As Thursday morning dawned, Mrs. Smith's familiar voice resonated through the corridor, signaling the start of another day.
"Five minutes to go, kids! Get ready now!" she called out.
"Don't worry, Mom, we've got this. We'll make our way to school today," Mike's voice drifted down from upstairs.
Mr. Smith, adjusting his tie on the staircase, raised an eyebrow. "Are you certain you two don't need a ride?" he asked.
"Yes, Daddy, we'll be fine," Rachael's confident reply floated down from her room.
Mr. Smith nodded. He climbed down the stairs and reached for the dining table, pulling out his wallet and placing a $20 bill on it.
"I've put a bill on the table just in case. Take it; it should cover a taxi or bus fare if needed," he said.
With a final reminder – "Take care, kids! See you tonight!" – Mr. and Mrs. Smith headed out the door and drove away.
Mike wandered over to the window, watching as their car disappeared around the corner. His gaze shifted to the NPS agent stationed across the street, who was muttering into his receiver.
Suddenly, the man started his car and sped away, leaving Mike perplexed. "Why did he leave so abruptly?" he wondered aloud. "Is something off?"
Shaking off his unease, Mike headed downstairs.
"Rachael, they're gone! Get the heck out!" he shouted.
As he reached the front door, he opened it and scanned the surroundings, searching for a familiar figure.
"Djumara! Djuma!" he called out, but only silence responded.
He was about to step back into the house when a bald, middle-aged man in a tailored brown suit strode up, flashing a broad grin. His matching brown yet familiar pouch slung over his shoulder added a touch of elegance and oddity.
"Who are you, and what brings you here?" Mike asked, eyeing the stranger from head to toe.
The man chuckled, strutting with self-satisfaction. "This is how I'd look if I were human. Don't you think I'm quite dashing?"
Mike scoffed, his eyes widening in astonishment as he took in the man's familiar features. "Djuma?! How did you...? You can transform?"
Djuma nodded, his grin still plastered on his face. "I prefer the term 'shapeshifting.' It's a skill all witches possess, allowing us to blend in on any planet we visit."
"And the suit? Where did you get it?"
"I acquired it from where they sell such things."
"Acquired… or did you 'acquire' it without paying?"
Djuma grunted, his gaze flicking to the suit. "I needed it more than they do, obviously. This is an upgrade from my previous attire. What do you think?"
Mike nodded, amused. "It suits you perfectly. Come in." He swung the door wide, inviting him inside.
After ensuring they weren't being watched, Mike closed the door. When he got inside, he saw Rachael glaring at Djuma.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
"Our extraterrestrial friend in human disguise," Mike replied, sinking into the sofa. "Doesn't he look good in that suit?"
"What? Djuma?!" she exclaimed, incredulous. "Are you really Djuma?"
Djuma nodded, smiling, and settled beside Mike, setting his pouch on the floor.
"I had no idea you could shapeshift!" Rachael said. "That's amazing! And looking at you now, you look good."
She gestured to the dining table. "Let's eat, guys. Come on."
Just as Mike and Djuma were about to join her, a persistent knocking at the door startled them.
"Who could that be?" Rachael whispered, alert. "Should we be on guard?"
"No need for alarm; it's your brother's lover," Djuma replied nonchalantly, his attention now drawn to the spread on the table.
"Christina?!" Mike and Rachael exclaimed in unison.
"You've got to be joking," Mike muttered as he approached the door, swinging it open to reveal her standing outside. "Christina! How did you find my house?"
Christina gestured toward the street. "I didn't know the way; he brought me here."
Just then, a voice called out from the distance. "Christina, wait up!"
Stefan burst through the gate, breathing heavily. "Hey, man, how's it going?" he said to Mike.
"Doing well," Mike replied. "Aren't you two supposed to be in school?"
"What do you mean? You think we'd let you handle this alone?" Stefan grunted.
"We're friends, aren't we?" Christina said. "And what do friends do when one needs help?"
"They lend a hand."
"Come in, guys!" From the dining table, Rachael's muffled voice invited. Her mouth was full of bread as she gestured welcomingly.
The trio entered the sitting room. Stefan and Christina made their way to the sofa, while Mike went to the dining table, drawn by the inviting aroma of freshly prepared toast.
Stefan's curious gaze landed on Djuma, who was enthusiastically devouring the toast on the table.
"Who's this guy?" he asked, frowning at Djuma's unfamiliar appearance.
Christina smiled, setting down her bag beside Djuma's pouch. "Who else could it be?" she said. "Djuma, of course. Or who else could be eating like it's their first time experiencing human cuisine?"
