Rushing downstairs, he didn't hesitate to walk toward the garden.
His eyes were fixed on the fierce orange glow that contrasted sharply with the darkness of the night sky.
His pace slowed, a contemplative expression forming on his face as he hesitated.
He had no idea what information or near-death experience the tree had in store for him this time.
But his curious side got the better of him. His stroll evolved into a sprint, hoping to get there before he changed his mind again.
The garden was located between two buildings, and when he took that sharp curve, he couldn't believe what he saw.
"On my soul!"
The huge tree that sat in the center was on fire!
His steps slowed again as he tilted his head to the side, eyes narrowing—this time betraying his confusion, not to mention shock at the scene before him.
As he approached the burning tree in awe, his mouth hung open at a mind-blowing realization...
"No way..." he blurted, now standing a few meters away from the supposedly burning tree.
'No heat, no smoke, no crackling noise, none of the flowers and bushes in the garden were being affected—not even the grasses near it? What in Exodus is going on here?'
Squinting his eyes to be sure, the nascent migraine only seemed to grow the more he looked. His brain simply couldn't comprehend it.
Was this another vision, or was it reality? He wasn't sure anymore, because it definitely didn't feel like anything he'd experienced before.
He ran his eyes across his surroundings, silently noting that everyone was still fast asleep—unbothered by the strange phenomenon. No fire alarm... nothing.
He didn't know what to do. His mind wandered to how this vision played a part in the mystery behind this particular old-looking hollow tree.
He thought of many possible scenarios, but without proof, they were just as he had called them... possible scenarios.
Turning around to go back to his dorm before someone found him there, his eyes caught a figure behind the burning tree.
Taking a furtive step toward the figure, he made sure not to startle whoever was on the other side.
As he approached, he realized he didn't even need to be that careful—the person had his eyes and all his attention hooked on the tree and what appeared to be a dance.
He moved gracefully, completely unaware of his surroundings and unperturbed by the bizarre phenomenon before him.
"What the—?" Seven's eyebrows furrowed as he exchanged glances between the dancer and the burning tree, trying to link them both.
"Can he see it too?" he wondered, walking toward the dancer cautiously.
The glow illuminated the person's face, and Seven held in a gasp.
"Jace? He's connected after all," he whispered, his brain currently dribbling around in his skull as he observed the horrified look on Jace's face—his movements precise and eerie, his twirls unbothered by Seven's presence.
He landed on his knees and maintained the position, hands held outward in a form of prayer, eyes empty like he had no mind of his own. He was drooling from the mouth, which hung open in a silent scream.
Seven stepped forward in desperation and gently touched his shoulder.
"He's inside, lock the door! Now!"
"Hahaha... let's see how you make it on time stuck in there!"
"What is that? Should we open the door for you? Hahaha..."
He shut his eyes at the sudden inflow of disorganized scenes in his mind.
While trying to focus, he felt Jace jolt up. His hand was thrown into the air, forcing Seven to stagger back a few steps.
Jace snapped his head toward him, his eyes not blinking once. He shook his head and backed away from Seven.
"Jace?" Seven called out carefully, taking a step toward him with his hands outstretched in a calming gesture.
"Don't! Don't come any closer!" he screamed, almost losing his footing as he bolted away.
Seven stood rooted in place, eyes following Jace's fast-retreating figure. It hurt to see anyone in this state—and it hurt even more not knowing how to help.
...Or if he even wanted to.
His first instinct told him to follow, but if there's anything he's learned from sixteen years of living with his gift, it was to never be reckless. Always think before you act.
He exchanged glances between the 'burning' tree and Jace disappearing into the darkness.
His curiosity won again.
Immediately, he started running after Jace.
Allowing the darkness of the night to engulf him, he focused on the sounds of Jace's frantic footsteps, his labored breathing, and the sheer fear he felt.
Soon, he could see the boy's drenched top, soaked with sweat.
