The night was thick with silence, the castle sleeping under a purple moon. Josephine stirred awake around midnight, her body restless. She slipped quietly out of her bed, her bare feet brushing against the cold stone floor as she tiptoed down the hallway. The corridors were dimly lit with faint torches, their flames flickering like whispers in the dark.
Yawning softly, Josephine rubbed her eyes and wandered into the kitchen. She wasn't fully awake, her mind foggy. As she turned the corner, she bumped into someone.
"Sorry, Jojo!" Therodora said, clutching a glass of water.
Josephine blinked, then gave a small nod. She lifted her hands and signed quickly: Why are you awake?
"Just wanted some water," Therodora replied with a tired smile.
Josephine gave a faint smile back, but before she could turn away, her entire body froze. A cold, eerie sound filled the room. Voices—unmistakable and overlapping—echoed all around her.
"Josephine… Josephine… Josephine…"
The voices repeated her name, a chant that grew louder and louder.
Her eyes widened in horror as pain shot through her head. She clutched at her skull, gasping soundlessly.
"Jojo! Jojo!" Therodora's panicked voice called, rushing forward to grab her.
Suddenly, Josephine's body began to lift off the ground. Her feet no longer touched the floor. Glowing marks, like burning tattoos, slashed across her arms and legs, spiraling in ancient patterns.
"Noah! Anesthesia! Oliver! Anyone!!" Therodora screamed in terror.
The commotion roused the entire castle. Doors flew open. Sophia, however, remained sound asleep. Hendrick stormed into the kitchen, his voice sharp and unsteady.
"What the fuck!?" Hendrick growled, eyes blazing with confusion.
Tess sprinted forward and tried to grab Josephine's feet, but the moment her fingers touched, she yelped.
"Ouch! She's burning hot!" Tess hissed, pulling back.
Josephine's body shook violently, her eyes still shut. She wasn't herself anymore—her powers were breaking free.
Noah turned toward the window, a chill running down his spine. "What the hell…" he muttered.
Everyone followed his gaze. Outside, in the pale glow of moonlight, four colossal figures—giants clad in ancient battle garments—were marching straight toward Hendrick's castle.
Before anyone could react, Josephine's floating body drifted out the window as if pulled by an unseen force. They all rushed outside in alarm.
The air vibrated.
"What is happening?" a cold, calm voice said.
Everyone turned. The Masked King stood there, his presence commanding, his aura sharp enough to cut through the night.
"How did you get here!?" Oliver snapped.
"Speed," the Masked King answered simply, his crimson gaze locked on Josephine.
The giants surrounded Josephine, forming a perfect circle. Her body hovered in the center. Slowly, they bowed before her.
Strange, glowing marks began etching themselves onto her feet, back, and arms. The power radiating from her was unbearable.
"What is happening to my daughter!?" Hendrick roared.
Callum rushed forward, his hands glowing as he summoned his magic. A large ancient book appeared in his grasp, pages flipping violently until it stopped on one illustration.
"They are… Guardians!" Callum shouted. "Look!"
Everyone crowded around. The page showed a prophecy—the exact same scene unfolding before their eyes.
"The Queen of Zephyria!" the giants thundered in unison, their deep voices shaking the earth.
"What!?" King Hendrick gasped, his heart twisting.
"QUEEN JOSEPHINE!" the giants roared again.
Oliver suddenly screamed, clutching his head. His body convulsed as flashes of the past stormed his mind.
"Oliver!" Theron caught him, holding him up.
"What's happening now!?" Hendrick demanded, but no one had an answer.
The giants shrank down, transforming into a human-like size. Their bodies lifted into the air, hovering. Josephine remained unconscious, still floating, her body glowing with fire-like marks.
The giants began to sing, their voices ancient and heavy with fate:
O Queen of shadows, crowned in flame,
The Fates have whispered Josephine's name.
Beneath the Purple Moon she stands,
With blood of kingdoms on her hands.
The rivers sigh, the forests weep,
Titans stir from endless sleep.
Her silence breaks the gods above,
Her wrath destroys, yet births new love.
O Chosen, the night's dark hymn,
For dawn shall die when she begins…
The song ended with Josephine's body dropping suddenly from the sky.
"JOSEPHINE!!" Hendrick bellowed. His body instantly transformed into his mighty wolf form. Muscles rippling, fangs glinting, he bolted forward with incredible speed. He leapt high and caught his daughter in his jaws, gently lowering her onto his back.
Her skin was scorching. Smoke rose from her flesh. Hendrick sprinted toward the fountain and plunged her body into the sacred water. Steam hissed violently as her skin cooled.
He shifted back into human form, clutching her tightly.
