The morning light filtered through the tall trees, casting long shadows across the courtyard of Astral Legion Academy. Gendai, in her original state, stood silently in front of her room's mirror, adjusting the straps of her gear. Her expression was cold, unreadable. Today, she had a mission—a solo mission, one she wasn't about to share with anyone.
Outside, Tyrone stood leaning against the trunk of a nearby tree, his gaze following the faint rustle of movement inside the mansion. He had been watching her for a while now. There was something… off about Gendai today. She wasn't her usual self—there was a quiet, unsettling tension in her demeanor.
With a sigh, Tyrone pushed himself off the tree and walked toward the entrance just as Gendai opened the door. Without a word, she brushed past him, her steps quick and deliberate.
"Where are you going?" Tyrone's voice broke the silence. His brow furrowed in suspicion. "There aren't any parasite sightings as of now. So why are you so geared up?"
Gendai ignored him, her eyes focused ahead, refusing to meet his gaze. Her pace didn't falter.
Tyrone wasn't about to let it slide. In one swift motion, he grabbed her by the collar, halting her in her tracks.
"Let me go, Tyrone," Gendai growled, her voice low and dangerous. "It's none of your business where I'm going."
"It's not, but you're acting weird," Tyrone shot back, his grip tightening slightly. "So where are you going?"
Gendai whipped her head to the side and slapped him across the face with surprising force, leaving Tyrone momentarily frozen, his senses momentarily stunned by her speed.
"I'm just going for some air," she hissed, pushing him away. "Now leave me alone and focus on your duties. Stop focusing on me."
Tyrone rubbed his cheek, his expression unreadable. After a beat, he crossed his arms, determination settling into his features.
"Well, I'm coming with you. As a monitor," he said with a half-smirk. "Don't think I can't tell the state you're in. You're battling that thing… the thing inside you, aren't you?"
Gendai paused, her breath hitching as her gaze flickered downward, her mind briefly clouded by the weight of her own thoughts. She shook her head in frustration, her voice softening just a fraction.
Sigh… fine. I don't know why you're so concerned about me when you should be like everyone else—indifferent to my existence in this academy.
Tyrone didn't let her words deter him. "Not true. But let's go."
As they walked, the air around them felt strangely still. Gendai stumbled slightly, her hand instinctively pressing against her head, trying to steady herself. Tyrone, ever watchful, stepped forward, reaching out to support her.
"See? This is exactly why I'm tagging along with you," Tyrone said, his voice full of concern. "Are you okay?"
Gendai took a deep breath, the dizziness slowly creeping away. "Fine already, bro. Let's just go."
They made their way down the path leading to the open fields below the academy's property, the soft hum of the earth beneath them contrasting with the weight of the silence between them.
Meanwhile, in the academy's common room, Kazimir, James, Mia, and Riah sat together, discussing matters of grave importance.
"Tell us what you know about Abiba, James," Riah asked, her voice steady but curious.
James leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. "Abiba is the god of these parasites," he began, his voice calm but filled with a deep weight. "In ancient times, she caused disasters across the world. The dragons went mad, driven into chaos by her influence. But Azoth, the legendary hero, was able to fight her to a standstill."
Mia's eyes widened in recognition. "Azoth… the one who gave humanity hope in a world overtaken by chaos?"
James nodded solemnly. "Yes, but the world doesn't know the full story. Azoth fought Abiba, wielding the divine sword granted by Solaris. He did what no one else could—he held the balance. But at a cost. In his final battle, he slew many parasites and dynasties, restoring some form of peace. The world thinks he won, but… Azoth died. Abiba, however, survived."
Riah's brow furrowed. "How did she survive the divine sword? There's no blade more powerful than that to strike down a god."
James' expression darkened. "That's because another god intervened. Nebula, the god of the dark Equation. Abiba is a creation of hers. The battle between Solaris and Nebula split the Equation of the universe, creating two opposing forces: Pessimism energy and Alacrity energy. It's why the universe is divided as it is now."
He leaned forward, eyes scanning the group. "But there's something even rarer. Some born of the dark Equation, infused with Nebula's power, are known as the Nullity Triangle. And these beings are… dangerous. Encountering them is considered a 0% survival rate."
Mia jumped from her seat, her eyes wide with realization. "The Nullity… and Kazimir… His eye… That's odd."
James stared at her, his expression darkening. "It's more than odd. Kazimir… he might be one of Nebula's children."
Kazimir's fate hung in the balance, his connection to Nebula a mystery yet to be unraveled. But as the wheels of fate turned, there was no escaping the truth.
The Eye of Nullity—was it the key to everything?