2025-09-04 04:01:39Delia blinked once, then nodded quietly. She walked over, picked up her gloves, and slid them back onto her hands. Her expression didn’t change, but when her eyes flickered toward Jade, there was a soft understanding. Toward Neil, though, she allowed herself a small, almost playful smile.
"See you in class," she laughed lightly before turning away. Neil stared after her, oddly unsettled. Watching her walk away without a glance back shouldn’t have mattered, but it did. Somewhere deep inside, it hurt. Why? he asked himself. There was a strange connection he couldn’t shake, as if her blank expression had been hiding real pain. Sandy noticed Neil’s gaze, then glanced at Professor Hiro, who stood quietly with that gentle grin. Smirking, Sandy tiptoed toward Neil, about to scare him. "Don’t even think about it, Sandy," Neil said suddenly, still staring. Sandy froze mid-step, blinking. "His gift… it’s activated? But why, Professor?" Professor Hiro chuckled. "Because I already deactivated mine, Sandy. Guess you didn’t notice." "He’s not the sensitive type," Neil said with a smirk, closing his eyes. "Hey, are you two trying to say I’m dumb?" Sandy barked, puffing up. "No one said that," Hiro soothed. "Now both of you—head to the sick bay." "Aren’t you angry we wrecked the place?" Neil asked, raising a brow. "Yeah," Sandy added quickly. Professor Hiro only smiled, turning his back as he walked away. "Mr. Natsu," he called, waving at a passing teacher with a bright grin, "can I ask a favor?" Later, Neil sat on a bed while a healer finished patching him up. Sandy hovered nearby, arms crossed. "How bad?" Neil asked. "You’ll be fine," the healer assured, wiping her hands. "They didn’t penetrate too deep." "Thank you," Neil said sincerely. "You’re welcome," she replied with a smile before turning away. "By the way, how did you get them?" she asked curiously. "He was reckless," Sandy said instantly. Smack! Neil slapped the back of his head, driving Sandy’s face into the table. The healer chuckled behind her file. "Care to repeat that?" Neil asked flatly. Sandy snarled, rubbing his head. "What the hell is your problem, eh? Uma kungenjalo ukuthi ulimele, bengizokubuyisela umusa." "Zulu again? I swear, I’m never covering your ass again," Neil groaned, sinking back into the pillow. The healer gathered her things. "I’ll be on my way now." "Wait—we didn’t get your name," Sandy said, flashing a wink. "It’s Ariel," she replied warmly. "Nice to meet you both." As she left, Sandy’s face twisted into a grin. "Man, she’s hot." Neil rolled his eyes. "Are you kidding me?" "You saw her hips… that figure eight… pink jelly lips… or that breas—" A cough cut Sandy short. Both boys froze. Professor Hiro stood there, a shadowy grin stretching across his face. His teeth gleamed, his eyes sharp like a wolf’s. Sandy’s body broke into a sweat instantly, trembling. "Don’t," Hiro’s voice dropped low, "try anything silly with my healer. Or else." He leaned close, his grin widening. "You wanna have a problem with me, eh?" he mimicked Sandy’s earlier bravado, his tone menacing. Sandy gulped hard, nodding rapidly like his neck was about to break. "Good," Hiro straightened, satisfied. Neil sighed, asking without looking up, "Are we getting expelled?" "Well…" Hiro started slowly. "Well?" Neil pressed. "I’m sorry to announce…" Hiro let the words hang, watching their anxious faces. "You are not getting expelled." And just like that, he left. Sandy flopped into a chair. "Man…" Neil called out, "Did you notice something about the girl we fought with?" "Which one?" Sandy asked. "Delia." "Oh, you mean the snow witch?" "Yeah." Neil’s voice dropped. "She didn’t look like she was in a good mood. No emotions. Just… sad." "I thought so too," Sandy admitted. "She looked like someone in pain." Neil nodded slowly. "That’s what I felt." "Who cares?" Sandy stretched, waving it off. "Not that I care anyway." Neil studied him. "So what do we do?" Sandy leaned back, making a walking gesture with his fingers. "Let go," he whispered. "We have other things to worry about." Neil exhaled, nodding. "You’re right." "It’s like you’re falling for her, eh?" Sandy teased with a grin. "Nope," Neil shot back, rolling his eyes. "Just thought maybe we could become her friends. You know?" "I’d rather be friends with an idiot than with her," Sandy smirked. Neil chuckled. An idiot like you, he thought. "Rest up, brother," Sandy said, heading to the door. "We got class tomorrow." "Normal," Neil said with a tired smile. "And try not to get into trouble." "Good plan." "Don’t forget—you owe me." Neil laughed. "Ugh… whatever," Sandy muttered, rolling his eyes as he walked out.
