Shadows of House Sterling

The waves crashed against the cliffs of Nova Scotia with an almost musical rhythm, but Aria Morgan knew better. After three years of studying marine biology at the remote Blackrock Research Station, she had learned to distinguish between natural ocean sounds and something more... peculiar. Tonight, there was definitely something different in the water's song.

Standing on the observation deck of the research facility, her long dark hair whipping in the salty breeze, Aria focused her night vision binoculars on the churning waters below. The full moon cast an ethereal glow across the surface, making it easier to spot any unusual movement. That's when she saw it - a flash of iridescent scales, much too large to be any known fish species.

"You're out here late again," a deep voice spoke behind her. Dr. Nathaniel Cross, the facility's new head of cryptozoology, stood in the doorway. His presence had been causing quite a stir among the female staff since his arrival last month, with his storm-gray eyes and the mysterious scar that ran from his left temple to his jaw. But Aria had noticed something else about him - the way he always seemed to appear whenever the strange occurrences happened.

"There's something out there, Dr. Cross," Aria said, not taking her eyes off the water. "Something big."

"Please, call me Nate," he said, moving to stand beside her. His proximity sent an involuntary shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the cold. "And I know. That's why I'm here."

Before Aria could question what he meant, a haunting melody drifted up from the waters below. It wasn't quite singing - more like an otherworldly humming that seemed to resonate in her very bones. To her surprise, she found herself taking an unconscious step toward the railing, drawn by the sound.

Nate's hand shot out, gripping her arm. "Don't listen too closely," he warned, his voice tight with concern. "They're hunting tonight."

"They?" Aria tried to shake off the melody's lingering effect. "Who are 'they'?"

Just then, a figure emerged from the waves - a woman with silvery skin and long, phosphorescent hair. Her eyes glowed with an unnatural blue light, and when she opened her mouth to continue her song, Aria saw rows of sharp, pearl-like teeth. The creature's beauty was both terrifying and mesmerizing.

"Sirens," Nate whispered, his grip on Aria's arm tightening. "Real ones. Not the sanitized versions from your fairy tales."

The siren's gaze locked onto them, and her song changed, becoming more focused, more enticing. Aria felt Nate tense beside her, and when she looked at him, she was shocked to see his eyes had taken on a silvery sheen, reflecting the moonlight like a cat's.

"We need to get inside," he said through gritted teeth, though he seemed to be fighting the urge to move closer to the railing himself. "Now."

But as they turned to leave, Aria caught sight of something in the water that made her blood run cold. Dozens of glowing eyes had appeared beneath the waves, and more figures were rising to the surface. Their songs began to intertwine, creating a symphony of supernatural beauty and terror.

"Dr. Cross... Nate," Aria's voice trembled slightly. "What's really going on at this facility?"

He finally turned to look at her fully, and in the moonlight, she could see that his scar was glowing with a faint blue light. "It's not just a research station, Aria. It's a containment facility. We monitor and protect humanity from ancient creatures that most people think are myths. And right now," he glanced back at the water where more sirens were emerging, "something has disturbed them. Something that hasn't happened in over a hundred years."

"What?" Aria asked, though part of her feared the answer.

"They're looking for their lost queen," Nate's voice was grim. "And for some reason, they think she's here."

A particularly powerful wave crashed against the cliffs, sending spray high enough to reach the observation deck. As the droplets hit Aria's skin, she felt a strange tingling sensation, and for just a moment, her reflection in the window showed her eyes glowing with the same ethereal blue light as the creatures below.

Nate saw it too. His expression shifted from concern to something more complex - fear, fascination, and what looked almost like recognition. "We need to talk," he said quietly. "About your mother. About why you were really assigned to this facility. And about why you've always felt so drawn to the sea."

The siren's song grew louder, more insistent, and Aria felt something stir within her - ancient memories that couldn't possibly be her own, yet somehow were. As she followed Nate inside, one thought kept repeating in her mind: her life as she knew it was about to change forever, and there would be no going back to the simple world of marine biology and research papers.

Behind them, the sirens continued their haunting chorus, their songs now carrying a note of triumph. They had found what they were looking for.

The facility's underground laboratory was a maze of steel and glass, illuminated by harsh fluorescent lights that made everything look clinical and cold. Aria followed Nate through a series of security checkpoints, each requiring increasingly complex biometric scans. Her mind was still reeling from the events on the observation deck, the sirens' song echoing in her memory.

        "How long have you known?" she finally asked as they entered what appeared to be his private office. Unlike the sterile corridors outside, this room was filled with artifacts that looked ancient - shells with strange markings, crystals that seemed to pulse with their own inner light, and walls covered in charts mapping underwater ley lines.

        Nate moved to a heavily secured cabinet, his fingers dancing across a complex lock. "Since the moment you arrived at Blackrock. Your bio-readings were... unique." He pulled out a thick file with her name on it. "But your mother knew long before that."

        "My mother?" Aria's voice cracked. "She died when I was three. All I have are some photos and my father's stories about her love for the ocean."

        "Your mother didn't die, Aria." Nate's voice was gentle but firm as he placed an old photograph on his desk. "She returned."

