Max's mind was still reeling from the encounter with Elara. The world seemed to have shifted overnight, and now, the heavy responsibility of the artifact hung around his neck like a burden. The war she had spoken of, the one that had been brewing in the shadows—he was no longer an outsider to it. He was part of it now. The pieces were starting to come together, but the full picture was still hidden in the darkness, just out of his reach. He had to figure it out, and fast.
The days following the strange event in the hidden room were a blur. Max continued his training with a new sense of urgency, pushing himself harder than ever before. The power he wielded was growing, but so was his sense of unease. With every new step forward, the world seemed to get more complicated, more dangerous. He could feel the weight of Elara's words like a constant pressure against his chest, urging him forward into the unknown.
But there was something else gnawing at him, something he couldn't quite place. It was the sense that he wasn't alone in this battle, that there were others—somewhere, watching, waiting for the right moment to act.
One afternoon, as Max was practicing his control over fire, he felt a strange pulse in the air. It was faint, like a whisper in the wind, but it was enough to draw his attention. He paused, sweat dripping from his brow, and scanned the training field. The academy grounds were empty, as usual. The students who had stayed behind were working on their own training, and the instructors were too busy to notice. But Max couldn't shake the feeling that someone—or something—was nearby.
He let out a slow breath and closed his eyes, focusing on the pulse. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there. Max's instincts screamed at him to be cautious, but curiosity won out. He took a cautious step forward, moving toward the source of the sensation.
He reached the edge of the training field, where the academy's old ruins stood. The pulse was stronger here, a faint hum that seemed to resonate through his bones. Max stepped closer, his breath catching in his throat. Something about this place was different. There was an energy in the air, something ancient and powerful.
Before he could make sense of it, a voice broke through the silence.
"Max."
Max spun around, his heart racing. Standing in the shadow of a crumbling wall was a figure he hadn't expected to see: Jack Frost.
The boy Max had seen at the academy's awakening ceremony—the one with the blue talent, the one who had awakened ice, water, and earth. Jack's presence was imposing, his gaze cold and distant. He didn't look like he belonged in the same academy as Max. While the other students struggled to harness their basic talents, Jack was a prodigy—one of the strongest students in the academy, and one of the most dangerous.
Max felt a chill run down his spine, but he stood his ground. "What do you want, Jack?"
Jack's lips curled into a slight smirk. "I should be the one asking that question. You've been drawing a lot of attention lately, Max. You've been pushing yourself too hard, trying to awaken your full potential. But I'm not here to fight." His voice was smooth, calm, as though he had already won.
Max didn't trust him, not for a second. "Then why are you here?"
Jack took a step closer, his eyes never leaving Max's. "I've been watching you, Max. And I know what you've been hiding."
Max's heart skipped a beat. "Hiding? What are you talking about?"
Jack's smirk widened, but there was no humor in it. "The artifact. You think you can keep it a secret forever? You think you can just hide it around your neck and pretend nothing's going on?"
Max felt a sudden surge of panic. He instinctively reached for the necklace, but it was already hidden beneath his clothes. Jack could never know about it. Could he?
"You don't know what you're dealing with," Jack continued, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "That artifact… it's not just some trinket. It's the key to everything. The key to the power that will change the world. And you've been chosen to wield it." He took another step forward, his expression darkening. "But you're not the only one who knows what it can do."
Max felt a cold sweat break out on his brow. He took a step back, trying to put some distance between them. "Why should I trust you? I don't know you."
Jack's eyes narrowed. "You shouldn't trust anyone. Not even Elara." He said her name with a hint of venom. "She's playing both sides, Max. She's not some innocent bystander in this war. She's using you."
Max's mind raced. Could it be true? Was Elara really manipulating him? He didn't want to believe it, but there was something in Jack's tone that made him question everything.
"Then why are you here?" Max asked, trying to maintain control of the conversation. "What do you want from me?"
Jack's smirk returned, but it was colder, more dangerous. "I'm not here to be your enemy, Max. At least, not yet. I've been keeping an eye on you because I think you're important. I think we can work together. There's a much bigger game being played here, and you're right at the center of it."
Max swallowed hard, his mind spinning. He couldn't afford to make any more mistakes. He had already been pulled into a world he didn't understand, a world full of hidden alliances, lies, and power struggles. But one thing was certain—he couldn't navigate this alone. And if Jack was right about Elara, then Max needed to figure out who to trust before it was too late.
"You want me to join you?" Max asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
Jack nodded. "We're stronger together, Max. The artifact is a power that could change everything. And if we work together, we can control it."
Max hesitated, the weight of his decision pressing down on him. He didn't trust Jack, but he didn't trust Elara either. The only thing he knew for sure was that he had to make a choice—and fast.
"I'll think about it," Max said, his voice firm.
Jack gave him a nod of approval. "Good. You don't have much time."
As Jack turned to leave, Max stood frozen, the full implications of his choices crashing down on him. The war had truly begun—and now, Max had to decide which side he would stand on.