Chapter 2

The polished marble floor reflected Jordan's shoes as he walked. Another late assignment. Professor Eldridge would have his head. Usual Tuesday. Whispers. Why the whispers? He adjusted his backpack strap. Always the whispers. But these… different. Afraid? Curious? Both? Then – silence.

A ringing silence, cutting through the murmur.

"Jordan…" a voice, deep and resonant, seemingly emanating from everywhere and nowhere at once. "…you must prepare. Gather those… loyal… the Zodian Wars… are imminent…" Blank. His mind, a sudden void. What? Zodian? Wars? "Who… who are you?" His voice, a shaky rasp. "Time… is short. Seek the Obsidian Shard… within the Chronarium. It holds… the key…" the voice faded, leaving behind only the echoing silence of the corridor. A girl with fiery red hair, usually studious and quiet, approached. "Jordan? Are you alright? You look… pale." "I… I don't know," he stammered. "Did you… hear that?" She shook her head. "Hear what? Just the usual… whispers." Her gaze flicked towards a group of older students huddled nearby, their faces grave. Another voice, this time closer, a boy with spectacles perched precariously on his nose. "Jordan? They were talking about the prophecy… the one from the ancient texts." "Prophecy?" He felt a surge of dizziness. Too many words, too much information. "The Zodian Wars," the boy continued, his voice hushed. "Legend… said it was just a legend, but…" He trailed off, eyes wide. A hand landed on Jordan's shoulder. A tall, imposing figure emerged from the shadows, his features obscured by the dim light. "The Obsidian Shard," the figure said, his voice low, gravelly. "You must find it, Jordan. Before it's too late." "But… how?" Jordan felt utterly lost, adrift in a sea of strange pronouncements and fearful whispers. "The Chronarium… it holds the answers… and the key to preventing the coming conflict," the mysterious figure replied, then vanished as quickly as he appeared leaving Jordan alone, the whispers swirling around him, no longer just a background hum but a chorus of impending doom. He had to find this… Obsidian Shard. But where to begin? The Chronarium… what was that? His mind raced, the chilling reality of the "Zodian Wars" settling upon him like a heavy cloak. The weight of destiny, sudden and unexpected, pressing down with crushing force. As the whispers ceased, a hush fell over the corridor. All eyes turned to a figure striding with an elegant gait towards Jordan, who remained kneeling, his mind reeling from the onslaught of mysterious pronouncements. The figure, a man with an air of authority and an aura of power, halted before Jordan. With a slight smile, he spoke, his voice carrying a weight of its own, "Destiny has a way of revealing itself when we least expect it, doesn't it, nephew?"

Jordan, still dazed, processed the man's words. "Nephew?" He looked up, his eyes widening as he took in the man's features—a familiar resemblance, yet one he had never known. "Who... who are you?" he asked, his voice shaking.

"I am Maximillious, your uncle," the man replied, his voice gravelly and deep, matching the resonance of the voice Jordan had heard earlier. "And it seems you have been chosen for a path far greater than any of us could have imagined. The Zodian Wars are coming, and you, my young nephew, are key to it all."

Cynthia, Jordan's friend with fiery red hair, helped him to his feet, her face a mask of concern. "Are you alright? What just happened?" she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil unfolding around them. Jordan, still dazed, nodded slowly, his mind slowly piecing together the bizarre events. Oscar, the boy with spectacles, patted Jordan's back reassuringly. "Take it easy, mate. We're here for you. Care to fill us in on what just transpired?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Jordan took a moment to gather himself, the weight of the impending War what was it again the Zodian Wars? his newfound familial connection hanging heavy on his shoulders. "I... I barely know where to begin," he stammered, his eyes darting between his friends and the mysterious figure of his uncle, Maximillious. "It seems I am destined to play a pivotal role in the Zodian Wars, and I must find the Obsidian Shard within the Chronarium. But why me? And why now?" which even saying out loud didnt add up Jordan's life was rather normal with an occassional special event and the idea of having to try and stop a full blown war was outrageous to the thought.

As Jordan spoke, a hush fell upon the corridor once more. Students and faculty alike seemed to sense the gravity of the moment, their whispers falling silent as they awaited Jordan's next move. Maximillious stepped forward, his aura of power seeming to fill the hall. "The why, my young nephew, is a question we may not yet have an answer to. But the how is something I can aid you with. The Chronarium is a mystical realm, accessible only to those who are chosen Descendants of the Zodians. It holds the secrets of time and the key to unlocking your full potential and lastly a way to traverse to their very world Astrolia."

The Astrolia caused a mental pulse through Jordans heart causing him to cringe, as the tale of old state even a simple word or name could have more power than power itself. Then everything went dark panic ensued the corridors, students in an uproar of fear yet none could move. The faculty and staff trying to manifest light to no avail, Then in an instanteveryone was forced down into a Bowing position none could move Maximillious strong and elegant as he was merely into a single knee position his face showing even he was struggling to hold that.

Then came a voice above everyone " This is the army i was raring to battle with dont you know whom you were preparing for, " The voice was chaotic tinged with pure malice. Then a figure began to manifest a handsome tall man wearing a top hat and suit wielding a cane who had very close resemblance to Sir Maximillious, but what really drew everyones attention was the tail that sprouted from the man's back it resembled that of a scorpion tail. The man looked around at everyone until he locked eyes with Maximillious who never showed any emotion other than confidence was showing pure caution and distaste. "ah Maxi my boy, you really shouldn't give your father such look it would make me only to assume you hate me, and you couldn't possibly hate me, Right?"

Then the man looked at Jordan who could only lift his head up back the man, "Ah here he is my Brother Descendant, you know had not this been only a wisp of my true self id have killed right now but unfortunatly i cannot truly located where i am," through a side look at Maximillious, then back to jordan, "nevertheless i did want to inform you that i am coming for you because with your death i can very well enact my wish to rule without opposition my Brothers Death shall in tow follow with yours."

Then like a wish fresh air he vanished the lights back on everyone regaining control.