Waiting

After saying his goodbyes to Selena, Kalem made his way through the crowded streets of Jexi City. The neon lights flickered overhead, and the noise of the bustling city was like a constant hum in the background. People moved with purpose, their faces a blur to him as he walked deeper into the heart of the city.

In two days, Kalem would take part in the awakening ceremony—the ritual that would determine whether he would ascend to become a demigod. He couldn't help but think about what that would mean for him. A 1-star demigod, maybe even a 2-star, and suddenly his life would be different. He'd be one of the elite, a member of the powerful class. No more scraping by in the Dregs, no more running from monsters or hiding from the law. It would be a life of luxury, power, and respect.

*Even a 1-star.* Kalem smiled to himself. It was still better than being nothing, better than being one of the countless nameless people who filled the streets, struggling to survive. Even Fenn, with his relatively modest power, lived a good life—a life Kalem had always envied. He couldn't imagine what a 3-star or 4-star would be like. It was a world that Kalem had only dreamed of, but now it was within his grasp.

He continued walking, the thought of power and possibility stirring something in his chest. The ceremony was his ticket, and no matter what, he was going to make sure it was worth it.

By the time Kalem reached the den of the Dregs, the sky had started to dim, the first stars of the evening beginning to twinkle in the sky. He pushed open the hidden door and stepped inside, the familiar scent of old wood and stale beer greeting him like an old friend.

He made his way to his room, shutting the door behind him and sinking into the bed. The noise of the city seemed distant now, and for the first time in days, Kalem allowed himself to relax. Two days. Two days until everything changed.

Kalem lay back, staring at the ceiling. His fingers brushed against the feather in his pocket, the cool weight of it reminding him of the celestial owl's intervention. And the red crystal. The spark of divinity. He was closer than ever to his goal, but part of him couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching him, waiting.

He closed his eyes. *Two days.*

Meanwhile, in the opulent Beiber mansion, the atmosphere grew even more tense as John Beiber, consumed by rage, turned to face his servants. His eyes glowed with an unnatural intensity as he unleashed the full force of his awakened bloodline, his connection to Bragi, the god of eloquence and sound.

His voice, once commanding, now became shrill—piercing, unnaturally sharp, like a thousand nails scraping across a chalkboard. As he shouted, the air itself seemed to tremble, vibrating with an intense frequency that shattered the silence. The servants, helpless in the face of his wrath, tried to flee, but the sound of his voice was a weapon beyond their comprehension.

The force of his cry shattered their bodies in an instant, their flesh and bone ripping apart as if struck by a violent sonic wave. The walls shook, and the sound rang out like a death knell, echoing through the grand halls. The bodies of the servants crumpled to the floor, destroyed in an instant by the power of John's divine bloodline.

The twins—Justin and Hailey—stood frozen in horror, their eyes wide with shock as they watched their father casually survey the destruction.

John's face twisted into a sneer as he looked at his children, his voice dark and cold. "You see what happens when you're careless with my things?" His tone was venomous. He took a slow, deliberate step toward them, his gaze unwavering. "These servants were yours to manage. And now, they're dead. Their blood is on your hands."

The twins didn't respond. They couldn't. They were paralyzed, trapped in the shadow of their father's rage and power.

John's voice softened, though it remained heavy with malice. "You failed me, and now you've paid the price. Don't make the same mistake again." He looked around at the wreckage, as if irritated by the mess. "If you lose anything else, don't expect me to clean up after you."

He turned his back on them, leaving the remains of the servants as if they were little more than a nuisance. But before he walked away, he spoke again, quieter, but with more chilling finality. "And you—both of you—are responsible for their deaths. Don't forget that."

This version amps up John's power, turning his rage into a lethal force and making his threats to his children even more sinister. The scene adds a brutal dimension to his character, establishing him as a dangerous and abusive figure. Let me know if it works!