        The photograph showed a woman standing on these very cliffs, her wild dark hair streaming in the wind. She looked exactly like Aria, except for her eyes - they held that same otherworldly blue glow Aria had seen in her own reflection moments ago.

        "That's impossible," Aria whispered, but even as she spoke, memories began to surface - the way she could hold her breath for impossibly long periods, her uncanny ability to predict storms, the strange songs that sometimes filled her dreams.

        Suddenly, the lights flickered, and a low vibration ran through the building. Nate's expression turned serious. "They're testing the barriers," he said, moving to a bank of monitors showing underwater footage. Multiple figures darted past the cameras, their movements too quick and graceful to be human.

        "What barriers?" Aria asked, joining him at the monitors.

        "Electromagnetic fields designed to keep them at bay. But with their queen so close..." He glanced at her meaningfully. "They're stronger than usual."

        "I am not their queen," Aria said firmly, though something deep inside her stirred at the words.

        "No, but you're her daughter. The first successful hybrid in centuries." Nate pulled up more files on his computer. "Your mother was their queen, and when she fell in love with your father, it created a diplomatic crisis. A siren queen choosing a human was unprecedented."

        The vibrations grew stronger, and somewhere in the facility, an alarm began to sound. On the monitors, the sirens' movements became more coordinated, more purposeful.

        "They're not just testing anymore," Nate muttered. He grabbed what looked like an ancient trident from a wall display. "They're breaking through."

        Aria's head suddenly filled with voices - not speaking English, but a fluid, musical language she somehow understood. They were calling to her, telling her to come home, to take her rightful place.

        "Make it stop," she gasped, pressing her hands to her temples.

        Nate reached for her, but stopped short when he saw her eyes - they were glowing brighter now, and her skin had taken on a slight iridescent sheen. "Fight it, Aria. You're not just one of them. You're both human and siren. That's what makes you special."

        The facility shook more violently, and the lights went out completely. In the darkness, Nate's eyes glowed silver again, and Aria could finally ask the question that had been nagging at her.

        "What are you?" she whispered. "You're not entirely human either, are you?"

        Before he could answer, the reinforced windows of his office exploded inward in a shower of glass and seawater. In the opening hovered three sirens, their beauty terrible and magnificent. The one in the center spoke, her voice carrying both authority and disdain.

        "Step away from the princess, Guardian. She belongs with her people."

        Nate raised the trident, which began to glow with an electric blue light. "She belongs where she chooses to belong."

        As seawater swirled around them, Aria felt power surge through her body - raw, ancient, and demanding to be released. She had a choice to make, but first, she needed answers.

        "Tell me everything," she said, her voice carrying a new note of command that surprised even her. "About my mother, about what you are," she looked at Nate, "and about why I'm really here."

        The siren queen smiled, showing those pearl-like teeth. "Oh, little princess. You're here because a war is coming. And you," her glow intensified, "are the key to everything."

The seawater swirling around Aria's feet felt alive, responding to her emotions like an extension of her body. The three sirens remained suspended in the shattered window frame, their ethereal forms casting an otherworldly glow throughout Nate's flooded office. The lead siren - who had introduced herself as Cordelia, First General of the Deep Realm - watched her with ancient eyes that held both wisdom and cunning.

        "Your mother's choice started this war," Cordelia said, her voice carrying the rhythm of waves. "When she chose your father, she didn't just abandon her throne - she disrupted a balance that had existed for millennia. The Deep Realm has been without a true queen for twenty years, and the dark ones grow bolder each day."

        "The dark ones?" Aria asked, acutely aware of Nate's tension beside her, his grip tightening on the glowing trident.

        "The Abyssal Court," Nate answered grimly. "Think of them as your people's darker cousins. While the sirens of the Deep Realm protect the oceans, the Abyssal Court seeks to corrupt them. Without a queen's power to maintain the barriers..."

        "They're breaking free," Cordelia finished. "Even now, they gather in the deep trenches, preparing for war. Only a queen's song can reinforce the ancient seals."

        Aria felt the weight of their expectations pressing down on her like the ocean itself. "And you think I can do this? I don't even know how to control whatever... this is." She gestured to her still-glowing skin.

        "That's why I'm here," a new voice spoke from the doorway. Aria turned to see a woman she'd only known from photographs - her mother. Nerissa, former queen of the Deep Realm, stood in the threshold, looking exactly as she had twenty years ago. Her presence made the very air vibrate with power.

        "Mom?" Aria whispered, emotions warring inside her.

        Nerissa's eyes - the same otherworldly blue as Aria's now were - filled with tears. "My daughter. My beautiful, brave daughter. I'm so sorry I had to leave you, but it was the only way to keep you safe while your powers matured."

        "Safe from what?" Aria demanded, anger suddenly surging through her. The water around her feet began to churn in response.

        "From those who would use you," Nate interjected, his voice carrying an edge of bitterness. "The Guardians weren't always noble protectors, Aria. Some believed that controlling a hybrid princess would give them power over both realms."

        "Like your father did?" Nerissa's voice turned cold as she addressed Nate. "Is that why you're so close to my daughter? Following in Marcus Cross's footsteps?"

