The Awakening of Azeon
Atta's crimson eyes blazed like fire. He clutched his head and collapsed to his knees.
"Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!"
His scream ripped through the grand gardens of Saint Athepia, echoing across the academy grounds. Students froze, staring in shock. Princess Isha, standing beside him, grabbed his shoulders in alarm.
"Atta! What's happening to you?!"
Even from a distance, Prince Ethan turned his gaze, curiosity flickering across his face.
The skies darkened. Scarlet bled across the heavens, staining the clouds with an unnatural glow. Fear spread like wildfire—students murmured in panic, professors hurried toward the gardens.
And then—silence.
A chilling laugh split the air.
"Ahh haa… hii haa haa haa!"
The sound came from Atta himself. His lips curled into a cruel smirk as his laughter shook the courtyard. With a sudden burst of force, he thrust Isha aside. She soared through the air, crashing into a tree with a grunt before slumping unconscious.
Gasps erupted. Dozens of horrified eyes fixed on the boy now standing slowly, his aura twisted, his red eyes glowing like burning coals.
Prince Ethan advanced, his angelic presence heavy and commanding.
"So… you must be Prince Atta of the Human Kingdom. What are you doing?"
Atta flexed his hand, opening and closing his fist as though testing it. His voice was darker, layered with something inhuman.
"This body… it's too weak. I can't use much of my power in it."
Ethan narrowed his eyes. The ground quaked as both began exerting spiritual pressure, their auras colliding. The air around them warped, heavy enough to crush weaker students to their knees. Overhead, the sky split in two—half crimson, half golden light.
From the corner of his eye, Atta noticed a guard rushing toward him with a drawn blade. He smirked and sidestepped effortlessly. Ethan shouted, "Back off!"
But Atta moved faster. He kicked the guard's legs out, sending him sprawling. Then, without hesitation, he brought his foot down—crushing the man's skull.
Crack.
Blood splattered, warm against Atta's cheek. He dragged a finger across it, lifting it to his lips. Slowly, deliberately, he licked it.
"…Salty," he murmured, his tone disturbingly calm.
Students screamed in terror, scattering in every direction. The once-proud gardens became a scene of panic. Ethan's jaw tightened, his eyes locked on the boy before him—not as a prince, but as a monster.
Then Atta spoke again, but this time the voice was deeper, older… ancient.
"I am Azeon."
Suddenly, his left hand shot to his throat, squeezing. His lips twisted into a manic smile as he choked himself.
"This brat… I can't control him. Not yet."
Atta's body trembled violently, torn between two wills.
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To be continued…