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Episode Nine-Part VI: Troubled Soul
The silence in Neil’s mind was heavy, too heavy. He stood in a place that stretched endlessly — a pitch-black plane, where rippling water covered the ground and each droplet echoed through the void like falling glass. The sound was all that existed here, the endless drip and wave, a rhythm that mocked life in a world already dead. Neil stood at the center of it all, still as stone, disbelief etched across his face. “Here again,” he sighed, voice low, carried away by the cold air. From the shadows ahead, the same eyes appeared — the ones he had seen in the forest. They floated in the dark, unblinking, ancient. For a few seconds they only stared at him. Then, without warning, they widened, and a violent wave burst forth. The impact struck Neil like lightning. His body jerked, glitching in and out of sight, and his knees buckled beneath him. He dropped to the watery surface, gasping, hands clamped over his ears as the wave ripped through his skull. The echoes began — the same voice
Episode Nine-Part V: The Duel Of Frost And Blood
The silence in the training hall felt heavier than the snow falling outside. Frost laced the windows, catching fragments of pale light that spilled through the glass and scattered across the marble floor. Every trace of sound — footsteps, breath, even heartbeat — seemed swallowed by the sacred stillness of Marzanna’s temple grounds.Rita stood opposite Delia, her icy aura pulsing faintly in waves that made the air itself brittle. She wore confidence like armor, chin lifted, lips curled into that familiar mocking grin. Around her wrists, frost glimmered like veins of silver-blue lightning. Delia, by contrast, stood calm — hair cascading like moonlit strands of snow, her eyes reflecting nothing but stillness.The Grand Masters watched from the edge of the dueling ring. Alan’s arms were folded tightly, his expression stern. Finn leaned on the railing, a faint smile ghosting across his face — one that never reached his eyes.“Remember,” Alan’s voice echoed softly through the chamber, “the
Episode Nine-Part IV: The Mark Of Marzanna
Long ago in Verathia, a single tribe ravaged by endless wars fled into the heart of an abandoned, isolated land. Rumors claimed that the place devoured all intruders—its forests whispered curses, and its waters froze on moonless nights. Desperate for refuge, the tribe’s leader ventured deeper until he found the spirit who ruled the land—the goddess Marzanna. He pleaded for mercy, promising loyalty in exchange for her blessing. Moved by his resolve, Marzanna granted them sanctuary beneath her eternal frost and offered her power to the tribe. She chose her vessels—the daughters to wield her ice, the sons her dark wrath, and one priest to bear both in harmony. From that covenant rose a hidden, independent city untouched by government rule. They called themselves the Children of Marzanna, and their city was named Marzan—a place where mortals and divine frost intertwined. But blessings never come without consequence. In time, the chosen Priestesses who lacked compatibility with the godd
Episode Nine-Part III: In Marzan
Delia returned to her crystalized mansion on the far side of Verathia, a snowy city in Marzan ruled by a priestess. She was escorted by armed men through the snow, their white garments blending perfectly with the pale surroundings. As she marched toward the grand doors of the mansion, the attendants bowed low. Inside, more attendants waited. One stepped forward and handed her a folded set of robes. Delia accepted them silently and walked into an adjoining room. Before the mirror, she stared at her reflection. The gown they had given her was exquisitely designed—covering every inch of her body except her face and flowing silver hair. She adjusted it once, then returned to the main hall, where two guards led her into another chamber. This hall was vast, with twin staircases spiraling upward toward a crystal throne. Guards in white robes lined each stair, their blades pointed toward the ground. A faint clank echoed above her. Delia looked up to see a woman descending—her robe whiter
Episode Nine-Part II: Elders Meeting pt II
The meeting commenced with every Elder seated, each raising concerns tied to the ongoing war. Complaints filled the hall — about their slipping ranks among other nations, about failed missions, about dwindling influence. Nathaniel sat quietly among them, his gaze fixed on one man—Elder Potter. “What about the Abominable Project?” asked an Elder from the second row. “There’s been some progress,” replied another from the third. “But all prototypes were destroyed by unknown variables. We’re falling behind.” “Forcing advanced Gifted into battle is risky,” said another. “It weakens our internal defense.” Before the debate could spiral again, the First Elder slammed the armrest of his chair. A shockwave rippled through the air, silencing the hall. “Complaints won’t bring us results,” he barked. “We need solutions.” The silence that followed was broken only by the rhythmic tap of a cane. Every eye turned toward Elder Potter, a faint smirk curling his lips. “You have something to say?”
Episode Nine-Part I: The Elders Meeting
Many expensive cars were parked outside the academy’s main building. Students gathered around, greeting the people who came to take them home for the holidays. Among them, Sandy and Neil walked toward their ride. “Young master,” an old man called out, smiling warmly. “It’s good to see you again.” “Old man Bosco!” Sandy grinned, pulling him into a hug. “Man, I’ve missed you so much.” Bosco laughed heartily, lifting Sandy off the ground as they spun around in joy. “No one would ever deny you two are related,” Neil chuckled, approaching them. “I and Sandy may not share blood,” Bosco said, still smiling, “but we’re bound by something stronger — a bond.” Neil raised a brow. “Which bond?” “The brotherhood of black skin,” Bosco laughed. “My man!” Sandy joined in, slapping his palm in a loud handshake. “As if I’m not black-skinned too,” Neil muttered, rolling his eyes. “I take it he didn’t make it here?” “He couldn’t,” Bosco replied. “He’s off to the Elders’ meeting.” Neil halted f
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