Beyond Mortals

Chapter 4 Episode 4: A Friday like no other

Friday mornings at Morning Hill High usually meant one thing—counting down the hours until the weekend. Students dragged themselves through the halls, half-asleep, dreaming of freedom.

For Alex and Nate, Fridays used to be simple. Wake up, survive class, maybe hang out after school. But now? Now they had an immortal warrior tagging along, a magical ring glowing on Alex's finger, and a growing sense that something dark was coming.

"Alright," Alex muttered as they walked through the school doors. "One normal day. No magic, no training. Just school."

Leannah raised an eyebrow. "How does this…school…prepare you for battle?"

Nate grinned. "Oh, it doesn't. But it does teach you how to survive… social chaos."

Alex sighed. Something told him this was going to be anything but normal.

Alex and Nate were still trying to wrap their heads around the fact that Leannah was walking through their high school like she belonged there.

Nate finally blurted out, "Wait—how are you even here?! Like… you're not a student. Did you just walk in?"

Leannah smirked. "I altered the minds of those in charge."

Alex and Nate exchanged horrified glances.

"You what?!" Alex hissed.

Leannah shrugged. "I simply made them believe I was always meant to be here. It is a simple trick."

Nate ran a hand through his hair. "Okay, that's both terrifying and kinda cool."

Alex groaned. "You can't just mind-control teachers, Leannah!"

She crossed her arms. "It is more efficient than your 'paperwork' system."

Nate nodded. "She's got a point."

Alex sighed. This was going to be a long day.

Scene 2: Leannah vs. High School

Lockers:

Alex watched as Leannah scowled at a row of metal lockers, arms crossed. "Why do you store your possessions in cages?" she asked, pressing her hand against the cold metal.

Nate chuckled. "Relax, it's just a locker. Here—" He spun the dial and opened his, revealing a mess of books, crumpled papers, and an old granola bar.

Leannah didn't look convinced. "Strange," she muttered. Then, with zero hesitation, she gripped the handle of a random locker and yanked—hard. The metal bent slightly.

Alex grabbed her arm. "No! That's not how we open them here!"

She huffed. "Your human ways are inefficient."

Math Class:

Math was... not Leannah's thing.

She glared at the numbers on the board like they were an enemy in battle. "This is useless," she muttered.

Alex leaned over. "Trust me, I've been saying that for years."

The teacher called on her. "Leannah, what's the answer to problem #3?"

She stood up. "How does knowing this equation help prepare one for war?" she asked seriously.

The entire class burst into laughter. The teacher sighed. "Just… sit down."

Gym Class - Dodgeball Chaos:

"Okay, Leannah, it's just dodgeball," Nate explained. "You throw the ball. You dodge the ball. Simple."

Leannah nodded. "A battle simulation. I understand."

Alex and Nate barely had time to react before Leannah launched a dodgeball with the force of a cannon. It slammed into a kid, sending him flying backward.

The gym went silent.

"Uh…" Alex whispered. "Maybe tone it down?"

Leannah frowned. "I did hold back."

Lunchroom Disaster:

The lunchroom was Leannah's final challenge. She eyed her tray suspiciously. "This… is food?"

Nate poked his mystery meat with a fork. "Debatable."

Leannah sniffed it. Then, in true warrior fashion, she tossed the entire thing into the trash. "I will not be poisoned today."

Scene 3: The Whisper of Darkness

Despite the ridiculousness of the day, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

Between classes, as he reached for his locker, a sudden burning heat flared from the ring on his finger.

Then, a whisper. "You are not ready."

Alex whipped around. The hallway was full of students, laughing, talking—normal. But in the corner of his eye, he saw it—a shadow slipping around the corner.

"Did you see that?" Alex muttered.

Nate frowned. "See what?"

Alex hesitated. Maybe I'm imagining things…

But deep down, he knew the truth. Something was watching him.

Scene 4: Nate Calls Alex Out

After school, Nate finally lost it.

"Dude, you're acting like everything's normal, but it's not! You literally vanished into another world!"

Alex sighed, rubbing his face. "I just wanted one normal day."

Nate threw up his hands. "Yeah? Well, normal isn't an option anymore! What if something comes after you?"

Leannah, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Denial will not stop what is coming."

Alex looked away. He knew they were right. But part of him still wanted to believe things could be simple again.

Scene 5: The Final Warning

That night, Alex sat on his bed, staring at his ring.

It pulsed softly. Then, a deep voice echoed in his mind:

"The time for games is over."

A sudden slam—his window flew open, cold air rushing in.

Alex jumped up, heart pounding. Was it just the wind?

Or was something here?

Meanwhile…

Far away, deep in the immortal world, a figure watched from the shadows.

"The heir is weak," the voice hissed. "Untrained. Not a threat… yet."

But soon… soon, that would change.

To Be Continued…