Jeremy walked home with a sense of lightness he hadn’t felt in a long time. The day had been perfect—better than he could have imagined. Sarah’s kiss still lingered on his lips, the weight of the necklace around his neck a gentle reminder of the new bond they shared. For once, it felt like everything was aligning in his life, and for a moment, he believed today might just be his best day yet.But as his house came into view, a dark cloud loomed over the area, casting an eerie shadow over the street. The sharp contrast between the joyful day and the ominous sight ahead made Jeremy’s stomach twist in discomfort. His eyes narrowed, scanning the unusual sight before landing on his mother, Sophie, standing outside the house. Her posture was tense, her face pale, yet Jeremy felt a strange calm wash over him. He didn’t run toward her; instead, he walked steadily, his mind alert but his heart oddly steady.Just as he was a few feet away from Sophie, the

Jeremy stood there, his chest tight, his mind a whirlwind of questions. His whole life had been flipped upside down, and now, more than ever, he felt like he was caught between two worlds—one that he had known, and one that was now forcing its way into his reality."What about Mom? What about Sarah, the Guild, Celicia?" Jeremy’s voice was a mix of defiance and confusion. He watched as Colwill and the white-haired woman exchanged surprised glances at the mention of Celicia."Yes, Celicia is my friend," Jeremy continued, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Isn't it great to know I have a sister?" He glanced at Sophie, who, despite her tear-streaked face, broke into a small, relieved smile. Jeremy’s words made her feel like she hadn't lost him entirely. He still cared about her."You know where she is?" Sophie asked, her voice shaking as she sniffled."Yeah," Jeremy answered simply, nodding.Colwill, seemingly unfazed, waved a hand dismissively.

The cool evening air brushed against Jeremy’s face as he pulled out his phone and dialed Celicia’s number. His hand trembled slightly, not from fear, but from the weight of what was to come. He wasn’t sure how things would unfold, but one thing was clear—there was no turning back now.After a few rings, Celicia’s voice came through. She was always calm, collected, the one of the people who gave him a sense of normalcy. “Jeremy?”“I’m ready. Send the car,” he said, his voice steady, betraying none of the turmoil that churned inside him.Within minutes, a sleek black car pulled up, its tinted windows concealing the driver. Jeremy took a deep breath, closing his eyes and inhaling a gust of wind into his lungs, feeling the air calm his nerves before he stepped inside. The car hummed to life, and as they drove toward the Detroit villa, Jeremy let his thoughts clear, forcing his mind to brace for what was about to unfold.When they arrived at the estate

Jeremy came to a halt as soon as he reached the door of his home, his mind spinning with everything that had happened in the last few hours. His hand raised almost on its own, knocking twice out of habit before he slowly opened the door. The house was quiet, still, but not in a peaceful way—it felt like the calm before a storm. The first thing he saw was his mother—Sophie. She was standing near the door, her hand just retreating from the knob as if she’d been waiting for him. "Have you been standing here all day?" Jeremy asked, his voice low but filled with exhaustion. Sophie shook her head quickly, though her expression gave away her unease. "No, I just came here a few minutes ago... I thought... well, I thought you might need someone to talk to when you got back." "Mum..." Jeremy stepped forward, placing his hands on her shoulders gently, trying to ground her—and maybe himself too. "Let’s just pretend nothing happened today, okay?" Sophie blinked, confusion flashing across her f

“Is this what it takes?” Jeremy thought, his consciousness slipping in and out of focus.And then, as abruptly as it had begun, the agony ceased. Darkness overtook him, blinding and cold, like plunging into a frozen abyss. For a moment, Jeremy thought he might have died, the pain too much for his body to endure.Then, in a flash, his eyes snapped open.The ground beneath him trembled as though the entire world acknowledged his transformation. The room he stood in—an ancient, abandoned castle with crumbling walls and forgotten tapestries—seemed to pulse with life in response to his awakening. The air thickened, oppressive, as if the very atmosphere had weight. Jeremy felt it all, a strange awareness flowing through him that he had never experienced before.He didn’t realize it yet, but his left eye now glowed an ominous red, while his right shimmered with a piercing yellow. His breath came in ragged gasps, and for the first time in what felt like y