Love me like this (Supernatural Re-up)

Chapter 5: Shadow of Doom

Leo stood in line for breakfast in the crowded cafeteria, trying to ignore the growing chatter around him. It was only his second week at Pretoria High, and he was still getting used to the routine—early morning classes, intense training sessions, and the overwhelming pressure to fit in among students with such extraordinary abilities. Even though Leo’s telekinesis was developing well, he constantly felt like he was falling behind. Xander’s cold demeanor didn’t help, either. Despite sharing a room, the other boy hadn’t warmed up to him at all, and their interactions were nothing more than terse exchanges or silent stares.

Today, however, something felt off.

The air in the cafeteria seemed thicker, the atmosphere tenser than usual. Conversations were quieter, and students glanced around nervously as though they were waiting for something to happen. Leo grabbed his food and sat with Collie and Carlos, who seemed equally distracted.

"Have you heard anything about what’s going on?" Leo asked, lowering his voice as he poked at his food.

Carlos glanced around before nodding. "Yeah, I overheard some of the teachers talking this morning. Something’s definitely up, but they’re keeping it under wraps for now. Word is, there’s been some kind of attack."

"An attack?" Collie’s voice was a mixture of concern and curiosity. "Where?"

"Not here, but close," Carlos continued. "Somewhere in the north. They say it wasn’t just any regular attack. Whoever’s behind it… is powerful. Like, *really* powerful."

Leo’s heart skipped a beat. There had always been rumors of dangerous individuals with abilities that went beyond even what the strongest students at Pretoria High could muster. But an actual attack? His mind raced with questions, and a knot of unease tightened in his stomach. He didn’t know why, but something told him that this was just the beginning.

Before anyone could say more, a sharp tone rang through the cafeteria, drawing everyone’s attention. It was the school’s public announcement system, and the stern voice of **Headmaster Reynolds** filled the room.

"Attention, students. Due to recent events, we will be holding an emergency assembly in the main hall immediately. Please finish your meals quickly and proceed there in an orderly fashion. This is not a drill."

Leo exchanged worried glances with his friends. An emergency assembly wasn’t something that happened often. In fact, he hadn’t heard of one being called since he arrived.

The students hurried through their meals and filed into the main hall, a grand space with high ceilings and rows of seats that stretched across the room. The walls were adorned with portraits of legendary figures who had once walked the halls of Pretoria High—heroes who had shaped the world with their abilities. As Leo took his seat with Carlos and Collie, he couldn’t help but feel dwarfed by the sheer history and power this place represented.

The tension in the hall was palpable. Every student was on edge, their eyes fixed on the podium where Headmaster Reynolds now stood. His expression was grim, and as he began to speak, the weight of his words fell over the room like a shadow.

"Students, faculty… as many of you may have heard, a great threat has emerged."

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

"Last night, there was an attack on one of the Northern Territories—an area known for housing some of the world’s most powerful guardians. These guardians, who have long been protectors of peace, were overrun by an enemy whose power surpasses anything we have ever faced. An enemy we have only heard whispers of until now."

Leo felt a cold shiver run down his spine. This wasn’t just any threat. This was something far more dangerous.

"The individual responsible for the attack," Headmaster Reynolds continued, "is someone we have long feared but never truly understood. He is known as **Casper**. But to call him merely powerful would be an understatement. He is a Hybrid, a being born with the abilities of both a fallen angel and a phoenix, making him nearly unstoppable."

The hall fell into a stunned silence as students absorbed the information. Casper—a name Leo had heard mentioned in hushed whispers by older students. A figure of legend and fear, said to be more than just a villain. He was destruction incarnate.

"He wields the power of Majestia, a fallen angel, and a phoenix’s rebirth. This means he has the ability to destroy and rise from his ashes. His wings, black as night, cast shadows that smother all light, and his flames burn hotter than any other. His presence alone weakens those who stand against him, and last night, those who tried… failed."

Leo’s mind raced. Fallen angel and phoenix powers? The combination was terrifying. Majestia, the fallen angel, was known in ancient lore as a celestial being who had been cast out of the heavens, her powers twisted by darkness. A phoenix’s abilities were equally legendary—eternal life through death, capable of being reborn from its own ashes, its flames able to incinerate anything in its path.

"Casper’s goal remains unclear, but what we do know is this: he is a threat to all of us. He does not discriminate in his destruction, and he will stop at nothing until he achieves whatever it is he seeks."

Headmaster Reynolds paused, letting the weight of his words settle in. The silence was thick, and Leo could feel his pulse quicken. This wasn’t just another villain. Casper was a force of nature.

"Our heroes, those who have fought to protect us, have already engaged Casper. They are fighting as we speak, but…" The headmaster’s voice faltered for the briefest of moments. "We have lost many of them."

Gasps rippled through the hall. Leo’s heart sank. Heroes—actual heroes, people with abilities far beyond what any of them could comprehend—had fallen. If they couldn’t stop Casper, what chance did anyone have?

"We must remain vigilant," Reynolds continued, his tone grim but determined. "The school’s security has been increased, and we are taking every precaution necessary to ensure your safety. However, we cannot predict where Casper will strike next. You will all be trained extensively in preparation for whatever may come. This is not a time for fear, but for action."

As the assembly came to a close, the students filed out of the hall in a daze, whispers of fear and uncertainty filling the corridors. Leo could barely keep up with the flood of thoughts racing through his mind. Casper, a hybrid with the power to destroy entire cities, had resurfaced. And if the world’s greatest heroes couldn’t stop him, what could they possibly do?

Leo caught up with Carlos and Collie as they made their way back to their dorms. "This is bad," Carlos muttered, his usually lighthearted demeanor replaced with a serious tone. "Really bad."

Collie nodded, her face pale. "I can’t believe he’s real. I always thought Casper was just a legend."

"Me too," Leo added, feeling the weight of the situation settle heavily on his shoulders. "But if he’s this powerful… what can we do?"

"We train," Carlos said, his jaw clenched. "We get stronger. We might not be able to stop him alone, but if we work together, maybe—"

"Maybe what?" a cold voice cut in.

The group turned to see Xander standing a few feet away, his expression as distant and unreadable as ever. He crossed his arms, his dark eyes flicking between them.

"Do you really think we stand a chance against someone like Casper? If the best heroes in the world couldn’t stop him, what makes you think we can?" His words were like ice, sending a chill through the group.

Leo bristled at Xander’s tone. "So what, you’re saying we should just give up? Hide until he wipes us all out?"

Xander’s gaze hardened. "I’m saying we need to be realistic. This isn’t some training exercise. Casper’s on a whole different level. We’re not ready for this."

"And what would you have us do, Xander?" Collie asked, her voice sharp. "Just sit around and wait to be destroyed?"

For a moment, Xander didn’t reply. His expression remained cold, but there was something in his eyes—something dark, something that made Leo’s stomach churn with unease.

"You do whatever you want," Xander finally said, turning away. "Just don’t expect me to play the hero."

As he walked away, the group stood in silence, the weight of his words settling over them. Leo clenched his fists, frustration and fear warring within him. He didn’t understand Xander, but he couldn’t deny that the boy’s words carried a harsh truth. Casper was beyond anything they could face right now.

But giving up wasn’t an option.