Kisai, Ichaival, and Kuan stood near a pulsating portal. Tess clutched a key in her left hand, staring at her tablet screen. “What’s going on?” I asked. “Tess detected an abnormal amount of magic in the area from before,” Kisai explained. “We’re checking it out?” I asked. “Exactly,” Kisai responded. “You know, you don’t exactly need our help. Let’s be …
Volume 8, Chapter 1-2: Closet Cleaning
Dad walked into the living room, staring at the bags with a perplexed expression. He opened his mouth but said nothing. Mom waltzed in, grinning. “You left him speechless. Let’s see what we have here,” Mom said, digging through the bags, inspecting all my new clothes. Dad continued staring at me in silence. Mom whistled, holding up a dress and …
Volume 8, Chapter 1-1: Sica’s Jessica Staccato
Sunday Winter Quarter 2016 Week 6 “You want to go to the mall?” I asked. “I have something really cool to show you,” Felicity revealed with excitement. “Sure, I don’t have anything to do today. What time do you want to go?” I agreed. “How about noon?” Felicity suggested. “Works for me. Which mall is it again?” I inquired. “I’ll …
Volume 8, Prelude: Her Arrival
“How is her performance?” a well-dressed man, smoking a pipe, questioned. “She is doing well. Although, she is a bit overzealous when dealing with personal matters,” Al reported, crouching down on one knee and bowing downward to the man. “That is not a surprise, she has always been like that, even as a young child. I trust you will reign …
Volume 7, Postlude: Where It All Began
“Can you feel it? The power unleashed here,” a voice whispered. The young woman nodded, staring at the broken tablet pieces scattered across the ground. She knelt, discovering blood on one of them, and held it up in the air. There existed only one light source in the area, originating from a small hole in the ceiling. Still, it was …
Volume 7, Chapter 5: Ace’s Intentions
Mind Dive: What The Cat Knows “Well, well, if it isn’t Ms. Tomo. No doubt Tess sent you,” Ace greeted. This felt more like the research lab experience, instead of viewing a memory. I was in a small room with a large clock in the back. Both hands rested on the number 12. “Tomo, I’m real. Well, more like something …
Volume 7, Chapter 4-2: The Muscular Cat
“Tess, it’s about time you tell me what’s going on,” I demanded. “Yes, it’s time,” Tess agreed. “I’m confused too. It’d be nice to actually know how much you f**ked up, Jin,” Ichaival said. “Kisai, what’s up with the council?” I asked first. “The council was formed after the seal was created. Their job is to make sure no one …
Volume 7, Chapter 4-1: Captured
I woke up, bound to a chair. A circle, drawn around me, was beneath my feet. Kuan, handcuffed to a chair, was tied to a chair too. Ichaival hung from the ceiling, metal cuffs around his wrists. A faint light surrounded him, pulsating every few seconds. The hell was this bulls**t? “Man, where are we?” Ichaival grumbled, finally awake. “Damn, …
Volume 7, Interlude B: Clash of Blades
“Feng, it’s never good when you ask for a practice session,” Zhang remarked, pulling on a pair of black gloves. “I could say the same for you, my dear pupil. It’s serious when you decide to wear those,” Feng said, giving a slight grin. Zhang headed toward the bus stop after work, only to find Feng waiting for him in …
Volume 7, Chapter 3-2: Tension in the Air
We arrived at the bottom of a path, walking through a large Japanese style arch. Kisai stopped, taking a few steps back. Kuan inspected the ground, nodding his head. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “Traps,” Kisai replied. “You’re gonna deactivate them?” I questioned. “Kuan, demonstrate your other power,” Tess ordered. He adjusted his glasses, staring at the ground. Kuan then tapped …