CHAPTER 1:Fate and Fire

The morning sun spilled through the cracked classroom window, its amber fingers crawling over desks and restless students. A sudden CRACK! sliced the dull hum—the window shuddered as something slammed into it, leaving a spiderweb fracture. But the noise was swallowed by the chaos around, ignored by everyone but one.

Stone.

Perched in the far corner, cheek propped on his hand, he watched the fracture with ghostly green eyes — sharp, cold, cutting through the noise like a blade. His messy curls fell across his forehead, framing a face that was more thoughtful than his classmates cared to see.

"Whoever took care of that bird as an egg must have dropped it more than once," he muttered under his breath, eyes still locked on the cracked glass.

The classroom was a storm of chatter, laughter, and tension — a boiling pot of rumors about the upcoming Qualifiers Round. Groups clustered like pack animals, whispering, shouting, waiting for the day that would decide everything.

Stone's eyes settled on one group, their faces twisting as they caught his gaze.

"It's him... the one whose mom was hospitalized…"

"What kind of disease could do that?"

They sneered like vultures smelling weakness.

Stone didn't flinch. He was used to it.

He pulled out his phone, checking the time—9:21. The teacher was late, the room still a mess of energy and nerves.

Suddenly, the door slammed open, sucking the noise out of the room. All eyes snapped to the doorway.

Ben Katana stood there, pale and gasping like he'd just raced through a storm. The class quickly buzzed back to life, but Stone's gaze stayed locked on his best friend.

Ben shut the door behind him with a sharp click, hurried forward, and slammed his hands on Stone's desk, beads of sweat tracing paths down his face.

"Yo, Stone, it's—it's today... the Qualifiers Round." He wheezed, struggling for breath.

Stone raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Ben swallowed, trying again. "I couldn't make the preparations... my calendar changed, and—"

Stone cut him off with a smirk. "You forgot, didn't you?"

Ben groaned but nodded.

"Don't worry," Stone said, leaning back, voice cool, "I already handled it two days ago. Match registration? Done."

Ben looked both exhausted and impressed.

Stone's eyes drifted back to the cracked window. "That championship will be ours. That is our fate. And those other fools, will lose to us. That us their gate."

Ben grinned wide, shaking his head. "Win ?....let them keep dreaming"

---

Later that day, the air thickened with tension—not from school, but from the creatures skulking in the shadows. Stone and Ben moved like whispers, ghosts of death stalking their prey.

A pack of demons, twisted and snarling, lunged from the alleyway, red eyes burning like hellfire.

Ben cracked his knuckles, flashing a mischievous grin. "Ready to get messy, Stone?"

Stone's lips curled. "Always."

Ben darted forward first—his fists moving like a blur, striking sinew and bone with brutal precision. Each punch echoed, a symphony of destruction.

Stone followed, his movements fluid and sharp. His eyes flared green with a sudden burst of energy. Magic swirled around his hands—a gleaming emerald glow that seared through demon flesh. He unleashed a wave of searing light, sending two creatures crashing into the wall.

"Nice shot," Ben laughed, ducking a swipe.

Stone chuckled, dodging a claw swipe. "Not bad yourself. But I'm just getting started."

Together, they danced through the fight, their movements synchronized like a well-oiled machine. Jokes flew between blows.

"Hey, Ben, you sure you're not rusty? Missed that one by a mile."

Ben grinned. "Just letting you take the spotlight."

A demon lunged at Ben, teeth bared. Stone twisted, intercepting with a whip of emerald energy that sent the creature reeling.

"Got your back, as always."

Ben's grin faltered, a rare flicker of seriousness crossing his face. "You always have mine."

The last demon fell, writhing in a pool of light and shadows.

Breathing hard, the two friends exchanged a look — equal parts exhaustion and exhilaration.

"Race you back to my place," Ben challenged, already moving.

Stone laughed. "You're on."

---

Stone's apartment smelled of cinnamon and vanilla, soft light spilling from the windows. His mother stood in the kitchen, hands trembling slightly as she set out a modest birthday cake. Her green eyes were gentle and fierce, carrying the weight of secrets Stone knew too well.

Ben kicked off his shoes and grinned at Stone. "Happy birthday, ma'am. You survived another year of this idiot."

Stone rolled his eyes. "She's too patient."

His mother smiled, eyes flicking between the two boys. "Thank you, Ben. You're always welcome here."

Ben nodded, eyes warm. "Wouldn't miss it."

The room hummed with quiet laughter and warmth, a fragile bubble holding back the storm to come.

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