Darkness consumed everything—vast, endless, and cold. Billy couldn't tell if he was standing or floating, the void swallowing all sense of time and space. A faint golden glow flickered in the distance, small and fragile, like a lone candle fighting against an encroaching storm.
Then, it grew. The light expanded, pushing back the suffocating shadows. Slowly, an ancient hall emerged, its towering walls etched with shifting runes and symbols that pulsed like living veins. The air hummed with energy, a low, vibrating thrum that made his chest tighten.
"Billy?"
The voice cut through the silence, gentle yet resonant, like a bell ringing in a fog. He turned sharply, his breath hitching.
"Mother?" His voice trembled, unsure if he dared to believe.
"Yes, my son." Her figure emerged from the golden glow, radiant and ethereal, as if she had been woven from light itself. Her eyes, filled with both sorrow and pride, bore into his soul. "It is time. You don't have to hide anymore. Arise and shine, for your destiny awaits."
The runes on the walls began to shift and glow brighter, as if responding to her words. The hum grew louder, almost deafening. Billy reached for her, desperation clawing at his chest.
"Wait!" he called out, his heart pounding like a drum.
She smiled—a bittersweet curve of her lips that seemed to hold an entire lifetime of unspoken words. As she reached out, warmth radiated from her, washing over him in waves that chased away the lingering cold. Her hand was mere inches from his, the glow of her magic wrapping around him like a protective cocoon.
But then it happened.
The hall began to quake, the light around her flickering like a dying flame. Cracks splintered through the glowing runes, and a deafening roar erupted, like the sound of worlds tearing apart.
"No!" Billy screamed, lunging forward.
Her figure began to dissolve into shards of light, her final words barely audible over the chaos. "Stay strong, my son…"
The vision shattered, exploding into a thousand fragments that spiraled away into the void. Billy gasped, his eyes snapping open as he bolted upright in bed. His chest heaved, sweat pouring down his face, his ears ringing with silence.
But her words echoed in his mind, etched there like a brand: Your destiny awaits.
Billy blinked, his breath still uneven as he glanced toward the window. Pale sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting soft golden streaks across his room. Morning had arrived, but the weight of the dream still clung to him like a heavy fog.
His eyes darted to the alarm clock on the bedside table. 7:30 a.m.
"Seriously?" he muttered, rubbing his face. "Did I forget to set it again?"
He shook his head, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. His pulse was still racing, the echoes of his mother's voice lingering in his mind. "Anyway," he muttered under his breath, trying to shake the strange feeling crawling under his skin, "I think today's the day. Better hurry up."
Big Star College wasn't that far from his house. He rode his bike and arrived in ten minutes, the familiar hum of activity greeting him as he pulled into the parking lot near the sports field.
The air buzzed with excitement—students gathered in small groups, their chatter and laughter carrying across the open space. Billy dismounted, locked his bike, and slung his bag over one shoulder.
"Billy!"
He turned to see Sophie waving at him from the bleachers, her auburn hair catching the morning sun. Beside her, Leo sat with his usual calm expression, nodding in greeting.
Billy jogged over to them, weaving through the crowd. As he reached the top of the bleachers, Sophie grinned and patted the empty spot next to her.
"Finally! Thought you were gonna skip out on us," Sophie teased, her green eyes sparkling with mischief.
Billy smirked as he dropped his bag and took a seat. "Skip? And miss Leo's endless pep talks? Never."
Leo chuckled softly, adjusting his glasses. "You could use them. Last year, you almost missed your free throws because you were too busy showing off."
Billy laughed, leaning back against the railing. "What can I say? The crowd loves me."
Sophie rolled her eyes, punching him lightly on the arm. "The crowd loves good players, not show-offs. But hey, let's just hope you brought your A-game today."
Billy glanced at the court below, where the first game was already underway. The energy of the crowd, the sound of sneakers squeaking on the polished floor—it all felt familiar, grounding.
But beneath the surface, a quiet unease stirred. The dream from this morning lingered in his mind, its cryptic words echoing louder with each passing moment.
