"This world," he said, "is not what you think it is."
His voice was calm, but each word carried a weight none of them had ever heard from him. Atlas glanced at the shattered windows, the last ashes of slain Mirages drifting like dark snow.
A sudden screech cut through the silence. A grotesque creature with a serpentine body and glowing red cracks along its spine slithered into the hallway. Behind it, more monsters surged into the school—twisted beasts with clawed limbs, snarling maws, and eyes that glowed with eerie delight.
"They're not done," Atlas said grimly. "Stay close."
Serena flinched as another creature burst through a side wall, snarling. Clara screamed and ducked behind Alaric.
Atlas stepped forward, eyes narrowing.
"Sound Element: Sonic Scream."
A wave of concentrated sound erupted from his mouth. The monster's body shook violently before it collapsed into itself, shrieking as it dissolved into dust.
Three Mirages floated through the window, their flickering forms gliding across the floor.
"He… he killed it instantly!" one Mirage hissed.
"That power… no human should have it!"
Atlas raised his hand again. "War Element: Sentry Deployment."
Two energy cannons appeared at his sides and fired beams of light, cutting through the incoming horde. One Mirage was torn apart midair.
The others turned to flee.
"Too late," Atlas muttered.
"Shadow Element: Phantom Army."
Dark silhouettes emerged from the ground, surrounding the hallway. They charged forward, their weapons striking with uncanny precision, overwhelming the monsters.
"Serena, behind you!" Clara shouted.
A demonic hound lunged for Serena—Atlas's eyes widened.
"Time Element: Time Stop."
The world froze. Atlas ran across the space, grabbed Serena, and yanked her back just as the hound's teeth were about to snap closed.
Time resumed. The beast's jaws clamped down on air.
"Chrono Lock."
The hound froze mid-leap, caught in a glowing time seal, then crumbled into particles.
Atlas's breathing was heavy. His fingers twitched.
Ten minutes… gone.
Serena stared at him. "Why didn't you kill the Mirage before?"
He didn't look at her at first. "Because using my power back then would've blown my cover. I didn't want the wrong people to know yet."
She stepped closer. "But… you used your powers anyway. Why?"
He finally met her gaze. "Because you were in danger. That's all that mattered."
Her eyes softened. Her voice was quiet. "Even if it blew your cover?"
Atlas nodded. "I'd do it again."
The silence between them was warm this time. Serena's fingers brushed his hand, slow and uncertain. Atlas didn't move away.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Behind them, Clara peeked out from behind a desk. "Are… are they gone?"
Alaric popped up beside her. "Okay, new rule: we never doubt Atlas ever again."
More monsters crashed through the front hall. Atlas turned calmly.
"Fire Element: Infernal Twin Dragons."
Two colossal dragons of fire erupted from the ground, roaring as they soared through the hallway, incinerating everything in their path.
"What… what is he?" one Mirage whispered from the shadows.
"He's not human. He can't be!"
"Retreat! Retreat now!"
Atlas's eyes glinted. "You should've done that earlier."
He swept his hand forward. "Defense Element: Reflective Dome."
A dome of shimmering light surrounded his friends just as a horde of Mirages tried a final charge. Their attacks bounced back, destroying their own kind.
The hall went still.
Ashes floated in the air.
Serena walked beside him. "You saved everyone… even when it cost you."
He looked down at his watch. Ten minutes had been erased from his life.
"Let's just say I couldn't let anything happen to you."
For a moment, her face flushed, and her fingers slipped into his hand again.
Behind them, Alaric coughed loudly. "I mean, I'm touched too, but where's my hand-holding?"
Clara slapped his arm. "Not the time, dummy."
Atlas looked out over the ruined courtyard.
"The school's clear," he said. "But this… was just the beginning."
They turned toward him.
"I'll tell you everything."
And for the first time, Atlas Wood began to speak the truth.