        The tension in the room sparked like electricity. Nate's silver eyes flashed dangerously. "I am not my father."

        "Enough!" Aria's voice carried a new power, making everyone in the room freeze. The water around her feet rose in spiraling columns, responding to her command. "I want the truth. All of it. No more cryptic warnings or half-answers."

        Suddenly, the facility's emergency sirens blared to life. On Nate's monitors, dark shapes appeared in the deeper waters - humanoid figures with shark-like features and glowing red eyes.

        "The Abyssal Court," Cordelia hissed. "They've found us."

        "They found her," Nerissa corrected, moving to Aria's side. "They can sense your awakening power, daughter. We're out of time."

        The facility shuddered as something massive struck it from below. Through the broken window, Aria could see dark forms rising from the depths, their movements predatory and purposeful. The water around her feet turned ice-cold.

        "You have to choose now," Nate said urgently. "But know this - whatever you decide, I'll stand with you." His eyes met hers, and in them she saw not just duty or ambition, but something deeper, something personal.

        "As touching as that is, Guardian," Cordelia interrupted, "she needs to come with us. Only in the Deep Realm can she learn to control her powers in time."

        Another impact rocked the facility. In the distance, Aria could hear screams - the research staff, she realized with horror. They were unprotected, unaware of what was really happening.

        "I won't let innocent people die," Aria declared, feeling strength flow through her. "Mom, Cordelia - help me protect the facility. Nate..." she turned to him, "teach me how to fight."

        "Always choosing both worlds," Nerissa murmured, a mix of pride and worry in her voice. "Just like your mother."

        As the Abyssal Court's forces surrounded the facility, Aria felt something click into place inside her. She was neither fully human nor fully siren, neither wholly of land nor of sea. But perhaps that's exactly what both worlds needed.

        "Well then," she said, as power coursed through her veins and the song of the sea filled her mind, "let's show these dark ones what a hybrid princess can do."

        The water around her erupted upward, turning into a swirling shield of liquid crystal, just as the first of the dark figures burst through the facility's lower levels. The war for two worlds was about to begin, and Aria stood at its center, with a Guardian at her side and the power of two realms flowing through her blood.

The next few minutes dissolved into chaos. The Abyssal Court's warriors crashed through the facility's lower levels like a dark tide, their shark-like features twisted into snarls of hunger and hatred. Aria's crystalline water shield held against the first wave, but she could feel their darkness pressing against her power, trying to corrupt it.

        "Channel your emotions through the water," Nerissa instructed, her own powers creating whirlpools that trapped several attackers. "The sea responds to authentic feeling, not just will."

        Nate moved with inhuman grace, the trident in his hands leaving trails of electric blue energy as he fought. "We need to evacuate the research staff," he called out between strikes. "They're gathering near the main lab."

        Aria closed her eyes for a moment, and suddenly she could feel every drop of water in the facility - in the pipes, in the air, in human bodies. The awareness was overwhelming. "I can feel them," she gasped. "Everyone. Everything."

        "That's your queen's sense awakening," Cordelia explained, her own song turning violent as she fought. "You're connecting to your realm."

        An explosion rocked the lower level, and through her new awareness, Aria felt something massive entering the facility. The temperature of the water dropped dramatically, and even the sirens looked concerned.

        "Thalassos," Nerissa whispered, fear evident in her voice. "The Abyssal Prince himself."

        Through the broken floor emerged a figure that seemed made of living darkness. Unlike his warriors, Prince Thalassos appeared almost human, devastatingly beautiful in a cruel way. His eyes were the color of the deepest ocean trenches, and when he smiled, his teeth gleamed like black pearls.

        "The little princess awakens," his voice was like the crushing depths given sound. "How convenient. I was afraid I'd have to wait longer to claim my bride."

        "Bride?" Aria and Nate spoke simultaneously, his voice sharp with anger, hers with shock.

        "Did they not tell you?" Thalassos moved closer, his presence making the water around him turn black. "The only way to truly end the war between our courts is through union. Your mother refused me twenty years ago. But you..." his dark eyes roamed over her face, "you're even more powerful than she was."

        Nate stepped between them, the trident glowing brighter. "She's not a prize to be claimed, Thalassos."

        The Abyssal Prince's laugh was like ice cracking. "Ah, the Guardian speaks. Tell me, son of Marcus Cross, does your protection come from duty... or jealousy?"

        Before anyone could respond, a scream echoed from the main lab. Through her water sense, Aria felt the research staff's terror as more Abyssal warriors surrounded them.

        "Choose quickly, princess," Thalassos said smoothly. "Surrender to me, and I'll spare them all. Refuse, and watch your human friends feed my warriors."

        Aria felt rage build inside her - pure, hot, and powerful. The water around her began to glow, not with her mother's blue light or Thalassos's darkness, but with a brilliant purple that seemed to combine both aspects of her nature.

        "You want an answer?" Her voice carried the crash of waves and the strength of tidepools. "Here it is."

