Awakening the Storm

Awakening the Storm

The battlefield stretched endlessly, stained red with the blood of soldiers. Zane stood frozen, a helpless observer as chaos raged around him.

He stood among soldiers clad in ancient armour, their cries of war piercing the air. The clash of swords, the whistling of arrows, and the screams of the fallen surrounded him. A single man fought against a legion, outnumbered but unyielding, fought like a demon.

his body battered and bloodied, but his movements were precise and relentless. Each swing of his blade carved through waves of enemies.

Zane felt the scene gnaw at him. The brutality and despair seemed oddly familiar, as if the memory belonged to him.

The lone warrior turned, locking eyes with Zane. In that instant, Zane jolted awake, his body drenched in sweat.

“Crap!” he gasped, glancing at the clock. “I’m late!”

He scrambled out of bed, threw on his clothes, and bolted to the bathroom. His reflection stared back at him, a mess of wild hair and exhaustion. He splashed water on his face, brushing his teeth as quickly as possible.

His phone buzzed on the counter. Grabbing it, he rushed out of the apartment, dialling Kimiko’s number.

“Where are you?!” Kimiko’s voice barked before he could speak.

“I’m on my way, okay? Something came up.”

“Something came up?” she repeated, dripping with sarcasm. “More like. Your alarm didn’t come up.”

“Hey,” Zane chuckled, “somebody’s gotta save the world from bad dreams. Tough job, but someone’s gotta do it.”

Kimiko sighed. “Just hurry. They’re about to close the doors.”

Rain poured as Zane sprinted through the streets. He cursed under his breath, his uniform and bag soaked in minutes. Turning a corner, he slowed briefly as a sleek black car idled by the kerb.

The world seemed to pause.

Inside the car, a woman with striking features sat in the back seat. Her eyes, cold and calculating, locked onto his. Zane felt a chill crawl up his spine, but before he could process the moment, the car sped away.

Zane shaking his head as he continued toward school.

At the school gate, Kimiko was pleading with the guard.

“Please, just one more minute!” She begged, her hands clasped together. “I promise he’s on his way!”

The guard sighed, scratching the back of his neck. “This is the last time, you hear me?”

Zane sprinted through the gates just as they were about to close. Kimiko turned, a mix of relief and irritation on her face.

“You could’ve at least looked presentable,” she muttered, straightening his tie. “And you’re soaking wet. Great.”

Together, they hurried to class. Their teacher glanced at them, his expression as stern as ever.

“Kimiko, late again. And where’s—oh.” His gaze landed on Zane, who strolled in with a sheepish grin.

“Sorry, sir?” Zane quipped.

“Late as always,” the teacher sighed. “Zane, you’re cleaning the classroom after school.”

Zane leaned against a desk, smirking. “Isn’t there a rule against favouritism? I feel like you’re picking on me, sir.”

The teacher crossed his arms, glaring. “Do you wish to be detained… again?”

Zane grinned. “I’d love to spend quality time with you after school, sir. It’s the highlight of my week.”

Before the teacher could retort, the air suddenly grew heavy.

A loud crack of lightning struck outside, and the classroom’s lights flickered. The students gasped, some huddling closer together. Kimiko’s eyes darted to the window, but before anyone could react, a blinding light filled the room.

The mysterious woman emerged, her form appearing as if materialised from the light itself. Her presence radiated power, her cold gaze scanning the room.

Without a word, her hand shot forward, sending a beam of light streaking through the air.

Her light beam struck Zane square in the chest, sending him flying through the window.

Glass shattered. Zane's body hit the pavement below, motionless.

The students screamed, scrambling for safety as desks toppled and papers flew through the air. The deafening sound of chaos filled the room—shouts overlapping, chairs clattering, and footsteps pounding toward every exit. Someone tripped, dragging others down in a tangle of limbs, while others shoved their way through the narrow doorway, panic overtaking reason. The air buzzed with confusion and fear, the walls seeming to close in as the cacophony grew.

"Zane!" Kimiko screamed, rushing to the window. Her voice trembled as she looked down at him, sprawled on the wet pavement.

The woman stepped forward, her gaze cold and detached.

"Pathetic," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper as she turned, walking away as if Zane were no more than an afterthought. But before she could leave, the sky flashed with sudden light. A deafening thunderclap shook the building, and in the next instant, lightning struck Zane’s body. His eyes shot open as the electricity surged through him, and with a roar of power, before even the sound of the thunder had dispersed.

He flew back into the room, crashing through the same broken window.

The mysterious woman turned, her eyes widening slightly in surprise, just in time to meet Zane’s fist, charged with lightning. The impact sent her flying across the room, crashing into the wall.

The woman’s expression barely shifted, but there was a flicker of interest in her eyes. “Impressive. You’re still alive.”

Zane didn’t waste time. He lunged forward, lightning coursing through his fists, meeting her beam head-on. The impact shattered desks and sent a gust of wind tearing through the classroom.

The two clashed in an intense battle, their blows shaking the building. Kimiko watched in horror as Zane fought, but it was clear he was struggling. The woman, however, seemed to be toying with him, barely breaking a sweat.

As Zane tried to lead the fight outside to avoid further damage, the woman dodged his attacks effortlessly. Every strike he landed was met with another of her own, her power overwhelming him.

The battle carried them to the roof, rain pouring in torrents. Zane stood drenched and battered, but determination burnt in his eyes.

And lightning arcing across his body.

The woman smirked, raising her hand. “Show me what you’re capable of.”

Zane roared, unleashing all his energy in a final, desperate attack. The rooftop glowed as his power erupted, but the woman remained calm.

With a wave of her hand, she absorbed his lightning into her palm, nullifying the attack effortlessly.

Zane collapsed to his knees, powerless and gasping for air.

The woman approached him, crouching to meet his gaze. “Very promising,” she murmured, almost to herself.

She vanished in a flash of light, leaving Zane kneeling in the rain.

Kimiko burst onto the rooftop moments later, her face pale. “Zane! Are you okay? What just happened?”

Zane looked at her, his expression a mixture of exhaustion and confusion.

“I… don’t know.”

TO BE CONTINUED…