The warning sirens echoed across Stellar Apex Academy, a low, bone-rattling wail that sent chills through every student on campus. Aiden and Riko barely had time to process the announcement before instructors rushed through the halls, barking orders.
"All students, return to your dorms immediately!" one of the academy guards shouted. "This is not a drill! The city is under threat!"
Aiden and Riko exchanged glances, their hearts pounding.
"Threat?" Riko muttered. "You don't think—"
Before he could finish, a thunderous boom shook the academy, followed by a deep, guttural roar that made the ground tremble beneath their feet.
Aiden's blood ran cold. "We have to see what's going on."
Ignoring the orders, they dashed to one of the upper balconies overlooking the city. What they saw sent a jolt of both fear and awe through them.
The Creatures Breach the City
The city's outer defenses were failing. Enormous, nightmarish creatures—some humanoid, others monstrous in form—pushed through the protective barriers like they were nothing. Their glowing red eyes burned with primal hunger, their bodies wrapped in shadowy tendrils or hardened exoskeletons that deflected conventional weapons.
Armed city guards and elite students from the higher ranks were already engaged in battle. Blades clashed against armored hides, energy blasts ricocheted off thick scales, and the ground shook with every monstrous step.
Aiden's grip tightened on the balcony railing. "This isn't like the training simulations. These things are… stronger."
Riko nodded, watching as a fourth-year student used flame-based powers to incinerate one of the creatures—only for another to emerge from the smoke, completely unfazed.
"That thing just walked through fire," Riko muttered. "How the hell do you kill something like that?"
One of the instructors, a battle-hardened warrior named Instructor Kael, landed on the rooftop near them. His red cloak billowed as he turned, his sharp eyes immediately locking onto the two boys.
"Why aren't you two at the dorms?" Kael snapped, his voice carrying over the chaos below.
Aiden hesitated, but Riko spoke up. "We want to help."
Kael gave them a sharp look before shaking his head. "You haven't even chosen your powers yet. You step out there, you die. End of story."
A deafening roar tore through the sky, and they turned just in time to see one of the larger creatures—a hulking beast with jagged bone protrusions—ram straight through the academy's defensive barricade, sending metal shards flying like shrapnel.
Kael swore under his breath. "Dammit. They're getting too close." He unsheathed a shimmering blade from his back, the edge crackling with pure energy. "Stay here, unless you want to die before you even get your first real fight."
With that, he leaped into the battlefield below.
The Battle Unfolds
Aiden and Riko stood frozen, watching as the battle intensified. The city's most powerful fighters were holding the line, but it was clear the creatures were adapting. Some absorbed energy-based attacks, redirecting them like living conductors. Others healed almost instantly, regenerating flesh and bone as if wounds were meaningless.
Then, they saw it up close.
One of the smaller creatures—if something seven feet tall and covered in jagged spines could be considered "small"—scaled the academy wall like an insect, its claws digging into the reinforced steel like it was soft clay.
It turned its head toward them.
Aiden's breath hitched. The creature's face was twisted, almost human, but grotesquely deformed. Its mouth stretched unnaturally wide, filled with rows of needle-like teeth, and its eyes—deep, endless pits of red—seemed to burn into his soul.
It knew they were there.
Riko moved first. "Aiden, MOVE!"
The creature lunged, slashing out with its claws. The boys barely dodged in time, rolling across the rooftop. The beast landed where they had been standing, the steel surface beneath its feet warping under the force.
"We can't fight it," Aiden hissed, adrenaline surging. "Not without powers."
Riko clenched his fists. "Then we run."
They turned, sprinting toward the stairwell, but the creature was faster. It moved like a blur, its elongated limbs stretching unnaturally as it slashed at them again.
Just before it could strike, a sharp whistle cut through the air.
A massive energy-infused arrow slammed into the creature's chest, pinning it against the wall. The monster screeched in pain, its limbs twitching violently before it finally went limp.
A third-year student, dressed in dark combat gear, landed beside them, bow in hand. She exhaled, lowering her weapon. "You two are lucky I was nearby."
Aiden swallowed hard, still trying to process what just happened.
Riko looked at the girl. "You just—killed it in one shot?"
She scoffed. "Not even close. That thing's regenerating. It'll be back on its feet in less than a minute." She turned toward the battlefield, her expression serious. "You two need to leave. This fight isn't for first-years."
Aiden clenched his jaw. He hated feeling useless. But she was right. Without their powers, they were nothing more than liabilities.
Another explosion rocked the city, followed by a monstrous howl that shook the academy walls.
The girl grimaced. "This isn't a normal attack. Something's different this time."
Riko narrowed his eyes. "Different how?"
She looked at them. "They're organized."
Aiden's stomach dropped. Creatures like this weren't supposed to have intelligence. They were wild, instinct-driven beings from the dangerous zones outside the city.
If they were organized… then this wasn't just a random attack.
This was war.