Chapter 3: The Chosen Guardians

Eric rubbed his temple, trying to act casual after hearing Seraphine's voice in his head.

"Oh yeah… I'm good. Just thought of something," he muttered.

"Okay," Riley replied, but her raised eyebrow showed she wasn't convinced.

Before Eric could change the subject, a soccer ball came flying out of nowhere and smacked him in the head. He barely had time to react before hearing laughter.

"Sorry about that, princess," a cocky voice sneered. "Next time, try catching the ball with your hands."

Eric groaned, looking up to see Aaron Samuels, a jock from the soccer team, standing with two of his friends, smirking.

"Haha, real funny, Aaron," Riley shot back, grabbing the ball and tossing it back to him. "Maybe you should try looking where you throw it."

Aaron scoffed, stepping closer. "Aww, is the little girl standing up for the princess? Looks like you've got yourself a knight in shining armor."

"Say that again, and I'll rearrange your face," Riley snapped.

Aaron grinned, taunting her. "Oh yeah?"

Riley clenched her fists, ready to swing, but before she could, Eric placed a hand on her shoulder.

"It's fine," he said calmly. "Not the first time, so let's just let it go."

"Yeah, listen to your princess, pipsqueak," Aaron laughed.

"Really?" Another voice cut through the tension.

Everyone turned to see a girl approaching—long, silky black hair flowing as she walked with effortless confidence.

[Intro Card: Akari Saito – Social Media Influencer, One of the Most Popular Girls in School]

"Oh, if it isn't the boss himself, Aaron Samuels," Akari said coldly. "You know, I heard from a few teachers that your grades aren't looking too hot." She tilted her head, smirking. "Who knows what might happen if you're caught harassing a student? You could get kicked off the team."

Aaron stiffened slightly, his smirk faltering.

Akari stepped closer, lowering her voice as she whispered into his ear, "And let's be honest… your brain isn't exactly getting you anywhere else."

Aaron's jaw clenched.

She straightened, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Now scram. We don't want trouble."

Aaron scoffed but backed off. "Forget them. Let's go, guys."

As he and his friends left, another girl approached with a sigh. She had soft brown curly hair and an easygoing demeanor.

[Intro Card: Nia Brooks – Member of the Cooking Club]

"What did you say to him?" Nia asked.

Akari shrugged. "Oh, nothing. Just the truth." She flashed a playful smile.

Nia sighed. "Just don't take it too far."

"Of course," Akari said, her grin never fading.

Nia turned to Eric and Riley. "You guys okay?"

"Yeah, we're good. Thanks to Akari," Eric replied.

As they continued chatting, Seraphine's voice echoed in Eric's mind.

"Akari Saito and Nia Brooks have been chosen by the Ice and Wind Aether Gems to become Guardians."

Eric sighed. Of course they have. Why not?

"Wouldn't that make it easier since you're friends with them?" Seraphine asked.

Eric sighed. "Yeah, I guess that's true."

"Hey, you guys wanna come to my place after school? It's really important," he asked Akari and Nia.

"Sure," Akari said.

"I don't see why not," Nia added.

"I'm in," Riley said.

"Cool. After school, then," Eric confirmed.

Meanwhile, outside the school gate, a car pulled up. A boy and a girl—both with striking red hair—stepped out.

Seraphine's voice rang in Eric's mind again.

"I sense another gem has entered the perimeter."

Eric tensed. "Who?"

"The girl with red hair. She has been chosen by the Fire Aether Gem."

Eric frowned, watching her walk inside. "I don't think I've seen her before," he muttered.

"Me neither," Riley added. "She must be new."

Eric groaned. "Oh great. The new girl. Just when I thought this would be easy."

Riley raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"

"Nothing," Eric said quickly. Then, an idea struck him. "Hey, Riley, you know we're best friends, right?"

"…Yeah?" she answered, suspicious.

"Could you do me a tiny favor?"

"What is it?"

Eric grinned. "Befriend the new girl and ask her to meet me at my place."

"…Wait, you want me to do what?"

"Please! Who better to make a new friend than Riley herself? Besides, since she's new, she'll need someone to show her around."

Riley still looked skeptical.

"I'll do whatever you want—just once."

Her eyes lit up. "Deal!" And with that, she rushed off.

Eric smirked. That was too easy.

Inside the school, the red-haired girl and her older brother stood outside the principal's office, arguing.

"I don't know why you had to follow me here, and why do I have to live with you?" the girl groaned.

"Because Mom and Dad put me in charge of you," the boy replied. "And since I live in the city, they thought it'd be best if we stayed together."

"I don't need a babysitter."

"After the last stunt you pulled, I'm surprised you don't have a tracking chip."

She stuck her tongue out at him, and he did the same.

