Christmas Eve had arrived and the family had enjoyed a large dinner that night. From a roasted ham to all the fixings to a large dessert and nice pot of hot cocoa. Jason was in heaven as he devoured as much as he could without end. Whenever his family thought he was finished, he would just just fill his plate up with more food and continue. Dye and Sam had their fill of food and were enjoying a cup of cocoa. Mack and their father were finishing up their slices of pie while their mother, the chef of the evening, enjoyed a glass of eggnog as she sat at the table. They were all engaged in lively conversation. Recallings past Christmases and ‘that one time’ or ‘do you remember when’ conversations.

Now that they knew they had a sister, the conversation was opened to more questions about her.

“Corrine was our first child,” said their mother, sipping her egg nog. “Your dad hadn’t passed the bar yet and I was still in school. We had a small one bedroom apartment on the eastside.”

“We barely had any money and now we had this baby. Christmas that year was small but we had each other and that's all that mattered. It was tough but we managed.”

Jason finally finished his fourth helping and went on to his dessert. He had a choice between pumpkin pie and sweet potato, but that was no dilemma for him, he just had a slice of both.

“So you guys had one kid, and then decided to have four more?” he asked, breaking into his pie with his fork.

“We thought it’d be better if we waited until we were more financially settled to have more children. I didn’t get pregnant with Mack until she was about three or four.”

“Did Granddad or Uncle Bobby know her?” asked Dye.

“Of course, they were there when she was born,” his father replied. “They came around and helped when they were able to. So did your mother’s parents.”

They stayed up late into the night, or until Jason was finally able to say he was full so the boys could clean the dishes. While they did so, their parents enjoyed another glass of eggnog. It wasn’t long before the house was quiet and everyone was asleep. The next morning everyone woke up as Christmas Day had arrived. Dye stirred awake, and realizing what day it was, scurried out of bed and ran downstairs to see a tree with a cluster of presents sitting beneath it.

“Out of the way, Little Brother,” said Jason, pushing past Dye to get to the presents. “This haul is mine,” He rummaged through the lot, looking for which gifts were his and began ripping wrapping paper. The sound must’ve awakened the whole house because now Sam and Mack were thumping downstairs as their parents were emerging from their rooms in their robes.

Mack handed Dye a box. “Merry Christmas, Dye,” he said.

Dye smiled and accepted the present, ripping it open to find a small book. It was weird as the way you held the book was reversed from normal books. Instead of opening it left to right, it was the only way around.

“What is this?” he asked confusedly.

“It’s called a Manga, it’s sorta like Japanese comics. Thought you might like it.”

“Oh,” he said. He flipped through the pages and saw all the art in monochrome colors. “Thanks, looks awesome.” he looked at the cover and admired the art. The title was in Japanese but the translation sat below it.

Samurai Shingeki

Dye would give it a try.

He placed the book down and gathered what he got for everyone else. Dye didn’t have much money, but he knew to save up his allowances for Christmas so he could get his family something.

He handed a small box to Sam. Another one to Jason. A slightly bigger box to Mack, and then a rectangular one to his parents. They all opened it.

Sam opened his and inside was a small book. On the front read The Scientific Method. “You know, for all your experiments and stuff.” Sam smiled. “Thanks Dye, this is for you.” He handed him an envelope. Dye opened it and saw a gift card to his local comic book shop.

“Thanks Sammy!” he said with excitement. “I gotta go get the last issues of Warrior Knight now!”

Jason opened his gift and inside it was a beanie. It had the Quailocian symbol for water on the front.

“I saw that and thought of you,” Dye said.

Jason laughed. “As you should. Branding, I like it!”

“Apparently the blue armored guy has his own online fan club.”

“What?” Jason’s jaw dropped. “No way! I gotta check that out!”

Jason handed Dye his gift. It was a small box. Dye opened it and saw a small figurine. It was a chibi version of his armored self striking a heroic pose.

