After the fight against the fierce Lumberjack, it took time for the school to rebuild the damaged areas and for the wounded to heal. But with time, everything returned to normal.
To ease everyone's minds after the ordeal, the school decided to hold an event to celebrate the day of love.
Alexa, Tamika, and Eve were seen talking in the school hall where the event was taking place. All of the ladies were formally dressed; their gowns were lovely, and they were a sight for sore eyes. Slow music played in the background, and everyone in the school was in attendance.
The boys were also gathered together, dressed in tuxedos, drinking juice while exchanging words.
'What's the point of celebrating this day? They should be celebrating our victory and praising us, since we were the ones who defeated the Lumberjack,' Aries grumbled.
'Aries, my friend… you have so much to learn. Or maybe… are you blind?' Thadeus asked , resting his hand on Aries's shoulder. 'Look around. Look at the ladies. Aren't they beautiful? Isn't this a wonderful day?'
'Do you even have interest in women? Or maybe you're a late bloomer,' Luthour teased.
The boys burst out laughing at Luthour's words, but Aries kept his cool and looked at them with cold eyes.
'Thadeus made his intentions clear that he fancies Alexa. Maybe you can learn something from him,' Luthour jabbed.
'Heyyy… aren't we talkative all of a sudden? Did father's boy finally gain confidence?' Thadeus shot back.
Tension began to build as Luthour and the others stopped laughing. Thadeus and Luthour clenched their fists, staring at each other intensely. Just as they were about to make a move, Alexa approached and bowed, offering Aries some chocolate.
'Aries, I bought this chocolate for you. Please accept it,' She whispered, lifting her head to look at him.
All the boys went silent. Aries was puzzled.
'Uh… thank you, Alexa,' Aries responded, extending his arms to receive the chocolate.
Thadeus remained silent, as he watches everything unfold.
'Tamika, look! Aries accepted the chocolate,' Eve Squealed.
'Woah, you go girl,' Tamika cheered.
Luthour stared at Thadeus, with eyes filled with empathy.
'Everyone! Can I have your attention, please,' the principal announced.
The music stopped, and everyone turned to listen. The principal welcomed them and congratulated those who had fought the Lumberjack.
'You all fought with courage. For that, you have my deepest thanks. It is because of you that the school still stands today. I wish you all good fortune in the days to come. For now, let us celebrate and dance,' declared the principal.
Mr. Cipher appeared with bandages wrapped around his body. He stood beside the principal as he addressed the students.
'Greetings, children and colleagues. Regarding the Lumberjack after his defeat, he was captured and is now held in the prison where dangerous criminals reside. Justice has prevailed. Please, by all means, continue.'
Aries thought,'You call that justice? So many lives have been taken, and what do we do? Arrest the one responsible, send him to prison, and give him three meals a day while those he killed remain gone. He continues to live, yet they do not... Hhm I should ease my mind this is not the time to dwell on such things.'
Slow music began to play again. Aries offered his hand to Alexa and asked her to dance. Puzzled by his sudden gesture, Alexa hesitated but eventually accepted. Together, they stepped onto the dance floor, holding each other as they began to move in time with the music.
'Is this really happening? I can't believe it. I'm dancing with Aries. Who knew he was such a good dancer?' Alexa thought.
'She got me good with chocolate. Well played, might as well show my appreciation' Aries thought.
'Sorry, buddy. This is truly hurtful. Women can be so cruel,' Luthour murmured, holding Thadeus's shoulder as he walked away.
The other boys asked different girls to dance, leaving Thadeus standing all alone, watching Alexa and Aries dance to the wonderful tune.
After the dance, the event came to an end. Almost everyone left. Thadeus waited outside under the beautiful night sky. Soon, he saw Alexa rushing out in tears.
'Alexa! What's wrong? Why are you crying?' Thadeus asked, but she ran past him.
Moments later, Aries followed, finding Thadeus waiting at the school entrance.
'What do you want? It's late. I just want to go home,' Aries growled.
'What did you say to her?' Thadeus demanded an answer.
Aries didn't respond.
'I swear, if you hurt her, I will…' Thadeus threatened, clenching his fists as steam rose from his hands.
'You will what?' Aries asked as six figures materialized behind him in a flash of light and shadow. Three sabers gleaming with sharp teeth and three armored knights, towering and silent, their eyes glowing faintly beneath their helms. The ground trembled under their presence, and the night sky seemed to darken, as though bowing to the power Aries had called forth.
Thadeus's breath caught. 'Since when could he summon so many different beings at once?' he thought, his heart pounding. The sight was overwhelming, an army at Aries's command, each figure radiating a quiet menace, perfectly disciplined, awaiting only his word.
But just as quickly as they appeared, Aries dismissed them with a flick of his hand. The sabers dissolved into sparks, the knights into mist, leaving only silence and the faint echo of their power. Aries's smile lingered as he said calmly, 'Relax, friend. I didn't hurt her... Well If I did, then it wasn't intentional, She simply told me how she feels.'
'What did you… ohh what was your response?' asked Thadeus, unclenching his fists.
'I told her I do not have a heart to give,' Aries replied.
'Then why did you accept the chocolate and ask her to dance?' Thadeus probed.
'I accepted it because I have a sweet tooth. As for the dance, it was my way of thanking her. I didn't know accepting chocolate meant something else on Cupid Day,' Aries explained.
'How dense can this guy be…' Thadeus thought to himself, holding his forehead in relief.
'Let's go,' said Aries, starting to walk.
'Okay… so tell me, why do you consider yourself heartless?' Thadeus asked, following him.
'It's a long story that concerns my late mother. I'll tell you another time.'
In a top secret facility where cursed objects are kept, two guards walked through the corridor, and placed the Lumberjack's axe next to Cinderella's glass slippers and other cursed objects.
' This is the most secure storage facility in the world, these objects are going nowhere' one guard remarked.
Word of the lumberjack's defeat spread like wildfire, reaching the darkest corners of the forest where fairytales end. Monsters and hardened criminals, once cased in fear, began to crawl out of the shadows. With their nemesis gone, the creatures of the night were getting brave.
But among the monsters, creatures, and relics of legend, one terror stood tall; the Leviathan. A dark figure rose from the murky depths of a swamp, its bright yellow eyes piercing the gloom. It stalked into the heart of the horrid forest, heading for the city.
As new villains emerged, the adventures of Thadeus Blaze and Aries Powers were just getting started.