Apricity - By Damia binti Norazwar

Written By: Damia binti Norazwar

Category: Fantasy

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Damia binti Norazwar, writing as "Apricity," brings forth a mesmerizing tale titled "Apricity" in the Creative Writing category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 hosted by Hashtag Kalakar. This enchanting narrative captures the essence of fantasy, weaving a story that delves into the magical and mysterious life of a family in the small town of Estrella. With a rich tapestry of characters and a plot that intertwines myth and reality, Damia's work invites readers to explore a world where magic and everyday life coexist.

About the Work

"Apricity" is a vivid exploration of fantasy and family dynamics, where the ordinary meets the extraordinary. The narrative unfolds in a quaint town steeped in legend, where Aurelia and her family encounter mystical forces and ancient myths. Damia's storytelling is imbued with atmospheric imagery and a sense of wonder, creating a mood that is both eerie and captivating. The work delves into themes of heritage, identity, and the unseen ties that bind us, all through the lens of a fantastical adventure.

Apricity

Original Submission by Damia binti Norazwar

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Apricity

A girl hums as she walks in her house to the backyard, holding a basket of clothes to dry, and she opens the wooden door that connects to the backyard. She looks outside and hears the sound of rain, she sighs.

‘Mom, it’s still raining!’ she shouted. ‘I can’t believe it. It’s been three days. Luckily it is not flooded,’ said a nineteen-year-old girl, Aurelia Eshryn. She has long black hair and a small, lovely face.

‘That’s weird, now I miss the hot weather.’ Aurelia’s mom who is busy in the kitchen mumbles.

‘Dry the clothes under the fan!’ she shouted so that her daughter could hear.

‘You mean in the living room?!’

‘Yes princess.’

‘Alright.’ she shrugs but still follows what her mom said.

‘Done!’ she claps her hand and goes to the table to have dinner with her family.

‘Here.’ Mrs. Lauren tells her youngest child to serve the meal on the table.

‘This is for you, my lovely sister.’ Dariel Elyth put the meal on the table with a proud smirk on his face as if he were the one who made the meal.

‘Woahh, thank you, Dariel.’ Aurelia exclaimed like a proud sister to her ten-year-old younger brother. Then the whole family begins to eat their dinner.

‘Dad is still out of town?’ a tall and fit man asked who is actually Aurelia's twin, Daniel Eshtar.

‘I guess so. He called yesterday and told me that the train may be delayed because of the storm,’ Mrs. Lauren answers, and her children nod.

________________

It's been three days since their dad, Mr. Alec Eryndor, is not at home because he is stuck in another town where he works. Yesterday, he called his wife to inform her he can’t go back home because a big tree fell in the middle of the rails, so they had to stop the train to prevent any accident.

The family lives in a small town that is quite far from the city. It is named the Town of Estrella. There is nothing special about the town, but there is a myth that Aurelia heard from the town’s mayor who insists that he is a mage because of his bloodline.

A long time ago…

‘Oh come on, I’ve heard that many times.’ Mr. Alec exclaimed in front of his house that he inherited after his father, who had passed away.

‘Are you really a mage? You should show us your magic. Mr. Mayor.’ little Daniel asked excitedly.

‘Hmm…yes…but unfortunately I am not trained to be a mage, it's just that my “Bloodline” was a mage.’

‘Oh…Oh, so we shouldn’t be worried?’ Mrs. Lauren said confusedly and glanced at her husband.

‘Yeah, yeah, don’t worry, I just want to share an interesting story to pique your attention on the first day living in this small town of Estrella. Except you, Alec, my childhood best friend. Alright, who wants to hear other myths? I have more to share,’ Mr. Rowan Elarose, the mayor of the town of Estrella.

‘Me! Me! Please.’ Little Aurelia raised her hand excitedly.

________________

Mr. Rowan nodded with a smile. ‘You saw that big house?’

‘The big, big house? That looks like a castle?’ Daniel frowned his eyebrows.

‘Yes, yes, we’re on the same page, basically that house has been passed down from generation to generation of a wizard family.’

‘Oh my god.’ Mrs. Lauren gasps so her children Aurelia and Daniel gasp astonishingly.

‘Ohhh, come on, Rowan,’ Mr. Alec shook his head while touching his forehead.

‘Dear, take them inside the house. And there is no such thing like a wizard and mage here.’ Mr. Alec said loudly to make sure his children and wife did not take it seriously.

‘Asking for a wizard's help? That’s me,’ the voice of a little boy makes his children stop walking.

‘Oh hi? Who are you?’ Alec said curiously.

‘Greetings, my name is Rai Zafariz, one of the great-grandchildren of a wizard bloodline.’ Alec is confused and glances at Rowan.

‘Oh, introduce you, Rai, adopted son of Damien and Hazel…you know who.’ Rowan explained.

‘Both of them married each other? Woah…I had no idea.’ He didn’t know that his childhood friends Damien and Hazel were both married. ‘Guess, I’m not invited,’ Alec thinks to himself.

‘Greetings Rai, call me Mr Alec and that is Daniel and his twin Aurelia,’ he said with a soft smile.

________________

‘If you have time, Rai, you should take Mrs. Lauren, Daniel, and Aurelia to look around this small town. It is their first time here.’ Rai nodded excitedly and told them to follow him. Then, left both Alec and Rowan.

‘I’m sure they invited you, Alec,’ said Rowan suddenly.

‘You! Why do you read my mind?’ Alec asks, shocked. ‘You should stop talking about the “myths” in front of my family.’

‘Aww, why not? I’m proud of being a mage in this town and Rai, that kid is also proud that he is adopted by a family of wizard bloodline. How about you? “Peter Pan”? You’re also married. You move to the city abruptly and suddenly move here back with a wife that looks like someone who came out from a fairytale book, and you also have your own kids… I mean, we were not invited to your wedding either. And why do you leave without telling us?’ Rowan exclaimed. He looks kind of offended because of what Alec has done in the past.

‘Calm down, Rowan… I leave because of that time. I can’t bear it.’ Alec furrowed his eyebrows.

‘Then, why did you come back here?’

‘Daniel and Aurelia… They don’t fit in the school in the city so I suggested they go to schooling here in Estrella Academy, I hope they would fit.’

‘So you mean that you would stay here until Aurelia, that kid, graduated?’

‘Yes.’

‘Ridiculous, you guys might have another child.’ Alec shrug.

‘Rowan… I’ll live here until I die.’

________________

Aurelia giggled. ‘What's so funny about it?’ Daniel stares at Aurelia with his cold eyes.

Aurelia startled as she suddenly remembered back when they started to move here while eating her dinner. However, the air feels different, and she begins to get confused and asks them, ‘W-why? Do you guys just talk about something important?’

‘No, not that “Important”.’ Dariel said softly, but he obviously looked offended.

‘I’m sorry, Dariel, I miss Dad, so I'm just wondering what he could be doing right now.’ Aurelia soothes her younger brother, and Daniel shook his head, unwillingly to believe what his twin just said.

‘I am.’ Aurellia glares at him.

‘It’s Rai…He is here in town.’ Mrs. Lauren interrupts, she doesn’t want to escalate the children any further.

‘Rai Zafariz? How did you know?’ Aurelia asks. Mrs. Lauren glances at the youngest in the family. Then, stand up from the chair to wash her dishes.

‘I go to their house to do homework with their cousin Julian, then I hear like an argument inside this one room, a guy came out and,’

Dariel Elyth

‘Daniel?’ A man said while looking confused.

He furrowed his eyebrows. ‘Uhhhh?’

‘Daniel is his brother, this is Dariel Elyth. That is my uncle, Rai Zafariz, that I talked about,’ said Julian.

‘Oh, apologise, greeting Dariel, I’m Rai.’

‘Hi, I know you…everyone in the town always talks about you.’ He said.

________________

‘Ohh really, I hope it’s a good thing.’ Rai smirked. ‘I had something to do. Could you pass this to Aurelia and Daniel?’

‘Sure, what is it?’

‘That I’ve come back to Estrella.’ Rai smirked, then walked away. He looks at Rai weirdly.

I don’t think I could be close with him.

Suddenly another man came out from the room that Rai just came out from.

‘You don’t need to be close with him. He’s weird and a bit crazy,’ said that man and then he also walked away.

Dariel is again shocked. ‘He could read my mind?’ he thinks.

‘Hmm, who is he?’ He turned to look at Julian.

‘That his brother Aster Zofian.’ He nodded and continued doing his homework.

Aurelia Eshryn

Aurelia is in her room thinking whether she wants to meet Rai, her childhood friend but it is still raining outside. She goes to her study table that is made of wood and opens the upper drawer. There is a camera with pictures scattered inside it. She holds the camera and reminisces about the past, back when she celebrated her ten-year-old birthday.

‘This is for you, happy birthday, Rel!’ a boy with blond hair standing in front of her.

‘Woahh! This is for me! thank you, Rai.’ she smiled excitedly. ‘I should open it now,’ she opened the gifts carefully.

________________

‘Wait, what about me, Rai? Today is my birthday too.’ Daniel pouted because his twin seems to get more gifts than him.

‘Do you need help opening your gifts, Aurel? Your twin brother doesn't mind.’ he continued. Aurelia and Rai laughed.

‘I’ll give you too, Daniel, but not today.’

‘You said it as if you got nothing for your birthday, my twin.’ Aurelia said sarcastically while laughing.

‘I want something from Wizard Rai too.’ Daniel said.

‘Seriously?’ Rai scoffed. ‘Wait, I’ll give it to you now…’ Rai stares at Daniel’s eyes like he is trying to read his mind ‘I think I know what you want.’

‘He want a ca—‘

Meow

A black cat meowing behind Rai.

‘Here, this is your gift. A black cat.’ Rai hands over the small cat to Daniel from his back.

‘H-how did you know, and how was it there behind your back?’ Daniel was surprised.

‘Secret.’ He smirked and patted the black cat softly.

‘A film camera?! Rai, where do you get this much money? You’re a kid.’

‘Calm down Rel, I bargained from the second hand shop.’

‘Shut up Aurel, his parents own a mansion. You shouldn’t underestimate him.’ They laugh hearing what Daniel said but he got a point. Rai’s adopted family is one of the richest families in the town of Estrella.

‘Old money.’ Aurelia said in sync with her twin.

________________

‘Old money? What is that?’

‘It refers to family wealth that has been passed down through multiple generations.’ Daniel answered.

‘Whatever city people.’

‘Chill Rai, one day we will bring you there. I promise you.’ Daniel said.

‘What is “chill?” ’ The twin laughed hysterically.

‘Guys?’ Rai giggled.

Little Aurelia woke up from a dream.

‘Is that even a dream?’ She ran downstairs and opened the front door. ‘Woahhh!’ Aurelia looked up at the sky that appeared to be pink with a hint of orange. Its colours caressed on her skin. She took her film camera and suddenly heard the sound of an aquatic animal, only there was no ocean around her. She walked away from the front door to have a better look where the sound came from.

‘Oh my god.’ She got a goosebumps while looking at the sky. There was a school of fish in the sky. It has the same look as a Betta fish and its colour was a light pink with hints of orange and yellow in its tails. However, its size looks similar to a calf.

‘Is that a fish?! How is it in the sky? Is it swimming or flying?’ Aurelia doesn’t care too much about how weird it was. Hence, she was excited and took a picture of the sky colours and weird species that she saw in the sky. She then realised it was just a dream because how dreamy and weird it is but she was still excited to tell others what she had seen.

I hope it is real

________________

‘Oh my god, is that a…giant space ship! No way… I need to take a picture of it before it is gone.’ a giant space ship moves slowly in the sky. It is gigantic that she thinks it can fit the numbers of the population that live in the small town of Estrella. Aurelia loves space ships. It is also one of her ambitions to become an astronaut. Then, she explored the dream world that she was in.

Honk-honk.

Aurelia was startled because of the car horn. She walks close to the car and peeps through the window to look inside it.

‘Daniel?!’ She opened the back door abruptly and came in.

‘Daniel? What are you doing inside this car? You don’t have a license! you know that. You are ten-year-old,’ before she got an answer from her twin, he drove the car away from their house.

‘Oh no. Daniel stopped the car! Where do you want to bring us?’ Still there is no answer from Daniel that she gives up.

‘It's just a dream,’ She keeps repeating the sentences to calm herself.

Meow-

She turns to look beside her. ‘Heh? Miki, what are you doing here?’