“Apparently, so does the gold armored guy!” said Jason. “huh…great minds think alike, right bro?” referring to the subtle obviousness. Dye smiled and admired the small version of himself. He knew exactly where to put it too.

Mack opened his gift from Dye and inside was a box set of DVDs.

“The Original Thundercats Boxset? NO WAY!” said Mack. “Thanks Dye!” Dye smiled. “I haven’t seen these in forever. I’m gonna watch every single episode before school!”

The rest of the morning the boys rummaged through gifts from their parents and other family members. Dye received a few video games and movies. A few clothes and of course some cash from his Granddad. They also got a few gifts from their Uncle Bobby. He would usually come by Christmas Day but he was away on work. Uncle Bobby was a ranking US Military Official. He had assignments all over the world, most of which was classified, so the boys understood why sometimes he couldn’t be around. Jason got a new wetsuit from his parents while Mack got a new set of workout clothes. He still hadn’t told his parents about his scholarship opportunities. He probably hadn’t figured out what he wanted to do yet. Sam received a year subscription to the Science Today magazine, something Sam believed to be another tool in his never ending search for the truth in science.

Later that morning. Dye scurried across town at superspeed. He came to Joss’s house and knocked on his door. Joss answered. “Merry Christmas, Dye!”

“Merry Christmas,” he said back. “Here!”

Dyd handed Joss a rolled piece of parchment. When Joss unrolled it, there was a photo of the Xenton, still unbeknownst to Joss what they were actually called, during the night of the train rescue. He pulled the image offline and printed it on photo paper. On it were signatures that Dye signed and had Jason and Sam sign as well.

“No way…” Joss was flabbergasted. “Are these their–,”

“Yep!”

“How?”

“A lot of looking. I mean a lot!” said Dye, obviously lying.

“Thanks man! Hey wait, I thought you didn’t care much for these guys.”

“Yeah well, you do, so…”

“I appreciate it man, Thanks.” Joss looked awkwardly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know we were exchanging gifts. I didn’t get you anything.”

“That's okay. No worries.”

“Tell you what, I got you for lunch when we're back at school.”

“Okay,” Dye didn’t hesitate to agree to that. “Well, see ya!”

“Later,” Joss closed the door and Dye waited for a few moments. When he felt that no one was looking, Dye blurred away.

He came to another house. It was Jenny’s home. He knocked on the door and the one who answered was her father.

“Theodore, Merry Christmas!”

“Oh, Um Merry Christmas, Sir.”

“Thank you, I never got to thank you for keeping Jenny safe when that attack happened during your…outing.” the thought of his daughter dating still being uncomfortable that he couldn’t even say the word. “No problem, Sir. Willing to do it again.”

“I knew I liked you,” Dye smiled. “I’ll get Jenny.”

Jenny came trotting to the door. She smiled when she saw Dye. “Merry Christmas,” she said.

“Merry Christmas,” he smiled back. “Oh um – this is for you?” He handed her a small box.

“Dye, you didn’t have to,” she said.

“Oh…I-I know. I just wanted to,” he said, now feeling a bit weird considering he and Jenny weren’t an official item. Was this too soon? “If it makes you feel less weirded out, I got Joss something too.”

She giggled. “No, it's fine.” She opened the box and removed the lid. Sitting in the box, on top of tissue paper was a single, powder blue golf ball. On it had the date of the day they went out.

She saw the gesture as cute and gave Dye a sentimental sort of look.

“You stole the golf ball I kicked your butt with?”

“Huh…oh – No, I uh —” Dye couldn’t say anything because he indeed stole a golf ball. “I’m not uh – entirely sure it’s the same one,” he said.

She beamed at him, giving him butterflies in his gut. What would happen next? “Theodore Haven, you really know how to win a girl over.”

Should he say something?

What should he say?

Was there anything left to say?

She approached him, tippy toeing up to him. She came close and then looked at him. “If I didn’t just have two cups of coffee, I’d kiss you right now.”

