A heavy mist, accompanied by a violent whirlwind, swept through the school grounds. Students screamed and scattered in all directions, seeking safety as an eerie hooting sound—reminiscent of owls—echoed across the field.
The wind intensified, spiraling into a dark cyclone that tore through everything in its path—furniture, trees, even students. Jeremy stood frozen, his eyes darting across the chaos. Screams surrounded him, but confusion rooted him to the spot.
What was happening?
His eyes caught the source—a massive, spiraling force of destruction hurtling toward him. He was paralyzed. The long search for Asher had drained him, physically and emotionally, leaving him too weak to fight or flee.
Although it was still sunny in the human world, time seemed to be moving differently here, as if the marine kingdom's warped reality was bleeding through.
"Jimmy, get out of there this instant!" Ezekiel's voice boomed across the courtyard. He too had been searching the school for Asher, using spells to trace him with the help of Slyvia a witch—but it was futile. Asher's presence had vanished entirely, like he'd never existed.
"What the hell, Zeke?! Can't you see that thing coming at us?" Jeremy shouted, pointing at the cyclone that grew closer by the second.
"Stop acting like a child and move! We'll leave through the portal!" Zeke snapped, his crimson-glowing eyes betraying both urgency and exhaustion.
Jeremy's gaze shifted to the dark portal swirling near the wall. He knew staying any longer would mean death. Zeke was barely holding the portal open as Jeremy made a run for it—but something was wrong. The portal was becoming heavier, collapsing in on itself. Dozens of owls circled above, their cries growing louder and more ominous.
Jeremy pushed forward, every thought focused on reaching the portal. Zeke's eyes began to bleed from the strain—it was horrifying to witness.
"Enough! Zeke, stop. I'll handle this," came a firm voice from behind. It was Slyvia.
She ran toward Jeremy, defying the incoming storm.
"Slyvia, are you crazy? There's a monster cyclone headed this way!" Zeke shouted.
"No, Zeke. If you keep using your powers like this, you'll burn out completely. I can stop this. Something evil is interfering with our abilities—but if I channel magic through nature, I might be able to control it."
Zeke let go of the portal. It vanished, and he collapsed against a nearby building, weak and disoriented.
He had never felt this drained while using his powers. What had changed?
Slyvia spread her legs apart and raised her hands. Her eyes turned a brilliant silver as she began chanting an ancient incantation. The wind around them roared, and the entire school trembled beneath them.
Jeremy, now safe from the cyclone thanks to Slyvia, rushed to Zeke's side. Zeke was still bleeding from his eyes, barely able to stand. Jimmy was overwhelmed by everything unfolding, his gaze locked on Slyvia, who was performing what seemed like the impossible.
The ground split violently as the cyclone divided in two. Slyvia seemed to draw its power into herself, bending the violent wind to her will. The force that nearly destroyed the school now answered to her.
"This is insane… I can't believe she's controlling that thing," Zeke muttered, dazed. "It nearly killed me. How is she doing this?"
But suspicion flickered in his eyes. How had Slyvia become this powerful? Who was whispering all this knowledge to her? Something wasn't right.
"You're doubting Slyvia, aren't you?" Jimmy asked, noticing Zeke's dark gaze.
"Why wouldn't I? First it was the oak tree. Now this? We're just teenagers—why are supernatural forces targeting us? How are we supposed to save the world?" Zeke's voice cracked with frustration.
Jeremy remained silent, lost in thought. Zeke was right. Their lives had already changed forever, and everything they saw in the Dark Trench confirmed that. There was no going back.
"Oh my God… she stopped it. She actually stopped the motherfucking cyclone," Zeke gasped.
Slyvia stood motionless, staring at the debris. The damage to the school was immense. Her eyes, however, caught something else—someone lying near a sharp, broken wooden beam.
The figure moved.
Slyvia's breath caught. "It's Asher… I found Asher! He's safe!"
Jimmy and Zeke rushed to her side, hearts pounding. And there he was—Asher, alive.
Asher blinked, a cold wind brushing against his skin. He coughed and rolled slightly, barely missing a jagged wooden spike.
"What the fuck…" he groaned.
"You're back! Oh my God, Asher, you're finally back!" Slyvia cried out.
Jeremy didn't wait. He dashed forward and pulled Asher into a tight embrace. Ezekiel remained in the background, watching with a faint smile. But anyone paying attention could tell—it wasn't genuine. Seeing Asher in Jeremy's arms stirred something dark in him.
Asher felt suffocated by the hug. Jeremy's grip was almost painful—an overwhelming display of affection. And yet… it confused Asher. After what he went through in the ocean, especially after Roman's confession, he realized the idea of romance with Jeremy was impossible. Everything felt different now.
Jeremy suddenly cupped Asher's face. Without warning, he pressed his lips to Asher's in a fierce kiss.
Asher stiffened. A jolt of panic rushed through him. Zeke froze in shock, his eyes darkening rapidly. Slyvia stood speechless, unsure whether to address the looming threats or the storm unfolding between the three.
And then… Rose appeared.
She had come to the garden after missing their message, hoping to meet them at their agreed location—only to witness the destruction… and Jeremy kissing her brother.
Her breath caught in her throat.
The realization hit her hard. Jeremy had never liked her. He was hopelessly in love with Asher.
Slyvia turned and caught the anguish in Rose's and Zeke's faces. It was clear now.
This wasn't just the beginning of a supernatural war…
It was the beginning of an emotional one, too.