Chapter 3
A few weeks after academy started up from summer, there was a ball coming up, which Nicolas was forced by his parents to attend to, but he had been spending time which Kiona and had been developing more feelings for her, but he knew couldn't ask her out, he just couldn't, he didn't have the guts. "Hey bro, you good? I haven't seen you around a lot, you bringing anyone to the ball tonight?" Sabian asked. "No Sabian, but yeah, I'm alright, just been under a bit of stress at home.." He told him quietly. His friend continued, "Well, people have been saying you've been hanging out with that new girl lately, have you? If you are, then I'm confused, cause I'm not gonna lie dude, but she's kinda a freak.." "WHAT did you just say??" Nicolas suddenly demanded. "Aye, I'm just being honest, Nick, Viola is a bit weird.." Sabian told him. "Her name is Kiona.." He murmured. "What?" Sabian asked. "Nothing! Just, ugh, just leave me alone, I'll talk to ya later." Nicolas groaned. His friend was a little worried, but he did what he asked. Later that evening, Prince Nicolas showed up looking very dapper, even though he hated suits with a burning passion more than anything, with Kiona at his side. There were whispers all around the ballroom when the couple was noticed. "Are you sure this was a good idea? What about your reputation?" Kiona asked him. "I really don't care about my reputation." Nicolas assured. "Because all of it is a lie..." He thought sadly. "It's just.. We're going as friends.. Right?" She stammered. He nodded. "Well.. I'm not... exactly.. into.." Kiona stuttered. But before she could finish her sentence, a sudden chill burst through the ballroom. Next thing they knew, evil corrupted shadow monsters came pouring in from the door, roaring in their eternal fury. Many of the students panicked, but not Nicolas, at least, not out loud. "Darklings.." He whispered. In that moment, a light pierced from his chest, part of him beginning to change. His eyes went from green to lavender, and his arms became marked by constellations, the Zodiac Signs, 6 up each arm, like ancient runes. The monsters froze, shocked at the sight of Nicolas. With the flick of a wrist, he sent a celestial wave of holy starlight straight towards the beasts, vanquishing them in seconds. Kiona was surprised that he did that, she walked up to him as the black runes disappeared, the amethyst being replaced by their original emerald. "Nicolas? What are you?" She asked. That's when he realized what he had done, he sprinted to the bathroom, holding back tears of shock. Nicolas stopped in front of the mirror again, looking at himself, though the lilac had still claimed his left eye. "No.. This can't be possible.. I.." He whispered, "I didn't know I could change back..." Back at home, in the palace, he was being scolded by his "parents", the king and queen. "Why did you do that?! You haven't made any moves since we adopted you 8 years ago! And now you cause a scene in front of your entire school?!" The King shouted. "I didn't mean to.. I didn't know what I was doing.." Nicolas said. "Enough with your excuses! What would happen the next time you expose yourself? You would put our reputation in jeopardy for raising a.. a monster!" The Queen argued. The Prince flinched. "Go to your quarters, I don't want to see you for the rest of the night." The Queen ordered. Nicolas sadly nodded and obeyed. In his room, he picked up his journal, writing, "I don't know what's happening to me.. But I think that soon, I will break free from my prison.." TO BE CONTINUED..