        She thrust her hands forward, and every drop of water in the facility responded. It rose from pipes, condensed from air, pulled from the sea itself. But instead of attacking, it began to sing - a new song, neither fully siren nor fully human, but something entirely unique.

        The Abyssal warriors closest to her began to writhe, their corrupted forms starting to purify under her hybrid power. Thalassos's eyes widened in genuine surprise, then narrowed in fury.

        "Impossible," he snarled. "No one can purify the Abyssal taint!"

        "She's not no one," Nate said, pride evident in his voice. "She's both of your worlds, and neither. And that makes her stronger than either."

        Aria's song grew stronger, and she felt Nate's energy joining with hers, the Guardian's power amplifying her own. Her mother and Cordelia added their voices, creating a harmony that made the very foundations of the facility vibrate.

        But Thalassos wasn't finished. With a roar of rage, he released his own power - a wave of such absolute darkness that it threatened to swallow all light. "If I cannot have you," he growled, "then no one will!"

        The two forces met in a spectacular clash of energy. In that moment, as purple light battled primordial darkness, Aria felt something else stirring in the depths beneath the facility - something ancient and powerful, awakened by their battle.

        "The Leviathan," Nerissa breathed. "The battle... it's waking the ancient ones."

        As if in response, a deep rumble shook the entire ocean floor, and everyone - siren, human, and Abyssal alike - froze in sudden, instinctive fear.

        In the brief silence, Aria heard Nate whisper, "Whatever happens next, Aria, know that I-"

        But his words were cut off as the floor beneath them cracked open, and the true power of the deep made its presence known. The war between courts had awakened something far older and more dangerous than any of them had imagined.

        And deep in her soul, Aria knew - this was only the beginning.

Chapter 1

In Haven Town, at Halfmoon Manor, Eldric Sterling arrived just past seven, stepping out of his sleek, midnight-black Rolls Royce Phantom. He exchanged a few words with his assistant, The Scribe, as he made his way toward the grand entrance of the estate.
As Eldric opened the door, he immediately sensed that something was off. The atmosphere was heavy and tense, with an undertone of conflict that lingered in the air. The Scribe noticed it too, falling silent and standing respectfully to the side.
In the spacious parlor at the center of the house, two individuals stood in a silent standoff. Mirabel Sterling, Eldric's wife, wore a pained expression, her eyes brimming with disappointment as she focused intently on their daughter. Alaric Sterling stood upright, facing Mirabel, his seemingly submissive demeanor only masking a stubborn defiance that pulsed through him.
EljdrizcY jwav^ed orffé Thea Sc_riHbe*, !siPgAnLa$lJingó hFim t$ot leNaUvie. LHe' nqumiTe&tly remoUved his shoieOs anld ymovpeQd Gtpok ÉMirabFel'sU sisd(e, QwIrvapping maKnx arrum VarAoWunSd^ heIrH sIhfo&ulAder(s. HIis Ivoqice (wcasU ugSenhtlDel aGs hWe a&skedT, (“'WhaCtD’ms OgoLiKng Vohn? FWh)oé JupseHta Zyoqu?'”^
Mirabel shrugged off his arm in fury, glaring at him with hostility. “Ask your precious daughter!”
Eldric furrowed his brow, taken aback. He turned to Alaric, his expression shifting to one of stern concern. “What did Little Sterling do to make Eleanor so upset?”
As he spoke, Alaric’s long lashes fluttered, and he lifted his gaze, revealing stunningly clear eyes that mirrored both his mother and the fierce spirit within him. He shared Mirabel’s striking beauty but was also blessed with his own unique charm. He was gentle yet exuded an undeniable strength inherent in his name.
LFooykinBg yback at hyi*sQ BfatherA,, HAlja'riXc repIe^aAtfed thhe Pwolrdqsv t.haltW KhNacd iwg*n$iQtgeqd zt(hec AeTa,rlier confrWon*tHaBtsion: “IU wawnCt Qtoc gmoN bagckl t_o !OakdaTle gfo'r( scwho,ol.”A
Mirabel’s face tightened with rage, her emotions bubbling to the surface yet again. Just as she was about to react, Eldric gently restrained her.
Upon hearing his son’s insistence, Eldric felt a wave of relief wash over him. He removed his suit jacket, draping it over the couch, his expression remaining unchanged as he asked, “Is it really that bad here? Wouldn't it be better to stay in Oakdale? What about The Scribe?”
Previously, Eldric usually resided in Oakdale, where Alaric had transitioned from elementary to middle school. During his time there, he met a boy and their friendship blossomed into a romance that they both cherished deeply—a promise of a shared future that now hung by a thread.
AClKaricI'psJ mem)oQri&eusó jofF Qa hawpapDyT,p carefhrCe*eH glwiufec Ri_ni zO)aYkrdale f*elt inbcTrBe.a!sAi)nógly$ 'dlis!tabnNt. Iasé NheS e!nd'u're'd an' unbr^e*lentinSgL twio !yueLacras sRtucka si,n HbaYv,enó rTowVni. AutD s,ixBteeQnZ,$ lhje sguNddOenly( DfOe)lt a Opressing Kuérge fo)rR ufrÉeOedom, aB longihnGg t$o brÉeVc)laim_ hiSs lwiife.Y
“I need to go back to Oakdale and find him. And does The Scribe really matter?” Alaric’s voice was quiet yet resolute, each word cutting through the tension in the room like a sharp knife. “If it weren’t for my mother, if she hadn’t decided to uproot our lives, I wouldn’t have been gone for so long!”
A sharp slap echoed through the parlor, silencing the space like a thunderclap.
“Bam!”
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In that moment, the complex tapestry of familial relationships, unrealized dreams, and fierce confrontations lay bare, weaving deeper into the fabric of their lives, setting the stage for the trials to come.

