"Relax, it's just me," Kelvin's voice came, low and teasing near his ear.
Felix's breath hitched. "Kelvin, what are you doing?"
Kelvin chuckled softly, resting his chin on Felix's shoulder. "No homo bruh, relax. You've been acting weird lately. Just thought I'd mess with you a little. You seemed stressed."
Felix tried to pull away, but Kelvin tightened his hold. "Let go," Felix muttered, his cheeks flushing.
"Why? You're not used to a little affection?" Kelvin teased, his tone playful but with an edge of curiosity.
Felix could feel his pulse quicken. "You're annoying," he said, finally managing to shrug out of Kelvin's grasp.
Kelvin stepped back, his signature smirk in place. "And you're fun to mess with," he said, before turning and strolling out of the kitchen as if nothing had happened.
Felix stared after him, gripping the counter to steady himself. His mind was racing, but he quickly shook it off. "What is wrong with this guy?" he muttered under his breath, finishing his water before heading back to his room.
Then the blonde boy busied himself with making coffee. He made two cups of coffee, one for him and the other for Kelvin who was watching him make his cappuccino art.
Felix was very good when it comes to art and it was evident in everything he does- his outfits, tattoo and even the walls of his room.
As Felix finished making two cups of coffee-one for himself and one for Kelvin- Kelvin leaned casually against the counter, watching him.
"So, what are your plans for today?" Kelvin asked, his tone light but curious.
Felix shrugged without looking at him. "I was thinking of going to the mall. That's it."
Kelvin's face lit up. "Perfect. Let's go together. We can hang out or something."
Felix froze for a moment, then turned to glare at him. "Why would I want to hang out with you?"
Kelvin smirked and grabbed both cups of coffee from the counter before Felix could. "Because I'm great company," he teased, taking a sip from one of the cups.
Felix sighed, crossing his arms. "Seriously, what's wrong with you? Why do you suddenly want to hang out with me?"
Kelvin groaned dramatically, setting the cups down with a loud thud. "Why does there have to be a reason for friends to hang out? Can't it just be normal?"
Felix raised an eyebrow, his glare intensifying. "Friends?" he repeated. "You're acting like we're best buddies now or something."
Kelvin's jaw tightened, his voice rising slightly. "You know what? Forget it. I'm trying to be nice, and you're making it impossible."
Felix stepped closer, his own voice growing louder. "Nice? You're always picking on me, and now you want to act all buddy-buddy? Give me a break."
"Maybe I wouldn't have to pick on you if you weren't so impossible to deal with!" Kelvin shot back, his frustration clear.
The two of them stood there, glaring at each other, the tension thick in the air. For a moment, neither spoke, the only sound being the faint hum of the refrigerator.
Finally, Kelvin broke the silence, grabbing his coffee again. "You know what? Do whatever you want, Felix Chang. I don't care anymore."
Felix watched as Kelvin stormed out of the kitchen, leaving him alone with his coffee and an annoyed expression.
"Unbelievable," Felix muttered, taking a sip of his own drink. But as much as Kelvin annoyed him, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
Felix grasped the edge of the counter, his frustration growing higher. Kelvin's words kept replaying in his head, making him even angrier. But then it hit him-a sharp, searing heat spreading through his chest.
His eyes widened. "No… not now," he whispered.
The heat intensified, like his entire body was being thrown into a furnace. Panic surged through him as he stumbled out of the kitchen and bolted to his room. He slammed the door shut and locked it, his breaths coming fast and shallow.
Felix fell to his knees, clutching his chest as the transformation began. His hands grew wrinkled and gnarled, his nails turning into sharp, black claws. His reflection in the mirror caught his eye, and his stomach dropped.
He looked like a witch straight out of a Disney movie—crooked nose, hollowed cheeks, a dark cloak appearing out of nowhere to cover his hunched figure.
The burning didn't stop. It was unbearable now, making him cry out in agony.
Then, just as he thought he couldn't take it anymore, a voice rang out in his head.
It was bold, commanding, louder than the screams of his biggest fans.
"WELCOME TO KARMA HELL."
Felix's eyes snapped open, his heart pounding. The room spun around him, and he could feel the weight of those words pressing down on him.
And then—nothing.
---
The air glowed gold as seven figures appeared on a huge, glowing platform in the sky. Each one felt powerful enough to make anyone bow, their robes shimmering like rippling water under the moon. They stood in a circle around an old stone tablet covered in glowing runes.
These were the Celestial Wardens, guardians of balance, justice, and karma.
Each Warden represented part of the human soul, their names tied to the virtues or vices they ruled.
Xianlong, the Warden of Retribution, stood in front. His silver hair flowed down his back, and his sharp golden eyes could see through anyone. When he spoke, his voice sounded like rolling thunder.
Beside him was Meiyue, the Warden of Mercy. Her calming presence could stop any storm. Her snow-white robe shimmered faintly, and her hands rested on a glowing staff.
Next stood Renhai, the Warden of Justice. He was tall and wore deep red robes, his bronze scale shifting slightly in his hand as he moved. His stern gaze carried the weight of every judgment he'd ever made.
Lianhua, the Warden of Grace, stood quietly. Her emerald-green robe swirled with the mist at her feet, and her face was partly hidden behind a jade fan, making her seem mysterious.
On the other side stood Shenglie, the Warden of Wrath. His energy crackled like lightning. His black armor gleamed, and the twin swords strapped to his back seemed to hum with power.
Beside him was Qingzhu, the Warden of Forgiveness. Her violet robes swayed softly, her sorrowful eyes showing a lifetime of pain. She stood with her hands over her heart, carrying a quiet sadness.
Last was Zhihao, the Warden of Wisdom, the oldest among them. With his long beard and plain robes, he looked like a scholar, but every move he made and every word he spoke carried deep meaning.
Xianlong broke the silence. "The curse is stirring. The boy feels its weight."
Renhai nodded. "It was only a matter of time. His karma is tied to someone else's."
"Felix…" Meiyue's voice was soft and sad. "His path is unclear. Mercy has helped him so far, but retribution is waiting."
Shenglie scoffed, his tone sharp. "Mercy? He deserves to suffer for what he's done. That's justice."
Lianhua lowered her fan, her voice calm and steady. "We're not here to argue. Karma will turn the way it must."
Qingzhu lowered her eyes. Her voice was quiet. "But his pain echoes. How much more can one soul take?"
Zhihao, silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was soft but carried weight. "The boy's journey isn't over. His karma is tied to another. Their fates are connected, and together, they will unravel—no matter what happens."
No one said anything else. The runes on the tablet pulsed softly, as if reacting to their words.
Xianlong's gaze stayed on the tablet. "Then we wait," he said firmly. "His choices will decide the rest. For now, the curse holds."
The Wardens nodded, and one by one, they disappeared into streaks of light.
In the distance, a bell rang softly, its echo signaling that fate had started to shift again.