ECHOES OF DESTINY

Episode 2 ENCOUNTERS BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

EARTH
Emma and Aria stepped out of the school, the usual bustle of students dissipating as they made their way towards the exit.

"Is it really necessary to attend?" Emma mused aloud, her brow furrowed with uncertainty. "I mean, I'm not the original Emma. Do I really need to be here?"

Aria glanced at her, understanding evident in her eyes. "If you don't attend, everyone will start to question you. Besides, what's wrong with our school that you can't handle?"

Emma sighed, frustration evident in her voice. "It's just so mundane. There's no talk of magic, no training sessions. All they do is teach math, history, and all those other boring subjects. And what's up with the teachers? Since when did Professor White become so friendly, and Professor Lily so sweet?"

Aria chuckled softly. "They've always been like that."

Emma raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "But in our world, they were the strictest teachers around."

As they conversed, Emma's attention was drawn to a figure up ahead. Though she couldn't see his face clearly, something about him felt familiar, stirring a sense of recognition within her.

"Hey, Aria, do you see that boy?" Emma whispered, her curiosity piqued. "I think I know him. Let's follow him."

Aria glanced in the direction Emma indicated, then back at her friend. "Why?" she questioned, a hint of skepticism in her voice.

"Trust me," Emma replied simply, determination flashing in her eyes.

Without waiting for a response, she started to follow the mysterious figure, her footsteps silent against the pavement. Aria hesitated for a moment before falling into step beside her.

They trailed the boy as he left the school grounds and entered a quiet street named Willow Lane. The sparse crowd gave them plenty of cover as they followed discreetly.

The boy eventually stopped in front of a small, one-story building, his posture relaxed yet alert. He turned slightly, his gaze locking onto Emma with unnerving precision.

"I know you're following me, Emma," he stated calmly, his voice carrying across the empty street.

Emma froze, her heart pounding in her chest as she exchanged a startled glance with Aria. They emerged from their hiding place, their apprehension palpable. The boy turns around.

"You... you're..." Emma stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

The boy smirked knowingly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Yes, it's me. Well I guess you don't know but, I have a unique ability. I can be in two places at once. There's no parallel version of me."

Emma felt a surge of disbelief wash over her, her mind struggling to process this revelation. Aria watched on in silent astonishment, her eyes wide with wonder.

In a hushed tone, she leaned towards Emma, her words barely audible. "Who is he? I've never seen him at our school before."

Emma swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. "He... he's Ethan... the boy... locked in... locked in the tower."

Ethan's expression softened slightly, a flicker of something akin to empathy crossing his features. "Surprised, aren't you? But there's much you don't know about me."
"Why are you here?" she questioned, her voice trembling with uncertainty as she sought answers from the enigmatic boy before her.

Ethan's eyes met hers, a mixture of determination and vulnerability shimmering within their depths. "You said you would help me. So here I am," he replied, his voice steady despite the weight of their conversation.