Miki is Daniel’s black cat that he got from Rai. Aurelia wants to pat the cat but it keeps moving its head away from her hand.

‘Miki doesn't like to be pat, does he?’ she tried again.

‘Lady- lady! Hey, don’t put your hand on me. Dirty.’

‘Oh my god! You can talk!’ she screamed startled.

‘I don’t know, did I? What is “talk” meow?’ Miki sounds like an awkward adult male voice that makes Aurelia laugh loudly.

________________

‘Can you stop whatever you’re doing right now? Keep quiet Daniel is focusing right now.’ Miki's side eye Aurelia.

She continued laughing. ‘What is going on—’

‘Hear me out, I’m going to save you from this dream but you need to follow what I said.’

‘Save me? Why? It's just a dream right? I’m going to wake up when it is the right time, Miki.’ Aurelia said logically just to sound smart in front of a cat that can talk.

‘No, someone used magic on you that made you dream all of this.’ Miki sounded serious, which made Aurelia silent and told him to continue what he wanted to say.

‘Whatever you see in this dream could be the future so there are bad and good sides of it.’

‘Future?! What do you mean?’ Aurelia is scared.

‘Looks beside you.’

Right now they were on a highway where it is packed with vehicles but beside Aurelia below the highway road there is an area with many houses. Suddenly, there is smoke coming out from one house.

‘Fire…The house is on fire!’ Aurelia froze and just looked at the smoke rising. She knows she can’t do anything so she takes a picture of the scene.

‘I could see the future?’

‘Someone put a spell on you. I don’t know why they do this but you should be careful here in this dream and after you wake up from it.’

________________

Aurelia frowned and thought to herself ‘Wait, Miki is part of the dream too… I can’t trust this cat either.’ She looked at Miki suspiciously and turned to look at the camera that she was holding. ‘I hope when I wake up the pictures will be there. So, I can show and ask Rai about it. ‘He must know what it is.’ the car moved.

‘They must be here inside your dream right now, maybe to kill you.’ Miki continued. She looked and scoffed at Miki after hearing what it just said to her.

‘Miss Aurelia, you should help me.’ Aurelia was shocked when she heard that unknown voice.

‘Where am I? I was in the car…’ Her dream brings her somewhere else less than one second to a mansion. She took a glance at the person but she didn't recognize who that was. There is a window behind her so she looks outside through the big glass windows.

‘It's raining…Wait, I think I know where this is. This is Mr. Rowan mansion.’ she touched her forehead.

‘My sister can help you ma'am, don’t worry. Where was the last time you saw your daughter?’ Daniel asked and Aurelia looked at him and shook that she finally could hear his brother talk. Unfortunately, she can’t hear the rest of what they were saying. It is like her ears block with something. Aurelia tries to read their lips and judges their body language.

‘I think her daughter was murdered.’ She heard Daniel’s voice before she teleported back inside the car. In reality, she was shocked to hear what her twin just said but she knew that she was still deep in the dream.

________________

Back in the car, everything is quiet. She glanced beside her and saw her brother. Then she turned to look outside through the window. The sky is pitch black with a pine forest beside the small street. Suddenly, she saw something standing out in the pine forest. She thinks it is a man because of his body but it is weird because he was covered with black long cape from head to toe. He also holds something like a sharp tool that is the same length as his body.

‘Angel of death?’ Aurelia stares at him. Suddenly he teleported to the middle of the street behind their car. Aurelia calmly took a picture of that person.

Her dream shifted again, and now the car stopped and outside was brighter like it is in the morning. Suddenly her heart beat faster, she got out of the car. Everything was quiet until she saw something more terrible than any scenes that she had dreamed of.

She saw people crying with no hands and feets like it’s been cut with something sharp. She gaps, closes her mouth tightly. Then she can feel someone walk toward her slowly.

‘You are the person behind all of this! You cut their hands and feets don’t you!’ she shouted at that person. That person covered with the long black cloth stares at her. Then, he smirked while saying something but she couldn't hear it.

‘Aurel! Aurel! Wake up!’ Mr. Alec tried to wake her up.

He heard someone scream hysterically while watching television with Daniel. They ran upstairs and heard screaming coming from Aurelia's room, they were scared seeing her like something possessed her body.

________________

Alec Eryndor

‘What happened? tell me. I’ll help you.’ Aurelia’s eyes wide-open and stare at him. Then, her hand trembled and slowly pointed to the drawer. He quickly walks toward it and opens the drawer. He looks shocked but hid his reaction not to make Daniel worried.

‘Where did she get this?’ He asks Daniel.

‘That’s a gift from Rai on her birthday.’ Daniel answered.

‘Daniel, hold your sister and don’t let her go anywhere until she fully regains her consciousness. I’ll call your mother.’ He went out of the bedroom quickly.

‘Dad! Where do you want to go?’ Daniel asks scared and nervous because he can feel something different about his twin.

‘I’ll ask Rai’s parents for help. They know how to stop this.’

‘But I don't want to sit here alone…’

‘You’re not alone…Your sister is still in there. Daniel, you're a good brother right? Please, only for a minute. I’ll be fast.’ Daniel nodded and Alec sprinted out of the house. He dialed his cellphone and called his wife who was working overtime at the cafe to come back home as soon as possible.

Knock-Knock

‘Anyone! Open the door please.’ Alec was so nervous that he almost broke the door handle. Luckily, he finds a doorbell beside the door. Someone opens the door just an inch.

‘Who are you?’A boy asks while holding the door.

‘You’re not Rai. Can I ask for your parents? I need your parents right now.’ That boy walked away from his sight.

________________

‘Papa! Mama! Someone wants to meet you!’ That boy shouted. He is confused but still hopes that his friends come quickly.

‘Alec? What are you doing here?’ a man asked.

‘Damien! Do you remember this thing?’ Alec showed the camera to Damien.

‘How did you get that?’

‘Who is that Dear?’ Hazel asks. ‘Alec.’ she said, recognizing the face even though the last time they met was when they were teenagers.

‘Your son Rai gave this to my daughter for her birthday. How did he get this camera? My daughter is sick now,’ he said anxiously. Hazel tries to calm him down.

‘He might get it somewhere. I'm sure my son doesn't know what that is. We already discarded it a long time ago, right? Bring me to your daughter now!’ Damien exclaimed. They ran through the heavy rain and went to Aurelia’s bedroom.

‘Aurelia! Can you hear me!’ Damien shouted.

‘Who are they?’ Aurelia said but no one could hear it. She tried to move her body but she couldn’t.

Am I paralyzed?

‘Me and Hazel will save her. Take your son and wife out of this room.’ Damien said while looking at Alec. He nodded and closed the door.

‘Alec? Should we trust them.’ he nodded as an answer to his wife.

An hour later Aurelia regained her consciousness.

‘Thanks a lot, both of you.’ Lauren said to Damien and his wife.

‘Our pleasure.’ Both of them leave Alec’s house. Alec followed them from behind.

‘What are you gonna do with the camera?’ he asked Damien.

________________

‘We’ll keep it but can you keep this as a secret?’

‘I promise I’ll keep it a secret like how it used to be long ago. By the way, do you know who put the dark spell?’

‘We’re sorry Alec, we can’t detect it, maybe it’s Rai. Although, I don’t know why? and how? We never taught him before. However, I’ll ask him to be distant from your daughter from now on.’

‘I’m not suspicious at him. He is the most cheerful kid that I've ever met here. I hope it’s not him.’

‘Thank you Alec.’ Hazel said softly.

‘Papa, Mama.’ That boy who Alec met before this suddenly appeared behind them.

‘Oh Alec, this is our biological child, Aster Zofian. He is the same age as Rai.

‘Biological child? Why I never met you before. Nice to meet you Aster.’ he smiled softly.

‘There is someone behind you.’ Aster said while pointing at something behind Alec. Alec was confused and looked behind him where the front door still opened and they could see the living room of his house.

‘Hm? I don’t see anyone.’ he answered.

‘Aster, who did you see?’ Damien asks softly.

‘Him.’ Aster pointed again to the living room and they looked at it.

‘Dad, it’s late. Can you talk to them tomorrow.’ Daniel, who appears suddenly, makes Alec flinch.

________________

‘Yeah it is past midnight. Let’s meet again tomorrow. And call me if you need help.’ Damien said and walked away together with his wife and Aster. Daniel stares at Aster.

‘Did you know that boy?’

‘Yes, he is my classmate and Rai’s brother.’

‘Really, you never told me about it.’

‘Why should I?’ Daniel walked away. He looks at Daniel confusedly.

Aurelia Eshryn

Aurelia checks herself in the mirror and comb her long black hair. Because of the upcoming storm news from the mayor building her mother told her to fetch Dariel who is at Rai’s house.

She arrived in front of the mansion and rang the doorbell. No one comes out but she can hear a commotion inside the house. She looks down and sees Dariel slippers and many others. Because the front door slightly opened, she pushed the door to glance inside.

‘Wow, I guess there is a birthday party.’ she thinks to herself. There are many children inside of the mansion. She looks around to find Dariel. Then, she heard a boy scream on top of his lungs. She walked faster towards the screams.

‘Julian, calm down. I’m the patient, why are you the one who is scared?’ Dariel said a bit pissed because of the commotion around him because the other kids around his age gathered to see what had happened. He is the type who loves peace and quiet even at a birthday party.

‘Dariel, let’s go back home,’ Aurelia stopped.

________________

‘Wait, Rai was helping me to take a thing inside of my nose.’ He answered. Aurelia furrows her eyebrows and looks in front of Dariel. In front of him is Rai who is kneeling while trying to pick something inside Dariel's nose with a small tweezer. She stuns while staring at Rai.

It’s been nine years.

Rai is wearing a light brown shirt with dark brown blazer. The long sleeves were folded and his blonde golden hair was shimmering because of the chandelier on top of them.

‘He has grown up..I mean..more handsome and manly.’ Aurelia thinks and slaps herself softly.

‘Eughh’ Dariel let out a sigh after Rai successfully pulled out a worm toy from Dariel’s nose.

‘Remember don’t put anything inside your nose after this. I said to all of you.’ Rai said coldly and walked away to toss the worm toy inside a trash can behind him. Aurelia, shocked by Rai's cold expression.

‘He didn’t notice me…Yes!’ she thinks.

‘Dariel, let’s go, quick.’ She holds Dariel's hand to get him outside of the house quickly.

‘Thank you for inviting me Julian, I have a great time.’ Dariel said politely.

‘See you tomorrow at class, take care.’ Dariel nodded as an answer.

They get out of the house. Aurelia holds the umbrella that she brings.

‘Why are you so fast?’ Someone grabs Aurelia's hand where she holds the umbrella.

‘Shit.’ She thinks after getting caught by Rai.

‘You think I didn’t notice you?’ He continued.

________________

‘Ohh… you guys have history together. Friend?’ Dariel asks, glances at his sister innocently.

‘In front of Dariel…this kid will make fun of me.’ She thinks again as Dariel always teases her when she stumbles around any man, that’s when he unleashes his inner extrovert.

‘I don’t want to talk with you.’ she said sternly at Rai.

‘Really? but you just talk to me.’

‘Don’t you hear the alarm from the mayor's building? There will be a storm.’

‘Hmm no. The kids were so loud that I didn’t notice it.’ He giggled awkwardly.

‘Me too,’ Dariel interfered. She pulls Dariel to walk faster to their house.

‘I'm coming with you.’ Rai said but she ignored him. A minute later they arrive at her house. She tells Dariel to go inside.

‘You don’t want to go inside?’ Rai waited for her to go inside her house. She put her finger at Rai’s lips and moved it away fast.

‘Sorry, that was disrespectful.’

‘Rel…when is the time you ever respect me?’ he said sarcastically.

‘Shut up. Alright it’s been a long time since we last met and heard of each other. I don’t expect us to be the same as we used to be. So, I’m trying to be careful.’

‘So you did want to talk with me.’ he smirks. ‘Should we talk at the park?’

‘We can’t. The storm, remember.’

‘Just a minute. Also, the alarm came out only for precaution right? If it really will be a storm. I'll save you, don't worry, Rel.’ he said confidently.

‘What an arrogant guy… Should I? What if this would be the last time I met him again.’ she thinks to herself.

________________

‘Alright. Let’s go then.’ She gave a short response.

They walk to the park where it is located at the center of the town of Estrella. Rai takes the umbrella from Aurelia’s hand.

‘Let me hold it.’

They sit beside each other on a bench at the park.

‘That's a nice dress Rel.’

