Whispers of the Beginning

The air was crisp, filled with the chatter of students rushing to their classes. Among them, Ryu walked with quiet confidence, his dark hair stirring in the breeze. His sharp eyes swept over the crowd, indifferent to their daily bustle.

"You're late again," a familiar voice called out.

Ryu turned to see Aryan Toshi, his closest friend and the only person who truly understood him. Aryan grinned, tossing an apple from hand to hand.

"And you're still the same," Ryu replied, his voice calm yet distant.

Aryan sighed, falling into step beside him. "Seriously, you need to stop zoning out so much. Ever since that night, you've been different."

Ryu didn't respond. His thoughts drifted back to the dream that had haunted him for weeks—a vision of a figure in orange robes speaking of destiny and ancient power. The memory of glowing symbols on his hands still sent shivers down his spine.

As they neared the building, a sudden gust of wind rushed past them. Ryu stopped, his senses sharpening. Time seemed to slow, and in the distance, he saw something—or someone—watching him.

His heartbeat quickened, but when he blinked, the presence vanished.

"Ryu?" Aryan nudged him. "You good?"

Ryu exhaled, forcing a small smirk. "Yeah. Let's go."

But deep inside, he knew something was changing—and whatever was coming had already begun.

The rhythmic shuffle of feet on pavement, distant bicycle bells, and scattered laughter created a familiar morning chaos. Among the students, Ryu moved with quiet low confidence, indifferent to their daily bustle—an observer rather than a participant in their world.

A shadow flickered between the trees at the far end of the courtyard—not quite human, yet not formless. It felt aware. Though motionless, its presence pressed against him like an unseen force.

His heartbeat intensified, his instincts screaming that this was no illusion. When he blinked, the presence vanished, leaving only rustling leaves in its wake.

But deep inside, he knew something was changing—and whatever was coming had already begun. The feeling from his dream was no longer just a memory; it was here, lurking, waiting.

And it had found him.

"Ryu, are you adequately prepared for the test?" Aryan inquired, noticing Ryu's unusual reaction that suggested he might not be.

"Rest assured, it won't be a significant challenge for me!" Ryu responded with assurance. As Aryan entered the classroom and settled into his seat, Ryu hurriedly lost his balance, eliciting laughter from his classmates. Just before the teacher entered, Ryu promptly stood up and chose a seat in front of Aryan, adjacent to the window.

The teacher started the lesson on history. Ryu still looked out to figure out something unnoticeable.