"thanks for standing up for me" I stuttered out but this time there was no sarcastic voice playing out anymore he was suspiciously quiet
"good luck" He said this time not a tint of sarcasm in his voice
The room went cold. Shadows stretched and twisted as the drawer burst open again, and the beast slithered out—a swirling mass of darkness with glowing, burning eyes. It growled low and menacing.
I barely had time to react before it lunged at me.
My hands scrambled for anything—a broken chair leg, a book, something. I grabbed a chair leg and swung blindly, barely grazing the creature's side.
It hissed, sharp and cruel, eyes narrowing as it circled me, waiting for a chance to strike again.
There was no help. No magic spark inside me. Just me, my fear, and this nightmare.
I dodged a swipe, feeling the air whistle past my cheek, and stumbled backward.
My heart thundered so loud I was sure the beast could hear it.
I clenched my fists tight around the chair leg, readying myself for the next attack.
The beast snarled and lunged, but I twisted away, bursting through the classroom door before it could grab me. The hall was empty—just long, echoing silence.
I didn't stop. My feet pounded down the corridor as the beast's heavy steps crashed behind me. Shadows spilled from every corner, twisting with its every move.
Pushing through the front doors, I spilled out into the school courtyard. The moonlight barely cut through the fog curling around the ancient stone buildings.
The beast's glowing eyes locked onto me, hunger burning bright in the darkness.
I stumbled but kept running across the cracked pavement, dodging broken benches and overgrown flowerbeds.
A group of students hanging out near the fountain froze, eyes wide as they saw the swirling shadow creature lunging after me.
"Is that… real?" one whispered.
A teacher rushing out of the main building gasped and shouted, "Everyone, get inside! Now!"
The courtyard erupted into chaos as students scrambled for the doors, pushing and shouting.
I grabbed a fallen branch from a nearby tree—rough and jagged—and swung with everything I had.
The beast hissed, recoiling but not retreating.
I heard gasps and whispers from the crowd, some pulling out their phones, others yelling for help.
The creature reached out again, claws swiping close to my side. I barely dodged, rolling onto the grass.
The teachers tried to corral the students, but panic was spreading fast.
No one knew what this beast was—or why it was here. All they saw was me, alone and fighting shadows.
My heart slammed in my chest as I backed toward the school's stone wall, nowhere left to run.
The cold night air pressed against my skin, and I could feel every pair of eyes watching.
This was it.
I stumbled back, panic rising like a tidal wave. But then—through the chaos—I noticed something strange.
Every time I flinched, hesitated, or froze, the beast seemed to grow stronger, more aggressive, its glowing eyes burning brighter. When I darted and fought back, it snarled but faltered.
Could it be… my fear was feeding it?
I swallowed hard and forced myself to stand tall. No more running. No more flinching.
The beast charged, claws extended, but this time I met its gaze—steady and unflinching.
I took a deep breath and stepped forward.
It hesitated, eyes flickering, like it wasn't expecting this.
I gripped a jagged branch and swung at its glowing eye.
The beast yelped and staggered back, momentarily blinded.
I pressed my advantage, knocking over a bench to block its path.
"You want to feed on fear?" I shouted, voice shaking but strong. "Then I'm not giving you anything!"
The beast snarled, its form flickering, unstable.
My heart hammered, but I forced calm into my breath.
Fear was the leash. And I just broke free.
With a final, desperate swing, I landed a solid hit on its side.
The creature let out a strangled cry and began to dissolve—shadows scattering into the night air.
I stood there, chest heaving, victorious.
No magic. Just courage.
The courtyard was still buzzing with whispers when the last shadows of the beast vanished into thin air.
Students cautiously stepped closer, eyes wide but less fearful now.
One of the teachers, Ms. Harrow, cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "Ray… that was incredible."
I blinked, still catching my breath. "I—I just…" Words failed me.
From the crowd, Kai—usually so confident and distant—nodded slowly. "You didn't run. You faced it."
Others murmured their agreement, some offering small smiles.
A few students I barely knew came forward, hesitant but genuine.
"Guess there's more to you than we thought," Lina said quietly, no trace of mockery.
Even Tarin stayed silent, his usual smirk replaced by something unreadable.
Ms. Harrow stepped closer, voice softer now. "You showed bravery when it mattered most. That's what counts."
For the first time, I felt something shift inside me—a spark. Not magic, but maybe something even stronger.
Acceptance.
Maybe being the forgotten light didn't mean I was invisible after all.
Remi hovered lazily, grinning like he knew a secret.
"So, Ray—surprise! You weren't just fighting some random beast. Nope. That little disaster? Totally my handiwork."
I blinked. "Wait, what? You planned this?"
He shrugged, voice dripping with mock innocence.
"Planned, orchestrated, and just a dash of chaos. You needed a push, and hey, what's a little apocalypse between friends?"
I narrowed my eyes. "You could've warned me."
He smirked. "Where's the fun in that? Besides, watching you flail was priceless."
I groaned. "You're impossible."
Remi winked. "And you're finally interesting. Now, don't mess this up."