Aira didn't sleep that night.
She lay still, staring at the ceiling long after Zara's breathing softened into the rhythm of sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, his voice echoed in her head — deep, calm, and cruel.
You were never supposed to exist.
She'd seen his eyes — that impossible violet glow — and the way the air around him seemed to bend, like even the darkness obeyed him.
By the time dawn crept through the window, her pulse still hadn't slowed.
Aira dragged herself out of bed and sat by the window, hoping the morning light would make her feel sane again. It didn't. Her hands trembled when she reached for the glass of water on her desk — that's when she saw it.
A faint, twisted mark on the inside of her wrist.
Thin black lines curved like veins of smoke, and when the sunlight hit them, a dull violet shimmer ran across her skin.
Her breath caught.
It wasn't there before.
Her thumb brushed over it — and the air around her hand stirred, just slightly, as if her power responded to the touch.
The sound of running water snapped her back. Zara was in the shower.
Aira tugged her sleeve down, hiding the mark as quickly as she could. Her reflection in the mirror looked pale and tired, eyes shadowed and glassy.
When Zara came out, towel in her hair and cheerful as ever, Aira turned toward her too quickly.
"Did you see him last night?" she asked, voice shaking.
Zara blinked. "See who?"
"The guy. The one in black. He was here, Zara. He was right here in this room."
Zara raised a brow, half amused, half concerned. "You were talking to yourself again. I came and thought you were having a nightmare."
"No, I was awake. He talked to me." Aira's voice trembled. "He said things that— I don't even—"
Zara sighed, running her hand through her damp hair. "Aira, you've been pushing yourself too much. That test, the training… maybe your mind's just—"
"Don't say it." Aira's tone snapped sharper than she meant. "I'm not imagining this."
"Okay, okay," Zara said softly, holding up her hands. "I'm just saying—maybe rest a little today. You look like you haven't slept in weeks."
Aira turned away, pulling on her uniform. "You wouldn't believe me even if you saw him."
There was a pause. "Maybe," Zara said finally, her voice gentler. "But I'd like to believe you're not losing it either. So maybe we both take today easy, yeah?"
Aira didn't reply. Her fingers curled around her sleeve, feeling the pulse beneath it. That faint, rhythmic thrum — the mark — felt alive, almost aware of her.
Later, in the classroom, Aira slumped into her chair beside Josh.
He grinned. "Morning, sunshine. You look like you fought a tornado and lost."
She gave him a flat look. "You're not funny."
"Debatable," Josh said, stuffing the last bite of his toast into his mouth.
Before Aira could answer, Aelric entered, his sharp eyes scanning the room. "Has anyone seen Sunnie?"
Zara frowned. "No. Not since last night."
Aira looked up, uneasy. "You think something happened?"
Aelric voice was low. "She didn't show up for training. Her bed was untouched this morning. And her phone's still there."
Josh's usual humor faded. "Okay… creepy."
Zara crossed her arms. "Maybe she left early?"
"No," Aelric said. "She wouldn't just vanish."
The mark beneath her sleeve shimmered faintly.
Then, her vision blurred.
The room warped around her, sounds twisting and fading until she wasn't in class anymore — she was standing in the old east corridor of the school.
It was dark. Dust swirled in the dim light filtering through cracked windows.
Aira saw Sunnie — running, terrified. Her shoes slipped on the stone floor.
And behind her — him.
The man in black. Moving with calm precision, his eyes glowing that same violet. The shadows clung to his coat like smoke, and when he spoke, the sound didn't echo — it vibrated through her skull.
"You should have stayed silent," he said, not to Sunnie — but to Aira.
Aira gasped. "Leave her alone!"
He turned toward her slowly, his gaze locking on hers.
The mark on her wrist seared like fire.
Her body jolted— and the vision shattered.
When she came back to herself, she was sitting at her desk, breathing hard. Josh's face hovered in front of hers, wide-eyed.
"Okay, what just happened? You zoned out like, hard."
Aelric leaned forward. "What did you see?"
Aira's voice cracked. "Sunnie. She's in trouble. That man — he has her."
Zara sighed. "Aira—"
"I'm serious!" she shouted, slamming her palms on the desk. "He's real! He's the one who attacked me during the test!"
Josh's smile faded. "Whoa. Okay, that's… bad."
Aelric met her gaze, something like concern flickering in his eyes. "I believe her."
Zara turned to him, surprised. "You what?"
He nodded. "That power during her test — it didn't feel like her. I said it before. Something else was there."
Aira looked between them, breath trembling. "He's not gone. He's still here. And if Sunny's missing, it's because of him."
The classroom door opened suddenly.
Their instructor stood there, expression tight. "Aira, Aelric, Zara, Josh. The headmaster wants to see you."
Josh groaned. "Oh, great.
Zara shot him a look. "Josh, shut up."
As they followed the instructor down the hall, Aira tugged at her sleeve again. The mark beneath it glowed faintly, pulsing with that same deep, violet hue.