In a shadowed chamber, the world around seemed drenched in darkness. Shaytan sat upon an ominous chair, his presence exuding a terrifying aura. Valor, an agent of the Jinn Empire, stepped forward cautiously. "May I come to meet you?" he asked, his voice steady despite the tension.
Shaytan's lips curled into a devilish smile as Valor spoke of Enna's burning tattoo. A chilling laugh echoed through the dark room, making Valor's heart skip a beat. Shaytan's eyes glimmered with cruel delight.
"She is my greatest creation," Shaytan said, his voice a mix of menace and twisted pride. "Only she could retrieve that locket for me." He paused, his mind drifting back to the agony of failing to destroy it before. His smile twisted into a grim reflection of his pain.
"Look at what I've done now," he called out to the divine energy surrounding the universe, his tone both mocking and triumphant. "This time, you cannot win. Hahaha!" His laughter rang out like a storm, echoing through the darkness, leaving nothing but fear in its wake.
The next day, Enna met Lucas at a coffee shop. He wanted to see her, and she wanted to meet him too—for a reason of her own. Lucas tried to flirt as soon as she sat down.
Enna laughed, a sharp, sarcastic laugh. "Why do you want to meet me?" she asked.
"You're… pretty," Lucas said, trying to sound casual.
Enna raised an eyebrow. "Tell me something I don't know. I already know I'm pretty." Then, leaning forward, she said, "Let's get straight to the point. You have a blue ancient locket. I want it."
Lucas blinked. "Oh… can I ask why?"
"No," she said firmly.
Lucas smirked but nodded. "Alright. Meet me alone in the college corridor when no one is around."
Enna took a sip of her coffee, her eyes glinting with confidence. "Yes… sure."
Later, Lucas waited in the quiet corridor. Enna rushed in, her steps quick and determined. Julian, who had been looking for her, spotted her and called her name, but she didn't notice him as she passed.
Lucas's smile widened. "Oh, you came," he said. "You know, Enna, the world is a give-and-take place. If you want that locket, you have to give me something… something that's very important to a girl… I mean, a pretty girl like you."
Enna's devilish smile appeared. "And what is it that you want?" she asked, her voice calm. "I can give you anything."
Lucas stepped closer, his intentions clear. But before he could reach her, Enna's eyes glowed blue, her knife slipping from her sleeve. In a flash, Julian appeared and punched Lucas hard.
Enna quickly hid her face and let her hair fall over her face, hiding her piercing blue eyes. When she looked up again, they had returned to normal—masking the fire Julian didn't know existed., as the tension in the corridor exploded into chaos.
Julian's fists didn't stop. He struck Lucas hard—twice, repeatedly—each hit echoing through the corridor. Enna's eyes widened in fear; she was on the edge of revealing her powers to Julian.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Julian asked, concern lacing his voice as he reached for her hand. The tension between him and Lucas had always been bad, and now it was boiling over.
Julian grabbed Enna's hand, trying to lead her away to safety. But as they moved, Enna caught a glimpse from behind: Lucas was recovering and about to attack Julian again.
Without hesitation, Enna unleashed her power. With one hand, she silently focused on Lucas so Julian wouldn't notice, while the other directed her force at a nearby fan. It wobbled, tore from its mount, and crashed to the ground.
Lucas yelped in shock and pain.
Enna's lips curved into a devilish smile as she tightened her hold on Julian's hand, but he didn't notice and simply walked on.
"Let's go," she whispered.
Julian looked at Enna with concern. "Are you hurt? Don't go near him again," he said firmly.
Enna raised an eyebrow at him, silent. He sighed softly. "Please," he added.
She didn't reply and instead asked, "Can I ask something? Did something happen between you and Lucas?"
Julian's eyes darkened. "We used to be friends," he said quietly, "but not anymore."
"Why?" she asked.
He gave a sad smile. "He took something special from me."
Enna frowned. "Then why did you give it to him if it was special? Get it back. I'll help you."
She was about to walk toward Lucas, but Julian caught her hand. "Do you really think I gave it to him?"
She looked confused, trying to read his eyes—then suddenly, the canteen bell rang. At that moment, her tattoo burned again. Pain shot through her arm, and she fell to the floor.
Julian rushed to help, but she stopped him. "Don't touch me. I can manage on my own. And… thanks for today. But that doesn't mean we're friends. If I get the chance, I'll help you the same way."
Enna hated owing anyone a Favor.
Julian smiled faintly, helped her sit on the bench despite her words, and whispered, "But I like doing Favors," before walking away.
Enna clenched her fists, thinking angrily, I have to get rid of him. He's becoming an obstacle in my way.
But as she looked at him leaving, one question refused to leave her mind—
What exactly did Lucas take from Julian… and why did it sound like something more than just "special"?