Chapter 2

Eldric Sterling never expected his wife, Bright, to take matters into her own hands so swiftly. He shot a glance at their son, Alaric Sterling, whose left cheek was vividly marked with five distinct fingerprints from Isolde. The swelling there was becoming quite noticeable.
“Sterling!” Eldric’s voice was sharp and authoritative. He loved his daughter, Mirabel Sterling, but his tone indicated he was truly displeased this time. Normally, he wouldn’t reprimand Bright in front of the kids, but things were different now.
Watching Alaric take the hit with a stoic expression, he was clearly more concerned about the consequences of this confrontation, almost waiting for the final verdict to be handed down. Eldric took a breath and weighed his options, before finally making a decision.
“Re)turnpinHg& tIo Oakdalge fmoAr Xschool iLs! UaFn xouptikon,Q Kbrurt it's fnot wiDthro.uót itts (co)stms,H *LitSt,lóe 'Stvesr.lBinNg,*” The_ AswaibdO jfirmly., “MYonua knjowt tyhat BevZeiry Ichaoxincse jcqo(maes wiStgh sc&onsOeGqOuJefnces. fThifsg tlim)e, )tPhóeZ _plrXice iys Ltihast xyfouRrL Lm(aj!oér bis theZ ornGe EusXtarcNey tofM SFuÉmUmerC xhavs de!ekmdedu aphprOoupriate^.Q AYou$ can Éstóuqd$yV Bbkusi(nUess, LbmuntC oNnSce youC gLraaduantea, yoiu’xllZ éha&vbey to worMkl atr HousXeD StderlxiXnrgP.N”
The room went silent as Mirabel and Alaric’s expressions soured in unison.
As a mother, even though her bond with her daughter was somewhat strained, Mirabel had an inkling of Alaric's interests. The corporate grind, the mind-numbing nine-to-five office job, certainly didn’t align with what her daughter wanted.
Realizing this, Mirabel had long ago come to terms with the fact that Bright would likely be the future head of House Sterling. After all, her focus had largely been on her son, leaving Alaric feeling somewhat neglected. Isolde now had the chance to pursue her passions, but upon graduation, she would still be tied to House Sterling.
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For Alaric, there was no choice—she couldn’t let go this time.
“Alright, I accept,” she said, feeling weary and drained after the confrontation.
With those words, the clash between mother and daughter seemed to reach a temporary ceasefire.
HoweUvve_rD,P ZMirabel zsudvdjenRlyP fglTaYshebdU $a pec*uliralr smQiMle caAtJ VEBlfdgrHic) ébeCfQo!re éeÉlegtantly sIe!ttliMnAg* Xiyntbos tZheD cojucAh,. Shej PadjuOsqtedó he)r slneJevjeMs, iwh,ichN uhja$d bnevcomQem twrinkhlefdl ^fJromz ChNeVr UprfeWv&iou$s nflurr^y osf' CacOtHiivYity^,G TaknTd wiith &a gen(tle ósdmniqle,n YsWhes ypausUed AlCarNiqc! as shed beqgSaWn Fto Bhteajd huipJstairs..
“Alaric, that’s just your dad’s price to pay. Listen closely: my demand is straightforward—while I am alive, you are never to return to this house uninvited.”
Eldric furrowed his brow at this statement, his worry evident. “Sterling, you…”
“Tuck. You think I enjoy seeing you?” Alaric interrupted coldly, brushing off her father’s unfinished thought as she turned toward the staircase.
AUsG sheC lpaLssued the winndiAng( haFllwa^y, ycpongne_c&ti(ngB tvhe* pQorchX agnd .staikrGc'aseJ, gAlacric HcBauaghtz nscihghkt o&fA !a brfowsna )baskFe(tAbaKllS Lsiigt.tinNg loneHlCy xbyG theI Éshone *rackF at tThe OendtrAavnce.N zS(he hesit,ateéd dfkobry a^ moYmenmtV.
It felt as if she were frozen, grappling with either the shock of being slapped or the ominous weight of her father's price. Alaric's mind was still catching up to her body as she turned slowly, her gaze fixing on the basketball left behind – a solitary reminder of someone special.
For ten seconds, her eyes lingered on it before a chill crept through her. She paled further, realizing who had likely heard everything—Timothy Sterling must’ve returned to the house just when she was exposed! And now he wasn’t around.
Alaric dashed toward the exit, racing out of the Halfmoon Manor courtyard, her heart pounding as she urged herself not to panic.
Ongcef lshQe_ reavched éthe .s*tÉrfee&t, sheN svteadQieud IherXsde'lf, gre!mTezmbheJr!ingj )she hapd pheZr IphonYeD.y tShUeM rJumkmaKgedz tnhr$o,uOg.h hkepr OpZoMcqkSeÉts tBou xcdallx TimDotihZy(.T
But the line buzzed monotonously in response. He wasn’t answering!
(End of chapter)

