For a moment, there was nothing—only darkness, cold and all-encompassing. But then, in the midst of the void, there was a light. It started as a flicker, a tiny spark in the distance, but it grew brighter and brighter until it was all Alex could see.
The light was warm, comforting, and it seemed to envelop him, wrapping around them like a blanket. But it wasn’t just light; it was a presence, something that felt alive, something that was speaking to him, though not with words. It was more like a feeling, an understanding that went beyond language. As the light grew stronger, Alex felt something stirring deep within him, something ancient and powerful. It was as though a door had been opened inside him, one that had been locked for years, and now, all the knowledge and power that had been hidden away was rushing back, flooding his mind. Images flashed before his eyes—memories that weren’t his own. He saw his mother, young and strong, practicing martial arts in a sunlit courtyard. He saw her wielding the same amulet that now lay against his chest, using it to channel energy, to heal, to fight. He saw her standing against enemies that were both human and not, protecting their family, their lineage and the world at large. And then, he saw her final moments—fighting against overwhelming odds, her face set in determination, even as she knew she wouldn’t survive. She had been protecting them, protecting the amulet, sacrificing herself so that they might live. But there was more. As the images continued to flow, Alex felt the amulet begin to pulse, its energy merging with his own. He felt a surge of power, a strength that he had never known, coursing through his veins. It was as though the amulet was unlocking something inside him, something that had always been there, just waiting to be awakened. And then, as suddenly as it had begun, the light faded, and Alex was thrust back into the world of the living. But he was not the same. When Alex’s eyes fluttered open, the hallway was empty, the sounds of the school distant and muted. The pain that had once coursed through his body was gone, replaced by a strange sense of calm, of clarity. He pushed himself, his movements smooth, effortless, and for a moment, he just stood there, marveling at how different everything felt. But as he looked down, he saw the blood—dark and sticky, pooling beneath his head where he had fallen. And there, nestled in the middle of the blood, was the amulet, glowing with a soft, pulsing light. Alex reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he touched the amulet. The moment his fingers brushed against it, the world around him seemed to shift. It was as though he could see everything with a new clarity, could sense the flow of energy around him, the currents of life that pulsed through every living thing. But there was something else, too. A memory, one that wasn’t his own, but felt as though it had always been a part of him. He could see his grandmother, standing in the middle of the living room, facing down a group of shadowy figures. He could feel her fear, her determination, as she fought. Without a second thought, Alex turned and ran, his feet pounding against the floor as he sprinted down the hallway. He didn’t know how he knew, but he was certain—something was happening, something terrible, and he had to get home.The school was a blur as Alex raced through the halls, his mind consumed by a single thought: he had to protect his grandmother. He had to save her.When he finally burst out the front doors and into the daylight, he didn’t stop running. The world around him seemed to slow, as if time itself was bending to his will, and with each step, he felt the power of the amulet lsing stronger within him. It was as though he was being guided, pushed forward by something greater than himself.As he rounded the corner and his house came into view, Alex’s heart dropped. The front door was wide open, hanging off its hinges, and there were signs of a struggle—broken glass, overturned furniture, and a silence that chilled him to the bone.He rushed inside, their breath coming in short, panicked gasps as they searched the house. “Grandma!” Alex called out, his voice trembling with fear. “Grandma, where are you?”But there was no answer. The house was eerily quiet, and as Alex moved from room to room,
Despite the turmoil of the past few days, Samira had always been there for Alex, a constant source of support and strength. She was one of the few people who knew the real Alex, who saw past the shy, awkward exterior to the person he was inside. If there was anyone who could help him, it was her.Without wasting another moment, Alex took off in the direction of Samira’s house, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. He had to tell her the truth—about the amulet, about his family, about everything. And he had to do it before it was too late.As he ran, the streets of the city seemed to blur around him, the buildings and people fading into the background. All that mattered now was getting to Samira, telling her what had happened, and preparing for the battle that lay ahead.When he finally reached Samira’s house, Alex pounded on the door, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. The world seemed to tilt on its axis, the weight of everything that had happened pressing