A woman walked out of the office. "Uh, the president is ready to see you."

Inside, the school president greeted them warmly.

"Thank you, sir. I'm Ryan Harper, and I'd like to enroll my little sister, Ruby Harper."

"Well, of course! Just be sure to fill out the necessary documents and follow the rules," the president said.

Ryan smirked at Ruby as the president emphasized the word rules. She rolled her eyes.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," the president called.

Riley entered. "Afternoon, Mr. President."

"Ah! I'd like you both to meet Riley Sparks, a member of the track team."

Ryan and Ruby exchanged nods with Riley.

"I'd like to volunteer to show the new girl around," Riley announced proudly.

"Well, I don't see why not. Ms. Harper, is that okay with you?"

Ruby shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

She looked at Riley, who was standing by the window dramatically as sunlight hit her just right. What is up with this girl?

"Great! Off you go," the president said.

The School Tour

As Riley showed Ruby around, she pointed out the different areas.

"This is the library, the greenhouse, the cafeteria, the track, the drama club, the cooking club, the soccer field, the locker rooms, the swimming club, the martial arts club, and—of course—our classes."

"Wow, this school's nice," Ruby admitted.

"Yeah, you're gonna love it here."

"Hey… does it have, I don't know… a dance club?"

"Nope. Why?"

Ruby's expression fell. "Oh… no reason."

After printing out Ruby's class schedule, Riley asked, "Hey, after school, can you wait for me at the front?"

Ruby hesitated but nodded. "Okay, sure."

"Great! See you then," Riley said before running off.

Ryan raised an eyebrow at his sister. "So how'd it go?"

"It was… interesting. Oh, and she asked me to wait after school."

Ryan shrugged. "Just don't stay out too late."

Meanwhile...

Eric spent the rest of the day searching for the remaining gems.

First, he headed to the greenhouse.

Seraphine spoke. "I sense something from that table over there."

Eric approached and found a girl with long brown hair, quietly reading.

[Intro Card: Hazel Rivers – A Shy and Frequent Visitor of the Greenhouse]

"Hey, Hazel," Eric greeted.

She looked up. "Oh, Eric. I'm good, just reading."

"What are you reading?"

"A book on flowers."

Seraphine spoke. "Hazel Rivers has been chosen by the Nature Aether Gem."

Eric smirked. Figures.

"Hey, wanna come to my place after school? Maybe you can help me with my plants."

Hazel smiled. "Oh, sure! I'd love to."

Eric nodded. "See you then."

"How did you know I gem would be there" Seraphine asked,

"I mean it made the most sense, now off to the school pool" Eric said as he darted there

Upon arriving "Do you sense anything" he asked

"No" seraphine replied disappointed

"Seriously?? Well that was a bust" he said leaving the building.

As he walked past the martial arts club seraphine spoke to him "Go back, I sensed it in there"

"Really... I mean it makes sense for a warrior to be chosen" Eric said as he went in

Inside, he found a girl practicing kenjutsu with precision.

[Intro Card: Serena Carter – A Prominent Student of Kenjutsu]

Eric sighed. "Oh no… Serena."

"Something wrong?" Seraphine asked.

"She's… intense," Eric muttered.

Still, he walked over. "Hey, Serena."

She glanced at him. "Oh, it's you. Derrick, right?"

"…Eric."

"What do you want?"

"Come to my place after school. It's important."

"No."

"…Wait, what?"

"I'm not interested in wasting time on trivial matters." She glanced at him up and down. "Besides, you're not my type."

"Ew. First of all, not asking you out. Second, it'll benefit you, too."

She raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. Fine. Maybe I'll come."

Eric nodded. "Great. I'll text you my address."

Serena smirked. "Now you want my number?"

Eric groaned. "Just—give me your phone."

He typed in his number and stormed off.

Seraphine chuckled. "I see what you meant."

After school, the group gathered at Eric's house.

"Glad you all could make it," he said.

Hazel blinked. "I thought I was helping with your plants?"

"We'll get to that," Eric said. "But first, I have something important to show you."

He held up the butterfly necklace.

Akari scoffed. "Really? You brought us here for that?"

Before anyone could complain further, the necklace glowed with a bright pink light.

"What the—?!" Ruby gasped.

Elsewhere…

In a forgotten graveyard, a green fog slithered through the tombstones. A night guard stepped forward.

"Who's there?"

The green figure emerged from the fog.

The guard tried to run, but green energy wrapped around him, draining his life force.

She cackled as she absorbed thousands of lingering souls.

"Ah yes… Noctyra is back."

With a wave of her hand, the dead began to rise.

The agent chained beside her trembled in horror.

Noctyra smirked. "Let the real fun begin."

TO BE CONTINUED…