Hopper bites into a caramel apple as I finish paying the vendor.

  “Are you happy now?” I ask him as we find a bench to sit on.

  In between bites, he answers. “I think another one of these and we’ll be good.”

  “Gods, Hopper, we didn’t mean to leave you out. You were busy training [Freeze] and we didn’t want to interrupt you,” I say as I watch the illusory dragon flap its wings.

  “It’s the thought that counts, CJ. The thought,” he says, pointing his half-eaten apple at me.

  “Yeah, yeah. Speaking of, how did the training go?”

  “Good. The MP potion was a big boon. I managed to get it all the way to [Level 4],” he says as it begins to snow again.

  “That’s impressive. I would’ve liked it if you had done it outside of the room,” I say as a nearby band starts to play.

  “I already apologised for that, and it only took us three hours to defrost the room.”

  “Only three hours?! Our beds were wet, our clothes were wet, and the floor was wet! If it wasn’t for the hall staff, our room would be growing mold right now.”

  “Ok, that might be true, but enough about that. We should enjoy the festival. I’ve never been to one in the capital,” Hopper says, trying to change the subject.

  “Me neither. What kind of festivals do they have up north?” I ask as I [Throw] a pebble into the frozen fountain.

  “We have a lot of them. We have a Hunting Festival where we go out and hunt monsters. We have the Ice Festival, where we go fight ice monsters on icebergs. We also have the Mountain Festival, where we run through the mountain range and see who can nab the strongest monster,” he says, finishing his apple.

  “That’s a lot of monster hunting. Are there any tamer festivals?”

  “Oh, yeah, we have the Taming Festival where-”

  “Let me guess, you go out and tame a monster?” I ask.

  “Yeah! So, you do know the festivals of the north,” he beams with joy.

  “Well, festivals down here don’t seem to be as exciting as the ones you’re used to or-” I say as a black star streaks through the cloudy sky.

  Hopper follows my gaze. “What’s that? Is it a meteor?” he asks.

  A terrible feeling runs through me as I see the streak make a sudden turn. Meteors don’t move like that. My eyes go wide in realisation as I watch it fall straight towards me.

  “Hopper, run!!” I yell as I burst into a full sprint.

  Hopper, noticing the fear in my voice, follows suit. The black star changes direction again as it begins to follow us. The speed at which it moves heats up the surrounding area, melting the nearby snow, turning it into rain instead.

  Hopper and I rush through the streets, passing by the food vendors and some of the street vendors. As we do, I see a bow and a quiver full of arrows being sold. Without a second thought, I grab them and throw them at Hopper. He quickly swings the quiver on and nocks an arrow. The black star speeds up as it crests the top of the nearby houses, sending shingles flying. It’s going to hit us any second now.

  I turn to Hopper and yell, “I think that thing is after me!”

  We jump over a cart in our path. “I also get that feeling!”

  Looking around, I see the people around us rush into their homes and away from the street. The golden gates of the university lie within sight. The force of the black star behind us sends the various stalls flying as it begins to speed up. We’re not going to make it in time. Damn it!

  “Hopper, split off from me and get help!” I yell as I dodge one of the stalls.

  “What are you going to do?!” he asks.

  “I’m The Chosen One! What do you think I’m going to do?!” I yell as I grab the pebbles in my pouch.

  With hesitation, Hopper peels off and disappears into one of the alleyways, leaving me alone with the flying black star of death. It’s moving far too fast for me to outrun it. It’s time for me to do what I do best.

  Meer moments from the gates, I spin around and give a smug smile. The black star suddenly stops to reveal a Demon man. Obsidian black skin with ichor dripping off him, a pair of large leathery wings, pointy demon horns, rippling muscles, and a sword that stops right at my throat. The tip of it threatening to draw blood. His face contorts in confusion as I give him a smug smile.

  “Why are you smiling, Chosen One?” he says with a deep voice.

  With a scoff, I confidently push the blade away from my neck. “Do I really need to explain it?” I ask.

  The Demon looks around, confused at the empty street. “You’re alone, surprised, and without a weapon. There is no reason for you to be smiling,” he says, gesturing around him.

  “You really can’t see them?” I say, meeting his purple eyes.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “You’re bluffing. There’s no one around,” he says, raising his sword.

  I shake my head in disappointment. “They really sent the weakest demon they could find. Hells, at least the imp annoyed me to the point of using a fraction of my power, but I won’t even have to lift a finger against you.”

  He gives me a toothy smile. “I am more than enough to deal with you, Chosen One.”

  Raising his sword, he readies to slice clean through me. Remain calm. Think of something, anything. One wrong move and I’m dead. As he swings down, an arrow flies in from the shadows behind him. The Demon pivots his swing and cuts down the arrow instead of me. As he turns to me, blood drips down his sword and onto the ground.

  “Would you look at that? You’re both weak and stupid. Did you really think you managed to catch me, The Chosen One, by surprise?” I say as I take a step towards him. “You, the weakest Demon I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Really?”