The world felt quieter after the storm. Alex stood at the edge of the burial site, Samira by his side, the cool wind tugging at his clothes. It was a day that seemed too serene for the weight of the occasion, as if nature itself hadn’t yet recognized the gravity of what had transpired. They had just buried Grandma Chen, the woman who had been the center of Alex's life for as long as he could remember.Grandma Chen had raised Alex with unwavering love and guidance after the death of his mother. She had been everything to Alex—teacher, protector, and, in many ways, the only family he had left. And now, she was gone. The house that once echoed with her soft humming and wise words stood silent, much like Alex's heart in that moment.Samira, always the dependable friend, stood close to Alex, offering quiet support. She had helped with every step of the burial preparations. Together, they had chosen the spot—a peaceful grove near the family home, surrounded by tall trees that swayed gently
The next day, Alex walked into school alongside Samira, who had been by his side every step of the way. The events of the past few days felt surreal, like something out of a nightmare, but Alex felt different now. Stronger. The weight of the amulet hanging from his neck was no longer a burden—it was a source of power, a connection to his mother and Grandma Chen.As they entered the crowded hallway, Samira shot Alex a concerned glance. “You sure you’re ready for this?”Alex nodded, his eyes scanning the familiar faces of students chatting and laughing in groups. “I have to be. I’m done being afraid.”It didn’t take long for Victor and his gang to notice Alex. The look of shock on Victor’s face was almost comical. His eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost. After all, he and his crew had left Alex for dead just a day ago.“Chen?” Victor stammered, disbelief and panic creeping into his voice as he pushed through the crowd. Jake and Emily followed close behind, their expressions just as c
Later that day, Victor sat in the corner of the school’s empty gymnasium with Jake and Emily, his face still burning with humiliation. He couldn't believe what had happened. One moment, he had been on top, ready to put Alex back in his place, and the next, he was the one pinned down, disgraced in front of the entire school.Emily nervously glanced at her phone, scrolling through social media. "It's all over the internet, Victor," she said hesitantly. "Everyone's posting videos of what happened. Look at this." She turned the phone toward Victor, showing him a video of Alex effortlessly dodging his punches and then pinning him to the ground. The comments were brutal, mocking Victor, calling him weak, and praising Alex’s newfound strength.Victor snatched the phone out of Emily’s hand, his eyes narrowing in fury as he watched the video loop over and over. “This... this can’t be happening,” he growled. His hands shook with rage. “Chen was supposed to be a joke. How did they do that?”Jake
The next morning, Alex walked into school with Samira by his side, feeling a little more at ease after the previous day’s events. The buzz in the hallway had died down somewhat, though the occasional whisper and sideways glance reminded Alex that his confrontation with Victor was still very much on everyone’s mind. Samira had seen some of the videos being shared online but didn’t bring it up, sensing Alex’s desire for normalcy, at least for now.“I can’t believe people are still talking about it,” Samira said as they headed to class. “You were amazing, Alex. I mean, you’ve always been strong, but that? That was something else.”Alex shrugged, feeling a bit awkward under the praise. “I didn’t really think about it. It just... happened. I don’t even know how I did it.”Samira gave a small smile. “Maybe your mom’s gift is more than just sentimental. Maybe it’s connected to all of this.”Alex glanced down at the amulet hanging around his neck, hidden under his shirt. It had felt different
After the confrontation, Alex and Samira walked in silence for a while, the weight of what had just happened hanging heavy between them. The rush of energy from the amulet had settled, but Alex could still feel its presence pulsing softly under his shirt, a reminder that things were far from normal now.Finally, Samira broke the silence. “Alex, you just took on Victor like it was nothing. Yesterday, you weren’t even sure what happened, and now… this?” Her voice was filled with a mix of awe and concern. “You’ve changed.”Alex nodded, feeling the truth of her words. “I know. I don’t understand it, Samira. It’s like... something woke up inside me when Victor knocked me out fews days back. The amulet, it’s connected to everything. I think it’s my mom’s doing.”Samira looked down at the amulet. “You mean the one your grandma gave you? The one from your mom?”“Yeah,” Alex said, glancing down at the small, ancient-looking charm hanging around his neck. “It’s more than just a gift. I can feel
As Alex walked through the halls the next day, he couldn’t help but feel the pull of the amulet against his chest, a constant reminder of the power that now coursed through his veins. The confrontation with Victor had only been the beginning. He knew that. There was so much more to this mysterious gift from his mother—so many more abilities that Alex had yet to understand or unlock.That afternoon, after school, Alex headed to the old park near his neighborhood. It was quiet, a place where he could be alone. Samira had offered to come, but Alex felt this was something he needed to figure out on his own. He sat on one of the large rocks near the center of the park, pulling out the amulet and holding it in his hand.It glowed faintly in the fading sunlight, warm to the touch as though it were alive. The longer Alex stared at it, the more he could feel something inside—something ancient and powerful. His heartbeat synced with the soft pulsing of the amulet, and Alex closed his eyes, lett