Destiny's Echo

Chapter 2: The Path of a Hunter

The campus was buzzing with excitement following the events of the previous day. Word had spread quickly about Orion's victory over the monstrous creature, and he had become something of a minor celebrity. As he made his way to his class, he could hear people whispering and staring. Some gave him a respectful nod, while others tried to hide sly smiles or awed expressions.

The class itself was a mix of hushed chatter and whispered comments. It was a feeling Orion wasn't quite used to. Sure, he was used to being noticed, but this was different. This was a mixture of awe and respect. No one dared to pick on him or make snarky comments anymore. He spotted his friends, their eyes wide with surprise and admiration.

Orion took his seat, acknowledging the looks and glances with a faint smile. The teacher, Mr. Palmer, entered the class and scanned the room. His gaze lingered on Orion for a little longer than usual, a hint of surprise and respect showing on his stoic face.

The teacher started the class as usual, though he couldn't seem to resist throwing glances at Orion throughout. Orion, sitting at his desk, felt the entire class's gaze on him, even as everyone tried to act normally.

After the first couple of classes, lunch arrived, and Orion, feeling a bit overwhelmed, decided to head outside for some fresh air. As he stepped out into the open, he saw something that made him pause. There was a small group of younger kids, probably from junior high, standing by the edge of the quad. They were laughing and talking amongst themselves when one of them noticed Orion approaching. The kid nudged his friends, and they all turned to look. Their laughter died off, replaced by surprise and awe.

The group of kids stood there, gaping at Orion, their faces a mixture of astonishment and curiosity. One of the kids, a boy with wide eyes and a gap-toothed grin, stepped forward.

"You're... You're the guy who fought that monster, right? The one in the cafeteria!" the kid asked, his voice filled with a mix of awe and excitement.

"How did you...?" Orion wondered who could have told them. One of the other kids, a girl with pigtails, piped up.

"The older kids were talking about it last period. They said you, like, took down that monster all by yourself! With powers and everything!"

"Powers, huh? They must be dreaming." Orion chuckled. Suddenly, The Maker's voice, clear and distinctive, echoed through Orion's mind.

"Orion, I sense something. A strange energy. It's coming from those kids."

"Give me a moment." Orion excused himself and moved out of earshot from the kids.

"They're kids. What do you mean?"

The Maker's voice replied, firm and certain.

"This energy... it's not natural. It's different from those children's usual aura. There's something... foreign about it."

"Is it like the monster?" Orion wondered. Dealing with another monster like the last time was hard enough already, and the thought of having to deal with another had Orion thinking twice about the situation.

"No," The Maker's voice clarified. "It's not as overpowering as a monster. But it's... off, a sort of energy that doesn't quite belong. It seems to be surrounding one of the children, the boy with the gap-toothed grin."

"Gap-toothed boy...? Is it a sinister one?"

"It's not evil in the traditional sense, but it's not good either. It's... manipulative." The Maker's voice warned. "Be cautious around the boy. And tell me if anything... unusual happens."

"Alright." Orion then reapproached to the gap-toothed boy. "Hey, kid."

The gap-toothed boy, who'd been whispering with his friends, turned to Orion with a sly grin.