Pain was a familiar friend to Zane. The kick that slammed into his torso, the crack of his skull against the wall, he welcomed it all with detached interest. His only reaction was a silent smile no one noticed.
After all, today was the day his perfect plan would begin. He just had to endure the usual bullying one more time.
Then, as if to mock his efforts, the sky spoke into the bones of every living being. The ground itself trembled beneath his feet.
"Lend me your ears, subjects of a smaller world. You have been deemed unworthy to attain rebirth. Yet we shall grant you another chance. If even one third of you survives the Elite Geminis we'll send before the sun blinks, we will reconsider your fate. I give you permission to breathe the energy of your world. Tongues are united and words would find their purpose. Death is released, voice of the void is learned. Any savior you may pray for will have to get through me. No, us.
Screams erupted as the entire school descended into chaos. No one could verify the source of the ominous voice which made the entire situation more unsettling.
Zane slowly picked himself up. Unlike the others, what he felt wasn't fear, it was intense, soul-deep annoyance.
"Just which idiot thought today of all days was a good time to set the world ablaze?" He frowned as he whispered.