Those butterflies were in his throat. His face was beginning to turn red. He could feel the heat rushing to his head and this time it wasn’t the result of his powers. She instead kissed him on the cheek and twinkled another smile. “I’ll call you later.” she said as she went back into the house, closing the door.

Dye was frozen. He couldn’t move nor did he want to.

What just happened?

What did this mean?

He needed answers right now!

The next few days were extremely lazy. Dye found himself parked on the couch, reading the manga Mack got him for christmas. He didn’t find it half bad. In fact, he found it rather enjoyable for what it was. Perhaps there was more he could pick up and get into.

Sam sat with him, going through this month’s edition of Science Today. The TV had the news on. Sam was on the prowl for anything that could suggest Griflore, whether it was here in the city or somewhere else in the world. So far nothing emerged, but he kept his ears open just in case something caught his attention. However, there was something that did take their eyes away from their reading almost immediately.

“Local high school student, who was arrested for armed robbery 3 months ago, has been found guilty and sentenced to three years in a juvenile detention center.” Dye dropped his book and glued his eyes to the screen. Sam adjusted his glasses but couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“No way…”

“TJ,” said Sam.

Dye paused.

“Huh, good! It was about time someone rang that dude’s bell!” said Dye, returning to his book.

Sam went back to his magazine. Not a care in the world.

New Year’s Eve rolled around but it wasn’t without its hiccups. A group of masked criminals decided to crash a new years eve party on the upper north side of town. They tried to rob the people in attendance but Dye, Jason and Sam ended up crashing the rude party guests. It didn’t take long for the heroes to have the crooks behind bars and just in time for the New Year countdown. Dye and his brothers secured the guests and were even offered hors d'oeuvres. Dye declined, but Jason gladly obliged but was stopped by Sam as they departed.

Winter break had come to an end and it wasn’t half bad. Aside from the mishap during New Years Eve, the break was quite enjoyable. Even more so, Dye was anxious to get back to school.

Why?

Well, because he was going stir crazy being cooped up in the house all day with his brothers. Jason gobbled up all the food. Mack was hogging the TV to watch movies and his new Thundercats box set, which ironically was his gift from Dye, and Sam was stuck in his room doing whatever Sam usually did.

After delivering their gifts, he only saw Joss and Jenny a single time. Joss ended up being busy with his family and Jenny went out of town with hers the weeks before and after New Years.

In other words, he was bored and needed to do something.

The cafeteria seemed more alive than ever on the first day back. Dye, Joss, and Jenny got together as always, enjoying their lunch, and going over what they did for their break.

“So it’s true that TJ is in jail?” Asked Joss.

“Yep,” Dye replied, picking his food. “Saw it on the news.”

“What did he do?” Jenny asked.

“I think he robbed a place,” Dye replied. “They weren’t too clear on the situation, but he was found guilty and was sentenced to like three years in jail.”

“Wow! Bet you're happy,” said Joss.

“Hell yeah! That dude had it coming.”

Moments later the cafeteria began to tremble violently. The students dropped their food and took cover under the tables. Joss, Dye, and Jenny quickly retreated under their table and covered their heads. Cups full of pudding and juice fell and splattered all over the ground. The rumbling stopped and just as the students started to think it was safe the rumbling resumed. The fire alarms started to sound, and the student body erupted into chaos.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

The rumbling ceased.

The faculty burst through the doors in a panic. The students quickly got up from under the tables at the sight of their teachers, feeling some sort of relief.

Dye’s was on high alert. Was this an actual earthquake? Or was something, or someone, causing it.

“What’s going on?” cried Jenny, trying to talk over the loud alarms, covering her ears.

“I don’t know,” Dye replied, also covering his ears.

“Everyone stay calm and exit in an orderly fashion!” Said Vice Principal Charles through a loudspeaker.

