A quiet hum of voices filled the classroom as students packed their belongings, preparing to leave after the first lecture of the day. Zaiden leaned back in his chair, exhaling softly. The class had been dull, but at least it had gone by without any issues. Just as he was about to stand, Axze plopped into the empty seat next to him, grinning.
"Yo, Zaiden! Heading anywhere?" Axze asked casually, resting an elbow on the desk.
Zaiden glanced at him briefly. "Not really."
"Good, 'cause I want you to meet someone." Axze turned and gestured toward the doorway. "Eryx! Over here."
At first, Zaiden didn't pay much attention. But as soon as the tall figure stepped into the room, an odd sensation crawled up his spine. A sudden, unexplainable chill settled over him. It wasn't fear, nor was it an instinct to fight—just something off. He shook the feeling away. It's nothing. Just the air conditioning or something.
Eryx approached them with a calm yet unreadable expression. His deep blue hair framed his sharp features, and his black eyes carried a sense of distance, as if he wasn't entirely present. Despite his ordinary appearance, there was an unshakable aura around him that Zaiden couldn't quite place.
"Zaiden, this is Eryx Shaw," Axze introduced. "We've been friends since we were kids. Thought you two should meet."
Eryx gave a small nod. "Nice to meet you."
Zaiden observed him for a moment before responding, "Likewise."
Axze, completely oblivious to the tension that had settled between the two, grinned. "You're both quiet types, huh? Well, at least I won't have to worry about either of you talking my ears off."
Zaiden let out a small huff of amusement but kept his gaze on Eryx. The unease from earlier hadn't faded.
"So, how's college been so far?" Eryx asked, his voice even, controlled.
"Fine," Zaiden replied shortly.
Eryx nodded, as if expecting that answer. Then, almost absentmindedly, he murmured, "Fitting, I suppose. It's about time."
Zaiden furrowed his brows slightly. "What?"
Eryx blinked, looking slightly confused himself. "Nothing. Just thinking out loud."
Zaiden let it go, but something about that moment felt strange—like a thread unraveling somewhere in the depths of his mind. He dismissed the thought. No use thinking too much about it.
Axze, sensing the conversation dulling, clapped his hands together. "Alright, how about we grab something to eat? My treat."
Zaiden hesitated but eventually nodded. "Sure."
Eryx gave a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Sounds good."
As they left the classroom together, a faint shadow flickered behind Eryx for the briefest of moments, vanishing as quickly as it appeared.
Zaiden didn't see it. But something deep inside him—something buried—stirred.
End of Chapter 2