home

search

Chapter 1 – The Awakening

  Beep! Beep! Beep!

  The alarm clock screamed.

  Ishin Usaksi's eyes shot open. His body felt heavy, his mind sluggish, as if he had just surfaced from a deep abyss. Blinking against the morning light, he groaned and fumbled to shut off the noise. Silence.

  His pulse was too fast. His breath, unsteady.

  Damn it… another bad dream?

  Shaking off the lingering unease, he sat up, running a hand through his messy black hair. His school uniform hung over the chair by his desk—untouched, just like last night. Another morning. Another day.

  Dragging himself to the bathroom, he turned on the sink and splashed cold water onto his face. The icy shock jolted his senses, clearing away the last remnants of sleep.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  Then, he looked up.

  And everything froze.

  His reflection wasn't copying him.

  Ishin's breath hitched. His fingers curled against the sink.

  The boy in the mirror stared back at him with sharp, familiar eyes.

  "Even if you've forgotten… you still have a responsibility."

  The voice didn't come from his mouth. It came from the mirror.

  A chill crawled down Ishin's spine. He took an unsteady step back.

  What…?

  His reflection didn't move. Just watched him.

  Then—blink—it was gone.

  His normal reflection returned. Tired eyes. Wet hair dripping onto his shirt.

  Ishin swallowed hard, gripping the sink.

  Had he imagined it?

  His pulse thundered in his ears. It felt too real.

  Exhaling sharply, he shook his head. No time for this.

  Forcing himself to push it aside, he grabbed his toothbrush and went through the motions of his morning routine.

  But no matter how much he tried to ignore it…

  The unease wouldn't leave him.

  ---

Recommended Popular Novels