Chapter 5: Shadows from Beyond
The next day felt... strange.
There was a tension in the air, like the wind itself was whispering warnings no one could hear — except Kaylie.
At lunch, as she sat with Ci-n and David, her shoulder burned where the Flame Seeker mark was sealed.
She winced.
> "It's starting," whispered David, his eyes narrowing. "They've found us."
Kaylie blinked. "Who?"
Before he could answer, the school trembled.
Screams. Shouts.
The lights flickered. Glass shattered.
Everyone looked up — and froze.
Descending from above the building were black shadowy figures, masked and hooded, surrounded by smoky auras. Their voices were like broken radios.
"Bring us the Seeker. The chosen one must fall."
Aries stood up on the rooftop and shouted, "SECTION Z, CODE BLACK! ALL MEMBERS — ENGAGE!"
Everyone activated their soul seals.
Ci-n pulled out twin daggers made of wind.
David's palms glowed with electric energy.
Kaylie stood frozen… until Keifer appeared beside her.
> "With me. Now."
Without waiting, he grabbed her hand and they ran toward the courtyard. Fire and ice clashed midair, students fighting back as best they could.
---
The First Battle
A tall enemy blocked their path — with a giant curved blade and tentacles of shadow.
Kaylie's heart pounded.
> "Stay back," she whispered, her hands glowing for the first time.
Suddenly—FWOOOSH!
A flame burst from her palm, wild and untamed, knocking the enemy off balance.
Keifer whistled. "Not bad."
> "That was me?!"
"Focus. You're stronger than you think."
The shadow charged again.
Keifer went forward, flipping into the air, kicking the creature backward — then snapped his fingers. Spikes of ice shot up from the ground, trapping it.
> "Kaylie — finish it!"
Kaylie hesitated… then roared.
The flame around her spun into a fiery whip — and with a swing, sliced through the shadow, disintegrating it.
---
The silence afterward was heavy.
Bodies of defeated enemies faded into black dust.
Aries, breathing hard, came running toward them. "This was just a scout squad. The real ones will come… soon."
Kaylie looked at her burning hands. "Why me?"
Keifer stepped beside her.
> "Because you're not ordinary."
She turned to look into his eyes. For once, he wasn't sarcastic or distant.
> "You're chosen."
And the way he said it…
It didn't sound like a burden.
It sounded like hope.