The students quickly left their belongings and headed straight for the doors when suddenly they were slammed shut. Every exit in the cafeteria was suddenly sealed and locked. The teachers and the students tried to ram the doors open, but it seemed impossible for them to do so. The fire alarms were silenced, and the power inside the cafeteria went out, causing everyone to panic again. Jenny held onto Dye; her uncontrollable shaking rattled his body. He knew what she was thinking.

The train accident.

Their date.

And now whatever this was.

The PTSD was getting to her and he could sense every second of it.

He looked everywhere for his brothers, but there were no signs of Mack, Sam, or Jason.

Everything was quiet.

Apprehension was building.

“Let me out!” Cried one of the students banging on the door. “Let me out!”

A hole in the ceiling was torn open, and the students saw an object fall to the ground, bringing down with it rubble, glass from the windows and a thick cloud of debris. Students and teachers screamed for help, banging on the doors. Jenny’s grip on Dye’s arm tightened. The light from above showed a figure emerge from within the dust cloud

“What is that?” Asked Dye. As the haze began to lift, Dye’s heart began to pound; beating against his chest. Jenny looked at him and his face was stricken with fear. She sensed his unease.

“What is it?” She asked him.

He remained quiet; his eyes were set on the figure standing in the curtain of dirt; the continuing chaos of the students trying to get out of the sealed room got louder and more out of control.

“If I do not receive what I seek, then all of you will die this day,” said a cold, demonic voice coming from within the smoke.

Dye’s heart finally stopped for a second.

The mysterious shadow raised his hand and waved away the smoke that was concealing him. The symbol of Griflore caught Dye’s eye, and the glare of his purple armor barely made him flinch as he was still in a state of shock. The students panicked even more, continuing to thrash against the doors, trying to get out. Griflore let out an evil laugh as the students ran about the cafeteria, searching for a way out.

“What do I do?” Dye said under his breath. Memories of his death came back hard. His hands were shaking. He was starting to sweat. Dye lacked any bravery. Instead all he felt was doubt and reluctance.

He couldn’t move his limbs at all.

“Huh?” Said Jenny, who heard him.

Dye forgot he was thinking out loud.

“Uh, nothing,” he said, “come on. We have to get out of here,” Dye seized Jenny’s hand and pushed through the crowd, followed by Joss. He knew he had to do something to protect the students and teachers. Even if he could find someplace to armor up, could he stand up to the might of Griflore?

He wasn’t strong enough to take on Griflore by himself. It took the combined efforts of Sam, Jason and Arayan to stop him before and even then it was a struggle for Sam and Jason to get the upper hand.

The group of three escaped the sights of Griflore and searched each door with a slim chance that one could be unlocked. Throughout all of the commotion, Dye’s grip on Jenny’s hand slipped and the three were separated amongst the crowd.

“Dye!” Shouted Jenny. “Dye!”

Dye couldn’t hear the call over all of the noise. He realized that Jenny and Joss were lost in the shuffle, but he thought this was a good time for him to find a place to summon his power.

He thought again.

Maybe it was best to wait for Sam and Jason to arrive. If they were able to beat Griflore once surely they could do it again, right?

“Where is the Fire Bearer?” Said Griflore, walking over to a student he began to interrogate. “I know he’s here. I tracked his Ka to this exact location. Where is he?” He snatched the student by his neck, lifting him from the ground. “Answer me!” He growed. The student’s fear made words turn into gibberish. Growing angry, Griflore threw the student across the cafeteria and he crashed into a table.

He couldn’t wait. He needed to gain control of himself and do what was needed to be done. He dropped to the ground and crawled his way through the crowd.

“You!” Said Griflore. “Girl!” He looked at Jenny.

She froze in fear. Griflore walked over to her with the sound of his knocking metal feet against the tiled floor. She tried to get away but the chaos of the crowd did not allow her to flee.

“Tell me. Where is the Fire Bearer?”

“I– I don’t know what–” He seized her neck as she struggled and fought for air.

“Answer me! Where is the one who wears the golden armor?” Using what little courage he had, Joss pushed against Griflore. “Let her go!” He raged.