‘Thank you. So, why did you come back here? I thought we were not gonna meet each other anymore.’ she stares at him.

‘Hm, to get my revenge.’

‘What revenge?’

‘It’s a secret.’

‘Ughhh aren't we used to be like best friends forever? Please, tell me. I want to know.’

‘That’s so childish.’ he giggled. ‘No. This has nothing to do with you.’

‘Nothing to do with me? All this time I’ve known you Rai, you always make the reason because of me.’ she said with a serious tone. ‘If your revenge had to do something with me again, you should stop.’

‘You’re right, but still I can’t tell you.’

‘Whatever.’

Aurelia stares at Rai without realizing. ‘Why do you look pale?’ she asks.

‘Am I?’ he shrugs. She leans toward him to touch his forehead with her palm. Then asked if he was sick.

‘Maybe… I’m kinda sensitive to cold weather, remember?’ he answered.

‘Wait you are. You don’t have a heater in your room?’

________________

‘Of course, I did but I think it is broken. I haven’t used it for a long time.’

‘Don’t worry I can repair it.’

Aurelia in Rai’s bedroom to fix the broken heater machine inside his room. She is at the top of her class every semester in Sol Academy. Unlike Rai he doesn’t care about his grades much but he is talented in any sport and art. His room is shimmering with gold from trophies and medals that he won.

‘I think he likes gold.’ she mumble and glances at Rai’s golden hair.

‘Thank you, for fixing it.’ Rai said in his pijamma. He feels sleepy in cold weather.

‘You already changed?! What time is it now?’ she asked.

‘I think it's 6:00 pm.’

‘You should rest.’ She told him worriedly because his face was turning pale.

Suddenly the door room closed shut because of the wind. She was startled.

‘No.’ Aurelia exclaimed and peeped outside through the window. A thunder appears in front of her and the whole town has a blackout. She closes her ears and eyes tightly.

‘You scared of thunder?’ he chuckled and put his palms on Aurelia’s hands that were on her ears. ‘I don’t think you can go back to your home right now. Stay here until the storm stops.’

‘What?! No!’ She regretted coming to help him and in his room too. He laughed awkwardly. He also regrets agreeing to Aurelia who wants to help him repair the small heater machine located in his room thinking that he makes her uncomfortable.

________________

There is no woman in the house after Rai’s family move to the city except Aster and his uncle who is a single dad move to this house with his son Julian.

‘Sleep here in my room today. Don’t worry, I'll sleep on the floor.’ Rai opened his wardrobe to take blankets.

‘No, you have a cold right, sleep on your bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.’ He stares at her quietly.

‘What…Thank you Rel… I’m so gratefull.’ he smiles. After all, he actually wants to sleep on his bed rather than the floor.

‘Unbelievable.’ She mumbled.

‘It’s not like that… My body feels hurt maybe because of the cold.’

‘How?!’ she scoffed.

Rai lay on his bed and started to talk non-stop.

‘This is not the first time we slept together..right? Remember when we went camping years ago?’

‘Shut up, I’m not in the mood right now. Close your eyes and mouth.’ She put a blanket on his body.

That sounds wrong really.

It is actually a short academy retreat where they go camping. Aurelia, Rai, and other students stayed together in a big tent and they did not actually sleep beside each other back then too.

‘Thank you Rel. I’m sorry… for everything.’ He looks at Aurelia who already covers herself with a blanket.

________________

‘Oh, she must hate thunder so much, that’s a pity cause my name means thunder.’ he mutters until a pillow is tossed right to his face.

‘Luckily I dodge that.’ he gaps proudly.

‘You know what, I would rather sleep in a room with my brothers in time like this. You’re so annoying.’ She said it louder so Rai could hear her while she closed her ears, scared of thunder.

‘Wait, you can hear me? That’s so cool.’ she rolls her eyes facing away from him.

‘So do you like me or not?’ He asked randomly.

‘I'd rather sleep than answer an absurd question that came out of your mouth.’

‘Woahh how can you say that.’ he giggled. ‘Alright, I'm going to sleep.’ he peeped from his blanket.

‘Finally. Thank God.’

‘I love you.’ He said slyly and waited for her reaction.

‘Goodnight.’

‘Wait, you don’t love me?’ he pouted. She turns her body facing him and stares at him coldly.

Luckily, they did not escalate it further and fell asleep after that.

Knock-Knock.

‘Hello? Dear.’ Alec who just came back to their house that morning hugs his wife who is making breakfast in the kitchen.

‘Oh you’re back. Luckily the weather is fine today.’

‘I know it’s been three days?’

________________

‘Kids, wake up!’ She shouted after serving breakfast for her children on the table. Both of her sons answered and walked downstairs except Aurelia. Their sit on the chair.

‘Wait, where is your sister?’ Alec noticed. Aurelia is always the first one who greets him when he comes back from work.

‘Oh she slept at Rai’s house.’ Daniel said with a blank expression.

‘Rai’s house! Why?’

‘Calm down dad. She helped him repair something. I don’t know. Then she was stuck at his house because of the storm yesterday.’ he exclaimed.

‘What? Why don't you tell me.’ Mrs. Lauren said almost got angry. She fell asleep early yesterday after coming back from working overtime. That she forgot to check up on her children.

‘What should I do? Across the storm and go to his house just to get someone who is “capable” of taking care of herself. She’s not a kid anymore. She knows what she’s doing.’

‘Oh, you mean Aurelia takes advantage of that.’ Dariel gasps.

‘Don’t hear what your brother said Dariel.’ Mrs. Lauren said to her youngest child.

‘Yeah, that's what I mean, Dariel. You understand it right. In addition, I also almost got electroquited when answering the call from my enemy too.’ He said with a serious tone even though sounds like an immature kid. Mrs. Lauren looks at him unbelievable.

________________

‘Alright, alright stop. Whatever it is you should tell your mother or me. I did not expect your mother to cross the storm too. If you ask her, she can call mayor Rowan to get your sister.’ Alec said softly.

‘I should go fetch your sister.’ Alec stands up from the chair and takes an umbrella with him. The sky is bright outside but it is still drizzling.

Alec pushes the bell button outside Rai house. A tall man with sharp eyes and dark black hair opens the door. Alec felt deja vu and said ‘Aster?’

‘Greeting Mr Alec, it’s been a long time.’

‘Yeah. You’re literally spitting images of your father.’ Aster chuckled hearing that.

‘Oh, you must be looking for your daughter right? I think she’s not waking up yet. I don’t see her.’

‘Where is she by the way?’

‘Rai’s bedroom I guess.’

‘Oh really..actually can you wake her up?’

‘Uhh? sure.. don’t worry they didn’t do anything romantic at all.’ They laugh awkwardly. Aster goes upstairs to Rai’s bedroom. He knocks on the door and opens it slowly after Rai tells him to come in.

‘Hey, did she still sleep? tell her to wake up. Her dad is here.’ he asks. Rai, still sleepy, looks beside his bed.

‘She is not here.’

‘Bye Rai! Let’s catch up another time.’ Aurelia suddenly appears behind Aster's back. ‘Dad!’ she shouted while stepping downstairs. Aster did not notice that she was behind him. He closed the door back slowly.

________________

‘Hey Aster, are you any chance spying on us?’ Rai said coldly with his puffy face.

‘Spy? No, I tried to kill you.’ He said with no emotion at all. He closed the door and walked away.

‘Ugh. Why did the Damien’s adopt me to be their child? Ugh, what a blessed life.’ Rai thinks and recalls yesterday night.

Rai Zafariz

After they both went deep in a sleep. Rai wakes up after he hears a creaking sound from his bedroom door. He tried to rolled his body toward the door beside him.

‘Ugh, why can't I move my body? Am I paralyzed? I can’t see anything…’ he heard footsteps.

‘Whatever, just don’t hurt Aurelia please.’ he thinks while sweat is dripping down his face.

Then he heard someone whisper something to his ear. He struggled to hear it but he tried to stay focused and listen carefully to it.

‘Is that..dream spell? No..No!’ Suddenly his eyes were covered with black shadow and he got unconscious.

‘Ugh…’ He felt dizzy. ‘Am I inside a dream right now?’ He blinked his eyes and stood up slowly from the ground. He saw someone in a long black cloth with a long and big sword in front of him. He swallowed.

‘Who are you?! Aster?’

‘Hmm, no. But she calls me the angel of death.’ Aster laughed. He has a deep husky voice and it is very loud. His voice is a bit different from Aster.

________________

‘Aster, you're a dark wizard?’ He asked. Suddenly Aster teleports in front of him and points his sword towards Rai. Luckily, he dodged it with a sword that he didn’t notice it was in his hand.

‘Woahh, Aster what is wrong with you?’ he smirked after dodging the sword.

Clang-

‘Remember what you all did to me?’ he asks while not stopping, swinging his sword.

‘What? I don’t.’

‘You all did!’ He shouted. Rai was shocked and stepped back from him.

‘You sound like a monster…’

Suddenly Rai remembered something in the past.

Aster Zofian

‘I’m not the one who did it!’ ten years old Aster screams.

‘Only you can master the dark spell. Who else do you think did it, Rai? Your adopted brother?’ His dad Damien Sofian said angrily.

‘Damien, you should calm down and don’t blame him. Aster… Be honest with us..are you the one who put the dark spell on Aurelia? Aster, answered me…’ Hazel said softly while holding both of Aster's shoulders. He stares blankly at the camera that his dad holds.

‘Aster, look at mama.’ Suddenly, he screamed hysterically and sprinted outside of the house.

‘Aster!’ Both of them look at each other worried and followed him from behind. He ran to the only park in the town of Estrella.

________________

A girl wearing a yellow dress playing on the slide. She slid down and startled because of a boy that was standing in front of her. He looked emotionless. She was scared and ran to her twin without being suspicious.

‘Oh. Hi, Aster.’ Dariel greeted him.

She glanced at her twin and whispered. ‘Aster?’

‘This is all your fault!’ He shouted and his face turned a bit red.

‘Aster? Are you alright? You don’t seem fine at all to me.’ Daniel said while pat Aster’s shoulder to calm him down. However, Aster pushes him away to the ground.

‘Aster… I don’t know you this strong.’ Daniel grunts while trying to stand up.

‘Aster! what are you doing?’ Rai gaps. He never saw his brother act like that before.

‘Rai! go away from him. You too, Aurel!’ Daniel shouts as he can feel something different about Aster and somehow it just happened yesterday to his twin, Aurelia.

Did he get possessed?

‘Aurelia, would you trust me if I said that you’re already dead?’ He smirks scarily.

‘What do you mean?’ She answered.

‘You’re not exist, do you know that? Your father brought you here to be a sacrifice to the dark wizard.’ he sigh. ‘Normal people like you can’t enter this world without dying. That’s mean..you’re already dead.’ She didn't understand what he was saying.

________________

An urge of energy can be felt from the ground. The ground shakes and cracks continuously. Her body feels unstable and makes her fall to the ground. She forces herself to stand up but she can’t. She feels something strangled on her neck and forces her to look at something. Tears start to drop from her eyes. Suddenly her eyes shifted toward the houses far away from the park.

‘Fire! The house is on fire.’ she exclaimed.

That is what I saw in that dream yesterday.

‘Aster, stop it!’ While Aster focuses on Aurelia, Rai tries to do something to help. He mutters a spell.

‘What are they doing?’ Daniel furrowed his eyebrows.

Rain starts to pour down.

‘Hazel, call the firefighter. I’ll call Rowan.’ She nodded

‘Rowan! Rowan!’ Damien shouted in front of mayor Rowan house.

‘Damien? What’s wrong?’ He walked quickly toward Damien who looked very pale.

‘Help me it’s Aster.’ Damien points somewhere and asks Rowan to follow him. He quickly nodded without further explanation. Arriving at the park, he is shocked about what has happened in front of him right now. People without power will see like nothing has happened. However, he has a mage bloodline and is gifted with an eye that can see things that no one can see. He mutters a spell while looking at Aster. He walked toward the little boy.

‘What do you want from him, dark wizard?’

‘Me? He is the one who wants me.’ The dark wizard who possessed Aster's body answered.

________________

‘They're just kids, leave them alone. Tell me why you did this!’ The dark wizard did not answer. Suddenly, Aster's knees weaken and touches the ground. He mutters something so softly that no one can hear him. Rowan catches him before he falls to the ground.

‘Alec!’ Rowan shouted.

‘Oh? Rowan. My kids are fine now. How can they fell asleep in the park.’ He giggled. ‘Thank you for bringing them home.’

