Gared opened his eyes to darkness that did not feel like night but something heavier, as if the world itself had been emptied of light. He stood there for a moment without moving, unable to understand where he was or how he had arrived. The air felt cold and dense, pressing against his chest with every breath
Slowly he looked around. The ground beneath his feet was cracked and lifeless, as if something had passed through this place and broken it beyond repair. There were no sounds, no wind no movement—just silence stretching endlessly in every direction
Then he heard it
A sound distant at first but unmistakable heavy footsteps echoing through the emptiness
Gared lifted his head
Zerath
The massive figure stood far ahead, unmoving like a shadow carved into the darkness, its glowing eyes fixed directly on him without hesitation, without doubt
Gared felt his body tense his fingers curling into a fist as the energy of Zendara flickered faintly beneath his skin reacting before he could even think
He stepped forward
Zerath moved
The distance between them collapsed in an instant, too fast for the eye to follow
Gared raised his hand instinctively gathering that same energy
But before anything could happen
Zerath vanished
Not retreated, not hidden
Gone
As if it had never been there
Gared stopped
His breath caught in his throat as he looked around, trying to understand what had just happened
Nothing
Only silence again
Then something shifted in front of him
A figure appeared where the emptiness had been
A man
Standing calmly as if he had always been there
Gared recognized him immediately
The new professor
The same one from the welcoming ceremony
But something about him was wrong
His presence felt off, like a reflection that did not fully match what it was supposed to be
"Gared"
His voice came out low and distant yet clear enough to cut through the silence
"Help me."
Gared frowned slightly trying to make sense of it
"What are you doing here?"
The man did not answer directly; he only raised his hand slowly, reaching toward him
"Please."
There was something in his tone, something that did not belong
Gared hesitated
Every instinct told him to step back
But he did not
Instead he moved forward
And took his hand
The moment their hands touched the world broke
A sharp crack tore through the air like reality itself splitting apart
Behind them a gate opened
Black and vast
Darkness poured out of it like something alive, spreading across the ground and swallowing the space around them
Gared turned instantly
Shapes were moving inside the darkness
At first, unclear
Then visible
One
Then another
Then many
They stepped out slowly their forms twisted, their eyes glowing in the void
Abyss Crawlers
Dozens of them
Surrounding him from every direction
Gared took a step back his grip tightening
"No"
He tried to pull the man with him but the professor did not move
He stood there completely still his eyes fixed on Gared
"Help me."
The creatures lunged forward all at once
Darkness closing in claws reaching toward him from every side
Gared shouted
And everything shattered
He woke up suddenly
His body jerking forward as he sat up in bed his breathing uneven and fast
The room was dark
Silent
For a few seconds he did not move
He just sat there trying to steady himself, trying to convince his mind that it was over
Slowly he ran a hand over his face
"Just a dream."
But the words did not feel convincing
Almost without thinking, he looked down at his wrist
Zendara flickered faintly beneath his skin
Gared stared at it in silence
And for the first time
he was not sure if he had ever been asleep at all
Gared sat still on the edge of his bed for a few seconds after waking up
The silence of the room felt… too normal
As if nothing had happened
As if that place… that darkness… never existed
He exhaled slowly and ran a hand through his hair
"Just a dream …"
But even as he said it
He didn't believe it
He stood up and walked toward the window
Morning light spilled into the room
The city looked the same as always
Cars moving
People walking
Nothing strange
Nothing wrong
Gared stared for a moment
Then looked down at his wrist
Zendara flickered faintly
Just for a second
Then disappeared
He clenched his hand
"…Yeah. Definitely not just a dream."
A voice suddenly came from outside his room
"Gared! You're going to be late!"
He blinked
Reality snapped back instantly
"Coming!"
A few minutes later
Gared stepped out of his room, adjusting his bag over his shoulder
The smell of breakfast filled the house
His mother stood in the kitchen, placing dishes on the table
She glanced at him
"You're finally awake."
Gared shrugged slightly
"Yeah."
Her eyes moved over him for a moment
"Your room is a mess again."
Gared walked past her casually
"I'll fix it later."
She sighed quietly
"You always say that."
He didn't respond
Instead, he grabbed something quick to eat
She watched him for a second before speaking again
"You've been busy lately."
Gared paused slightly
"Just university stuff."
She nodded, but didn't look fully convinced
"Do you have plans today?"
Gared took a bite, not thinking much of it
"Yeah… I'm meeting the guys."
She leaned slightly against the counter
"I was actually thinking …"
He looked at her
"We haven't gone out together since we moved to Veradin."
Her tone was calm
But there was something behind it
"Maybe we could go out later today."
Gared hesitated for a brief moment
Then looked away
"…Maybe later."
She stayed silent for a second
Then gave a small nod
"Alright."
Gared grabbed his bag and headed toward the door
"I'm going to be late."
As he reached the door—
"Gared"
He stopped
But didn't turn fully
"Yeah?"
"Don't forget."
