Perado and Terranus stood motionless, exchanging a glance. This wasn't supposed to happen. Xavier's sharp gaze analyzed them, absorbing every detail. One figure wore a white robe with golden accents, the crystalline armor beneath catching faint light. The other, clad in a black robe with matching golden shades, bore the same type of armor. But what transfixed Xavier most were the rings—two faintly glowing bands that pulsed with an eerie energy.

  Xavier stood rigid, his heart pounding. His lips parted, barely whispering his thoughts. “Those rings... I’ve seen them before. But where? A dream? A nightmare?” His brows knitted tightly, memories flickering like distant echoes. “Or... something much worse.”

  Perado’s entire demeanor shifted. His normally impassive face betrayed a flicker of recognition, mingled with cautious hope. His eyes locked onto Xavier with renewed intensity. He and Terranus exchanged a look—a silent conversation passing between them, thick with unspoken meaning.

  Tina and Sam, unnerved by the growing tension, acted instinctively. Panic seized them. Without hesitation, they grabbed Xavier’s hand and darted into the nearest alleyway. Their sudden movement caught Perado off guard, leaving him momentarily stunned. But Terranus was quicker. With a flick of his fingers, his ring transformed into the Black Piercer. A spectral, glowing chain erupted from its core, whipping toward the fleeing trio.

  "NOOO!"

  Perado’s furious roar echoed through the alley as he lunged at Terranus. Just as the magical chain extended, Perado crashed into him, slamming him against the wall. The force rattled the stone. Pinning Terranus, Perado gripped the hand wielding the Black Piercer, his voice a thunderous snarl.

  "What have you done, you fool?! We have a strict rule about magic! We never use it outside! Do you even understand the consequences?!"

  Terranus's eyes widened in realization, his breathing erratic. The atmosphere around them shifted violently. The once-clear sky churned into an abyss of thick, swirling clouds, swallowing the moon in darkness.

  Perado's face hardened. His eyes lifted toward the ominous sky, his rage replaced by dread.

  "They're here," he muttered, his voice low and urgent. "We have to leave. Now."

  Terranus hesitated, shame written across his face. His gaze flickered toward the alley where Xavier and the others had disappeared. "What about him?"

  Perado clenched his jaw, his response cut off by the deep rumble of thunder, a sinister drumroll in the night.

  Tina gasped for breath, bent over with her hands on her knees. The three had stopped in a deserted street flanked by towering buildings and winding alleyways. Flickering streetlamps barely lit the pavement, casting long, distorted shadows. Sam slumped against a wall, chest heaving.

  Xavier, separate from them, stood in deep thought. His breathing was uneven, but his mind raced with something far more pressing.

  Those rings. Those robes. I know them.

  He clenched his fists. "Why did I run away?" His voice was low, almost inaudible. "Maybe... maybe they could've helped me. Maybe they have answers."

  Tina whipped her head up, frustration igniting in her eyes. "Xavier! What the hell were you thinking? You approached them? We don’t even know who they are! One of them just attacked us! Did you see that thing? That chain? It came from a rod or—or whatever! How is any of this possible? Are we dreaming?"

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  Her voice wavered, hands trembling as she ran them through her hair. The weight of the night pressed in around them.

  Xavier turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Black Piercer."

  Tina stiffened. "What?"

  "That weapon," Xavier clarified. "It's called the Black Piercer... and it came from his ring."

  Tina's breath hitched. "How do you even know that?"

  Xavier hesitated. "I... don't know. I just know. I've seen them before... in my nightmares."

  Tina swallowed hard, a chill creeping through her. "Is this the nightmare you've been having all along?"

  Xavier didn't answer.

  Tina took a shaky step back. "Xavier... are you saying those things came for you?"

  He exhaled slowly. "I don't know. But... it feels familiar. Too familiar."

  Tina stared at him, disbelief warring with growing fear. "Then we call the police," she declared, grabbing her phone with trembling fingers.

  "No, don’t do that. We have to talk to them first," Xavier interjected, reaching for her hand.

  "Are you insane?!" Tina hissed.

  "Hello, 911? We're on Jefferson Street Two. Some strangers just tried to assault us," Sam said flatly, already on the call. His voice was tense but controlled. He relayed the details before ending the call and turning back to the others.

  "Sam, you shouldn’t have done that," Xavier said quietly.

  Sam's frustration boiled over. "Are you kidding me, Xavier?! You and your stupid nightmares! I told you to see someone about them! But no, you just brushed it off. We’re trying to help you! Why won’t you let us?!"

  "He did see a doctor, Sam," Tina cut in, her voice softer now. She exhaled, steadying herself. "He was on medication. It didn’t help. That was a long time ago... back when we were together."

  Sam's eyes flicked between them. "Why didn't either of you tell me?"

  Xavier sighed. "That was my decision. I asked Tina not to tell anyone. I didn't want to be seen as a freak. People already treat me like I’m crazy. I didn’t want you to think the same."

  Sam's anger faltered. His jaw tightened. "You know what? I’ve always treated you like family. If you had just told me, we could’ve found better doctors. I wouldn’t have abandoned you, Xavier. Never hide anything from me again. I mean it. Maybe that medication made things worse. Maybe those 'visions' were side effects."

  Xavier shook his head, his voice firm. "This isn’t about medication. I feel it, Sam. Something is coming. And it’s bigger than anything we understand."

  Before Sam could argue, the sky ripped apart.

  CRAAAAACK!

  A massive thunderclap exploded through the air. The sheer force of the sound rattled their bones. The night twisted around them, the atmosphere suffocating, charged with electric dread.

  Above them, the black clouds churned violently. Ominous orange lightning lashed across the sky, crackling with unnatural energy. The world around them trembled.

  Then—shadows moved within the storm. Twisting, emerging. Dark figures, barely tangible, seeping into existence.

  KABOOM!