Griflore swung his arm and smacked him across the room, sending him crashing into the soda machine.

“Answer me, girl,” Griflore resumed. “Where is the fox? Where is he?” He secured his grip.

Just at that moment, a rope of fire wrapped around Griflore’s arm and pulled it away from Jenny’s neck, releasing her to the ground.

“You must get off by grabbing folks by the neck, huh?” Griflore’s whole body was flung away until a golden fist struck him and sent him pummeling into a wall. The students and teachers looked towards the kitchen and saw the gold armored hero standing on the counter wielding the fire rope. He turned the flaming lasso into fireballs.

“Stand away from the doors!” he commanded as he hurled the fireballs at the sealed exits. blowing away the doors.

“Go! Now!” Shouted Dye. “I’ll hold him off!” The students made a chaotic exit from the cafeteria just as Griflore pulled himself out of the wall. Vice Principal Charles grabbed Joss just as another member of the faculty grabbed the student who was attacked previously. Jenny looked at Dye. He was sure but her eyes suggested hope. “GO!” Dye shouted at her, worried about Griflore getting her again made him angst.

The cafeteria was quickly evacuated, leaving Dye and Griflore alone.

“What do you want?” Asked Dye, getting down from the counter.

Griflore stood up and looked at Dye with his head cocked to the side.

“I’ve been looking for you. We need to talk.”

Dye felt confused. What was Griflore up to? And why was he looking for him?

“You have a weird way of wanting to chat!”

“First order of business: where is the star?” Griflore held out his hand.

“I don’t have it.”

“Ah. But you do know where it is?”

A memory of Arayan taking the star stood out in his head.

“No, I don’t,” Dye stated clearly, “my turn to ask the question.”

“Very well,” Griflore responded.

“What are you planning?” Asked Dye. “This mission you’ve been talking about.”

“In due time, boy, everything is going according to plan. However, I wasn’t planning on sustaining so much damage when I fought the other two Xenton.”

“So where have you been for the last few weeks? Hiding out in some hole?”

“After I murdered that insignificant boy,” Dye’s tramatic stress reminding him yet again of what happened. “The Shark and the Eagle Bearers were able to summon incredible power. Power I had never seen before. A power that was able to bring me to my knees. That light was incredible. They’re Xenton, and so am I. So why am I not able to summon that kind of power?”

“What are you getting at?”

“Patience, boy!” He hissed. “Are you familiar with the Spirit Life-Force?”

“The Spirit what?” Replied Dye.

“The Spirit Life-Force is a particular level of power that awakens inside every Xenton when intense emotions are reached. The energy comes from the life force of both the host and the spirit inhabiting their body, becoming one in the form of light that corresponds to the Xenton’s element. The Xenton becomes acutely aware of themselves and their Ka and the connection between them becomes stronger. Thus, the host is able to summon incredible power. That must have been the case with the two other Xenton when I killed that boy. They must have shared some kind of deep connection with him.”

“Who are you? And why are you telling me this?”

Griflore began walking towards Dye. Dye braced himself, his body shaking underneath his armor. “What a ridiculous question.You three Xenton are the only thing standing in my way.”

Griflore stopped; just standing inches away from Dye. He balled up his fist and made a jab. Dye’s instinct caused him to react, which was a surprise considering the state he was in. He caught the demon’s fist and returned the attack. Griflroe, just like Dye, caught the fist.

“There’s something about you that’s different.” Grilfore growled. Dye’s nerves we’re getting to him. His fist within Griflore’s grasp was starting to shake.

“You’re terrified of me, aren’t you?” Griflore suggested in a humorous tone.

Dye snatched back his fist, releasing his hold on Griflore’s.

He had nothing to say.

No witty comeback.

No smart insults.

He stood in fear contemplating if this was the best move.