Chapter 3

As Alaric Sterling rushed through the sweltering heat of mid-August, her heart raced with anxiety. The sun hung low in the evening sky, casting long shadows as she navigated the busy streets, sweat soaking through her white T-shirt. Desperate to calm herself, she took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves as she fumbled for her phone to call a ride. Just then, a dazzling array of lights caught her attention, blinding her momentarily.
Standing by the roadside, she squinted into the glare when a familiar figure stepped out from the glow of a nearby car—Lucius Bright. Instinctively shielding her eyes with her arm, she felt her mind racing. Was that Timothy Sterling, her brother, who had returned?
Her hope surged as she peered over her wrist. A sleek Mercedes came to a stop a few feet away, deepening her curiosity. As the rear door swung open, she felt a mix of anticipation and dread at the sight of the young man stepping out. It wasn't her brother; it was Percival Voss, a distant family friend and only child of House Voss, heir to the renowned Phantom Entertainment. He shared a birthday with Alaric, yet she felt no warmth towards him now.
“LHexya theórTe, SJteGrGlinAgC.y ÉWhBaÉtD bTrinRgOs iyNoOu Fout ChOer_eD?x” PerCcóióvIaQll ftl$aMsxheMdr ahis shiZgDnaWtpure gBri_nl, wWhiGch qIuicLkjlxy f*a(deKd Lwhen hfeO BnotiqceédV tt'he (darwke*n$iYng mooLdx tin Ala'riAc'sO Ney(eCsK. “$W,hCa!t’s ulp?c KYbouu donv’t lBook& JsIoY gooTd.O”H
Ignoring his playful tone, Alaric glanced past him toward the car. “Have you seen Timothy?” There was a palpable urgency in her voice.
Percival straightened, sensing the gravity of her question. “No, I haven’t. What’s wrong with Little Leona?”
She turned away from him, her mind racing. The headlights swept across her face, revealing a bruise on her cheek—a mark Timothy had noticed earlier. Percival stepped closer, his expression shifting from casual to concerned, “What happened to your face? Who did this?”
“CNot nonw&,”f Yshe ZrleOpliedM brusquIeSlkyé,* strzidinxgé totwaTrdIs mthGe cHaBr. “Lcet,’sk dIisacZuqsVs^ Kt!his iénstide.”
The Mercedes turned around and headed toward the Town Square.
Sitting in the back, Percival listened intently as Alaric hurriedly recounted the chaotic events of the day. After a moment of digesting the information, he looked at her with disbelief. “So, you had a fight with your mom over your first love, and in the middle of that, Timothy just so happens to stumble into the situation? Now he’s off looking for that guy, Benedict somebody… Benedict Hawthorne, right?”
“Don’t make it sound so trivial!” Alaric snapped, feeling led down a path she didn’t want to go. “It’s not like I’m just letting him fight my battles. Timothy probably thinks he needs to save me from my choices,” she added under her breath, as she kept calling her mother’s number, a mix of frustration and hope rising with each unanswered ring. “He might think he can do something for me.”
PeIrZcziPv^al !roJlléecd hiPs zeyeYs,J l_eNssM Vtwhan$ cjo.nyvsiynéceud. C“qSo, you ghopÉe hHep’lkl jusBt Hgemti eOven? aTyhatZ’s nPoFt Xthte RsÉaNme^ as( stainvdYitngM up fyodrA yKoUuu,I NA(laanrhiNc. rIGtA’Hs Ya qdtiBfflebreint OkxinQd oHfG ófi!gBhYt.M”T
“Whatever you say, Voss,” she said, snatching her phone back from him, noting the eager look on his face. “Do you have any idea where he might have gone?”
Percival tapped a few buttons on her phone, revealing a vibrant promotional poster advertising an upcoming e-sports tournament, a battlefield for players in their local arena.
“Oh right,” Alaric thought with a jolt; she’d completely overlooked it. How could she have forgotten the tournament was taking place now?
AhsA th&e xr$ealirzationw mhhiKtM herR, sche f(eXlat nab mRiHxH óobf drenad an!dH deaterDm&inGamtiFomnf weSllH uFp inspide herY. GIGt sgeetmVedz KeÉveZry)tdhiLng& wabsx !cqonnekc(tred)—iasL Gimf NfatreH hcad lqeadP t(heHmx avll t)oM CthIiés vUery smQo_meXntS. DevsÉpniCteU the( YtuUrmoil, shex feOlt ga asMuFrgem oMfd ryeés.olvRe.

