The Zodiac

The Third Awakening (Part1)

heavy silence settled over the university campus.

The enormous circle of darkness hanging in the sky seemed to swallow every ray of sunlight. Students, lecturers, and security guards stood frozen, staring upward. Some pulled out their phones to record what they thought was a strange weather phenomenon, but every screen showed nothing except a clear blue sky.

"They can't see it," Professor Rowan said quietly.

Amara tore her eyes away from the crimson eyes glaring down from the darkness.

"Then why can we?"

"Because we've awakened. The Celestial Veil has been lifted from your eyes."

Kieran clenched his fists. Golden sparks danced around his fingers.

"I don't know what's happening, but I know one thing." His eyes hardened as he looked at the three Shadow Hunters. "They're not leaving here alive."

The lead Shadow Hunter laughed.

"Still thinking like an ordinary human."

He stretched out both hands, and black mist poured from his sleeves, twisting into long blades.

His companions did the same.

Professor Rowan stepped between the young heirs.

"Listen carefully. Shadow Hunters grow stronger the longer they remain connected to the Void. You cannot overpower them through brute force."

"So what do we do?" Tobi asked, his voice shaking.

"We work together."

The lead hunter charged first.

His movements were impossibly fast.

In the blink of an eye, he stood before Kieran, swinging a blade of darkness toward his chest.

Kieran reacted instinctively.

A brilliant golden shield burst from his body, stopping the attack with a deafening clang.

The impact sent a shockwave through the laboratory.

Tables overturned.

Glass shattered.

Electric lights exploded overhead.

The Shadow Hunter smiled.

"Interesting."

He pushed harder.

Cracks began spreading across Kieran's glowing shield.

Amara's heart raced.

Without thinking, she grabbed the silver necklace around her neck.

"Help him."

The twelve-pointed star flared with light.

Warm energy rushed through her body.

Silver vines of light shot across the floor, wrapping around the Shadow Hunter's legs.

His eyes widened.

"What—"

Before he could finish, Kieran punched forward.

A roaring lion of golden energy erupted from his fist, slamming into the hunter and throwing him through two concrete walls.

The building shook violently.

Dust filled the air.

The remaining two hunters exchanged nervous glances.

"Lord Lucien underestimated them."

"No," the other replied. "He expected this."

He reached inside his cloak and pulled out another black crystal.

Professor Rowan's face turned pale.

"Destroy it!"

Too late.

The hunter crushed the crystal.

Instead of darkness, a piercing whistle echoed across the campus.

Nothing happened.

For several seconds.

Then...

The ground trembled.

Students screamed as cracks split the pavement outside.

Trees bent under an invisible force.

Cars alarmed simultaneously.

Something was coming.

Professor Rowan whispered, "We've run out of time."

Far beneath the university...

In forgotten tunnels buried centuries ago...

A pair of glowing blue eyes opened.

A young woman slowly sat upright inside a stone chamber illuminated by ancient crystals.

She looked no older than Amara.

Her long white hair fell over armor covered in frost-like markings.

She frowned.

"The Guardians..."

She closed her eyes.

"I can feel them."

For the first time in hundreds of years, someone had awakened her.

She stepped toward a massive stone door.

As her fingertips brushed its surface, glowing symbols spread across the ancient rock.

With a thunderous groan, the door slowly opened.

Cold air rushed into the tunnel.

She whispered one name.

"Virgo."

Then she began climbing toward the surface.

Back in the laboratory, Amara suddenly staggered.

Another vision.

This time stronger than before.

She saw a frozen temple hidden beneath mountains.

A silver-haired girl walking through endless snow.

Blue flames.

An enormous wolf carved from ice.

Then...

The vision ended.

Professor Rowan caught her before she fell.

"What did you see?"

"I don't know."

"Tell me."

"There was... another Guardian."

His eyes widened.

"Another heir is awakening."

"Where?"

"I couldn't tell."

Before he could ask another question, a thunderous roar echoed across the campus.

The walls of the laboratory exploded inward.

A gigantic creature crawled through the smoke.

It resembled a wolf...

But it was made entirely of living shadows.

Its glowing crimson eyes fixed on Amara.

The Shadow Hunters immediately dropped to one knee.

"The Void Beast has arrived."

Students outside fled in terror as the creature released another earth-shaking howl.

Kieran stepped forward despite the fear rising in his chest.

"I don't care how big you are."

Golden flames surrounded his fists.

"If you want to hurt my friends..."

The lion behind him appeared once more, larger than before.

"...you'll have to go through me first."

The beast lowered its head.

Then, with terrifying speed, it charged.