CHAPTER 3

Liam's Awakening

As the evening shadows stretched across the cliff, Liam's lifeless form lay still, the pendant around his neck glinting faintly in the fading light. Suddenly, a shimmer of light danced along the necklace, a precious gift from his mother. In a breathtaking moment, Liam's body stirred, as if stirred by an unseen force.

A surge of energy pulsed from the pendant, a radiant beacon against the darkening sky.

Lightning crackled, striking with precision, illuminating the scene with an eerie glow.

Every passerby saw it from a distance and halted, drawn by the spectacle unfolding before them.

Liam's fingers twitched, his pulse quickened, and his eyes snapped open.

A fiery redness engulfed his irises, shimmering like embers in the night, heralding a transformation that would alter his fate forever.

He springs up, the force of wind raising his body. It twirls as it elevates, defying gravity. In some seconds, he lands on the other side of the pathway, the field he had once been dragged along by his killer, Phil.

He gazes down at his hands, flexing his fingers, marvelling at the sensation of strength coursing through his once lifeless limbs.

"Liam!"

A voice, soft yet commanding, breaks the silence behind him. He turns around, but all he sees is a shimmering blue light, coalescing into a shadowy figure that meets his gaze with an intensity that sends shock down his spine.

"Welcome!!," the voice resonates, echoing with an otherworldly quality, "to a realm of boundless potential. You now wield a power that can conquer all your fears. Choose wisely, for your path is yours to forge."

Liam couldn't believe his newfound ability. He blinked his eyes in confusion, lazily stretching his arms towards the blue light rays, shaking to pick an option from the selected. His thumb lazily touches an option to reach the main gate, in a blink, Liam drops at the school entrance, right in seconds.

He smiled at himself, his brain rotating from within him. He feels a greater surge of energy run down his veins, taking a step into the long pathway.

*******

As Liam tries to walk, he feels a surge of ease and speed.

"Hold it there!" Macho's voice interrupts, grabbing Liam.

"I thought Phil dealt with you," Macho sneered, preparing to strike.

Liam remains calm. Macho punches, but Liam's abdomen transforms, protecting him.

"Ouch!" Macho yells, shocked by his injured hand.

The shadowy figure prompts Liam to choose, but he hesitates.

"I want you to learn!" Liam warns.

Macho orders his gang to attack, but Liam effortlessly defeats them in a twinkle of an eye, they were already on the floor panting and sobbing.

Onlookers gather, intrigued by the spectacle.

As they approach, Liam disappears, leaving them bewildered.

The dust settled, but Liam is nowhere to be found.

What happened? Everyone who gathered to watch from a distance questioned

****************

Was that real?

Liam couldn't believe what had just occurred. He hides his pendant underneath his shirt, folding his arms. Arriving at the pathway to the hostel, he curls up.

"Hey boy!!" Alex called out to Liam. "You snoring rat, I hope you ain't gonna snore tonight," he taunted, laughter filling the spacious hostel room.

"That's a normal occurrence, Alex. I was so tired and couldn't help it. You needed to see all I went through that day," Liam replied in a friendly manner, trying to avoid a scene.

"Shut your traps, man. I never asked for your opinion. I'm only warning you never to snore that way here again."

"It's fine, Alex." Liam turned to his bunk, sitting at the edge of it, brushing his hands on the iron frame of the bed.

"Hey, you dare not reply to me in that manner," Alex stormed, hurrying towards Liam.

"Would you reply in that manner to every other person here, or do you think I'm as poor and feeble as you are?" he scowled, raising his brows.

"Calm down, man," Liam pleads, trying to cushion the effect of the moment.

But then, Alex pushes Liam's head to the iron stand of the bed.

"What are you gonna do, boy?" he dares Liam, pushing him again, clenching his fist and teeth.

"I'm gonna wound you, boy. You're just too small for me," he roars to show defiance.

********

As Alex's fist inches closer to Liam's face, a sudden surge of power pulses through Liam's veins. With a swift movement, he dodges Alex's attack and pushes him back with unexpected strength, Alex drifts backwards, slamming his body against the hostel wall. The other students are surprised at Liam's show of power.

"What the hell?" Alex stumbles backward, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Liam stands his ground, his gaze steady. "I'm not who you think I am, Alex. You don't want to mess with me."

The other students in the hostel room watch in stunned silence as Liam's newfound abilities are put on display. Whispers of awe and fear ripple through the crowd, and for the first time, Liam feels a glimmer of confidence flicker within him.

"Did you guys see that?" one student whispers, eyes wide with amazement.

"Yeah, Liam just...defeated Alex," another murmurs, still processing what they just witnessed.

But just as quickly as it came, a sense of foreboding washes over Liam. He knows that his powers come with a price, and he can't help but wonder what other challenges lie ahead.

As the night wears on, Liam retreats to his bunk, the events of the day swirling through his mind. Despite the excitement of his newfound abilities, he can't shake the feeling of unease that gnaws at him.

As he drifts off to sleep, he can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Will he be able to control his powers? Or will they consume him, turning him into something he no longer recognizes.

************

The next day was a weekend, and Liam woke to the news of a strange personality who defeated Marcho and his team of bullies. The most surprising part was the incident that occurred last night in the hotel.

Liam walked out pitifully, trying to maintain his posture. He was always known for being feeble and broke, but now it was an entirely different story altogether.

He walked out into the pathway that leads to the cafeteria. Just as he reached the cafeteria, Ivy, one of the rich and famous students, approached him as a means of teasing and humiliating him in the normal way.

"Hey, coward!" she exclaimed, trying to cause a scene. The other students who were busy buying and eating began to sing,... "Everyone considers him the coward of the country," laughing and cheering him on.

Richard, a tall guy in his mid20's, stood up and cleared his throat. He walked down to Liam, who was standing in front of the cookies seller. He made a stunt as he walked closer to Liam.

"What are you looking for here, weakling?" he exclaimed, whispering to Liam's ears. "I know you got no dime with you," he laughed as he took out some cash from his pocket.

"Give me a drink, Ma," he ordered the drink seller, a woman with a protruded stomach who grinned as she handed him a soft drink.

"You've been sneering at me all along," Liam muttered in a low and grumbling manner.

"Who told you that I wasn't aware of that?" he babbled back. The surprise in Richard's face was vivid, he knew that something was about to happen.