"Today's special," he murmured under his breath, so softly that neither Sophie nor Leo heard him.
He couldn't shake the feeling that today wasn't going to be like any other day.
Sophie handed him some snacks and a tea bottle.
"Here," she said with a small smile. "Figured you'd forget breakfast again."
"Thanks," Billy replied, taking the bottle and the snacks. He opened it, drank a little, and took a bite, but his movements were slow, almost mechanical.
The game on the court was heating up, with cheers erupting from the crowd as one team scored a three-pointer. Sophie and Leo clapped along, their attention momentarily drawn to the action. But as minutes passed, they both noticed something off about Billy.
He wasn't clapping, cheering, or even watching the game. Instead, he stared ahead, his brow furrowed as if trying to unravel a puzzle only he could see. His snack lay untouched in his hand, and the tea bottle sat forgotten on the bench beside him.
Sophie nudged him gently. "Hey, Earth to Billy. You okay?"
Billy blinked and turned to her, his expression distant. "Huh? Yeah, I'm fine."
Leo raised an eyebrow, his voice calm but probing. "You don't look fine. What's going on?"
Billy hesitated, his fingers tightening around the tea bottle. He glanced at Sophie and Leo, both of them watching him with concern. For a moment, he considered brushing it off with a joke, but the weight of the morning's dream pressed against his chest.
"It's… nothing," he said, looking away. "Just didn't sleep well, I guess."
Sophie exchanged a glance with Leo, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Billy, you know you're a terrible liar, right?"
Billy sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He didn't want to drag them into whatever this was—not yet, anyway. "I'll tell you later, okay? Promise."
Leo nodded, though his eyes lingered on Billy for a moment longer, as if trying to read him. "Alright. But if something's wrong, you let us know."
Billy managed a faint smile. "Yeah, I will."
As Sophie turned her attention back to the game, Leo leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Whatever it is, don't keep it bottled up too long. You've got us, Billy."
Billy nodded, but as he looked out over the court, his thoughts drifted once again to the vision of his mother and her haunting words. "Arise and shine, for your destiny is here."
What destiny? And why now?.
Suddenly, a whistle blew from the court, signaling a timeout. The players scattered to their benches, and the energy in the air began to settle.
Sophie turned to him, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead. "Well, it looks like we've got a break. Wanna go grab some air?"
Billy hesitated, looking down at the snacks Sophie had given him. His appetite had completely vanished, and he didn't feel like sitting around pretending to enjoy the game.
"Yeah, I could use some fresh air," he muttered, standing up.
Leo nodded in agreement. "A little break wouldn't hurt. We'll be back in a bit, Sophie."
Without another word, they made their way out of the bleachers and towards the quieter side of the college campus. It was still early in the day, and the campus was mostly empty, save for a few people walking between buildings.
As they reached a secluded bench by a large oak tree, Billy sat down, feeling the cool breeze wash over him. For the first time today, he could hear his thoughts clearly, and the weight of his dream pressed on him once more.
Leo and Sophie sat beside him, exchanging glances but waiting patiently for Billy to speak. It was Leo who broke the silence, his voice calm yet insistent.
"You've been off all day, man. What's going on? If something's bothering you, you can talk to us."
Billy hesitated. The words from the dream were still fresh in his mind, and for a moment, he wasn't sure if he should share them. But something in Leo's expression—sincere and open—gave him the push he needed.
"I… I had a dream this morning," Billy began, his voice soft but steady. "It was about my mom. She... she's been gone for years, but this morning, I saw her. It felt real—like she was actually there with me."
Sophie leaned in, her expression softening. "What did she say?"
Billy took a deep breath, his hands clenching slightly. "She told me that it was time—that my destiny was here. I don't know what that means, but it feels like something big is coming. Something I'm not ready for."
Leo's gaze softened. "Billy, if you're feeling this way, it's because there's something you need to face. Whatever it is, we've got your back. We'll figure it out together, okay?"
Sophie nodded, her voice gentle but firm. "Yeah. You don't have to carry it alone. If something's about to happen, we're in this with you."