‘What are you?’

‘What am I…What do you mean?’

‘Remember when we were always role-playing fantasy life as a kid. Everyone chooses something peculiar because that is actually what we inherited from our bloodline. I was a mage, Damien is a wizard, Hazel is a fairy and you choose to be a normal person.’ Rowan scoff.

‘I already know your secret, now is your turn.’

Alec looks around him to check if there are any people around him except both of them.

‘I have a seer ability.’ He answered. Rowan laughed unbelievable and walked away from Alec.

‘Rowan, you should hear me first.’ Rowan turned and looked at him.

‘Calm down, I’ll keep that as a secret. I don’t want you to get killed by a dark wizard. Who is also trying to kill Aurelia yesterday and this afternoon.’ Rowan exclaimed.

Alec takes a step back. ‘This afternoon… You said they were asleep at the park?’

________________

‘I know you’re tired from overload work but that’s too stupid. How can kids fall asleep at the park?’

Alec rubs his face. ‘So you said a dark wizard tried to kill my daughter…Why?!’

‘I don’t know? But surely this had something to do with you and Aster. Now, I’m going to check on him. That thing might take his soul first before your daughter.’ he said sternly. ‘Also tell your children not to get close with him.

‘I don’t think they’re that close… I saw him for the first time yesterday. I don't even know his name… but my son knows him.’

‘You’re a seer, how can you not know his existence?’ He furrowed his eyebrows.

‘I did not master the ability. I chose to be a normal person. I don’t ask for that power and I don’t want to be it.’ Alec shakes his head nervously.

‘What happened… I feel like you’re hiding something from us…’

‘Nothing. You probably should go back now. Aster waiting for you.’

After seeing Rowan walk away, Alec enters his house silently. He closes the door and turn behind him. Then he shook unaware his wife was behind him.

________________

‘Dear, I thought you already slept.’

‘This is also my house, I can do what I want right?’ She giggle and looks at him weirdly. ‘By the way, I overheard something…What is “Role-playing” that you guys talked about?’

‘Uhh… it’s a game where you role-played to be something you want to be?’ He answers shortly but she doesn't nudge as if she wants to hear more about that.

‘Actually, me and my childhood friends here always role-playing with a random theme. However, we prefer magical or fantasy life. For example, Rowan is a mage and Damien is a wizard.’ He explained. ‘That’s all, it is normal here, ask anyone you meet here, they must have played such a thing.’

‘Anyone? Why? Is it like a trend here? I don’t understand… there are many other games you can play.’

‘Hmm,’ he sat on the sofa. ‘Did you remember the first day we moved here? and Rowan said that his bloodline was a mage?’

‘Yeah, and that was so random.’ She shrug.

‘It is random but what he said may be true. There is a folk story that mage, wizard and others were a thing here in the past. This town used to be a place for people who are peculiar like them. They got expelled from another town where they used to live…and found this town with no name. However a new generation was born and the power was no longer there. But no one can prove it is real or not. As a kid if you heard about your ancestors having a magical power of course some would be proud right. So they role-played as if they inherited the power.’ he explain.

‘Wow, that story sounds unreal. And you guys have a good imagination too, that sounds fun. So what is your role?’ she chuckled.

‘Hmm, I'm just a normal person.’

________________

‘Bruh, what? you choose to be a normal person. You’re so boring.’ She scoffed. ‘Luckily, I’m not born here because you know what, I'm not going to friend someone like you.’ Alec laughed.

‘Normal person in a place with powers. That means my powerful friends would always save me if I get hurt. They love playing a hero, while I just need them to be beside me, that's all.’

Rai Zafariz

His body, still paralyzed. He looks at Aurelia from his bed hoping she will notice and help him.

‘You’re not Aster! And If I caught you possessed my brother again. I’m going to find and kill you, Mr. Dark wizard.’ He swung his sword toward Aster.

‘Where! Where is he?’ Rai controls his breathing while looking around him carefully.

‘Rai,’ a distorted voice called him from afar. It keeps repeating, he follows that voice.

‘Rai!’ A woman's voice.

‘Ohh!’ He shouted and woke up from that dream.

‘Are you okay? Why are you so shocked?’ She asks him while opening the curtain. Sun illuminating his room.

‘Ughhh could you close the curtain Rel.’ He is a little pissed off because he paralyzed last night and was getting just a little sleep. He felt sleepy.

‘Yes yes yes! nice morning ever. I thought the world almost ended.’

‘Why?’ He asks while closing himself tightly with a blanket.

‘Because of the nonstop rain?’

‘Uhh maybe because it is the rainy season.’

________________

‘Whatever Politto.’ She sighs.

‘Politto? You call me chick in Spanish?’

‘Yeah, cause you look like one.’ she pointed to his hair. ‘I gotta go, but first tell me where the toilet is.’

‘From my room ughh…just turn left.’ he said in drowsiness. She nodded and closed the door slowly.

Rai wakes up and takes a quick shower. He goes outside the house and walks faster to somewhere. He arrives at the destination and in front of him is an old mansion. It belongs to mayor Rowan. He pushed the bell and a maid greeted him and told him to come in. He sat in the living room. The house has a sophisticated look that doesn't match with Rowan’s quirkyness. That is what Rai thinks while waiting for mayor Rowan.

‘Did he get lost in his own house or what.’ He laugh at his own joke. The maid who hear that shook her head unbelivable.

‘Rai? What are you doing here?’ Rowan smiles and takes a seat on a small couch in front of him.

‘Greetings, Mr Rowan.’ he smiled politely and adjusted his posture. ‘Nice house.’

‘Thank you.’ Rowan chuckled.

‘I came here to tell you that the dark wizard is back.’ Rowan glances at him.

‘What makes you think of that?’

‘I’m not lying, it's just… What happened to Aurelia in the past… happened to me yesterday night. He also possessed the same person to put a spell on me.’

________________

‘You mean Aster?!’ Rowan's shock. ‘Is he alright?’

‘Calm down Mr. Rowan, luckily he’s alright. I’m not sure whether he is strong now and can control who possessed his body or the dark wizard freed him.’ He shrugged.

‘Did you ask him?’ Rai nodded. ‘How did he take it?’

‘Ughh he is just like the usual…You know we are not really on good terms.’ he chucked awkwardly. ‘I think we should stop the dark wizard before something more goes wrong.’

‘No. We can’t.’

What! Why? We can use our power and I’m sure we can stop him.’

‘Stop him? Said someone with weather control power.’ He stares at Rai. ‘You’re the one who changed the weather yesterday right? The weather forecast said it would be cloudy yesterday but somehow it's storming. Don’t tell me you also make the rain fall nonstop these three days.’

Rai clapped his hands and chuckled. ‘Ughh..you’re right.’

‘Why did you do that?!’

‘I come back after nine years. This town feels different and unfamiliar to me. Rain is my favorite weather. Coincidentally, it rained the first day I came here. Hence, I just had to make it stay rainy to be comfortable with this place again.’

‘Nine years? That’s a very long time. I forgive you for that but you should be more considerate to other people you know.’ he scolded.

‘No way, are you trying to be my step dad?’

‘Actually you almost be my step son.’ Rowan said with a blank expression while holding a cup of tea. The maid who eavesdropped on them just shook her head. It is not her first time to hear both of them have a conversation, it is always unserious.

________________

‘What! Why do you just tell me now? I would already be rich and travel around the world right now. Also I do not have to take care of Damien's son.’ he mutters like an immature kid.

‘That’s why I didn’t take you.’

‘Alright…so we shouldn’t stop him? Then what should we actually need to do?’

‘I’m not sure because I myself can’t let that person out from Aster’s body when he got possessed last time. That person just ran away.’

‘Really… I think I know something about the dark wizard, without him realizing…You know what I’m kinda getting suspicious.’

‘What do you mean?’ Rowan furrowed his eyebrows.

‘That person communicates with me through dream spells that Aster know how. Then, he takes me on a trip down memory lane, which is the day that Aster gets possessed for the first time and Aurelia also gets possessed the day before Aster’s.’ Rowan listens and tries to grasp what Rai just said.

‘The thing is we know that Aster who got possessed may have put the spell on Auralia’s camera that I gave her. Have you ever thought about why the dark wizard possessed Aurelia in the first place?’ Rai sounds serious. ‘I was close friend with her and she is a nice person. I think he targeted someone else… Mr. Alec?’

‘I don’t know but if you think that person that he targeted this whole time is Alec. Best you talk to him.’

‘Mmm. But why me?’

‘Because…I’m not interested in joining you right now. Also my daughter will arrive here today so I need to get ready.’

________________

‘Hm. Yeah you’re right. You’re too old for this now. I just realized.’ Rai looks at Rowan’s white hair and wrinkled forehead. He is shocked that it has been a long time since he didn't meet Rowan who is like another dad figure to him.

‘So, Rosie is coming back. Wow! Everyone is reunited.’ He said excitedly.

‘You want to meet her?’

‘Uhmm maybe if she is still not awkward with me.’

Rowan and Rai continue to have a conversation about something else.

‘Thank you dad. I’ll visit you again.’ Rai said while he held the front door.

‘Don’t call me dad.’ Rowan swings his leg to kicks Rai playfully. ‘I’m sorry that I can’t help you more than before.’

‘It’s okay mayor I understand. You should go inside now. Get ready for your only daughter.’ Rai smiles softly and Rowan nods.

‘He's mature now Ira, you must be proud of him.’ Ira is Rai’s deceased mother.

Rai walks to Alec’s house to talk with him. He came out of the house and looked a bit awkward because of what had happened. He asks Rai to talk somewhere far from his house and Rai agrees to it.

‘I want to talk with you about the dark wizard. Do you know him?’ He asks while they sit on a bench.

‘How did you know that I know him?’ Alec was shocked because no one else ever asked him that.

‘Because it is targeting you this whole time and Aster too, obviously. Has someone in your mind?’ He said softly while pressuring Alec. Alec silenced and bent down his head, look at the ground.

‘It's my fault…’

‘I’m willing to listen… Mr. Alec.’

________________

Alec Eryndor

A long time ago…

Alec was sixteen years old. He enters the classroom and looks around to find his close friend. Alec saw him from far away. A tall guy that has light beige blond hair and dark green eyes. Alec put his hands on his friend's shoulders to make that guy startled.

‘Hey, what do you look at out there?’ A guy staring outside the window. He didn’t flinch a bit.

His nametag is engraved as someone who names Ezra Adriano. He points to a girl who plays soccer with her friends outside the classroom.

‘Hazel…’ Ezra said.

‘Me too bro…’ he glanced at Alec sternly. ‘What? Who doesn’t like her? She is very beautiful, like an angel.’ Alec sighs.

‘We should compete then for the Estrella ball.’

Ezra is the only close friend that Alec had. Ezra is popular because of his handsome face and also a very talented athlete at the academy.

‘No way. I’m out. Look at her male friends Damien, Rowan and some other guy. Bro they look like princes. Us? No way she accepted.’ Alec shook his head vigorously.

‘Oh so you gave up. Who do you ask then?’

Thud-

A guy throws a thick medium size book at Alec.

‘Guys, let's hear who the loser's partner is.’ That guy said sarcastically.

‘Hey! Stop throwing something at us!’ Ezra shouted at that guy. Alec tries to stop Ezra.

________________

‘Hazel, huh? I don’t think Hazel wants someone like you as her partner.’

‘Like she wants you.’ Alec scoff.

‘What the heck.’ That guy threw a punch at Alec’s face.

‘Calm down whatever your name is. I don’t think it’s great to fight here.’ Ezra’s class leader stops them right away because their classmates all eyes on them. ‘And you Alec stop coming to our classroom. Meet each other outside the classroom next time.’

‘What! Oh, now I can’t meet my friend in his classroom at break. Isn’t that so dystopian.’ Alec scoff.

‘That’s not what I mean but,’ The class leader whispered to Alec to make sure no one heard him ‘Everyone here hates you. Oh, except Ezra, your friend.’ The class leader smirks while looking at Alec. Alec stares at him sternly and walks away.

‘Alec!’ Ezra shouted and followed him.

‘Hey Ezra.’ That guy stopped him by holding his cloth collar. ‘You want to ask Hazel right? You need to pass me first.’ That guy continued. Ezra pulls that guy's hand away aggressively. He ran to chase Alec.

‘Like there’s no other girls.’ Ezra said to Alec after he found him skipping class and sat by the river.