Meanwhile, Oliver lay on the ground, panting heavily. Anesthesia knelt beside him, chanting softly, her hands glowing with a healing spell. Therodora brought him water, holding his head up.
"Thank you," Oliver gasped.
"What the bloody fuck just happened!?" Oliver rasped, still shaken.
"I don't think you'll believe this…" Piere said grimly, stepping forward. "But you are Hetragon reborn."
Oliver blinked, stunned. "I beg your fucking pardon!?"
"Yes. You are. Look," Piere said, turning the book around. The page showed an image of Hetragon's wedding day—his face merged with Oliver's.
"Woah," Noah whispered.
"Jojo and Ollie…" Therodora said softly, looking between them.
"This can't be true," Oliver muttered, horrified.
"It is what it is," the Masked King said flatly.
Exhausted, Josephine finally collapsed into a deep sleep. It was already 3:00 a.m.
"Let's all go back to sleep," Anesthesia suggested quietly.
"Yeah," Oliver muttered, rubbing his face.
The Masked King turned to Hendrick. "At your son's coronation, I will reveal my face to you. And… I need to discuss something important concerning your daughter. Goodbye."
His eyes glowed blood-red before he vanished in a blur of speed.
"Tf," Noah muttered.
"His aura is extremely strong," Piere admitted.
"True. I sensed it too," Anesthesia added.
Hendrick carried Josephine back to her room, laying her gently in bed. He brushed her hair back, whispering in anguish:
"What are you, Jojo?"
He sighed heavily and left her side.
The Morning After
At breakfast, Sophia cheerfully ate her food. "You all didn't sleep?" she asked, noticing the heavy silence. No one replied.
"What's wrong?" she pressed.
Just then, Josephine entered, her hair braided into two neat plaits. She wore socks and a long-sleeved orange dress. She didn't look at anyone, her steps deliberate as she walked toward the door.
"Jojo?" Theron called gently. She paused.
"Where do you think you're going?" Sophina snapped rudely.
Josephine ignored her, continuing forward.
"Jojo, love," Hendrick said, his voice soft. "Where are you going, baby?"
She turned to him and made a sign: Garden.
"Huh?" Hendrick frowned.
She signed again: Garden and school.
"Ohh," Anesthesia said quickly. "Garden, then school, right?"
Josephine nodded.
"After school, we'll take you, okay?" Oliver added.
She nodded again.
"Jojo, come here," Hendrick said warmly. She walked over. "Open up, love."
She did. He fed her a bite of food, his eyes tender. Sophina rolled her eyes.
But then Hendrick noticed something. The marks on Josephine's arms were darker, bolder now. Alarmed, he leaned toward Noah, pretending to whisper.
"Look at Jojo's arms," Hendrick murmured.
Noah glanced discreetly. His heart dropped—the infinite mark was glowing stronger than ever. He made a quick hand sign to his siblings. They all understood immediately.
Josephine, however, snapped her fingers at Noah, signing quickly: Are you okay?
"Yeah, Jojo. I'm fine," Noah said softly.
The Academy Incident
Later, at the academy, Madison's gang was waiting in Josephine's empty classroom.
The Masked King appeared first, his presence filling the room. "Waiting to bully her again, huh?" his voice was venomous.
"No," Deus smirked. "We just want to give her a last warning."
"Then here's my last warning," the Masked King hissed, his tone icy. "If any of you touch a single strand of her hair—I will kill you all. I fucking mean it. Get lost."
Eryss sneered. "You can't do anything. I bet you're ugly, that's why you hide your face." The gang laughed.
The door creaked open. Josephine walked in, confused. Today, she was distracted, clutching her sketchbook as she drew while walking.
Deus reached out and snatched her book. "Jojo—"
The sound of a sharp slap cracked through the room. Josephine's hand had struck his face with brutal force.
"What the hell!?" Eryss shouted.
The gang flared with their powers, but Josephine's eyes glowed unnaturally. She looked half-insane, her silence shaking the room. Grabbing an iron rod from the corner, she attacked mercilessly.
She struck them until they bled, her movements feral. The Masked King leaned against the wall, arms folded, watching silently.
Mrs. Ruby burst into the room, horrified. "What is going on here!?"
Josephine turned, her glowing eyes darting toward Ruby like a predator.
The Masked King quickly stepped forward. "It's not Josephine's fault. Your 'best students' came to bully her again. Deus took her book—she's very possessive about it. She snapped."
Ruby glared at the gang. "All of you—detention. Now. Get to class!"
The injured bullies slunk out, nursing wounds.
Josephine clutched her sketchbook to her chest, trembling.
"Calm down. It's fine," Ruby soothed gently.
Josephine nodded slowly, sinking into her seat.
Class began, but the teacher—the Masked Man himself—couldn't take his eyes off Josephine.