He paused
"I won't."
Then he stepped outside
The door closed behind him
And for a moment—
the house felt quieter than it should have been
The five of them stood in the open space near the old siteThe place was completely empty as if it had been left for them aloneThe air was calm but there was tension beneath it
Austin looked around and smirked"Finally we can move freely."
Daniel replied immediately like he had been waiting for this moment"No rules, no one watching this is perfect."
Ryan raised an eyebrow"Or we burn the whole place down."
Austin laughed"Just once."
Usher was calmly sipping his coffee"You said that yesterday."
Gared stood slightly apart watching them in silenceThen he said calmly,"Focus"
Before anyone could respond
They felt it
They all turned at the same time
Roger stood behind them
Quiet
As if he had been there the entire time
Daniel smiled"Nice, the coach is here."
Austin stepped forward"Alright show us how it's done"
Roger didn't react
He simply said
"Start"
Austin didn't hesitate
He raised his hand
Fire burst out instantly
Stronger than expected
It grew out of control in a second
The flames shot forward and hit a pile of wood
It ignited immediately
Ryan said calmly"Great start"
Austin snapped"Shut up"
He tried to control it
But the fire only spread
Usher sighed
He stepped forward
Raised his hand
Water blasted out
Not just at the fire
At Austin too
SPLASH
Silence
Then Daniel burst out laughing"No way"
Ryan laughed"This is the best thing today"
Austin stood there soaked dripping water staring at Usher
"You're dead"
Usher shrugged"It worked"
Roger spoke
"Again"
This time
They focused
Austin raised his hand again
The fire appeared
Smaller
Calmer
Roger said"Don't think feel it"
Austin froze for a second
Then steadied himself
The flame stabilized
Controlled
Austin smirked"That's better"
Roger simply said
"Next"
Ryan stepped forward"My turn"
He placed his hand on the ground
Nothing
Daniel said"That's it"
Ryan said"Wait"
He focused
Roger said"Don't ask"
Ryan looked up
Roger finished
"Command"
Ryan pressed his hand harder
Suddenly
The ground cracked
A pillar of earth rose smoothly and solid
Ryan blinked"Okay… that was different"
Daniel nodded"That's actually strong"
Roger gave a small nod
Usher stepped forward
Water gathered around his hand
Calm
Roger said"No hesitation"
Usher moved
The water shot forward
Precise
Sharp
It sliced through a branch cleanly
Roger said"Good"
Daniel grinned"My turn"
He raised his hand
Wind spiraled around him wildly
Unstable
Roger said
"Stop"
Daniel froze
Breathed
Then slowly
The wind calmed
Then lifted him
Smooth
Controlled
Daniel smiled"That's more like it"
They all turned toward Gared
Ryan smirked"Let's see the leader"
Austin added"Don't disappoint"
Daniel said"No pressure"
Gared raised his hand
Zendara flickered
For a moment
Then vanished
Nothing happened
Silence
Austin muttered"That's rough"
Daniel laughed"Needs an update"
Ryan added"Or a restart"
Gared didn't respond
He just looked at his hand
Roger spoke calmly
"You can't force it"
Gared looked at him
Roger continued
"You let it choose you"
Silence
Gared took a breath
Raised his hand again
This time
He didn't push
Didn't force
He waited
One second
Two
Then
Zendara pulsed
Not like before
Stronger
Clear
The air around him shifted slightly
Ryan went quiet
Daniel whispered"You see that"
Austin didn't say anything
Even Roger narrowed his eyes
Energy gathered slowly around Gared's hand
For the first time
It didn't explode
Didn't disappear
It stayed
Gared opened his eyes slowly
Staring at it
As if seeing it for the first time
One second
Two
Then it faded
But this time
It wasn't failure
It was control
Roger said calmly
"Better"
A moment of silence
Then Daniel exhaled
"Okay now we really need to go we're late for class"
Ryan said"If we're any later we're done"
Austin added"Let's move"
Gared lowered his hand and started walking
"Roger wait for us in the cafeteria we'll meet you there"
Roger gave a slight nod
They all headed toward the university
The lecture hall was quiet
Students sat in rows as the new professor stood at the front explaining the lesson
Gared sat between Usher and Daniel
But his head was resting on the table
Asleep
Usher leaned slightly toward Daniel and whispered"The new professor is actually good I didn't expect him to explain like this He looks too serious but his way of explaining is interesting"
Daniel nodded without taking his eyes off the professor"Yeah his explanation is good but we still don't know how his exams will be That's the real problem"
Then he glanced at Gared
Still asleep
Daniel smirked slightly"Clearly someone doesn't care"
At that exact moment
The professor stopped speaking
The room went silent
Then he said calmly"Gared"
No response
"Gared can you repeat what I just explained"
Daniel quickly nudged him"Gared wake up he's talking to you"
Gared suddenly lifted his head
Confused
He stood up quickly"Yes… can you repeat the question I was thinking about the definition"
A few students laughed quietly
The professor smiled slightly
"I was talking about the theory we just discussed Can you explain it again to your classmates"
