Story of Reality: Chaos (Book 1)

Fall of Sorcery - Part 1

Luka's fist crackled with shadow energy as he lunged at Quinn, ready to strike.
"I can't even use magic yet, and you're already trying to take me down?" Quinn complained, assuming a fighting stance. As Luka’s first strike came in, Quinn parried it with surprising precision and countered with his own attack. "I thought you’d know better."

Luka vanished mid-motion, leaving Quinn scanning the area, bracing for an attack. From above, Luka came down with a swift kick, but Quinn sidestepped just in time. "Too slow," he taunted.
From a distance, Charlotte and Mizar watched the exchange unfold.
"You know," Charlotte said, arms crossed as she observed the fight, "I think those two might even surpass us someday."

Mizar smirked, brushing his hair back. "Nah. No one’s stronger than me. I’m going to be the best."
They both laughed, oblivious to the cruel twist fate had in store. In less than an hour, they’d see each other for the final time.
Still, Charlotte meant every word about the boys' potential. And Mizar? His arrogance wasn’t just for show—he genuinely believed it.

“One day, we should take them on. Two versus two,” Mizar proposed suddenly.
Charlotte raised a brow. “What? So I can lose by your side?”
“Exactly! Wait…” His face lit up with an idea. “I’m serious! Two versus two! No magic for us, all magic for them."
Charlotte rolled her eyes. “And what, lose on purpose? Sure, Mizar. Great idea."
“I mean it! Come on! It'll be fun!” he practically begged.
Charlotte hesitated, but the thought stuck in her mind.

Back in the battle, Luka began vanishing and reappearing rapidly, trying to disorient Quinn. Suddenly, he materialised behind him, his shadow-charged fist poised to strike. Quinn spun on instinct, his own fist igniting with fire as he struck Luka’s arm. The impact sent Luka stumbling back, his sleeve scorched where the flames had hit.
"You did it!" Luka shouted, grinning as he raised a hand for a high five.
Quinn hesitated, then returned the high five with a wide smile. “Yeah, but only because you’re here. You’re like the perfect teacher, Luka."

“Hey, you two!” Mizar’s voice boomed across the field.
The boys turned to see Mizar and Charlotte standing in ready stances.
“Try landing a hit on us,” Mizar challenged, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Wait, you want us to fight you?” Luka froze, wide-eyed.
“We won’t use magic,” Mizar clarified, though he looked less than thrilled by the limitation.
“Yeah, no magic,” Charlotte added, her tone flat but determined.
Luka hesitated, then nodded. “Fine.” He charged forward, but as he blinked, both Mizar and Charlotte vanished.

“What—?” Luka skidded to a halt, searching frantically.
Quinn’s fists reignited with fire. “Didn’t they say no magic?”
“It’s not magic,” Charlotte’s voice called out. In a blur, she appeared beside Quinn and landed a punch to his stomach before he could react. As Quinn staggered, Luka tried to intervene, spinning to launch a bolt of electricity at her.

Charlotte’s eyes widened as the bolt struck, forcing her to release Quinn and stumble back.
“You take her,” Luka instructed, already shifting his focus. “I’ve got Mizar."
“Why do I get the strong one?” Quinn groaned.

Charlotte smirked, dashing toward him. “If you told Mizar you thought I was stronger, he’d probably combust,” she joked.
Quinn responded with two fireballs, but Charlotte slid under them with ease, using her momentum to spring up and knee him to the ground.

Meanwhile, Luka and Mizar vanished, their superhuman movements too quick to follow. They reappeared mid-air, Luka firing a shadow blast that Mizar narrowly dodged. Grabbing Luka mid-motion, Mizar tackled him to the ground.
“Stop using shadows to run, I’m begging you,” Mizar complained as they tumbled, coming to a halt.
“Nah,” Luka retorted, kicking Mizar off and springing to his feet. “WE WILL WIN!”