Djuma, sensing their attention, glanced at them, his eyes sparkling with delight. "I haven't had a meal since yesterday. I'm famished," he explained, but his serious expression did nothing but add to the humor.
He swallowed his mouthful and continued, "And… this is actually my first time trying human food, and it's incredible!"
The group erupted into chuckles at his genuine reaction. Mike shook his head, amused, and took a seat at the dining table.
"Come join us, guys," he invited, gesturing to Christina and Stefan.
But Stefan declined, patting his stomach. "I'm full, thanks."
"Me too. Enjoy your meal," Christina echoed his sentiment.
Undeterred, Djuma continued savoring each bite. A few minutes passed, and the group settled into the sitting room, enveloped in an air of anticipation.
Djuma stood before them, his gaze sweeping the room to ensure they were secure.
"We must block every ray of sunlight," he instructed. "Cover all the windows and switch off every bright light."
Without hesitation, the group sprang into action. Curtains were drawn, blinds were closed, and bright lights were extinguished, leaving only low lights on.
Once satisfied with the dim surroundings, Djuma approached Mike, who was now seated in a chair. "Now, you need to access the memory pool," he said.
"I don't understand. What's the memory pool?" Mike asked.
"The memory pool is the collective memories stored within the krara. Accessing one memory will unlock the entire repository."
"Uh… this is crazy. But how do I access it?" Mike inquired.
"Focus on the energy within you. You tap into this force whenever you transform. It shouldn't be unfamiliar to you."
Djuma paused to ensure Mike understood the instructions before continuing.
"Now, visualize it coursing through your veins. This should be enough to connect you to the krara's memory pool. Then, try to remember everything."
Mike closed his eyes, concentrating on Djuma's instructions.
Rachael, Stefan, and Christina settled into the couch adjacent to him, staring at him and Djuma expectantly.
Suddenly, Mike's eyes snapped open, glowing intensely orange. Without warning, his enormous wings burst forth from his spine, tearing apart his polo shirt. The room fell silent, except for the sounds of bones shifting and fabric ripping.
"I didn't ask you to transform," Djuma said calmly. "But I suppose it's for the better. You must be in the krara's traditional form anyway."
"I can feel it!" Mike exclaimed. "It's like a fire burning inside me. It feels incredible!"
Djuma nodded. "Clear your thoughts and relax; it's not difficult. Now, try to remember anything related to Perebia."
Mike's face contorted, and he began to pant, gasping for breath as though he was drowning. Concerned, Rachael and Christina leaped to their feet.
"What's wrong?" Rachael inquired.
"Are you alright?" Christina added.
"He's already in the memory pool. Please, no more questions," Djuma ordered. "I implore everyone to remain seated and silent."
Reluctantly, Rachael, Stefan, and Christina returned to their seats, their eyes still fixed on Mike's struggling form.
The room became still as everyone watched Mike fight for breath, gasping inexplicably for two agonizing minutes. Then, his glowing eyes snapped open, revealing an icy stare.
"Are you okay, my Jyuran?" Djuma's concerned voice broke the silence.
"I need to return to Perebia. Now!" Mike said. His tone was now unfamiliar. It was as if another personality had awakened within him.
"Have you regained your memories?" Djuma asked, scanning Mike's face.
"Everything's back. I must return to Perebia and finish what I started." Mike's words were cold. "I'll destroy that rotten kingdom."
Djuma stepped forward and held Mike's shoulder. "What are you talking about? You can't do that, my Jyuran!" he said, trying to intervene.
But Mike's strength was astonishing. With a swift flap of his wings, he sent Djuma, despite his imposing physique, crashing into the metal window frame.
"Mike!" everyone yelled, their voices trembling with fear. "What's wrong with you?"
Mike turned toward them, his eyes filled with disgust. Electricity crackled around him, forming a yellow-glowing orb that seemed to obey his command.
"Mike, can you hear me?" Rachael shouted, desperation clear in her voice.
"He's lost control! Mike, snap out of it!" Stefan recoiled in terror.
"Mike, come back to us," Christina's gentle voice pierced through the chaos, echoing in Mike's ears. "You're stronger than this. Remember why you sought power—to protect those you love!"
Mike's glare intensified, his glowing eyes flashing wildly. "Who are you?!" he roared, clutching his head in agony.
"You can't let anything control you, Mike," Christina's words flowed steadfastly despite the danger. "You're the most kind-hearted man I've ever seen. So please—"
"Silence!" Mike bellowed, the electricity orb surging, feeding on nearby devices and expanding ominously. "I'll annihilate all of you!"