  Visibly confused, he looks around the street trying to find the shooter. “There’s no way you knew I was coming. I was careful. I waited for the perfect opportunity. You couldn’t have known. No one could have,” he says, with a hint of doubt and something else.

  With a smile, I turn my back towards him and walk over to the gate. “No one? It sure sounds like the forces of evil didn’t send you,” I say, taking a wild guess.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he says, obviously lying.

  “You’ve gone rogue! No wonder you're so weak. Let me guess, the forces of evil wanted to wait until they could get a grasp on how powerful I really am. Does that sound about right?” I say, bullshiting.

  With a hint of surprise, he asks, “How? How did you know?”

  Leaning against the gates, I respond, “The same reason I knew to set this trap. The same reason I purposefully left myself vulnerable. The same reason I won’t have to lift a finger against you. I’m The Chosen One.”

  Fear grips him as his eyes dart around the empty street. “I may have disgraced myself for falling for your trap, but even if it costs me my life, I will at least leave you with a lasting reminder of me. An injury so great that my name will be sung amongst my people for ages to come. Ready yourself, Chosen One! For I, Gryn of house Vryn, will gain my honor-”

  “Or.” I interrupt, hoping he will take the bait.

  “Or?” Gryn says, confused.

  “Or you could walk out of here, right now.”

  “Why would I do that?” Gryn asks, scratching his head in confusion.

  “Simple, really. I want you to send a message to the forces of evil,” I say, trying to buy more time.

  “What message?” Gryn asks, also trying to buy time.

  Taking a deep breath, I ready myself to improvise like my life depends on it. “You can tell them that I, The Chosen One, have grown tired of their machinations and skulduggery. If they wish to test their might against me. I’ll be here waiting, but they should know that whoever they send after me, they shouldn’t expect them back anytime soon.”

  “You dare threaten the forces of evil. Do you have a death wish?” Gryn asks.

  “Do you?”

  Gryn carefully contemplates his decision, and I start to wonder where in the fuck the professors, guards, or anyone really are. I mean come on. I’m over here talking my ass off, trying to buy some time. Did they stop for some food along the way? Did I catch them at a bad time? You would think the capital would have better security than this. Also, did I just threaten the entirety of the forces of evil to a duel? Have I lost my fucking mind? I almost died to an imp! An imp! Now there’s a Demon who looks like he was sculpted out of marble. By the Gods, he is ripped. He could easily tear me apart. The only reason he hasn’t is because he’s dumber than a bag of rocks. Which I’m eternally thankful for.

  With a sigh, I open the gates and begin to walk in.

  “Where are you going?” Gryn asks, menacingly.

  “You’re obviously not taking my offer seriously. I’ll leave you to everybody else,” I say, hoping that he’ll take the offer.

  Angered, he darts forward and goes to stab through me. Not flinching an inch, I watch as the sword stops right at the gate’s border. Gryn's sword sparks against the now visible barrier. Shaking my head, I also see ice starting to form around his blade.

  “Like I told you, Gryn. I knew you were coming,” I say, watching his blade struggle against the barrier.

  Gryn drops his frost-covered blade in fear. He then bolts into the sky at an astonishing speed, fear having finally overtaken reason. I let out a shaky breath the moment he disappears from view.

  That one was close. Oh, thank the Gods. I feel like I’m going to throw up. I was a bit worried there when he went to attack. I didn’t know there was a barrier there. I should pay more attention during class.

  “CJ, you okay?” Hopper asks as he climbs down from a nearby building.

  “Yeah, good shooting, Hopper,” I say quickly, regaining my composure.

  “Thanks. How did you know there was a barrier there?” he asks.

  “You know me. I’m The Chosen One. I know these things,” I [Lie].

  As Hopper nods, Professor Stargazer shows up with a number of guards. Great, show up after the demon disappears. That’s really useful.

  “Thank the Gods, you made it, but worry not, I took care of the problem,” I say, holding back my displeasure.

  “We came as soon as we heard from the guard that Hopper sent. You defeated the Demon?” Professor Stargazer asks with a baffled look.

  “No, I merely scared Gryn away.”

  The Professor goes wide-eyed. “You scared off a Demon by the name of Gryn?!” she asks.

  “That’s what he said his name was,” I hesitantly answer.

  “By the Gods! You scared off The Blitz Demon!”

  “The who, what, now?”

  “The Blitz Demon, also known as Gryn of house Vryn. He is one of the most fearsome Demons in recent history,” she explains.

  “Yeah, I scared him away,” I say, reluctantly.

  “You are truly brave for not killing him and sparing the nearby surroundings from your battle. After all, he is known to hold a grudge,” she says.

  “What?”

  “Yes, he’s known to hold a grudge against those who have bested him in battle, but I’m sure you’ll be fine,” she says.

  “Of course I will.”

  Fuckity fuck.