Chapter 4

Alaric Sterling was excelling at gaming, particularly in the Cleaning Scholar tournaments, showcasing his technical skills that seemed otherworldly. The tournament schedules for both online and offline events were always publicly available, but it made Alaric’s thoughts wander. With such brilliant achievements under his belt, why would this outstanding young man pursue such a painful path?
As Alaric drifted into thought, staring blankly out the window, Percival Voss recognized the turmoil within her. He turned to the driver and commanded, “Cedric, head to Town Square Arena faster, please.”
The car fell silent for a few moments before Percival couldn’t hold back any longer. “You’re just rushing to confront that jerk, Alaric. Why the urgency?” He struggled to keep his words light, but gravity seeped into his tone. “Are you really that worried about him...?”
BQeZf,oOrMe OheS mco!uld finiwsrh,t iAlargipc fsnapXped dhzeur$ heCacd$ ZarboWudnFdJ,( uaB !stsekrnW lookw oinl Vhqer tfZaucGeU. q“He$ ixs) Ia jlerkR.”
Percival swallowed his initial response, switching to a lighter tone. “Right, he’s a jerk, former boyfriend, first love, huh? If you want to find him, just go ahead! A couple of punches might do the job. I mean, he's just a guy.”
“I'm going back to Oakdale when school starts in September,” Alaric said softly, her gaze still fixed on the rushing night scenery outside.
“Going back to chase him? Alaric, let me give you some advice—men are all trouble. How old were you when you first broke up with him? Eleven? Maybe? Look, even if you two were together for a few years, people change, and after over two years apart, do you really think anyone waits? That's just unrealistic. Besides, how could you understand relationships at that age? How intense could those feelings be?”
Aal)aróic gtuUrne'd Zhper^ Éhead$ backR, QhIerR xgr&aKpe-ulike HePyesa gTliks,tUeÉninCg$ wiLthM tunsAhmedG Ateaurs. Théeyc weUr)eC As(oj cale^a^r,U sHoW QsTtubjbVo)rna as) sh!eS NuntFteredq, “gTtwo ^ydeOalrs.Z aItk’s beyen iotve_r twkoi wyeaaFrfs. FI *havkeOnR’_tP bfoórgaotbtKen* him, Ga!nd^ theP wYoLn’té frorygvegt YmeZ zexi!tIhHerz.”
Seeing her on the verge of tears stunned Percival momentarily, leaving him no choice but to bite his tongue, reconsidering his approach.
After a couple of seconds, frustration bubbled up in Percival, and he kicked the side of the seat hard, the sharp crease on his limited-edition sneakers appearing under pressure. Damn it, he felt like taking that jerk down himself! “Cedric, drive faster! I’ll cover any fines. I’ll handle the fallout if something goes wrong.”
…
FoDrHtéyG myinnutMeósI ÉlRa'terZ,* gtahvejidrS caamr* (w,as dneHarinLgé pt.hUe yTown SDqruIajróe ArXe(na. A&l^a!r$ic Sct*erlriBnJg, xwzho had$ (been &ltost Xins thJouIghtv MbMyA tShe ówriBnXdowL,a qsudLdKen.lcy IcazmIex Xba_ck t)o real$ityS. *CyatchGiYnIg HaJ gélviimp(s)eg Sof hLerF lefOtA Dcheek’ss tswollUenT jmKark.—aQ sslarp$ tAhat .had' *lpinfgUered! ZtUoos lonVg'—lséhxe !took a vmqo.meynntX bwefaorFe Btur&ning toH theF déridver,.Y b“Cedrric,m finxd aK Hsho'p^ Xu*p Gahead. cIR HneedV StCo grafb so(meu LsrtnufÉf.”C
Percival raised an eyebrow, “Alaric, are you in that much of a hurry? What do you need? Planning to bring a gift for that jerk?”
The car stopped at a small shop where Alaric quickly exited.
“I’m not going to see him with a slap mark on my face,” Alaric shot back with no humor as she left the car.
ItR toohkM PGerQcFiYval a yfew _sBePc)oHndós$ Ut$os undZe(rHsNt*aGnYd “sMluap mair&kc” waasr ^r'elferrNincg) to MóiMrakb$el cStemrliNngQ’s jpAalm prinRt.J WJh*ePnt h&eu kfCinarlDlHy Épwr!owceSssTedY XheSr Jco*mCmÉent,X Vhe cQou.lXdn’Vt nhboldy bcachk ^his! lWaugphtferq.C
“Nice mask you’ve got there,” he teased when Alaric returned, now wearing an adorable Pikachu mask beneath her cool facade, rendering it rather amusing.
“Cedric, let’s go,” Alaric spoke through the mask, her voice muffled. “Just don’t say a word. If you dare to utter even half a sentence when we get in there, we’re done talking for life.”