“I see,” said Griflore, circling him. “Unsure. Fearful. Full of doubt. You are not the same from before.” Dye held his shaking hand. He tried to focus to get it to stop. He eyed Griflore, but the more he did the more afraid he became. “Now I understand. You are untrained, like the others. The fight you gave me was only a facade. A cover to hide your inexperience.”

Dye closed his eyes. He tried to calm himself by breathing. His hand was still shaking. “Who are you if you can’t fight? You wear that armor in disgrace.” Griflore stood behind Dye, who still had his eyes lowered in an attempt to collect himself. Giflore morphed his hand into his blade. “I will peel it from your cold corpse!” Griflore lunged at Dye and it was like everything suddenly became clear. Dye shot open his eyes and reacted instantly. He moved to the side and the blade whizzed past him.

Griflore swung his blade but Dye gracefully evaded as his agility took over. He flipped over cafeteria tables as Griflore destroyed them in pursuit. He tumbled through the air as his enemy attacked relentlessly. With a final lunge, Dye caught the blade between clasped hands. Dye began to hyperventilate as he stared at the tip of the sharp weapon. Griflore pushed and the blade slid closer. Dye increased the pressure and the weapon stopped.

“You can’t escape me…” said Griflore, trying to force the blade through. “The other two aren’t coming and I’m going to kill you!” The blade slid through some more, coming a few inches away from his armored face. Dye struggled to keep the blade at bay but he could feel himself failing.

Thinking fast, Dye swung his arms to the side, taking Griflore’s whole body with it, the sword sliding through and penetrating the floor. Dye ignited his fist and bashed the evil Xenton in the face. He flew across the room and slammed into the lunch line’s food warmers.

That felt great.

Dye stood there in the pose of his punch. He looked at his fist and it wasn’t shaking anymore. It was strong and sturdy.

Griflore pushed through the wreckage, getting to his feet.

“So, you do have some fight in you.” he said, stepping over the remnants of the lunch line.

Dye looked at his hands. He could feel something within him changing. His doubtfulness was melting away as his last attack brought about a sense of confidence. He looked up at Griflore, who was fastly approaching.

He could do this.

He could fight back.

The two Xenton went for each other, both striking the other. The two fists collided and the aftermath unleashed a powerful force that caused glass to shatter and walls to crack and crumble. The two Xenton continued to exchange blows as they collided, slamming fist against fist, causing more force waves to rattle the walls of the cafeteria.

With the continuous knuckle knocking, Dye finally got a hit on Griflore that sent him through a wall, taking the battle outside. Dye dashed quickly and pursued his enemy. He caught the Xenton by his leg in midair and slammed Griflore into the ground. Dye jumped on top of Griflore and began pounding him into the ground.

Griflore released an incredible burst of energy that sent Dye flying back into the cafeteria, crashing into the kitchen. Griflore sprang out of the ground and flew in after him. As he drew closer, Dye got to his feet quickly and threw a kick. Griflore was struck hard, crashing through another wall to the outside. Dye moved quickly and struck his enemy again sending him soaring into the sky. Dye held out his hands and ignited them with intense flames and began a barrage of fireballs at the armored fiend.

The shower of fireballs was countered by Griflore’s massive barrage of lasers being shot from his hands, causing them to explode when they collided. Griflore retreated to the wall on the side of the school and stared down at his prey. Dye watched as the demon defied gravity, standing up straight on the side of the building.

“Is that all you got, boy?” Said Griflore, taunting him.

“I got something for you,” he replied fiercely. His confidence finally made it possible for him to speak.

Dye began to run in a circle, increasing his speed with every rotation. He ignited his entire body and soon a cyclone of infernos was raging. Grilfore was sucked in.

Dye remembered Arayan’s sword and like a wish it became real. He came soaring from the center of the cyclone wielding his new weapon. The hero ran along the vortex, slashing Griflore from all sides. He disappeared into the flames and emerged from somewhere else, striking his foe. With one final slash, Dye ignited his blade and struck Griflore with great force, causing his armor to break. The cyclone disappeared and Dye landed on his two feet while Griflore’s heavy body plowed into the ground.