Gared froze for a second
Then glanced at Usher and Daniel
Clearly lost
"Yes… yes of course"
The professor nodded
"Good come stand here"
Gared walked slowly to the front
The professor stepped aside and sat on one of the empty chairs
Watching him
"Go ahead Gared we're listening"
Gared stood there
Facing the entire class
Silence
Then he spoke"The theory says…"
He stopped
Blank
Completely blank
Before the silence could get worse
A student suddenly raised his hand"Professor the lecture time is over may I leave I have another class"
The professor looked at the clock
Then nodded"You're right"
He stood up calmly"Alright we'll continue the rest of the lesson in the next lecture"
Relief spread across the room
Gared stepped back slightly
The professor then looked directly at him
And said in a calm tone
"I suppose you didn't read your homework"
Gared hesitated
Then replied"I have tried to understand it Maybe not too well but I really tried"
The professor studied him for a moment
His expression unreadable
Then he turned away"Make sure you understand it next time"
Students began leaving the room
Daniel leaned closer to Gared"Nice save"
Usher smirked"Yeah that was impressive"
Gared exhaled slowly
Still trying to fully wake up
But something about the professor's gaze…
Students continued leaving the lecture hall
The noise faded slowly
Gared was about to walk out
Then—
"Gared"
He stopped
Turned
"Yes I'm coming"
He walked toward the professor
The room was almost empty now
The professor looked at him calmly
Then said
"Listen I know mathematics is not the most enjoyable subject but you need to understand it Gared"
Gared stayed quiet
The professor continued
"And if you ever need help I can teach you"
A small pause
"Even though I don't usually give private lessons… you seem like a good student"
His eyes stayed on him
"I want you to focus in class And if you need help I'll be there for you"
Gared nodded quickly"Thank you… thank you Professor Kael"
Professor Kael gave a slight nod
Then simply turned and walked away
Gared stood there for a moment
Watching him
Then—
Something hit him
Hard
A flash
The same face
The same voice
The same presence
The man from the dream
Professor Kael
His eyes widened slightly
"…No way"
Outside
Daniel suddenly stopped walking
His expression changed
He looked around
"…Do you feel that"
Usher frowned
"Yeah… something's off"
Daniel lowered his voice
"It's coming from him"
He gestured slightly toward the direction of the professor
Both of them turned
Then—
They looked at Gared
He was already looking at them
The same realization
Silence for a second
Then Gared stepped closer
"There's something wrong"
Daniel nodded immediately"Yeah"
Gared took a breath
Lowered his voice
"Honestly… I saw him in my dream"
Usher's eyes narrowed
"What"
Gared continued
"He was asking for help But I didn't understand it It didn't make sense"
A brief pause
"But something about him…"
Daniel cut in"We all felt it"
Usher nodded slowly
"That wasn't normal"
Silence
Gared looked toward the hallway where the professor disappeared
Then back at them
"Let's tell Roger"
Daniel nodded"Yeah"
Usher added"And the others"
They didn't say anything else
They just started walking
Faster this time
The cafeteria was quiet
Gared Usher and Daniel stood near the entrance
No sign of the others
Gared frowned"Where did Roger go"
Daniel shrugged"Maybe he went outside"
Usher checked his phone"Or maybe Austin dragged him somewhere again"
A notification sound broke the silence
All three looked down
A message from Austin
"We're at a burger place Come here Roger is with us"
Daniel smirked"Of course"
Gared nodded"Let's go"
They left the cafeteria
Walking across the campus
The late afternoon light stretched across the ground
As they reached the street—
Gared suddenly slowed down
Then stopped
Usher glanced at him"What is it"
Gared didn't answer
His eyes were fixed ahead
Across the street
A small outdoor restaurant
People talking
Laughing
Living normal lives
Then—
He saw her
His mother
Sitting at a table
Gared's expression shifted slightly
But then—
He saw the man sitting across from her
And everything went quiet
His eyes narrowed
Not because he was angry
But because he recognized him
Immediately
That face
That presence
He had seen it before
Not here
Not like this
But enough to know
Who he was
Daniel kept walking
Not noticing anything
Then turned back"Gared"
Usher followed his gaze briefly"What are you looking at"
Gared looked away instantly
Too quickly
"...Nothing"
Daniel frowned slightly"You sure"
Gared nodded"Yeah"
His voice was calm
Too calm
They continued walking
Crossing the street
Moving past the restaurant
Daniel was talking
Usher replied
Normal
Everything was normal
Except—
Gared glanced once
Just once
From the corner of his eye
His mother was smiling
The man across from her spoke quietly
Calm
Familiar
As if this wasn't the first time
Gared looked forward again
Saying nothing
Not reacting
Not questioning
But something inside him—
Didn't settle
Because he knew exactly who that man was
And that…
Wasn't a coincidence .