The city didn't feel the same anymore.
Not after what happened.
Morning sunlight poured through the window as Ishaan sat on his bed, staring at his hand.
Quiet.
Still.
"…What was that yesterday?"
He clenched his fist.
Nothing happened.
No glow.
No energy.
Just… normal.
He exhaled.
"…Maybe I'm overthinking it."
From outside, the TV sound echoed through the house.
His father had already turned on the news.
Ishaan walked into the living room.
On screen—
Footage of the incident.
Smoke.
Broken glass.
People running.
A blurred clip of the Umbra being struck by lightning.
"—yesterday evening, an Umbra-class entity appeared in the central district—"
"—quick response by an awakened officer prevented major casualties—"
"—authorities are advising citizens to remain alert—"
His father shook his head.
"Every Aurora cycle… same problems."
His mother looked worried.
"At least no one died this time."
Ishaan stayed quiet.
No one died.
But it was close.
Too close.
On his way to school, the streets were more crowded than usual.
Police barriers.
People talking.
Phones out.
Everyone had something to say.
As soon as he entered the classroom
Kabir rushed over.
"BRO!!"
Ishaan blinked.
"What?"
"That Umbra yesterday! It was near your route, right?!"
Aisha leaned against the desk.
"Yeah, we saw the news."
Anaya looked worried.
"Were you… anywhere near that area?"
Ishaan hesitated for a second.
"…Yeah."
All three froze.
"WHAT?!" Kabir almost shouted.
"Are you serious?" Aisha said, eyes narrowing.
Anaya stepped closer.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Ishaan replied.
Kabir frowned.
"Fine? That thing could've killed people!"
Ishaan looked away slightly.
"…It almost did."
A brief silence fell.
Aisha crossed her arms.
"So what happened?"
Ishaan exhaled.
" That creature was gonna hurt a kid but.
An awakened officer with lightning power handled it."
Kabir leaned forward.
"You saw it?!"
"Yeah."
"How was it?"
Ishaan paused.
The lightning.
The speed.
The control.
"…Fast," he said. "Really fast."
Aisha smirked slightly.
"Of course. Trained meta humans aren't like amateurs."
Anaya looked thoughtful.
"…Still, it must've been scary."
Ishaan didn't reply.
The classroom suddenly grew quieter.
Students began returning to their seats.
A teacher entered.
Behind him
A man in a dark uniform.
The same kind Ishaan had seen yesterday.
The room instantly filled with whispers.
"Is that an awakened officer?"
"Why is he here?"
The teacher raised his hand.
"Settle down."
Silence.
The man stepped forward.
Calm. Observant.
"I'll keep this brief," he said.
His voice was steady.
"After last night's Aurora Event, multiple awakenings have been reported across the city."
A murmur spread across the class.
Kabir whispered:
"Told you…"
The officer continued:
"If anyone experiences unusual physical changes, heightened abilities, or loss of control—report immediately."
His tone hardened slightly.
"Do not try to handle it on your own."
A few students looked nervous.
Others… excited.
"Further evaluation will be conducted through official channels."
He paused.
His eyes briefly scanned the room
Then moved on.
"That is all."
As the class resumed, the atmosphere had changed.
People weren't just talking anymore.
They were thinking.
Wondering.
Hoping.
Kabir leaned toward Ishaan.
"Imagine if one of us awakened."
Aisha scoffed lightly.
"Most people get useless abilities."
Anaya smiled faintly.
"…Even a small power can help someone."
Kabir grinned.
"Still, I wouldn't mind something strong."
Ishaan looked at his hand again.
Quiet.
Uncertain.
Later that day
During break
He stood alone near the corridor window.
Watching the sky.
Clear.
Normal.
But now—
He couldn't look at it the same way.
His fingers tightened slightly.
That feeling from yesterday…
That speed…
That moment—
"…It wasn't normal."
For the first time—
He didn't doubt it.
Far away, sirens echoed faintly through the city somewhere…