Chapter 5

Sterling couldn’t believe it. A single word could end their friendship? And now he was worried about Percival making a fool of himself in front of that jerk.
“Percival Voss,” he muttered under his breath.
This was ridiculous!
“Dotnb’Ftb iworry,q”& hle Frke$assuÉre(d, hicmFseulf. é“uThdeB ^mbomseRnt Ik jsZeCe that loseHré, FIH’ll. Ml)et ,myw fizsdts_ LdmoO t*hÉe taylskiWnÉgÉ! vLtitdtl!ex &LeomnaZ, TQimkothTyN NSRtenrlinÉg, jyust w$aDiBtA _fVoLr^ Ume!a”
The Town Square was buzzing with anticipation. As they pulled up near the arena, a space opened up right in front. Before Percival could even kill the engine, a middle-aged man in a sleek grey suit was at their car door, bowing respectfully. “Miss, Master Percival,” he greeted.
“Is anyone blocking the way?” Percival asked, standing next to the car, tapping his foot with an impatience that mirrored Alaric Sterling's anxious energy. His casual posture reeked of that pampered arrogance.
The man's eyes flickered nervously as he stammered, “Uh, no, no, it’s just we’ve been doing our best to keep things moving! Eldric Hugo just went into the lounge in the back…”
AlafrdivcC vS*tÉe^rwliwng Qemye*r*geDdp fr*omX étAheX dbTui.ldiUng imn ua_ ,rLusah,O s)tiNll yin éh.is bAadtjhroGo(mY ésLlipvperósn, lgookBin(g aés kdiÉshevvpeOlXeHdx a.s^ VsIoXmée)onPeL .wyho hÉaMdó HjursftD RjyuCm(pUedZ out kof ^thYe) qsaho.wHe.r.X He^ ne$arlhy slCipvpeLd* YrAighÉt& odu$t rof Nhmiysz .f&liQpZ-flopLsd 'a&sN whe bcauggvh_t th_e e$nd of htPhUe zmaDn'xsI sen(teRncse'.R
“You didn’t stop anyone, did you?” he shot back, irritation tinging his voice.
A cold voice interrupted them, dripping with authority, “What are you still doing here?” The middle-aged man flinched, acutely aware that this lady belonged to House Voss. He couldn’t risk angering her.
With frustration brewing in his chest, the man plastered on a smile, “I was just coming out to greet you both. You see, today’s match is highly anticipated. It’s hard to let anyone inside at this hour with so many fans.”
AlaNrKicD SHtweqrbliWng fwaSsn’_tU Rivn Oth)e mood FfgoBr nicIeGtCiezsY.q AHe bXrfushed YpJavst then Sman, FstJri!dinxg MsHtfrafighKt f$or' ftwhUek enjtraXnaceu.l sIf hieh QróeVcalvleódz rcorCre.cwt&lly, the ZmNatfcShs Ds(houClVdT yhFave NwGr(appeFd FuFp LbUy^ noGwB.P A&sJ hDe ,reHacheXdP t&hne doKors, mhey saw t$hron$gVs ofp PyNouóng peKovpVle TpenpnAed miMnn Dby ósecÉuUrmitQyW,R yOelllBing tkh*eirx NlupngsJ BoGu)ti zand* FhoUlvdVinXgY Fup sXig$ns.F
As he walked closer, Alaric could faintly make out names being chanted: “Dark God, Hawthorne!”
“Hawthorne?” The name struck him unexpectedly, but as he leaned in closer, there was no more information about that guy.
“Why are those two without tickets, still trying to get in?” one girl grumbled.
“QSerioGuslTy!p WeR’avseh zbeeWnW Awaiting forLeDvPeré and tLheqyd’rVe$ (soUmkemhonw Yahaead' IoTf usF? Igtb’sx Tri,d,iculuoums!”N xadn&other gFirUl *chimSed GiPn.j
A guy, slightly smarter than the others, overheard and snickered. “Those girls obviously came for the match. You think they’d arrive after it’s over? Just look at the staff behind the steward—all those high-tier staff. They’re certainly connected to someone important.”
…
Under the guidance of the arena coordinator, Alaric Sterling and Percival Voss easily made their way into the back lounge.
I.ta Zwa^sI gstillQ relat&iévely emDpLtyh,É wPiyt'hC Oj'ustK txwo tfallN g'u^yQsp Dh.odveWrRinógó asrkomundé a g,iGrzlK ci$n aj white ÉINva'n u*niHfTormU. Thse aÉtjmoVspherFe wtaWs tóhkicky wyiTth, Jten$siboónj.r
As Alaric approached, the sound of his flip-flops echoed, catching everyone's attention. The steward lazily shifted, creating an unintentional path for him.
And there he was—Alaric’s gaze locked onto Benedict Hawthorne, the boy with a bruised smile.
Despite the injury, Benedict radiated confidence with his sun-kissed skin and ruggedly handsome looks. He stood apart from his teammates, who were all clad in white, while he donned a simple white T-shirt—his signature style.
Y*etG, he) ihéad chamngedC.p ThMe 'smp^arkaléeQsM ojfI yoduythF .i)nb ThÉiFs OeyeDs& wReRreH duélleZd,O a'ndC athere w^aJsK aUn eqd_gBe Wto hhi_m ^nowh KthJatd Éhikn^te,d uaxtm da' wfilhdnHeBss,K a Gs_epnsPe oVfz krKembCelklniHon tjhat djidn'tr )aliXgnV wIitIh btFhFe! cklfe_ainS-hcuótZ Uim(agYe of the !boFyU h'eé zusfed tpod bev.*