Billy looked between his friends, the weight of their support sinking in. For the first time, he felt a little lighter. The uncertainty of the dream and the weight of his past didn't feel as heavy when they shared the load.
Noticing that, Billy decided to spill the beans. He looked into the distance, his gaze lost for a moment, before he sighed deeply.
"Guys, there's something I never told you about myself."
Sophie raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on her lips. "About you being haunted by dreams?"
Billy shook his head, but his eyes remained distant, as if wrestling with the weight of what he was about to say.
"No... about being haunted by my past."
Leo's curiosity piqued. "What do you mean, dude?"
Billy shifted uncomfortably, his hands fidgeting with the edge of his jacket. He glanced at the ground, almost as if ashamed, but then he lifted his head and met their eyes with calm resolve.
"This might sound crazy... but... I'm an ALIEN."
The words hung in the air, heavy and strange. For a moment, everything seemed to freeze. Sophie and Leo stared at him, blinking as if they hadn't quite processed what he'd said.
Sophie, ever the skeptic, laughed nervously. "Wait, what? You mean like... an alien alien?"
Billy's gaze remained serious, his heart pounding in his chest as he finally confessed the truth. "Yeah. My real home is far from here. I'm from another world, a hidden, magical kingdom. I didn't just come to Earth for a vacation or because I had nowhere else to go. I came because I had to escape... escape my family."
Leo looked at him, his face scrunched in disbelief. "Man... this is—this is a lot to take in."
Billy nodded. "I know. I've spent the last few years trying to forget all of it. I came here, started fresh. But... I can't run from it anymore. The truth is catching up to me."
Sophie remained silent for a moment, but then, seeing the sincerity in his eyes, she spoke. "So, you're saying you're like... royalty or something from another planet?"
Billy's lips twitched into a wry smile.
"I was. But it's complicated. There's a lot more to the story, and... it's not all pretty. I've been carrying it with me for years, trying to pretend none of it mattered. "But now... something's happening, or it's about to," Billy said, looking at them, his voice filled with an eerie calm.
Sophie raised an eyebrow, her expression half serious, half playful. "Something big like what?"
At that precise moment, the sky seemed to grow heavier. A deep, thunderous clap echoed across the heavens, so loud it made their skin tingle. They all froze, looking up as the sky darkened rapidly. The storm clouds swirled, twisting in unnatural patterns.
Before they could react, a flash of lightning split the sky, striking down with a force that lit up the city like daylight. The air crackled with energy, and the ground trembled beneath their feet.
Rumbles of an earthquake followed, shaking the very foundation of the earth. The buildings around them groaned under the pressure, and people in the distance screamed and ran for shelter.
Billy's heart raced, his eyes wide with realization. "This... this is it," he murmured under his breath.
Sophie and Leo exchanged alarmed glances, suddenly fully aware that whatever Billy had been warning them about was no longer just a distant possibility. The ground trembled beneath them again, sending vibrations up their legs as the earthquake intensified.
"What's going on?" Sophie shouted over the roar of the storm.
Billy, his breath shallow and his mind racing, looked at his friends. "It's happening... it's real. I've been having visions... dreams... about something like this. This isn't just a natural disaster. It's connected to me, to my past, and to my home."
Leo shook his head, eyes wide with disbelief. "You're telling me this is... what? Some kind of cosmic event? A sign?"
"I don't know," Billy admitted, his voice full of uncertainty. "But the storm, the earthquake... it's all part of it. And I don't think it's over."
Suddenly, a blinding light burst from the center of the storm, and a powerful force slammed into the ground nearby. The air felt charged, as if the very atmosphere had been ripped open. People screamed and scattered, but Billy, Sophie, and Leo were rooted in place, their eyes fixed on the epicenter of the disturbance.
Billy's pulse raced as a shadowy figure emerged from the light, moving with an unnatural speed, its form shifting in and out of focus.
"Who... what is that?" Sophie gasped, her voice barely audible over the cacophony of sound.
Billy's heart skipped a beat. "It's here."
....To Be Continued....