an unusual greyish purple, and he wore a black jacket—one side hanging loose—and a grey shirt beneath. He gave her a sheepish grin, clearly unfazed by her irritation.

He tossed his bag onto the table with a soft thud and walked toward her. "Oh, c'mon, it's not my fault Ms. Eva kept me late!" His tone was light, as if it was just another day.

Aubrey turned her attention back to the papers in front of her. She picked up her pen and resumed writing, the soft scratch of the ink against the paper punctuating her words. "Well, she wouldn't have kept you late if you were actually behaving in class," she muttered, her sigh heavy with the weight of her frustration.

Ash let out an exaggerated sigh, slumping into the chair beside her. "You know how I am with rules," he said, voice casual as always. "Besides, I swear that woman just likes to see me suffer."

Aubrey didn't respond, her focus unwavering as she continued scribbling on the paper, the tension between them thickening in the silence.

Ash stayed silent for a moment, watching her work. His eyes shifted from the paper she was scribbling on to her focused expression, before finally breaking the quiet. "You're still writing that essay?"

Aubrey didn't look up, her pen moving with practiced precision as she filled the page. "I am. What about you? Shouldn't you be writing one too?"

Ash stretched out in his chair, crossing his arms behind his head and leaning back in a relaxed posture. "I already did, actually," he replied casually. "Ms. Eva made me write it right in front of her." He grimaced, clearly recalling the experience. "She was going on and on about how I probably wouldn't do it at home... again."

Aubrey glanced up briefly, one eyebrow raised as she let out a small huff of amusement. "Well, she was right. You never do your work at home," she said dryly.

"And yet I still pass every time," Ash said with a grin, shrugging as if it were no big deal. He leaned further into the chair, his tone teasing. "Guess I'm just lucky, huh?"

Aubrey set the pen down for a moment, her expression turning serious as she looked at him. "That's still not a good reason for you to just laze around, y'know?" she said, her voice tinged with concern. "You can't just coast on luck forever. At some point, you're going to hit a wall."

Ash shifted in his seat, his smile faltering just slightly at her words. He shrugged again, but this time, his usual carefree attitude seemed a little more guarded. "Eh, I'm not worried about it. It always works out." But the hesitation in his voice lingered, as though even he knew it wasn't a sustainable approach.

Ash shifted in his seat, clearly growing restless. He stood up and stretched, then turned to face her with a grin. "Well, what about you? You're always studying 24/7. You never take a moment to laze around!"

Aubrey sighed, leaning back in her chair and rubbing her temples. "I can't do that, Ash. My grades will fall," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. "If I don't keep up, I'll end up behind."

Ash raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms with a smirk. "Fall, my ass! You're the highest in the class and the whole school. A little break won't hurt." He leaned against the desk, his grin widening. "How about we go hang out? You're always so busy, we rarely do anything together anymore."

Aubrey hesitated, her gaze flickering to the papers in front of her. She stayed quiet for a moment, her mind weighing the options. She wanted to finish her work, but she couldn't deny that Ash was right. It had been a while since they'd done anything for fun. Finally, she let out a resigned breath and spoke up, "Fine... a little break won't hurt, I guess?"

She pushed her papers aside, feeling the weight of the decision but secretly grateful for the chance to unwind.