Chapter One

Phantom One

"Reika."

"I'm coming!" I called back, my feet thudding lightly against the wooden stairs as I hurried to answer my mother's summons. Her voice, soft but firm, always seemed to tug at something deep inside me—like a lingering echo from when I was small. Though I sometimes resented it, I knew it came from a place of love.

I was Reika Montecillo, an average student living an unremarkable life—or so it appeared.

"Hurry, you're running out of time! Your class starts in thirty minutes!" Mama's voice carried an edge of concern as I joined her at the kitchen table, grabbing a slice of bread to nibble on.

"Mama, it's fine. School isn't all that important today. I'll get there in ten minutes, you know I will," I reassured her, swallowing a bite.

She sighed deeply, her worry etched into every line of her face. "Reika, how many times must I remind you? Don't use your powers recklessly. Someone might notice."

"I'm old enough to handle myself now, Mama," I said, forcing a bright smile, hoping it would ease her worries.

Her concern was understandable. We lived in a secluded home far from the city, far from prying eyes. It was safer that way, away from people who might sense the difference in us. The danger was always there, lurking in the background, and Mama feared it constantly.

"Just... be careful, okay?" she said, offering me a smile that was warm but edged with apprehension. I nodded and returned the gesture, though I knew her unease would follow me, no matter how far I went.

"Okay, Ma. I'm leaving now," I said, stepping out of the door.

As soon as I reached the gate, I paused, inhaling deeply, reaching within myself to summon my spirit phantom.

"Wind of descent, my Spirit Phantom, I command you to reveal yourself."

A burst of light enveloped me in a shimmering swirl, a familiar circle of ethereal glow.

"Amir," I whispered, calling his name with reverence.

And then, there he was. Amir, my spirit phantom, materializing beside me. He towered over me, his form imposing and otherworldly. Clad in armor, with wings of blades stretching from his back, he stood in eerie silence, his eyes closed. A phantom, his presence felt like a gust of wind, cold and steady.

"Let's go, Amir."

He responded with a subtle nod, lowering to one knee. His immense form made it difficult to climb onto his back, but once I was secure, he rose effortlessly, wings beating with a power that lifted us into the sky.

The wind rushed past me, wild and untamed. My hair streamed behind me, whipping around as we soared, and I had to keep it tightly tied, or it would have been a tangled mess by the time we touched down.

I had known Amir for as long as I could remember. Since I was five, he had been my silent guardian. I still remember that day at the park—before I even understood what I was capable of—when danger had come in the form of men with powers like mine.

They had sent Black Wolves after me. At the time, I hadn't known my abilities, nor had I realized the peril I was in. The other children ran, leaving me paralyzed with fear as the wolves closed in.

And then, out of nowhere, I cried out for Amir. I didn't even know his name then, but I called to him, and he appeared as if summoned by my very soul. With one swift movement, he tore through the wolves, scattering them in an instant.

Mama arrived shortly after, her shock mirroring my own.

"Take care of Amir. He's your Spirit Phantom," she had said, her voice trembling with the weight of the moment.

That day changed everything. We left our home, and moved far away—where no one could see us, where we could remain hidden, protected from the forces that might come for us.

Now, as we neared the school, Amir gently descended, landing at the edge of the forest, hidden from the watchful eyes of the world.

"Thanks, Amir," I said, giving him a small smile.

He vanished without a sound, leaving me alone to walk the final stretch of the journey.

I found Kiara waiting at the gates, as always. "Kiara!" I called, raising my hand in greeting.

Her face lit up when she saw me, and she waved back, jogging over. We walked side by side, our steps in sync as we chatted, the ordinary humdrum of school life surrounding us. To my classmates, I was just another face among the crowd—no different than anyone else. And that was how I wanted it to stay.

If they ever found out the truth, everything would change.

We made our way to the classroom, where our chemistry teacher soon began the lesson. The familiar rhythm of school life settled over me, but then, out of nowhere, a voice whispered in my mind.

"They're here. Be careful, Reika."

My heart skipped a beat. I froze for a moment, my gaze darting around the classroom. No one else seemed to hear it. The lesson continued, oblivious to the growing tension within me.

Who was that? How did they know me? Why were they warning me?

Before I could process it, a deafening explosion rocked the building, followed by the sound of glass shattering. Instinctively, we rushed to the windows, and what I saw next froze me in place.

Five monstrous, panther-like creatures were wreaking havoc on the school, their claws tearing through everything in their path. Giant spiders scuttled across the ground, their webs melting through walls and structures as if they were made of paper.

"The Spirit Phantoms..." I murmured, my voice barely a whisper, my heart pounding in my chest.