Chapter 13: Cracks in the Calm
The day had dragged on longer than usual. The classroom felt like a sauna of whispers and chalk dust, and Kael was seconds from dozing off when the teacher called his name.
He jolted up, chair tipping back at a dangerous angle.
"Kael—!"
And before gravity could have its laugh, a hand caught the back of the chair, steadying it with annoying ease.
"Careful," Jack Lee said with that stupid calm smile.
The class broke into laughter and applause.
"Wow, Jack's fast!"
"Movie reflexes, bro!"
Kael forced a chuckle that didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, thanks. Real heroic."
Jack just gave a polite nod, like saving people was part of his daily skincare routine.
By the time the bell rang, Kael's patience was a thread about to snap. He left before anyone could say another word, his backpack slung over one shoulder, hands jammed into his pockets.
The hallway was quiet—too quiet. The kind of silence that made his thoughts louder.
Footsteps followed behind him. Calm, deliberate.
He didn't need to turn to know who it was.
"Why do you want her?" Kael asked finally, voice low.
The answer came without hesitation.
"Because we've known each other since we were babies," Jack said, his tone as smooth as glass. "Our parents made a deal years ago. She's my bride-to-be. So, literally—she's mine."
Kael's jaw tightened. His fists curled.
Jack stepped closer, his voice lowering to a cold whisper.
"I'm surprised you made Talia smile, though. But don't let your hopes rise. That smile you saw? That was the last. And Kael…" he tilted his head slightly, the faintest smirk tugging his lips, "don't come near her again. She's not your caliber. I'm fine with Juno, but you're a no-no."
Kael turned halfway, his eyes darkening. "Is that a threat?"
Jack's smile vanished. "No," he said, voice sharp as a blade, "it's a warning."
Then he walked away—like the hallway belonged to him.
Kael stood frozen, heartbeat pounding in his ears. His shadow flickered faintly on the walls, stretching too far, too deep. One punch, he thought, teeth gritting. Just one, and he'd be eating concrete.
But he didn't. He couldn't. Not here.
By the time he returned to class, his face was calm, his words mechanical. He laughed when he had to, answered questions when called, but his mind was miles away—spinning, cracking.
After school, as students spilled out through the gates, Talia caught up to him.
"Hey," she called out, her voice softer than usual. "You okay? You've been… off today."
Kael forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah. Just tired."
"I could drop you home if you want. My driver's—"
"No, I'm good," he cut in quickly. "I'll walk."
Her brows furrowed. "If you say so."
She lingered a moment, like she wanted to ask more—but didn't. Then she turned back to her car, her hair catching the afternoon light like a thousand tiny suns.
Kael exhaled slowly. Great. Now I look like the moody guy from every bad teen drama ever.
When he got home, the smell of fried rice greeted him. His brother, Ben, was already at the table, grinning. "Hey, little man. How was school?"
Kael shrugged, sitting down. "Same as always."
"Right," Ben said, watching him closely. "You look like you fought a dragon and lost."
Kael chuckled weakly. "Something like that."
Dinner was quiet after that. Ben wanted to ask more, but he didn't push. Kael was thankful for that.
Later that night, Kael lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His phone buzzed once—Juno sending some random meme—but he didn't even open it. The weight in his chest hadn't moved.
Then… that familiar tug.
The soft, pulling hum beneath his skin, like gravity remembering him.
The Astral flow.
His body went still. His breath slowed. The world around him began to dissolve into shimmer and wind.
When he opened his eyes again, he was standing in the silver field—the Dream Realm alive and waiting.
But this time… something was different. The air itself trembled.
And far away, on the horizon, a dark ripple moved—like a storm that had finally chosen its target.