Third Person POV
The last stretch of summer wrapped Evershade in this lazy, golden heat. Everything shimmered—old pavement, rooftops, even the air, buzzing with traffic and bits of laughter floating from somewhere you couldn't quite place.
For the six girls, though, the end of summer didn't feel gentle at all. It felt like standing at the edge of something huge and unknown. They piled onto the school's rooftop at sunset, legs swinging off the side.
Down below, the city flickered to life, the lights bleeding into what was left of the orange sky. It looked peaceful, but the mood was tight—nobody really relaxed.
"Promise me something," Ruelle said, suddenly breaking through the drone of cicadas. She turned, looking at each of them, eyes sharp and steady.
Jade shot her a look. "What now, Ruelle?" Ruelle didn't blink.
"Whatever happens—whatever we see—we stick together. All of us."
Gianna leaned back and gave a little nod. "Like that was ever up for debate." Carmira's expression softened.
"It's just… everything's moving way too fast for me. I hate feeling like I can't do anything." Averyn didn't say a word.
She kept her eyes on the horizon, squinting at something in the clouds—dark streaks curling across the sky that had no business being there in summer.
"I don't know what that is," she muttered.
"But it's on its way. I can feel it." A breeze skimmed over the rooftop, sharp and cool, carrying that electric whiff of ozone—like the world was holding its breath right before a storm broke.
The Codex, still hidden in Lunara's lair, gave off a faint pulse now and then, quiet but steady, like a sleeping heart. Jade's voice dropped.
"I keep thinking about that night. With the Masked Hero. I can't shake it—who is she really protecting, and why does she keep hiding?",Gianna leaned back and nodded a little. "As if that was ever in question."
Carmira's face softened as she replied, "Everything feels like it's moving too quickly for me. I really hate feeling so powerless."
Averyn stayed quiet, staring at the horizon. She squinted at the clouds above, noticing dark streaks that didn't fit with the summer sky.
"I don't know what's happening," she said softly. "But it feels like something is coming. I can sense it."
A cool breeze swept across the rooftop, carrying the sharp, fresh scent of ozone, as if the world was pausing right before a storm.
The Codex, hidden in Lunara's lair, pulsed faintly every now and then subtle but constant, like a heart that was resting.
Then Jade's voice got quieter. "I keep thinking about that night with the Masked Hero. I can't stop wondering, who is she really protecting, and why does she keep herself hidden?"
"Do you think we'll ever be involved? Or are we too small, too ordinary?" she asked, shivering as she hugged her knees.
"You're not ordinary," Averyn said, without thinking. Her voice was calm but firm. "Something chose us. Something's already woven us into this story."
The girls sat silently, eyes fixed on each other. There were no words for what they were experiencing.
Above them, the first stars began to appear, tentatively and quivering like faraway lanterns. And in the darkness, Lunara stood
She was unmoving, almost invisible, as she spoke in hushed tones to herself, "The time is closer than they know. They will have to move into their destiny. And soon."
Summer was ending.
And Evershade had no concept that a storm looming on its streets would be invisible to weather reports.
And the awakening had already begun.