They darted into side paths until Jace stopped at the entrance of the library. A dead end.
He did everything he could to escape—as far as possible from Seven. His actions were desperate and chaotic. Bestial. Mindless.
He didn't care about pain or getting wounded. His hands were already covered in bumps and scratches from banging against the door.
"Let me out! Please, let me out!" he cried.
Seven, though shocked, approached carefully. He kept a mental note to maintain a good distance between them.
"Jace..." Seven called out, barely above a whisper.
Jace's movements grew slower, until he stood still, staring at the door with his back turned.
Seven took another step.
A sensation rushed across the back of his neck. The hairs on his body stood on end.
"Dang!"
He paused, grabbing his wrist instinctively and pulling the bracelet his mum gave him in one swift motion.
His eyes never left the tall, black-haired figure.
Then it happened.
Like something straight out of a horror movie, Jace's head twisted unnaturally to the side while the rest of his body remained still.
Seven's legs trembled. Every fiber in his body screamed at him to flee.
His head throbbed like his brain was about to split open. His abilities were unstable—it would only get worse if left unchecked.
Frowning, he shut his eyes for a second—dangerous, but necessary—and voluntarily suppressed his four abilities to the bare minimum, spiritually incapacitating himself.
It happened within a second.
He took a stance, connected with a subtle yet distinct part of his consciousness, and let go.
The wind howled. Energy coursed through his veins, empowering him.
His aura spread out—chaotic and alive. Too much for him to handle, but this was a desperate situation.
Bolting toward the abomination that now grinned from ear to ear, Seven's eyes blazed with a fierce golden light as he threw a punch.
It was stopped.
'That was very anti-climatic!' he shivered.
Cold fingers clamped down on his fist mid-air.
'When did his body turn?'
His eyes widened as the force of the strike rippled through their locked arms.
Jace's pitch-black eyes remained calm, ignited with something dangerous. Pure killing intent.
Then came the counter.
Jace yanked him sharply off balance, a knee shooting up toward his ribs.
Seven twisted, barely deflecting the impact with his forearm, and retaliated with an elbow aimed at Jace's temple.
It sliced through the air—but Jace ducked and pivoted. Smoothly.
His grip never loosened, using Seven's momentum against him. He was wrenched sideways, dust rising as he caught himself.
Palm slammed down to break the fall. The staircase served as a wedge to stop his momentum.
Jace looked down at him like he was an annoying fly. So annoying, he was ready to swat him dead on the spot.
Seven was shocked. 'Such inhuman strength!'
In no position to deliver an effective attack, he braced himself for a rather lethal one already coming his way.
He braced himself...
Holding up his jade-black bracelet, he was tossed like a rag doll into the air by a fierce blue electric bolt.
The shock sizzled through his body. The bracelet dampened it—but there was only so much it could do.
Clash!
His back collided with the wooden library door.
He gritted his teeth, fists clenched. Remnant flashes dissipated on the surface of his bracelet, now a shade darker.
He rolled forward—barely stopping himself from falling off the staircase.
Trying to get up, holding in a cuss—
'Ouch! Isn't that a bit t—'
Huuu!!!
The oxygen was knocked out of his lungs and a kick trgon his belly, sending him flying back to the library's entrance.
Seven lay limp. Pain exploded through his body. Adrenaline surged up his spine. The danger overwhelmed him.
He tried crawling away, but it was no use. Jace was already there.
Seeing his face come into his line of sight could easily pass off as the best jumpscare he has ever experienced.
Even without using his abilities, he felt it. The drain.
Jace was feeding on his fear. His soul.
Seven felt human... vulnerable. Fragile.
Back pressed against the door, he looked up, muttering a prayer.
He raised his bracelet one last time, hiding his face behind his elbow.
"Zeph, pl—"
"No!"
He was here all along?!
Seven's heart nearly burst from his chest.
"You can't be serious!"
Bang!
Zrrrr!
Thud!