Kevin paused for a moment, his chest rising and falling as he took in slow, deliberate breaths. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, mingling with the strands of his reddish-dark shade of orange sunset hair. With a quick swipe of his hand, he wiped away the perspiration, causing a few raindrops to scatter from his head and plop onto the floor. His head sank into the soft embrace of a white pillow, its gentle support offering a momentary respite.
A sigh of relief escaped Kevin's lips as the intense workout competition between the young girl and little boy finally came to an end. Now, he could finally allow himself a deeper, more restful breath. He turned his head to the left, his gaze landing on the empty, neatly made bed beside his own disheveled one. Just beside the window, bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun, two pictures caught his attention. The sunlight seeped through the partially opened blinds, casting a soothing, golden glow into the room.
One of the pictures captured Kevin and Karlin in their younger years, radiating happiness and a sense of accomplishment. They had achieved a modest rank in their training academy, and the photo immortalized their celebration. Arms crossed and sporting smug expressions, they stood amidst a floor filled with fellow students. Some wore looks of defeat, but even they couldn't help but feel happy for Kevin and Karlin. New faces in the crowd bore witness to their success, promising to strive for the same achievements in due time. Laughter and the clinking of treats filled the air as their friends celebrated alongside them. The camaraderie was evident, and even the teachers and staff, who had chased them earlier, couldn't help but join in the mirth. Kevin's body groaned in protest, reminding him of the toll the competition had taken on him. The pain subsided somewhat, but a dull ache still lingered, reminding him of his exertions.
As Kevin's gaze fell upon another picture, his brows furrowed, and a frown formed on his face. It depicted him and Karlin in a fierce battle during their final class in the Warrior rank. The smirks on their faces revealed a deep-seated rivalry, fueled by the desire to outdo one another. Trophies stood as testaments to their competitiveness, symbols of their unyielding drive. Kevin blinked, his expression clouded with confusion.
"Karlin, my brother," he murmured, his voice filled with pain. "What happened to us? We were once enemies, but we loved each other like brothers. What went wrong? Why can't I remember?"
Kevin shifted his gaze downward, his eyes tracing the contours of his hands. He marveled at the fact that he could still move them, albeit with some difficulty. As he observed, the red velvet covers, which he had been clutching tightly, rustled and created wrinkles resembling earthquake tremors. He gingerly removed his hands, clad in heavy-duty, blackened gray gloves that bore the marks of wear and tear. They were a stark contrast to the rest of his appearance, hinting at a hidden strength within. The sensation of a light crash and a spark of electricity accompanied the removal of his gloves, revealing a broken, delicate trinket strapped to his right wrist.
It was a watch of exceptional craftsmanship, an exquisite piece that exuded elegance and sophistication. Its round face, encased in polished stainless steel, shimmered under the soft, ambient lighting of the room. Delicate engravings adorned the bezel, adding an artistic touch to the watch's design.
The dial captivated Kevin with its mesmerizing blend of opulence and practicality. Once a midnight green backdrop, it now lay destroyed, caved in and wounded. The constellation of shimmering silver hour markers had shattered into fragments, crunching under the movement of the damaged mechanism. Kevin's distress grew as he witnessed the erratic movements of the slender hour and minute hands, their grace replaced by a drunken stumble across the dial. The slender second hand, resembling a limp noodle, had snapped in half, rendering it useless.
Beneath a layer of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, the dial housed additional features that had once added to the watch's allure. Luminescent markers and hands, which emitted a gentle, ethereal glow in low-light conditions, now ceased to function, transforming the timepiece into a mere trinket.
From outside his dorm room, several hundred feet away, Kevin heard the frustrated grunts of a girl. Metal clanged and clattered, followed by the sound of someone falling. It seemed as though she was attempting to summon her inner power, training relentlessly to harness her magic and achieve success. The crackling of magic gone awry reached Kevin's ears, accompanied by a startled squeal. Determined, the girl picked herself up, her determination evident as she prepared to try again. Kevin blinked, taking a few deep breaths. He resolved to leave hismessy bed and make his way out of the dorm room, careful not to move too much, in order to offer assistance to whoever the girl might be.