Chapter 8

Morning After

Early in the morning, Black Storm stood in front of the bathroom mirror, flexing his arms as if he had just discovered them for the first time.

He turned slightly, inspecting his biceps from every angle, then grinned widely.

Moments later, he burst into Shadow Light’s room, where his friend was sprawled lazily across the bed, half-asleep.

Black Storm:
“Hey, Shadow Light! I think I figured out my special ability.”

Shadow Light groaned.

Shadow Light:
“Yeah?… tell me.”

Black Storm struck a dramatic pose.

Black Storm:
“I might have the most muscular physique in history. Look at these arms!”

Shadow Light opened one eye.

Shadow Light:
“Or maybe you were just born into an athletic family.”

Black Storm’s eyes sparkled.

Black Storm:
“An athletic family?! That’s possible too.Wow!”

Shadow Light:
“Then I must’ve been born into a rich family.”

Black Storm:
“Huh? Why?”

Shadow Light stretched his leg and shoved his foot near Black Storm’s face.

Shadow Light:
“I don’t know man, but look at my toenails. They’re way too perfect.”

A loud crash echoed through the house as the two started fighting.

Down the hall, Sun-Z brushed her hair with clear irritation, while Mrs. Kelly smiled quietly in the kitchen, preparing breakfast as if this were an entirely normal morning.

Black Storm (shouting):
“Get your filthy foot out of my face!”

Shadow Light:
“I bet my feet are million times cleaner than your face, jerk!”

Moments later, Shadow Light stomped downstairs, muttering angrily.

A soft meow echoed from the shadows near the stairs.

He screamed.

Star X burst into laughter.

Star X:
“Hehehe… so you really are scared of cats!”

Nearby, Mrs. Kelly’s black cat slept peacefully beside her.

Shadow Light:
“You’re such a stupid child!”

Star X:
“You’re the stupid one!”

A knock suddenly echoed through the house.

Mrs. Kelly (calling):
“Could someone check the door, please?”

Star X:
“Okay!”

She went to open the door, with a curious Shadow Light peeking over her shoulder. But the moment she opened it, she found herself staring at a strange figure whose hair looked like a swirling black hole.

—and instantly she slammed it shut.

And She and Shadow Light screamed at the same time.

Shadow Light:
“What the heck was that?!”

Star X:
“I saw a black hole!”

Shadow Light: (screaming)
“How can a black hole have legs?! Open the door again and check!”

Star X (panicking):

“No way! You check it yourself!”

Shadow Light:

“Fine… let’s look through the window.”

As They peeked through the window next door..

The same figure peeked back.

which made the two scream again.

A short while later, Mrs. Kelly handed the visitor a small bundle of medicine and waved him goodbye.

Mrs. Kelly:
“Daniel is just a shy boy with a… unique hairstyle. He came to pick up some medicine.”

Sun-Z blinked.

Sun-Z:
“Are you a doctor, Mrs. Kelly?”

Mrs. Kelly:
“Not really. I just know a bit about herbs.”

Behind them, Black Storm and Shadow Light whispered angrily.

Black Storm:
“So You’re scared of anything with hair?. coward.”

Shadow Light:
“Say one more word and I’ll poke your eye out.”

Black Storm:

“Try me.”

And they started fighting again while Mrs. Kelly continued calmly.

Mrs. Kelly:
“My grandchildren live in Aphraheda. They’re much more skilled than I am.”

Sun-Z smiled.

Sun-Z:
“That explains why this house is so big.”

Mrs. Kelly’s expression softened.

Mrs. Kelly:
“My husband built it for me… I couldn’t leave it after he passed away.”

Star X and Sun-Z listened quietly.

Sun-Z:
“He must’ve loved you very much.He seems to be a wonderful man. The house is beautiful”

star X:

"yeah"

Mrs. Kelly smiled.

Mrs. Kelly:
“He is.”

“How about I show you something special? Are you done eating?”

Star X (excitedly):

“Yes!”

They followed Mrs. Kelly through the back door that opened onto the balcony, and the moment Star X and Sun-Z stepped outside, their eyes widened in disbelief at the endless green lawns stretching before them.

Sun-Z:
“WAIT!…Where did the village go?”

Mrs. Kelly:
“It’s on the other side.”

The girls rushed to the edge of the balcony and looked behind the house. There it was—the village, exactly where it had always been.

Sun-Z:

 “But how?"

" We came through this door!"

" How are we suddenly at the back of the house?”

Mrs. Kelly smiled, lost in an old memory.

