THE RETURN OF MAGIC

MOONLIGT HEALING

The c***k in the crimson moon spread slowly across the sky.

Students gathered outside the damaged school building despite the pouring rain, staring upward in terror while police sirens echoed throughout the city. Teachers tried calming everyone down, but panic was spreading too fast.

Nobody could explain what had just happened.

Parts of Westbridge Academy were destroyed.

Windows had exploded outward.

The cafeteria wall was gone.

And strange black burn marks covered entire sections of the hallways.

Some students swore monsters attacked the school.

Others claimed lightning caused mass hallucinations.

But Kai knew what he saw.

They all did.

Kai sat against a broken hallway wall breathing heavily while rainwater dripped through the shattered ceiling above him. His entire body still hurt from the lightning strike. Small sparks occasionally flickered across his skin before disappearing again.

The glowing symbols on his arms had finally faded.

But the memory of the vision remained burned into his mind.

The throne.

The storm.

The voice.

The king has returned.

Kai clenched his fists tightly.

What does that even mean?

Nearby, Orion stood silently staring out one of the broken windows, his expression darker than before.

Jax paced back and forth nervously, flames occasionally slipping from his fingertips whenever he got frustrated.

So we’re just ignoring the fact that MONSTERS attacked our school?” Jax snapped. Because I personally feel like that deserves more attention!

Elena sat quietly beside a cracked pillar while frost slowly spread beneath her shoes without her noticing. She looked calmer than the others on the outside, but Kai could tell she was shaken badly.

Zion remained near the hallway entrance, unusually silent.

Almost distant.

Meanwhile Lyra knelt beside Kai carefully examining the burns on his arm.

You’re hurt, she said softly.

I’m fine.

You got struck by lightning.

Kai opened his mouth to argue before immediately wincing in pain.

Lyra gave him a look. Exactly.

Her hands began glowing faintly silver again.

Kai watched nervously. Wait you can actually control it now?

Not really.

That’s comforting.

Despite everything happening around them, Lyra smiled slightly.

Then she gently placed her glowing hand against his arm.

Kai instantly felt warmth spread through his body.

Not hot like fire.

Soft.

Peaceful.

Silver light flowed across the burns on his skin, slowly healing the injuries while moonlike symbols shimmered faintly around Lyra’s fingers.

Kai stared at her in shock.

The pain disappeared almost immediately.

How are you doing that

I don’t know, Lyra admitted quietly. It just feels natural.

Kai watched the silver glow reflect in her eyes.

For a moment, the chaos around them faded completely.

It was strange.

Every time Lyra used her powers, Kai felt calmer somehow.

Like the storm inside him quieted.

Jax suddenly pointed dramatically at them.

‘OH COME ON.’

Kai blinked. What?

You guys are literally having a magical healing moment while the apocalypse is happening.

Lyra immediately pulled her hand away, slightly embarrassed.

Jax smirked proudly. Knew it.

We’re not doing anything, Kai muttered.

Sure.

Elena rolled her eyes. Can we focus on surviving first?

Orion finally turned toward them again.

Yes,he said seriously. Because this is only the beginning.

The hallway became quiet.

Rain poured outside endlessly while distant emergency sirens echoed through the city.

Kai stood slowly. You keep talking like you know what’s happening.

Because I do.

Then explain.

Orion looked at the five friends carefully.

His eyes lingered on each of them differently.

Kai’s lightning.

Lyra’s moonlight.

Jax’s flames.

Elena’s ice.

Zion’s shadows.

Something about them clearly disturbed him.

You five awakened tonight, Orion finally said. That should have been impossible.

What does awakened mean? Elena asked.

It means magic has returned.

Nobody spoke for a second.

Then Jax laughed nervously.

Right. Okay. Sure.

Orion didn’t laugh.

“The world once ran on magic centuries ago, he continued. Kingdoms of elemental warriors, celestial guardians, ancient creatures beyond imagination all of it existed.

Kai frowned. That sounds insane.

It sounds like fantasy, Elena added.

It sounds awesome, Jax corrected.

Orion ignored him.

After a catastrophic war between the Eternals and the Voidborn, magic disappeared from the world. The survivors sealed away both magic and the Void beneath this city.

Kai’s stomach tightened.

The seal beneath the school.

Orion nodded once.

But tonight something broke it.

Silence filled the hallway again.

Thunder rumbled outside.

Lyra crossed her arms uneasily. “So you’re saying monsters from another world attacked our school because magic suddenly came back?

Yes.

That is the craziest sentence I’ve ever heard,” Jax whispered.

Zion finally spoke.

What are the Voidborn?

Orion’s expression hardened instantly.

The enemies of humanity.

The air suddenly felt colder.

Kai noticed the way Zion looked down afterward.

Almost uncomfortable.

Then Orion stepped closer to Kai specifically.

And you,” he said quietly, are the biggest problem of all.

Kai frowned. Excuse me?

The creatures called you the Storm Heir.

Even saying the words aloud made the atmosphere heavier.

Orion’s eyes narrowe

d slightly.

Only one bloodline carried that title.

Lightning flashed outside.

The bloodline of the Eternal King.