‘I know right. I think Hazel is not that blind to accept that guy too.’ Alec sighs.

A few days later. Alec being bullied by that guy again. He is always being a target of a bully at school. Alec’s face and body are full of bruises.

‘What do you want from me!?’ Alec grunt and tried to stand up.

‘Why do you act so calmly like you had nothing to do with us? You’re a seer.’

________________

‘I’m not a seer!’

‘Yeah, but did you know what your amnesia mother told my mom before I was born? Your mother said I will live as a loser throughout my life!’ That guy shouted.

‘What does that have to be with me?’ Alec grunts with his mouth is full with blood.

‘I don’t know? but if she sees me as a loser, this is how I live as a loser.’ That guy raises his hand to smack Alec but suddenly he can’t move his hand.

‘Ugh, why can't I move my hand.’ He thinks.

‘Alec, can I meet your mom? Hey, I’m sorry to hear that but I think his mom was right.’ Ezra exclaims. That guy’s hand moved itself toward him and smacked himself. Everyone who sees the commotion shock. Suddenly that guy's leg lifts from the ground until levitated.

‘What’s wrong with him?’ Someone from the crowd said confusedly.

‘If you want to kill Alec, kill me first.’ Ezra said but his voice sounded different, like a monster. That guy was thrown far away. Ezra kneeled in front of Alec.

‘What are you?’ Alec stutters while trying to stand up.

‘Human…’ Ezra answers while lending his hand to help Alec. Alec's vision blurred and he fainted. ‘Killer!’ Unknown voice shout from far. That the last voice he heard.

The next week Ezra can’t be seen anywhere at the academy. Alec looks at everyone weird and confused because they seem like nothing has happened.

‘Hi, you're Alec Eryndor right?’ Alec turns to look at the back and sees Hazel stand behind him. Hazel Zephyra is top one of their batch in the academy. She has long light red hair and freckles on her face.

________________

Alec furrowed his eyebrow and was shocked.

‘H-Hi, yes I’m Alec.’ he stutters.

‘Oh, right, because I want to ask you.’ She said shyly.

‘What is it?’

‘Mmm. You’re a close friend with Ezra right?’ He nods and is shocked that she knows who Ezra is.

‘Do you know where he is?’ She asked.

‘Oh. Actually, this is my first day of school after being in a coma for a week. I tried to find him too but I couldn't see him anywhere. Maybe he is not coming today.’

‘Hmm really. That’s a pity.’

‘Hm, Why? Oh. If you need anything I can pass it to him. I always meet him after the academy.’ She glanced at Alec.

‘Mmm. If you meet him please tell him that I accept the invitation. To be his partner.’

Alec stunt and think to himself ‘Wow Ezra, she want to be your partner’

‘Alright, I’ll pass it to him. He will be happy to hear that. So, Ezra asked you? When?’

‘Ahh. He gave me a letter last week. I don’t want to be a partner with my close friend you know like Damien. That would be awkward.’ She chuckles awkwardly.

Alec chuckled. ‘Yeah that would be awkward… I guess.’

After the academy, Alec did not see Ezra at the river so he decided to visit his house which is located in the woods opposite the river.

________________

‘Ezra! Are you there?’ Before he wants to knock on the door, someone holds his shoulder. He flinched and got goosebumps.

‘Hey, who are you?’ An old man asks calmly.

‘Oh, I thought this was Ezra's house. I want to meet him.’

‘He moves.’

‘Huh? I’m sorry but..who are you?’

‘I’m his father.’ Ezra’s dad scoffs.

He told me his father is dead.

‘He moved? Where? Why?’ Alec furrowed his eyebrows.

‘My son got kicked out of the school because he murdered a guy named Alec Eryndor… if I’m not wrong.’ Ezra’s dad let out a big sigh.

‘Sir… I’m Alec Eryndor. What do you mean?’

‘What! Do you wake up from the dead?’ Ezra’s dad sat on a stool outside the house. He looks nonchalant.

‘No…. What the heck is happening right now.’ He mumbled to himself.

‘He killed Alec Eryndor, his close friend. I don’t know but that’s what the academy told me.’

‘How about Ezra? What did he tell you?’

‘He’s just quiet like someone who is guilty. Then, the next day he left me a letter that he went to live in the city.’

‘Just that? Who in the academy informed you about this?’

‘I think it is the academy principal?’

________________

Academy principal? It’s Damien’s father.

He ran out of the woods quickly to go to Damien’s house. In front of him is a mansion. He felt anxious to talk with the president of the Academy but he needed to clarify.

‘This is so bullshit.’Alec thinks.

‘Hm. Let me introduce myself sir, I’m Alec Eryndor.’ Alec sat on a chair in front of Mr. Leonard Alaric the principal of Sol Academy.

‘Why are you here? I thought you already left this town.’ Mr. Leonard said sternly.

‘What? I’m confused. Sir, I just woke up from a coma and the academy made it worse by telling me that I’m dead. Also, remove Ezra from the academy.’ Alec exclaimed.

‘Alec Eryndor… you’re the one who tried to kill Ezra.’ Mr. Leonard's eyes widened in shock and confusion at the same time.

‘What?’

‘Damien, make him leave.’ he told Damien to bring Alec outside of his office. Damien holds Alec’s shoulder and forces him to leave the room.

‘Sir! You can’t do this! J-just someone tell me what happened that day!’ Alec shouted with his breath trembling.

‘Alec, I’ll tell you what happened. Let's get out of here first.’ Damien whispered to Alec firmly.

________________

Alec sat on a bench at the park. Beside him is Damien and Rowan who is Damien’s friend. Rowan lends water to Alec. He takes it and nods appreciatively.

‘About that day…we don’t know what exactly happened but suddenly you tried to harm Ezra when he tried to help you.’ Damien said.

‘Don’t lie to me, I fainted and the last time I saw were his face.’

‘Calm down. Do you really don’t remember it?’ Alec shakes his head.

‘Ezra is fine, there's no bruise or anything. After you tried to harm him, you ran to my dad's office, we followed you and you told my dad to inform Ezra’s dad that Ezra killed you.’

‘What…That is so weird.’ Alec thinks to himself.

‘We do too.’

‘Where is Ezra that time, when I go to your dad's office.’ He asked them.

‘He’s there beside you… just stand still.’ Rowan said.

‘He looks weird too..’Aster said.

‘Weird like what?’

‘We always practice with him in the fencing club. We kinda close with him too. So the day that he was in the office didn’t seem like him at all. He looked gloomy and quiet.’

‘To be honest, isn’t that normal to be frustrated like I tried to harm him although I couldn’t remember it.’

‘You know that our town is peculiar, right? Everyone inherited power from their parents such as Rowan is a mage and I’m a wizard. Ezra? Do you know what he is?’ Damien asks him.

‘You guys have magic powers?’

________________

‘I- Rowan, can you take over, I’m tired.’ Damien tries to calm himself.

‘Isn’t that just the history of your ancestor?’

‘Yeah, we thought that only our ancestors had it but we did too somehow.’ Rowan explained softly. ‘Why? You don’t have it?’ he hesitates.

‘I don’t know… I’m an orphan. But I heard from them who adopted me that my biological parents have some sort of power. They said my mom is a seer.’ Alec answered.

‘So you don’t know exactly about your family history? Hmm.’ Damien sighs. Damien is a popular guy at school because of his sculpture visuals and top of the class same as Rowan and Hazel but he can be obstinate to everything.

‘He lied. I don’t know… That guy bullied me because my mom said to his mom that he will live as a loser.’ Alec exclaimed. Damien chuckles thinking how bold Alec’s mom is but closes his mouth to hide it. Rowan shrugged him off.

‘Alright so you don’t have any peculiar power. That’s rare because I heard about your biological mother before and she is someone from a well-off family. I heard from my mom that someone that has peculiar power always comes from a well-off family.’ Damien said.

‘Well they have a job.’ he answered with a blank expression.

‘Yeah, yeah of course. Your mom is wrong Damien.’ Rowan glanced at Damien.

‘What! It’s true. I bet.’ Damien murmurs. ‘

‘How about Ezra, isn’t his dad like a well-off person. He talked about it before.’ Damien exclaimed.

‘He was. So did you know what Ezra's power is?’ Rowan ask.

________________

‘I don’t know. But why do you ask me? You should ask him about something like that.’

‘Ahh. You’re right. The thing is..we suspect that Ezra has dark magic so we think that he possessed you himself to get kicked out of the academy.’ Damien said.

‘Why would he do that?’ Alec scoff.

‘Ask yourself. You’re his friend who always get bullied. Maybe he tired seeing that and move to the city.’ Damien said sarcastically.

‘How do you know he move to the city? Wait, Hazel doesn't know about it.’

‘Do not talk about Hazel. We know he going to the city because my dad gave him some expenses to live there.’

‘Huh?’

‘Yes, you also forced my dad to give Ezra some pocket money.’ Damien said in frustration.

Wait, why should I do that after trying to harm him?

‘Someone possessed me.’ Alec stares to the ground. ‘I don’t remember anything.’

Alec gets close with Rowan, Damien and Hazel after that. The day of the Estrella ball, Alec gets paired with Hazel.

‘You guys look so lovely. Can I take a picture of you two together.’ A man asks Alec and Hazel. They looked at each other embarassed..

Snap-snap

‘Here it is. Oh, it’s a polaroid so you know the rules.’

‘Woah, that's a cool camera. Can I try it?’ Damien asks politely. He suddenly came out from nowhere.

________________

‘Sure. Actually I need to go to the washroom. Would you hold it for me?’

‘Ah. Sure don’t worry I’ll hold it for you.’ Damien said hesitate but happy to help.

‘Woah he trusts you?’ Rowan scratches his hair.

‘Maybe he knows that I can afford to buy this by myself. So?’ They shook their heads. Damien told them to pose for pictures.

It was the end of the ball and everyone was wishing goodbye to each other. ‘You still have the camera Damien?’ Hazel asks him.

‘I know…did that guy get lost on the way to find the washroom?’ he furrowed his eyebrows. Hazel shrugs. He needed to accompany his dad to a “meeting” so he told Hazel to hold it for him. Hazel kindly accepts it.

‘You should go now. I’ll wait for that guy.’ she said.

‘No! You shouldn’t stay here alone.’

‘Don’t worry about me.”

‘Hey Hazel, why are you still here.’ Alec said.

‘Good. Alec is here. Can you accompany Hazel.’ Damien forced Alec to stay with Hazel. Before he said something, Damien already ran away to not let his dad get angry waiting for him.

They talk while waiting for that guy but the hall is already empty. The guards find them while making rounds and tell them to go back home because it is almost midnight. Alec walks Hazel home.

‘What’s wrong with that guy?’Alec exclaim.

________________

‘I don’t know, maybe he rushed back home. Emergency maybe? I’m sure he will come to take this camera at the academy tomorrow. He knows our academy right?’ She chuckles awkwardly. Alec smiles at her then says goodbye.

That night, Alec chilling in his room until his dad call him to go downstair.

‘What is it dad?’ Alec asks gently.

‘Your friend is outside.’ Alec runs to the door and sees Rowan. He looks very anxious.

‘Rowan? Why? What’s wrong?’

‘Come with me…It is Hazel.’ Rowan breathes trembling.

Hazel get possessed that night. Her parents said she already slept so they had no idea how she got possessed.

The next day…

‘I dreamed I was in a forest then there was a man. He said something negative and forced me to go crazy. But the thing is throughout the dream I was holding this camera.’ Hazel eyes widen.

‘You know what, let's just sell the camera or something. The guy tricked us.’ Damien exclaimed frustrated.

‘That guy tricked us? Why do you think so?’ Rowan ask.

‘Are you dense? Your parents never told you that you can’t take something from unknown people because they might put a black magic in it. We’re in a town where there are mages, wizards, fairy and many more!’ Aster exclaimed.

‘Hazel, can we look at all of the pictures?’ Alec asks. She gives the camera to Rowan for him to check. Rowan tries to find the exact button that shows the rest of the pictures.

________________

Click-click

‘This is us and…’ Rowan focus.

‘Hmm nothing suspicious. He literally takes pictures of nature… and us? That’s weird.’ Damien giggled worriedly. He smashed the camera from Rowan and looked at the picture that showed a view of a river that was surrounded with pine trees.

‘Check this picture carefully, maybe there is a reflection of him.’ Damien smirk.

‘Wait that river!’ Alec shouted. They flinch from Alec's loud voice that he never reached before.