“When my husband finished building this house, he took my hand and said..(( I built you a revolving home that moves with sunrise and sunset, so you’ll never miss the view from your balcony when you become a beautiful old lady)).”

Star X and Sun-Z gazed at her with sparkling eyes.

Sun-Z:

 “What a romantic gentleman.”

Star X:

 “He's a real man.”

As mrs. kelly returned inside, she found Black Storm and Shadowlight still sitting at the table, glaring at each other like rival beasts.

"Those two do nothing but stare at each other", she thought, then said aloud,

“Excuse me, boys… can I ask you a favor?”

Black Storm:

 “Of course, Mrs. Kelly. Anything.”

⸻

Not long after, the two were struggling up a rocky slope, each carrying a huge bucket of water, their breathing heavy.

Shadowlight:

 “I don’t understand why we’re bringing water from a river this far away.”

Black Storm:

 “Because it’s drinkable, you idiot.”

Shadowlight:

 “Shut up! If she wants clean water, why not use the well next to her house?”

Black Storm:

 “I saw it—it’s dried up. That’s why she wants to refill it.”

Shadowlight:

 “there's no way we could fill that well. That woman is crazy!!”

Black Storm, smirking:

 “What’s wrong? Too hard for you?”

Furious, Shadowlight stuck out his foot.

 Black Storm tripped and crashed face-first into the ground, water spilling everywhere.

Black Storm:

 “What the hell was that for?!”

Shadowlight, walking past:

 “Watch your step, genius.”

But Black Storm grabbed his ankle and yanked, sending Shadowlight crashing down just as hard.

Shadowlight: 

“You jerk!”

They refilled the buckets in silence, both seething.

Shadowlight:

 “Where are Sun-Z and Star X anyway?”

Black Storm:

 “In the village. They’re probably looking for anything that might help us find Mr. White.”

Shadowlight, scoffing: 

“Mr. White ha? Maybe we should search space too, since we’re aliens who fell from the sky.”

They froze at the same time. An idea stricked them

Both together:

 “Wait…!”

⸻

By midday, Star X and Sun-Z wandered through the village market wearing clothes Mrs. Kelly had lent them.

Sun-Z smiled as she spun in her dress.

“Mrs. Kelly is so sweet. I still can’t believe she gave us these.”

Star X:

“I feel like we’re undercover.”

Sun-Z:
“We are. We have to find any clue about Mr. White.”

They began questioned people quietly.

The answers were all the same.

Villager:
“Of course I know Mr. White… but I’ve never met him.”

Shopkeeper:
“I’ve heard the name. Nothing more.”

Woman:

 “Oh yes, Mr. White. I know him… but what does he look like? Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever met him.”

Star X frowned.

Star X:
“Everyone knows him, but nobody has met him before!”

Sun-Z:

 “It’s like they only remember the name. Nothing else.”

Star X, whispering:

 “Just like us…

Not far away, Mr. White moved through the same market, staring at his watch.

"This detector won’t pick them up clearly unless they use their abilities…

The signals came from the lake…

after the stories i heard from the villegers..They awakened their powers far too fast.

unless fear or danger forced it."

Suddenly, Star X bumped into him.while she was running and looking back.

Star X:
“Oh! I’m so sorry, sir!.I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

Mr. White:

 “It’s alright. I wasn’t paying attention either.”

Sun-Z rushed to her side.

Sun-Z:

 “Are you okay?”

They rushed away, laughing.

Star X:

“Don’t laugh at me!”

Mr. White took a few steps—then froze.

"They’re the same age…"

His eyes widened.

"Star X… Sun-Z!"

He spun around and ran back, but the girls were gone—as if they had vanished into thin air.

"How could I be so blind? "

"Of course they’d change clothes to blend in… Where did they disappear to?"

⸻

Meanwhile, at Leader Mountain…

The Leader stared in awe at the shattered wall before him.

Leader:

 “Incredible. How did you do this?”

Gunner:

 “As I said, my lord—with advanced technology and specialized equipment.”

Leader: 

“With weapons like these, I can extend my control to entire citie!"

"How long will it take to make more?”

Gunner:

 “Not long. I’ve already prepared ten more. They’re ready now. Why not test them on the Wise Village—the same place your followers failed?”

The Leader slowly turned to Commander Gazley.

Leader:

 “Well, Commander… I’ll give you one last chance.”

Gazley:

 “…!”

Leader:

 “Take your battalion and these new weapons back to that insignificant village. This time, bring me something useful.”

Commander Gazley:

 “Yes, sir.”

Leader: 

“Dismissed.”