The Chosen One to Rule Them All Chapter 4
Chapter 4: Instincts Awaken
Rex bolted out of the school building, heart pounding. I have to get away from Regina… He thought, panic twisting in his chest. S-she's some kind of monster. And the way she looked at Miss Auram—like she wanted to tear her apart…
The moment he burst through the front doors, he nearly collided with Ericka, Sheena, Triss, and Lila. Their eyes widened in shock when they saw his bruised, beaten face. "Rex—!" Ericka gasped, reaching out. They all rushed forward, trying to catch him, but Rex was already sprinting past them. He was far too fast in his panic, and within moments, they had no choice but to stop, watching helplessly as he disappeared down the street.
"H— How is he so fast?" Lila panted, hands on her knees. "I thought my legs were going to fall off," she swallowed hard. "Did you see his face? Miss Auram definitely went too far with her punishment. His whole face was beaten and bloodied…" Lila frowned, worry tightening her voice. "I hope he's going to be okay. He might need medical attention.
My… It's a terrible sight to behold," Ericka said softly, guilt twisting her expression. "We should have stood up for him then and there. I'm ashamed—it's a stain on my honor that I wasn't there to protect him. Miss Auram may be mighty, but that doesn't give her the right to lay a hand on him like that." She straightened, anger simmering beneath her words. "I'm sure Mistress Regina has already dealt out some kind of punishment… but Miss Auram's father won't stay silent about this either."
"Indeed," Sheena said, her voice tight with anger. "What Miss Auram did is inexcusable. I can't shake this rage… Part of me wants to take justice into my own hands, no matter how strong she is. But that would only end with someone else beaten and hurt." She exhaled sharply. "For now, we can only trust that the mistress and her father will deliver proper punishment. We should find Mistress Regina and learn what really happened."
"I agree with Sheena," Triss said, uneasiness creeping into her voice. "Our best move is to regroup with Mistress Regina and figure out where Rex is heading. Normally, I enjoy a bit of chaos, but this… this isn't the fun kind. The look on his face wasn't mischief—it was fear and confusion." She shivered slightly. "There's absolutely no reason his face should be bruised and bloody like that."
As if in answer to their worries, Regina came running out of the school. She spotted the girls and rushed over. "Ericka, Sheena, Triss, Lila—have you seen Rex? I've been looking everywhere." She sounded shaken. "I lost my temper after Miss Auram hit him with a paddle, and he saw me partly transformed. He ran off terrified before I could explain." She took a quick breath. "This is a real emergency.
The girls froze in stunned silence before quickly bowing in respect. Lila, as usual, was the first to speak. "Mistress, please—give us your instructions." Regina steadied herself. "Track down Rex by any means necessary. His mind is fragile right now, and he's fighting instincts he's never dealt with before. We need to find him before he gets into trouble. I can't predict what this could do to him."
Ericka stepped forward. "Does that mean we're allowed to partially transform and take to the skies, Mistress?" Regina nodded. "Yes—but stay above the clouds, and only land in alleys or less populated areas together." Not in the mood to deal with those feathered harpies or their meddling god." "Understood, Mistress," Ericka replied. The girls split off in different directions, each hurrying to search for Rex—completely unaware of the trouble that was already beginning to unfold.
Rex POV
Rex sprinted across the campus, only to spot the kid who had mocked him earlier—standing right beside Dirk. They both noticed him immediately. Dirk's friend stepped forward, laughing cruelly. "Well, would you look at that? Miss Auram really did a number on your face. And surprise, surprise—Regina and the rest of your precious belles aren't trailing after you this time. Guess they finally realized what a useless, pathetic mess you are."
Dirk walked over and rested a hand on his friend's shoulder. "What are you talking about, Jax?" Jax snickered. "Oh, you didn't hear, Dirk? This idiot tried to mouth off to Miss Auram, the Algebra II teacher, and the principal's daughter. And as you can see…" He gestured at Rex's bruised face with a mocking grin. "The little shit got put in his place. Hahahahaha."
"Oh, really?" Dirk scoffed. "I guess he'll be too scared to show his face around Regina anymore." His smirk widened. "And those other four girls who hang around him? I might just take their attention for myself." His eyes gleamed with a predatory sort of satisfaction as he spoke.
Jax's little gremlin grin widened. "Oh, that actually sounds like a pretty good plan." Dirk chuckled. "Yeah? Fine by me. Once I'm done putting them in their place and proving who really runs things around here, you can deal with them next if you want." Jax snickered at the idea, clearly enjoying the thought.