‘What?!’ Damien shouted.

‘That river is near Ezra’s house. We always meet and talk with each other there.’

Thud-

Damien throws the camera to the ground. Alec and Hazel flinch and look at him confused.

‘Damien, you shouldn’t do that.’ Rowan asks while kneeling to take the camera.

‘Is it that hard to find me?’ Damien said with a monstrous voice.

‘Damien? That is not his voice.’ Rowan said worriedly. He glances at Alec and Hazel and gives them a hand sign to go far from Damien.

‘Ahh. I’m tired waiting for you to find me Alec.’ Damien sighs heavily.

________________

‘Is that you Ezra?! If it’s you meet me by the river and we discuss this together. Don’t use them.’ Alec exclaimed. Then, Damien panting and falls to the ground.

‘I’m sorry guys. It's true Ezra knows how to possess people. I should meet him now. Sorry.’ Alec ran away to the river and left his friends behind.

At the river there is a tall figure standing still. He wears a long black hood.

‘Ezra, is that you?’ Alec hesitated. That man glanced at Alec, who is indeed Ezra.

‘Why do you lie about it.’ Ezra ask. ‘You have that power. You can look at the future. But why do you lie about it!’ he shouted.

‘How… I don’t ask for it. What’s the point of having power if it almost kills me. I can’t live like a normal person. Every time I sleep, I dream about the future!’ Alec shouted.

‘Is it that bad, your future?’ Ezra asks sternly. Alec does not answer his question. ‘Bad than my future? if I ask.’

‘What do you mean?’ Alec hesitate.

‘I possessed that guy who bullied you at that time.’ Ezra laughs.

‘I don’t understand?’ he shook his head unbelievable. He tries to recall the day that Ezra possessed him.

‘You mean you’re actually the son who my mom looks to the future for?’ he asked, confused.

‘Yeah she did. My mother met with your mom to look at my future before I was even born. She said that I’m born to be a loser. I guess my mother takes it so seriously that she thinks if I’m born a loser that’s came from my dad. So they divorce. I’ll blame your mom.’ Ezra said bluntly.

________________

Alec looks at him while furrowing his eyebrow. Feeling mad but forcing himself to stay calm.

‘Yeah, whatever you think Ezra! Just put your blame on us. Oh, just kill me! If you think that will make you satisfied.’ Alex exclaimed.

‘Hm, that's not exciting at all.’ Ezra’s last word until he’s gone in front of Alec forever.

Alec is shocked and shouts Ezra’s name but there is no answer. Everything became silent. Later that day, Damien and Rowan sold the camera to an antique shop. The next week, Alec moved to the city with his parents without telling Rowan, Damien and Hazel. He feels heavy to leave them but he thinks if he gets closer to them the more Ezra tries to harm them too.

Rai Zafariz

‘He’s still alive.’ Rai said, worried. Alec just stayed silent. ‘He possessed Aster to meet me using a dream spell.’ He continued.

‘Dream spell?’

‘Oh you don’t know about it? Aster is a wizard so he can learn and recite the spell. Anyway, Ezra possessed Aster by using the dream spell on me so he can meet me but in a dream form. Just like what happened to Aurelia and my mother. I’m not sure why he targeted me though. I’ve never met him before.’ He shrugged.

‘Because Aurelia was there with him…’ Alec thought to himself.

‘He targets me.’ Alec said.

‘I don’t understand why he just left when you tried to apologise to him. The problem that he too fixed in is not that big. Like let you apologise then it ends right?’ Rai scoffed.

________________

‘I’m not sure why he didn’t let me apologise.’ Alec shrugged. ‘Maybe because he is a dark wizard.’ The dark wizard had a vindictive grudge and gave revenge by using his power.

‘That must be one of the factors.’ Rai said. He then returned to his home.

Rai lay on his bed and lost in thought, trying to understand the root why Ezra the dark wizard tried so hard to get revenge on some prophecy.

‘Ch, the family members are so problematic. Ezra’s mom divorce because of that lame prophecy and Ezra tried to kill his friend who is the son of a mother who told about that prophecy.’ Rai caressed his forehead.

‘Was the prophecy that Alec’s mother told true? This is why I do not trust this prophecy thing.’ He exclaimed.

‘Maybe there is something else… Mr. Alec, what are you keeping from me?’

Alec goes to the river. He looks at the male with a long black hooded.

‘What did you do with Rai!’ Alec said frustrated.

‘Don’t worry you see him right? He is fine. But thanks to him I found something interesting.’ Ezra chuckled.

‘What is it now?’

‘can kill people in their sleep without possessing them. For example, I can hold a big sword then I,’ Ezra eyes widened then he makes a move like he slash something. ‘Slashed. Luckily he dodged it.’ he continued.

‘In a dream Ezra. It’s just a dream! You can’t kill anyone. Before you kill them I swear that you died in my hand first!’ Alec yells.

‘Really? Kill me now then.’ He smirks. Alec tries to punch Ezra but then he hesitates and walks away from there. Ezra laughed with his soft voice but still give Alec shivers in his spine.

________________

Aurelia Eshryn

Aurelia lay on her bed vibing to a song using her walkman player. Her feet dance by themselves and follow the rhythm. Suddenly her smartphone rings.

‘Hello, Aster?’ She said

‘Hello, Aurel.’ Aster answer. ‘I’m so shocked to see you in my house this morning.’

‘Oh yeah.’ She laughed loudly. ‘Me too actually, it's suddenly storming.’

‘Where were you?’ she continued.

‘In my room..chilling.’ he laughed.

‘What? I thought you’re working late. You didn’t reply to my chat.’

‘Yeah I lied..I’m busy studying then I take a break for a while and fall sleep when the storm start.’

‘You still trying to find him? The one who keep possessed you?’

‘Of course. It is not just for me, for you too and other victims if there is… I don’t know.’ Aster cleared his throat.

‘Yeah, goodluck.’ Aurelia chuckles.

‘What's that all? How is it sleeping with Rai?’ Aster changed topic.

‘What… It is nothing like that! I slept on the floor while he’s on his bed. Such a gentleman. And he keeps talking to me while I'm trying to sleep.’ Aster laughed hearing that.

‘By the way are you coming tonight?’ Aster asks.

‘Oh! yeah Rosie back home right? Of course I will.’

‘I’ll come then.’

Rai holding a bouquet of flowers with him. Mayor Rowan makes a house party to celebrate his only daughter after one year studying abroad.

________________

‘That is so small.’ A lady's voice. Rai turns his head to look who is behind him.

‘Hey, don’t judge my cute bouquet Rel.’ He scoffs

‘Look at mine. You see, more effort than you.’ Aurelia said proudly while showing off a big flower bouquet at him.

‘I’m sorry but I’d make mine and you buy it from that shop in front of your house right?’ There is only one flower shop in the town of Estrella which is in front of Aurelia’s house.

‘I did…but like you’re no different. You don't grow those flowers by yourself right?’ She scoffed.

‘Hey behave yourself kids.’ Daniel, who stands beside Aurelia, interrupts them to de-escalate their argument.

‘I’ll go inside.’ Aurelia walks away from them but they follow behind her.

‘So, when you go back to Singapore.’ Aurelia asks.

‘She just came back?’ Dariel interrupts.

‘I’m not sure but I’ll stay here just for a week I guess.’ Rosie Eden is known as a beauty with a brain back in the Sol academy. She has a model figure and long copper red hair. She is currently studying medicine abroad.

‘Enjoy your holidays doctor. It must be hard for you.’ Rai interrupted.

‘Sure…’ Rosie reply short.

‘She doesn't like you.’ Aurelia laughed. She saw Rai sitting on a bench in the garden. Rai side-eye her while munching his foods.

‘Why did you follow me here? Go inside and talk with your best friend.’

‘like I don’t have her phone number duh.’ She giggled. ‘She’s your best friend too. Go talk to her.’

________________

‘Shut up.’ Rai smacked his lips.

‘By the way, I know you met my dad this morning.’

‘So? Did you hear what we talked about?’

‘No, of course! I'm not eavesdropping you guys.’

‘That’s too bad, cause I’m so lazy to story time.’ he said sarcastically.

‘What! I want to know.’ She scoffs.

Aurelia kept begging at Rai so he had to share it with her.

‘Uh I got goosebumps. So? He is the villain?’ she exclaimed.

‘Hmm maybe.’

Aurelia phone vibrating.

‘Sorry Rai I had to go. Meet you later.’

Rosie who been watching them from far comes toward Rai after Aurelia left. Rosie walks slowly without making any noise. She plans a childish prank to jumpscare Rai.

‘I know you behind me Rosie.’

‘What?!’ Rosie who five meter apart from Rai shock.

‘No one can trick me.’ He chuckles proudly.

‘I’m scared why you make that noise.’ she sat beside him.

‘Do you have anything to say?’ he asked her because she just stayed silent beside him. The atmosphere feels awkward as someone bubbly and energetic like him.

‘Oh I do. It's just you’re eating, I don't want to disturb you.’ She lied.

‘Come on you saw Aurelia talked with me just earlier? I’m not bother at all.’

‘So you just come back to the town of Estrella, when is it?’

________________

‘Last week but secretly. I did not tell anyone. I don’t know? for fun.’ she nods.

‘Aurel—’Before she said something, Rai cut her off.

‘She knows that I’m back just yesterday.’

‘No. What do you feel about her?’ She murmurs. He stops munching his food and looks at her blankly. She stunt and feel wrong after asking him that but still maintain her blank expression. Suddenly he smiled smugly.

‘Why do you ask? Do you like me or what?’ He giggled.

‘Not at all, it's just because you guys look close even though it’s been a long time you haven't met each other.”

‘Personality-wise doctor…’ Rai continued to eat his food. ‘She’s sociable, funny, gorgeous and a very great friend of mine. You ask me that right?’

‘Yeah… I thought she hated you.’

‘She still did but I don’t think she hates me being friends with her like nothing is wrong when friends hate each other right? I mean she hates me because of my childishness. Nothing serious at all.’ Rai sighs after finishing his food.

‘Do you have something else to ask me? like what do I feel about you.’ Rai asks while looking at the sky above. But he didn’t get a response at all. So, he turns to look beside him and Rosie has gone.

‘Wait where did she go?!’ He was shocked.

Aurelia was talking with Aster. She shares the story about Ezra Adriano like what Rai told her. He didn’t look shocked.

‘You're not shocked about it.’

‘Sorry I’m not a good storyteller you know.’

‘What do you mean?’

________________

‘I knew about him a long time ago when he first possessed me. I happened to see his memories. All of it for a second.’

‘Woah..really you never tell me…’

‘I never tell anyone about it.’

After Rai moved to the city. Aurelia became close friends with Aster because they were classmates. Aster is someone who is quiet and always alone by himself. Then one day she happens to be paired with Aster for science class. They have been together since then except Daniel who kind of hates the brothers after she gets possessed.

‘You already know him but why didn't you do anything?’ Aurelia asks.

‘It’s hard to kill him because he is a ‘dark wizard’. I’ll die first before I get to kill him.’ he laughed nervously.

‘I’m so worried because Rai told me you got possessed by Ezra yesterday.’

‘Not only yesterday Aurel. After that day and until now he is still here inside me. It is his choice to awaken or not.’

‘What? You can feel his presence right now?’

‘I feel him… sometimes he possessed me to do something using my body. It just isn't that bad like it used to be. One time he possessed me while I was in class. I'm not sure the reason why he did that but I know that I got possessed because the same thing happened. I feel like I was inside a dream, then saw the memories of him. I woke up, I was somewhere else. That time I was in the middle of the soccer field.’

‘That’s weird. Maybe he missed going to the academy?’ She is worried but still wants to lighten up the mood.

‘Could be.’ They laugh.

________________

‘Wait, did the memories change? Like did you see a new memory from him yesterday.’

‘No, it's the same memory. When he was born until a memory of him smirks while your dad who is behind him looks very frustrated. They look very young.’

‘Wait. Rai said Ezra moved to the city. Did you see any memories of him in the city?’ she exclaimed while walking around left and right thinking.

‘I didn’t.’

‘That means…when he possessed someone you can’t see any memories of him after that. So it’s either he goes to the city or not, maybe he possessed someone before you.’

Aster laughed hysteriacally. ‘You’re so good at this. No wonder your dad was also top of the class back then.’

‘Hm?’ Aurelia stepped back feeling cautious while furrowed her eyebrows.

