••FORTUNATE ISLES * IMMORTAL WORLD*
It was a typically cool day in the Immortal World.
It always stayed this way—serene and calm—until the evil forces decided otherwise.
Across the grand campus of Immortals High, students wandered about, doing little of importance. Most had just arrived, still acquainting themselves with the magical grounds and unfamiliar faces.
They had not yet been introduced to the Masters.
These students were the chosen ones of the year—selected to protect both the Mortal and Immortal realms from the ever-rising tide of darkness.
And now, that darkness had returned.
Belphegor—the most powerful, malicious demon of them all—was back. Chaos, death, and suffering followed wherever he went.
"Master Shirlene, are you aware Belphegor has returned with his demons?" Master Levi asked, striding into the hall where Master Shirlene stood.
She faced the wall, hands clasped behind her back, silent and still.
Among the four Masters of Immortals High, she was the Grandmaster—the most powerful and enigmatic of them all. Rumors whispered that she wasn't entirely mortal herself, or perhaps not even from this world.
"I am aware," she finally replied, turning to face him.
"Wait—you knew? And you're not alarmed? He slaughtered over a hundred humans at the beach this afternoon!" Master Levi's voice rose with disbelief, baffled by her calmness.
"I know," she answered again, this time with a sigh and a faint furrow of her brows.
"So… shouldn't we act? The chosen students are all here. Isn't it time we summoned them, learned what powers they possess—assessed whether they're ready?" he asked.
"Master Levi is right," came a second voice—Master Aerith, the other female Master. She entered briskly. "This is Belphegor we're talking about. The most dangerous demon of all time."
"It's not time," Shirlene said, her voice firm. "They're not complete."
The others exchanged confused glances.
"What do you mean they're not complete?" asked the final Master as he entered, folding his arms. "They've all arrived. Every one of them is on the premises."
"Not all," Shirlene said gravely. "One remains. The Mortal girl has yet to arrive. Without her, they are not complete."
Their brows furrowed again.
"This again? A Mortal? What can a mere human possibly offer in a war like this?" Master Levi scoffed. "You're going to risk her life. She could die the moment she steps foot here."
"We'll wait. She'll be here in minutes," Shirlene said simply.
And with that, she vanished—disappearing into thin air.
* CIRCE'S EVIL LAB *
Dark smoke filled the air. The stench of rot and sulfur mingled with the sound of bubbling concoctions. In the center of the chaos stood Circe, the wicked sorceress.
Dressed in flowing black robes, with long dark hair, razor-sharp nails, and eyes like pitch, she stirred a pot of glowing liquid without lifting a finger—her powers doing all the work.
She was feared throughout both realms.
Circe, the poisoner. Circe, the shapeshifter. Circe, the power-hungry.
Her only desire was power. To rule. To dominate.
Even a drop of her poison was fatal. Death came swiftly to any she touched.
"Boil... boil, my sweet-smelling concoction... boil!" she cackled, her laugh echoing like a banshee's wail as more toxic smoke erupted from the cauldron—enough to choke a man to death.
"Mother...?" a voice called.
It was Azrael, her son.
But before he could take another step, a violent surge of dark energy struck him, flinging him against the far wall with bone-shaking force. The impact cracked the stone.
"Agh... Mother!" Azrael groaned, quickly healing himself with a wave of his own magic.
Circe hadn't noticed him enter—so deep was her concentration. She had thought it an intruder and attacked on instinct.
That was Circe—always ready to kill.
"Stop interrupting me when I'm working!" she snapped.
Azrael rolled his eyes. "Belphegor is back, Mother. Did you know?"
She stopped. Her stirring ceased. She turned to him, her dark eyes gleaming.
"Belphegor? Back?" A wicked grin spread across her face. "Then we should celebrate, my son. This is wonderful news!"
Azrael frowned. "You're happy? I thought you'd be angry. You're both fighting for the same thing—power."
"Angry?" She laughed coldly. "Why would I be? He wants to kill, destroy, sow fear. And where there's destruction, there's room for me to rise. More chaos means more power, Azrael. And I intend to seize it all."
She let out a long, maniacal laugh that filled the lab with a sense of dread.
*VHINLOX STAR ACADEMY * HUMAN WORLD....
"See you tomorrow, Emma! Don't forget to study for the test," Diane called as they exited the classroom.
"You know I hate reading. You study, book freak. I'll just wing it—like always," Emma replied with a smirk.
"Ugh, why do I even bother? I still don't get how you pass without trying," Diane giggled, adjusting the books in her arms.
"I don't get it either," Emma replied casually, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "But... do you ever feel weird? Like... something's off?"
"No?" Diane looked concerned. "Are you okay?"
"Never mind. I'm fine. See you tomorrow." Emma waved with a small smile as they reached the gate.
"Later!" Diane waved back, heading in the opposite direction.
Emma preferred to walk home, especially when the weather was calm like today.
But just a few blocks from school, something strange happened.
A gust of wind blew her hair wildly across her face, blinding her momentarily.
"What the...?" she muttered, pushing the hair back.
Suddenly, her pace quickened—without her trying to walk faster.
"What the hell?!"
Her legs began to move at an unnatural speed. She couldn't stop. The faster she tried to halt, the faster she went.
"What's going on?!" she cried out in fear as her backpack flew off, and her books scattered into the wind.
Her legs moved uncontrollably. Her hair whipped around her like a storm, and the empty road offered no witnesses.
"Stop! Let me go!!" she screamed.
But it was no use.
With a final scream, Emma vanished into thin air.