Something in Rex snapped. He muttered, "What did you say…?" Dirk cupped a hand to his ear. "What? Didn't catch that. Speak up, piss-for-brains." Rex repeated himself, louder. Dirk snickered. "Hear something, Jax? Wind? Maybe an ant squeaking? Must've imagined it." Rex finally exploded, shouting, "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
Dirk shot Rex an irritated glare. "Oh? So you do have some balls after all. And what exactly are you going to do about it, huh? Regina's not here to save you this time, pissant. Why don't you crawl back into whatever hole you came from and stay away from my—" Rex's body suddenly flared with a dangerous aura, cutting him off. His voice dropped into a deadly calm. "If you value your life… You won't say another word. And you will never go near Regina or the other girls again. Understood?"
Dirk suddenly drove a sucker punch straight into Rex's groin, knocking the breath out of him and dropping him to the ground. Before Rex could recover, both Dirk and Jax were on him, kicking and stomping as he struggled to shield himself. Students nearby glanced over—and instead of helping, they only laughed. "Look how the mighty have fallen," one boy scoffed. "I can't believe I ever thought he was cute," a girl sneered. "What a loser. Guess good looks aren't everything." And then, without warning, Rex released a piercing shriek—so sharp and powerful that the ground itself seemed to tremble.
POV of another Dimension
A woman sat upon a throne with an air of regal dominance, her entire presence radiating power and intimidation. Long chains extending from her arms. Her face is pale and striking, framed by long, flowing black hair that moves like a dark veil around her shoulders. She wears an elaborate, spiked crown that fans outward like jagged horns. The crown incorporates twisting, curved horn-like designs that rise above her head, giving her a demonic or draconic silhouette. A glowing violet gemstone rests at the crown's center, pulsing with ethereal light.
Her eyes are sharp and intense, glowing with a vivid amethyst hue that matches the gems embedded in her armor. High cheekbones and dark lips give her a fierce, commanding expression.
Her armor is a dark, metallic black with intricate organic patterns, almost like interlocking scales or carved obsidian. The chest piece is adorned with a radiant purple gem embedded at the center, radiating light as if it fuels her power. The armor is form-fitting, emphasizing her slender yet dangerous build. Razor-like ridges protrude from her shoulders, curving upward like blades.
Behind her extend a pair of massive, dragon-like wings. They are black on the outside with glowing violet membranes on the inside, giving them an otherworldly, magical aura. The wings curve upward in a powerful arch, framing her figure like a living crest.
She sits on a throne made of the same dark, ridged material as her armor. Coiled at her feet is a dragon, its scales black and violet, its eye glowing with the same purple radiance as hers. The creature appears protective and loyal, emphasizing her dominion over dragons or dark magic.
The woman froze as a shrill shriek echoed in the air, followed by a faint, desperate voice: "Please… someone help me." Her expression twisted with irritation. "He's calling for me. Begging for help—and I'm trapped in these damned chains." She hissed under her breath. "Curse you, Regina. Just one more day, and I'll have my revenge." Her eyes narrowed, voice dropping to a cold whisper. "Soul Reaver hungers… and when I'm free, my blade will have its fill."
Do not worry, my love," she whispered. "Once I break free from these chains, I'll come for you. I'll sweep you away, and we will spend eternity together." But then another voice echoed faintly in her mind—"Regina… Regina… help me…" She clenched her jaw. "That blasted woman again." A long, irritated sigh escaped her. "I must stay calm. The prophecy demands that she remain alive." Her eyes hardened. "Even I, the Lady of Calamity, cannot defy the laws set by prophecy."
She held up a small glass container, inside of which rested two beautiful golden orbs glowing softly. "Well… at least I have this as a consolation prize," she murmured. "I suppose I can tolerate Regina's presence for now. And honestly… considering everything, I probably deserved being sealed down here." A sly smile crept across her face. "Still… I wonder how Rex will react to my grand reveal tomorrow."
With a sharp double clap, a tear in reality opened before her—an expanding portal swirling with crimson light. "Skarethia, Light-Devourer and Queen of the Reds," she called, voice echoing. "I summon you." A moment later, the colossal head of a 650-foot red dragon pushed through the portal. Even at such an immense size, she bowed low, her voice deep yet unmistakably feminine. "Yes, my mistress. How may I serve you?"
"Go ensure the boy's safety, Skarethia," the chained woman commanded. "And prepare your forces. My bindings will fall away tomorrow. Inform the others that the great awakening—our eternal lord's rebirth—is nearly upon us." She paused, eyes narrowing. "And one more thing: stay out of your dragon form and do not kill anyone. Those feathered pests would only use it as an excuse to meddle."
Skarethia lifted her head high and released a thunderous roar that shook the very air, then withdrew through the portal in a single powerful leap—her departure rippling across the dimension like a shockwave—before the rift snapped shut behind her.