Griflore started to get up and without any hesitation; Dye jumped on his beaten body, making him go deeper into the ground.

“Checkmate!” He said with confidence.

“I don’t think so,” said Griflore, struggling to get up with Dye’s weight on top of him. A powerful force pushed Dye from his body. Dye hit the ground hard but got to his feet expecting Griflore to be on the attack.

“This ends now, boy,” said Griflore, climbing to his feet.

“Fine then, let’s do this!”

Dye reversed the way he was holding his sword and ignited it. He powered it to the extent that the raging flames turned gold. Griflore shook his arm and it became a sword. He charged it with a crackling stream of electricity.

The two had a go at each other. Dye held his burning weapon with both hands. Griflore swung his blade, and Dye ducked below with his weapon, letting the sword of his foe pass above him. He spun around to deliver his strongest attack yet, which struck Griflore heavily as the force blew gold flames all around them. Dye’s blade was embedded into the armor of his enemy. Griflore was motionless. His arms fell down to his side while Dye withdrew his sword and resumed his normal posture. Griflore fell forward to the ground and time stood still.

“Did I–did I do it?” he said in disbelief.

Griflore’s body took in a deep breath, and Dye saw it rise. He grabbed his sword with two hands in anticipation of an attack. He backed up a little bit as he witnessed the body beginning to glow. A purple light streamed into the sky, getting the attention of the students and faculty. Dye shielded himself from the brightness until it was gone. He took his hands from his face, and the body of a person wearing old, raggedy clothes was lying face down in front of him.

The individual took in a deep breath and started to get up from the ground. When they finally got to their hands and knees they started to laugh, but it was the sound of Griflore’s voice doing the laughing. The head of the body looked up, and Dye saw their yellow, cat-like eyes and veins pulsating from their neck.

“You,” he said, remembering her instantly.

How could he forget?

Dye recalled the painful screams. Then he remembered those eyes – those same bright, yellow, eyes that were staring at him at that very moment. The girl from the park was on her hands and knees before him, her hair unkept with a hateful smile stretching from ear to ear.

“It’s been you this whole time?” He gripped his sword. The girl got to her feet. The gash on her stomach where he struck her was beginning to heal rapidly. Dye noticed the veins on her face were pumping harder.

“This isn’t over, boy,” said the girl, speaking with the voice of Griflore. Dye found it absolutely unnatural to hear Grilfore’s voice coming from the girl’s mouth. “It doesn’t matter. You may have destroyed my Xentonian body. A minor setback, I’m sure, but mark my words I will kill you when I have the chance.”

Dye was speechless as he stared into the frightening yellow eyes of his enemy.

“You cannot stop me,” said Griflore, “it's only a matter of time.”

With that said, the girl jumped away, crawling on the side of the school like an inhuman creature, making her grand escape. Dye stood there, listening to the laughter of Griflore fade into the distance.

Before he could acknowledge what had just happened, he heard the oncoming of people.

“Jenny!” he cried.

Dye blurred away just in time as the authorities got to him. He armored down and joined the congregation of students just outside the school. Jenny was with Joss who seemed to be okay. His head was wrapped and he had gauze on his cheek.

“Dye, where have you been?” she said with distress.

“I’ve been looking for you,” he replied. “Are you guys okay?”

Joss nodded, clearly still shaken up over what happened to him.

She hugged him. “You had me scared!” she said.

“I’m fine!” he said. “Good thing that armored guy showed up.”

“Yeah, how weird was that?” asked Joss.

“What do you mean?” Dye raised an eyebrow.

“Dude, don’t you see? He goes to this school. He’s a student!”

Jenny looked at Joss skeptically. Dye, on the other hand, was feeling like he let the cat out of the bag.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Jenny said.

“Seriously, think about it. The doors were locked. No one was able to get in or out.” Jenny pondered while Dye was trying not to sweat buckets. “That dude goes to this school and I can bet money on that too.”