‘Oh wait, am I wrong. I think Aster had mentioned to you that he still felt my presence right? You do not listen to him, Aurelia Eshryn.’ Ezra giggles.

‘When did you possess him?! Get out of his body right now!’

‘I don’t want to… You know where I am right now so what I need to do is kill you.’

‘If you do, you start a war.’ Aster is still conscious of his own body despite Ezra possessing him but only Ezra can hear it.

‘Tell me what you want!’ her voice trembling.

‘How about I tell you the story about your evil ancestor.’ he exclaimed.

Ezra Adriano

‘You said my child will live as a loser?! What nonsense is that?’ Ezra’s mother, Mrs. Luna Elyndra.

‘I’m not sure?! Like I said I’ve stopped doing this thing long ago. Get out of my house!’ Mrs. Clara Beu screams in frustration.

‘Is she crazy? She literally said that to me. Honey, are you listening?’ Mrs. Luna glances at her husband who is driving a car beside her.

‘Shut up. We don’t even know the gender yet. And she must be tired as a pregnant mother too. You are so obsessed with this fortune-telling and others.’

‘Shut up? How dare you tell me to shut up.’

‘Does she even hear the other part that I said after “shut up”?’ Ezra’s father thought to himself.

________________

Knock-knock

The third mayor of the town of Estrela back then knocked on their house to discuss something with them.

‘What?! This is so wrong. My wife is pregnant and now we need to think where we should live.’

‘Gentleman, it’s not my fault. This land does not belong to your wife. It belongs to Mr. Albert Aelthar, her father. Now that he’s dead he signed this land to his eldest son, Mr. Leo Elwyn.’

‘That is bullshit. Did you know about that Luna?’

‘I’m not! Father gave this land to me as a gift after I got married to you.’ Mrs. Luna exclaimed.

‘I need to talk with Leo.’

‘Ughhh this people again. What do you want from me?’ Mr Leo sigh

‘You stole our land.’

‘I’m not and I have evidence for that.’ he shoved the document of proof to Ezra’s father, Mr. Enzio Xanthos.

‘You guys are evil.’ Mr. Enzio threw the documents to the ground.

‘Hmm, no I’m not. Isn’t Luna and you decided to move away. You’ll get money by selling that land right. I don’t know but that’s what I heard.’ Mr. Leo shrugged.

‘Look at me, that land is not something you can give away to people. It’s a historic and cursed land. Your family and the next generation of your family will be cursed if you don’t take care of that land. Father did this to save you guys.’ Mr. Leo continued.

‘I think all of the people in this town are crazy. Always believe in curses?! Magical powers?! what else!’

‘I also think you’re crazy. In this world there are other creatures that can’t be seen with human eyes. You need to believe that. Isn't your dad a dark wizard? Though you don’t possess that power.’ Mr. Leo sighs.

‘I forgive you Enzio. I understand that Luna didn’t tell you about that land origin. Now you should go back, I have some important things to do.’ he continued.

________________

‘This land is a curse!’ Mr. Enzio shouted.

‘Calm down! It used to be the place of my ancestors, one of them is the people who founded the town of Estrella. He’s an unfortunate person…I don’t know.’ Mrs. Luna shrugged.

‘What do you mean you don’t know?!’

‘I-I heard that he married a mythic creature from another dimension. So behind this building there is actually a passage where mythic creatures, which is his wife, can go through to our dimension. It’s very weird..you’re not going to trust me… when I heard it for the first time I also thought it was just a famous fairy tale.’ Mrs. Luna explained.

‘Yes I don’t. Where we’ll live now.’

‘Let’s seperate.’

‘What? What do you mean?’

‘I’m pregnant and I need to take care of myself and the baby until he is born. You’re a grown man, you’ll find a place that suits you although it is in the middle of the woods.’

‘Where will you live until then?’

‘My brother's house.’

‘Leo!? He’s the one who makes our lives like hell.’

‘Yeah, I know but he lives in father's house. So what? He wants to kick me?’

Mrs. Luna gets permission to live for a while at his brother's house who he inherited after their father died. Although under condition she will leave immediately after her child is born.

They were separated and at that time they didn't have anything to communicate with each other.

________________

A month after…

Mr. Enzio opens the door of his wood cabin. He has a box in front of his door. He was shocked to see that it was a baby inside the box. Then he saw a letter. He read it and tears started to fall from his eyes.

‘This is my child.’ he cried.

‘Where is Luna? Tell me!’ He yells at Mr. Leo.

‘She’s dead.’

‘Don’t lie to me, then why was my child in front of my door step? No one knows I live in the middle of the woods except her. Let me in.’

‘Let’s divorce.’ Someone behind him said.

‘Luna?!’

‘Let’s divorce.’ She repeated.

‘Why? Tell me.’

‘I regret marrying you. I should just abort that child without marrying you. A loser like you.’

‘I thought we loved each other.’ she sighs and glances at him.

‘You fail to be my husband but don’t fail as a father next.’ she just walked away without any other words.

‘Wait.’ He grabs her hand tightly. ‘Is it because of the child?’ He hesitated. ‘He’s a dark wizard isn’t he?’

‘He is but I don’t hate my child. I hate you.’

‘Ch, I’m so sorry for you. You don’t inherit any power, money and land? Here is some pocket money. Not for you though. Your son.’ Mr. Leo scoffed.

Aurelia furrowed her eyebrows. ‘That’s really evil but I don’t think this had something to do with me.’ Suddenly she felt something strangle her neck.

________________

‘I’m not born as a dark wizard! Your grandfather, Leo, forced my mother to divorce her husband so she can live a better life without him. Leo uses sorcery to give me the power from a late dark wizard.’

‘What?! How do you know that?’ She whimpers.

‘I can see my own memories too…I saw exactly when I was born, Mr. Leo performed the sorcery on me. Beside me is the corpse of a dark wizard!’

‘Aurelia!’ Rai shouted. He is shocked because he sees Aurelia's feet levitate from the ground. He ran and pushed Aster's body because like he thought the dark wizard possessed Aster. She falls to the ground and Rai punches Aster unintentionally.

‘Wait! Rai stop! Don't do that!’ She shouted.

‘Aurelia, do you understand me now?’ she felt weird and stunted because she could hear Ezra’s voice inside her head. She looks to the ground with a blank expression.

‘Aurelia, are you ok?’ Rai said worriedly.

‘What do you want me to do?’ She said softly and fainted.

Alec feels anxious and worried about his family that do not have any idea and reason to be targeted by Ezra. He can’t think of anything except to kill Ezra. Ezra actually came up with the idea himself.

Alec Eryndor

‘Meet me by the river.’ Ezra said in Alec’s dream. Alec ran to the woods to meet Ezra who suddenly appeared after a long time hidden. Alec looks around him to find a guy with long black cloth. Suddenly he saw a boy by the river who was throwing a rock.

‘Hey, is that you, Aster?’

‘Greeting Alec.’ Alec looks at him shocked. ‘I possessed him for a while.’

________________

‘Get out from him right now!’ Alec shouted while trembling.

‘Calm down… Remember this all started because of your father.’

‘Why do you call me here?!’

‘I want you to kill me.’

‘I don’t want to!’ Alec exclaimed.

‘To kill a dark wizard, it requires an amount of power and energy which I don’t have. If I did, I'd be dead.’ Alec thinks to himself.

‘That’s the only thing you can do to stop me or else this kid and everyone here is dead because of me.’ he paused.

‘Are you joking with me, you're scared! Think this as a sacrifice Alec.’ he chuckled.

Day by day Aurelia's condition worsens and no one knows why. Rowan said it might be an effect after being possessed by a dark wizard. Aster feels weird because he’s the one who gets possessed almost everyday by Ezra, but he feels fine.

‘I think Ezra controlled her mind. He’s still inside her.’ Aster said.

‘This is your fault!’ Daniel shouts at Aster and pushes him to the wall. ‘Aren’t you a wizard! Why can’t you control Ezra and just let him be inside you?!’

‘Daniel! Watch what you said.’ Alec shouted at his eldest son.

‘You too dad…you brought us here in the first place right. Why? What future do you see inside your dream.’

‘How do you know about it?’ Alec looks at his son confused.

‘It is not a secret, is it?’ Daniel scoffs.

________________

‘They inherited your power Alec. They knew about this power when they were six years old. You’re in the city that time so they come to meet me about their nightmare. Just like what you see when you’re dreaming the future, they see it too. So I told them about the truth of this town.’

Rai stares at his wall thinking what he should do to help Aurelia. He ran and went to the river. There is a bridge and Rai walks on it to see where it will bring him.

I had never seen this river before..

It’s a wood with a lot of pine trees. He is fascinated with the scenery because it makes him feel like he is in a fairytale book that he read when he was a child. Suddenly he heard a sound around the bushes. He goes toward it and stops immediately.

‘Aurelia? What are you doing here?’ He was shocked to see Aurelia in the middle of a wood. ‘Aren’t you sick? You should be at home right now.’ He said worriedly.

She did not respond and walked away. He hesitated, ‘I have never seen her walk that fast before.’ He followed behind Aurelia and tried to stop her because he didn’t feel safe walking in the middle of woods.

‘Aurelia! Aurelia! Can you stop?’ He was panting. He looks in front of him and sees a large cabin that is made of wood.

‘A cabin in the middle of woods? Ezra’s house…?’ Knowing that it might belong to Ezra, he runs to get Aurelia before she goes inside it. However, she has already opened the wooden door and gone inside it.

‘This is so risky. How can she be so brave? This cabin looks haunted. Wait, is she possessed?’ He gets into the cabin faster to find Aurelia.

She was scared of thunder…but not a ghost?

________________

‘Rel! Please! you make me scared.’

Thud-

He turned his head to his left where the sound came from. He walked carefully toward the sound. Then he immediately closed his nose. He is shocked because there is a corpse on the ground in front of him.

‘Whose corpse is that.’ He grunted.

‘My dad or Mr. Enzio Xanthos you may call him kid.’

‘Rel? That is not your dad.’ Rai looks at her while furrowed his eyes.

‘You’re stupid or you’re acting stupid right now.’ Aurelia folded her arms. ‘Actually..wait..you look like someone I know… Ira Aelion?’

‘You know her? How? I never tell anyone about my real mother.’

‘Hmm Ira Aelion, she is a bright girl and a close friend with Hazel right?’

‘You’re not Aurelia aren’t you. Who are you?’ He said frustrated.

‘You’re a stupid one aren’t you.’ She scoffs.

‘Am I?’ Rai said furrowed his eyebrow. ‘More than someone who killed his own dad.’ Rai said sternly.

‘Oh.’ Ezra who possessed Aurelia's body laughing.

‘Hmm where should I start?’ Rai taps his feet while thinking. ‘My first question is…why did you kill your own father. The one who takes care of you after your own mother abandoned you.’ Rai sits on the worn out couch while looking at the corpse below him. He didn’t look disgusted at all with the corpse.

‘Ah you know more about it than I expected.’ he chuckles. ‘He did…that’s why he sacrificed for me.’

‘What do you mean he sacrifices for you.’ Rai said sternly.

________________

‘Hmm he sacrificed himself so that I can spy on everyone while using his body.’

‘You KILL him.’

‘Yeah..I did. That’s why you should be fast, you know.’ Aurelia points to herself. ‘This girl is so weak Rai. Maybe I would accidently kill her..what are you gonna do?’ Ezra laughed. Rai feels frustrated and accidentally punches Aurelia.

‘Oww.’ Aurelia caressed her face.

‘Get out of her body now!’

‘It’s me! What happened?’ she was sobbing.

‘Wait! I can’t recognize who is who. Did he get out of your body?!’ Rai said while comforting Aurelia.

‘Who gets out of my body?’

‘I- I’m sorry Aurelia.’

‘Why do you keep calling me Aurelia?’

‘Right..Let’s get out of here Rel.’ He said while helping her to stand up and they walked towards the door. But when he turned the doorknob it did not open. He kicked the door to force it to open.

‘It stuck!’ Rai said, frustrated. Then, he tried to find another way to get out of the cabin. Aurelia helps him after regaining her consciousness.

‘There’s no other door!’ Rai exclaimed.

‘Rai! I found a window here.’ She said while pointing at a big window inside a room. ‘Help me, It’s kinda hard to open it.’ Rai helped her to slide the window upwards.

‘It stuck!’ Rai grunts.

________________

He traps us.

Alec Eryndor

Everyone is confused and tries to find Aurelia around Alec’s house.

‘How do you not notice that she’s gone!’ Rowan shouted at Alec.

The sky turned darker. A wind blowing makes a screeching noise everywhere. They were outside waiting for Aurelia to go back home.

‘What is that?’ Aster said while pointing at a dark figure that stands in front of them.

‘Let’s see it more closely.’ Rowan said.

‘It is Ezra, the dark wizard.’ Alec whispered at Rowan.

‘Ezra is that really you?’ Rowan asks.

‘Yes, I am, So ready to duel Alec?’ Ezra responds shortly

‘Duel? I never agree with it.’ Alec said.

‘Now you should because Aurelia Eshryn and Rai Zafariz are in my hands right now.’ he smirks.

Aster looks at the dark wizard and rage starts to flow inside him. He ran away from there quickly to save his brother. Daniel followed him from behind.

‘Oh, by the way you noticed it too, right? The notice on the board? People lost and died… Who do you think did that crucial thing? Your daughter, Rosie Eden —’

‘Don’t you dare touch my daughter.’ Rowan said sternly.

‘No I’m not… I just sent her to another dimension for a while. You should get her, there is a dark witch who eats people in that dimension.’ Ezra giggles.

Rowan took his cellphone and tried to call his daughter but she did not answer it. He’s frustrated and runs away to save his daughter.

________________

‘Now it's just you and me Alec.’ Ezra said.

Ezra pulled a big and long sword and suddenly appeared in front of Alec. He tried to slash Alec with his sword but Alec successfully dodge him. Suddenly, Alec feels something weird inside his body like some sort of power flows inside him.

‘Why don’t you just accept my apology, Ezra… Leave us alone!’

‘That’s not fair? Remember you said that you hate your power and you want to LIVE as a normal person. What about me, that being forced and victimised by your father. He makes me a dark wizard. Tell me who deserves more to live as a normal person, you or me.’

I never meet him

‘Alright, but that is his fault —’

‘Just keep quiet. You act like you’re weak but why do I see the power inside your body keep flowing? That is it, a resentment that you keep. You actually are not trying to rid your power at all. That’s why both of them inherited it. Ahh, I hate you so much Alec.’ Ezra grunts and feels frustrated.

He keeps trying to slash Alec. However, Alec's precognition power helps him defend himself from Ezra’s moves.

‘Luckily that’s all you get.’ Ezra laughs while he looks at how tired Alec is.

Aurelia Eshryn

‘You know what, Rel, it is nice to see you’re here with me.’ Rai chuckled.

‘What do you mean? what if we die… that means it's nice?’ She said with a cold expression.

‘I didn’t mean it like that —’

‘I know. I’m joking.’ she laughed.

________________

‘Hmm this is so sad. I just moved here, hoping to live the life that I dreamt of. Now it's gone.’ Rai looked at the wooden floor.

‘What is it?’

That we’ll live together until we get older.

‘It’s a secret but a normal, everyday life. I don’t need to think about a dark wizard trying to kill me.’

‘You’re lucky to have ever dreamed of that.’

‘Hmm?’ Rai glanced at her

‘Do you know the real reason why we moved here?’ She sat at a drawer in front of the window while Rai sat on the edge of the bed.

‘I don’t know —’

‘My dad keeps having a nightmare. In his nightmare, I kill him.’

‘What? Did he tell you that?’

‘He “accidently” told me.’

‘Hm, It's just a nightmare… don’t worry —’

‘I did have the same nightmare too. I killed my dad.’

Rai flinched and did not know what to say. ‘Alright, listen to me Rel, no one will die here, today.’ Rai comes toward her and takes her hands to hug her. She hugged him back.

Click-

‘Rel? what is that sound?’ Rai said worriedly.

‘I don’t know —’ her tears started to fall.

Bang-

Ezra keeps trying to slash Alec with his sword but Alec on the other hand keeps dodging it.

________________

‘Do you really need to use that sword Mr. Ezra.’ They both stop and look toward the voice.

‘Aurelia! go away from him!’ Alec looks shocked seeing his daughter appear out of nowhere.

‘Ah, this sword. Should I not use it?’ Ezra looks at his sword and throws it to the ground. ‘You’ve killed him?’ he continued.

Aurelia looked at him and nodded. She looks emotionless. Alec furrowed his eyebrows. It doesn’t look like her daughter that he knows.

‘What have you done to Aurel?!’ Alec exclaimed.

She raises her hand towards Alec slowly. Alec felt choked around his neck.

‘Dad, do you feel Deja vu.’

‘Aurel! Don’t do this.’ he shook his head.

‘Dad, why did you lie?’

‘I’ve never lied to you Aurel.’

‘Then tell me why I can do this to you.’

She used magic. How?

‘I inherited your power dad. A necromancer.’ his eyes wide open. ‘You said you want to live as a normal person, why don't you do so!’ She screams in frustration.

Power that someone has only can be inherited if the parents practise it until they’re a master. However, it is optional if someone did inherit the power they can choose whether to practice it or stop using or think about the power throughout their life. So their offspring will not inherit the powers.

I’m sorry…

________________

A long time ago…

Alec prefers his life in the city. He stopped dreaming of precognition. He also met a woman he wanted to be with forever.

‘Ugh my head.’ He grunt wakes up from a nightmare. A baby crying from the background.

In that nightmare his past friend, Ezra Adriano tries to kill him and his family.

‘Why suddenly I’ve this nightmare?’ He looks at the baby crib and walks toward it.

‘Aurelia, my daughter, you can’t sleep too? You shouldn’t disturb your twin.’ He held his daughter in his arms and comforted her softly.

The next day, Alec in office attire stops by a cafe for a break. Suddenly he was deep in thought.

‘My dream is a precognition… They always said that I’ll inherit his power so in the beginning I’ll dream of a future and if I keep on with it, I become something more powerful. I stopped dreaming after I moved to the city but suddenly I had this nightmare. I keep having it again and again. What should I do…if my family died because of me…No.’ A waiter came toward him and put a cup of coffee and a slice of chocolate cake.

‘Should I master the power that I inherited? to save my family…’ he is distraught by the thought.

‘Why can’t you just sacrifice yourself!’ Aurelia shouted in frustration.

‘You don’t understand me! You know what just killed me Aurelia, if my own child thinks that my sacrifices will make the situation better, what else should I do?’

________________

He felt suffocated and fell to the ground. He heard Aurelia scream in the background but he couldn't move his body at all. Tears started to fall from his eyes, worried about his daughter.

He always feels guilty about the sin that his father who he never met has made, especially to Ezra and his family.

‘His parents abandoned him? This cute little baby.’ A lady exclaimed.

An old woman sighs. ‘No. His mother died after he was born and his father was murdered.’

‘How do you know all of that?’ The lady furrowed her eyebrows.

‘His father is a famous necromancer.’

The lady looks shocked. ‘Wait, did he inherit it? His life would be miserable.’

‘That’s why we should look after him.’

We shouldn't let him master it or know how to be a necromancer.

‘Alec, wake up! Don’t you die here.’ Rowan shouted from far.

‘Daniel took them to the hospital faster! I’ll help mayor Rowan.’ Aster exclaimed.

‘I’ll carry my dad. You carry her.’

Nine years later,

A young man entered the classroom from the back door. The classroom is small to exactly fit the capacity of its students. Every student is quiet and focuses on the teacher.

‘And they learned what harmed them and did not benefit them.’ The teacher read the translation of the Quran.

The class ends and the young man stands up from his seat.

________________

‘Maam, I heard a story from my grandmother.’ A young woman talks to the teacher.

He eavesdropped while packing his thing inside his bag.

‘She said that my real mother is actually a “fairy” from another dimension. That’s what she said.’

The teacher giggled. ‘That’s very weird. I think you shouldn’t trust that story very much.’

He walks outside of the school and wanders wherever his feet bring him until he knows where he wants to go. He stopped a taxi and told the driver to send him to the place that he wanted to go. The taxi driver glanced at his rear view mirror.

‘Hmm are you alright boy?’ the young man nodded with a blank expression.

‘Yeah— The cemetery is quite far from here because it is in the town. You live there?’ the taxi driver continued.

‘I was born there…’ he muttered.

‘Hmm weird… I heard that no one lives there. Used to be… but it is a hundred years ago right? I heard the whole town blazed with fire. How old are you by the way? You look young.’ The taxi driver furrowed his eyebrows. He did not respond.

‘Oh forgive me.’ The taxi driver said after realizing the boundaries.

After an hour, the taxi stopped at the cemetery.

‘Do you want me to wait for you because I don’t think you can find another taxi here to go back.’

‘Thank you.’ The man nodded and accepted the kind offer. He walked away to go inside the cemetery.

________________

‘Hmm it's so eerie here. I should just follow him to the cemetery.’ The taxi man shivers. He turns on the radio louder to feel less scared.

The young man walked around to find the grave that he wanted to visit. Then he stops after successfully finding it. He sits in front between the two graves and just stares at it. The graves engrave as

Alec Eryndor

Aurelia Eshryn

He burst into tears.

‘Are you Dariel Elyth?’ he wiped his tears quickly and turned to look at someone behind him.

‘So stupid. You don’t recognize your own brother.’ He stood up and hugged his brother tightly.

‘I’m right. How are you Dariel?’ Daniel pats his brother's hair.

‘I’m fine. I’m not expecting to meet you here.’

‘I literally live here.’

‘What do you mean? You sleep at the cemetery?’ Dariel stares at his brother and worries.

‘No, I’m not. You dumb.’ He giggled. ‘I always came to visit their graves. This is your first time visiting them right?’

‘Yeah… She doesn't know about it.’

‘That’s alright. You look really different by the way, like a prince.’ He sighs and smells himself. Dariel looks very healthy and fit. He also wears a nice outfit.

‘Hm? yeah..lucky I guess.’

________________

‘Hm no you deserve it. It must be hard for you and mom too. You guys deserve a better life.’

‘What about you? You deserve it too. Actually all of us deserve better.’

‘It’s our fate…You shouldn’t worry about me.’

‘How many days do you skip the shower?’ Dariel asks randomly.

‘Sorry? I’m showered EVERYDAY alright…but I did skip this morning.’

‘Ew! That's why ugh… shave your beard! How can I not worry about you—’ Dariel exclaimed sarcastically.

‘Woahh there is no need for a DNA test, you guys are brothers.’ A man's voice.

‘I can’t recognise the youngest at first but I agree with you.’ another guy continued.

Dariel looks at them confused. ‘They're the weird brothers Aster Zofian and Rai Zafariz.’ Daniel said.

‘Greetings, it’s been a long time.’ Dariel smiled.

‘It’s been a long time isn’t it? Luckily your old brother has not died yet.’Rai said playfully.

‘That’s so rude. Remember who saved you back then.’ Daniel scoffed. The others were just laughing at them.

‘How is your mom, Mrs. Lauren?’ Aster asks.

‘She’s fine now but not the same anymore like we used to know. Luckily my new dad was there to take care of her while I was a kid. Even now she starts going crazy if I mention you guys and the town of Estrella.’

‘Even Daniel?’

________________

‘Yeahh that’s why she abandoned me.’ Daniel interrupts. The two brothers let out a big sigh.

‘I’m sorry Daniel…’ Dariel cried while hugging his brother.

‘It’s alright now that you’re a gentleman, can go anywhere on your own…Come visit us.’ Daniel said to his brother.

‘It’s late now.’ The taxi driver checked his watch. He decided to enter the cemetery and find the young man. He grunts quietly.

‘Whoa that grave looks different. He must have been someone special in the past.’ He stunts.

Ezra Adriano

Then, he heard someone crying and walked toward it. He saw the young man talk. He had a peep. ‘Oh there is someone else?’ He thought to himself.

He got shivers in his spine. ‘Who he talk to…There is no one—’

‘Oh, you’re the taxi driver… Right I should go back. It’s late now. Mom would be mad.’ The young man smiled cheerfully while looking in the other direction.

‘Weird, why is he acting so cheerful now? But really who he talked to?’

‘

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, organized by Hashtag Kalakar, is a celebration of literary creativity and talent. This prestigious event invites writers from around the world to showcase their skills in various categories, including Poetry, Short Story, and Creative Writing. It serves as a platform for creative expression, bringing together diverse voices and stories that captivate and inspire audiences globally.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Damia binti Norazwar for sharing the spellbinding tale of "Apricity" with us. Her participation in the 2026 competition enriches the literary landscape with a unique blend of fantasy and reality. We look forward to seeing more of Damia's imaginative storytelling in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.