Zack strolled through Waterloo Park, laden with plastic bags full of colorful junk food he''d just purchased from Valu-mart. The sun reflected off the small lake, casting shimmering ripples across its surface. It was a peaceful afternoon, the kind that made one feel as though nothing could go wrong. However, Zack couldn''t shake the nagging feeling in the back of his mind – the sense that someone was watching him.


    "Probably just being paranoid," he muttered to himself, frowning as he scanned the landscape for any signs of danger. He suddenly realized the lack of people in the park, weird, he thought.


    His vessel abilities allowed him to perceive more than the average person, but even with this heightened awareness, he couldn''t pinpoint the source of his unease. He continued walking, trying to focus on the crunch of leaves beneath his feet and the distant laughter of children playing.


    Suddenly, a masked figure clad in black burst from the tree line, charging straight toward Zack. His heart raced as adrenaline surged through his veins. Without thinking, he launched the groceries at his attacker, cans of soda and bags of chips flying through the air like deadly projectiles.


    "Who are you?" Zack shouted, his voice laced with fear and anger. "What do you want?"The figure dodged his improvised weaponry, closing in on Zack with supernatural speed. In an instant, they had him pinned against the chain link fence surrounding the small park zoo, the startled whinnies of ponies echoing through the air.


    "Let me go!" Zack snarled, struggling against the iron grip of his assailant. But despite his best efforts, he couldn''t break free.


    "Zack, calm down," the masked figure whispered, their voice strangely familiar. They removed the mask, revealing the face of Ethel, her dark eyes full of concern.


    "Ethel!" Zack gasped, equal parts relieved and bewildered. "What the hell are you doing?"


    "Testing you," she replied, her tone matter-of-fact. "You need to be prepared for anything."


    "By attacking me in broad daylight?" Zack snapped, his anger flaring. He could feel the demon within him stirring, eager to lash out at the perceived threat. It took everything he had to control it, his eyes flickering as he took deep breaths.


    "Exactly," Ethel said, releasing her grip on him. "You can''t let your guard down, not even for a moment. Especially with Gluttony still out there. Do you really think a sin would care about the time of day?" The police had blamed the black bear for the previous attacks and lifted the curfew, they said the bear showed signs of rabbies, but the truth was Gluttony was still out there planning their next move.


    Zack took another deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He knew Ethel was right, but the fear and adrenaline still coursed through his veins, making it difficult to think rationally.


    "Okay," he said finally, his voice steadier than before. "I get it. But next time, maybe give me a heads up?"


    Ethel smirked, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Where would be the fun in that?"


    Zack rolled his eyes, though he couldn''t suppress a small smile. Despite her unconventional methods, he knew Ethel was only trying to help him gain control over his powers – and perhaps more importantly, the darkness growing inside him. And for that, he was grateful.


    Ethel knelt down and began to pick up the scattered groceries, her nimble fingers collecting the colorful packages of junk food. Zack joined her, a mix of embarrassment and annoyance fueling his movements.


    "Here," Ethel said, handing him a bag of chips. "You''ll need your energy for our next round of training."


    "Training?" Zack echoed, snatching the bag from her grasp. "You mean we aren''t done for the day? Are you just going to start randomly attacking me any time you feel like it?"


    "Exactly," Ethel replied, her voice firm but not unkind. "I need to see how you react in a real-life situation. And you did well, considering."


    "Considering?" Zack couldn''t help but feel a surge of annoyance at her assessment. He had defended himself as best he could, after all.


    "Considering the fact you didn''t use any of your vessel abilities. You know it is possible to use them without glowing eyes and claws. That comes with full control and that true control comes through anger," she clarified, her dark eyes meeting his. "You must learn to harness it, to use it to fuel your powers without letting it consume you."


    Zack frowned, mulling over her words as they continued to gather the discarded snacks. He knew she was right – every time he let his emotions get the better of him, he found it harder and harder to control his abilities. But the thought of embracing his anger, of welcoming it, frightened him more than anything else.


    "Okay," he conceded, stuffing the last of the groceries into his bag. "I''ll try."


    "Good," Ethel said, rising to her feet. "Now, there''s one more reminder I have to tell you before you go."


    "What''s that?" Zack asked, hoisting the bag onto his shoulder.


    "Stay away from Deb," Ethel warned, her gaze suddenly intense. "She''s a distraction, and distractions are dangerous. You need to focus on gaining control of your powers, and you don''t have time for a date with Gluttony out there, it just gives them a target they can use to get to you. Not to mention she is surrounded by two dozen highly trained exorcists on her campus."


    Zack swallowed hard, the thought of avoiding Deb like a punch to the gut. He knew Ethel spoke from experience; she had seen firsthand what happened when vessels were caught by exorcists. But he also couldn''t deny the connection he felt with Deb, the way she seemed to understand him in ways no one else ever had.


    "Alright," he said finally, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I can do that."


    "Good," Ethel replied, her expression softening. "I know it won''t be easy, but it''s for the best." With that, she turned and disappeared back into the trees, leaving Zack alone with his thoughts. As he trudged back toward campus, the weight of his promise heavy on his chest, he couldn''t help but feel guilty for lying to Ethel.


    Zack''s footsteps echoed through the empty streets as he walked back to campus, his resolve wavering with each step. The evening air whispered around him, he hadn''t noticed how much time he spent gathering his groceries before. The afternoon had slipped away from him and now he hoped he wasn''t running late, his mind wandering to thoughts of Deb.


    His phone buzzed in his pocket, startling him out of his thoughts. Fishing it out, he saw a text from Deb: "Just finished my lab report. When can I expect you?"


    He hesitated, torn between his promise to Ethel and the desire to see Deb. He knew it was dangerous to be around her, but she was a real connection, something he hadn''t been able to have since he was changed. The memory of her warm smile and gentle touch was too much to resist, and he found himself texting back, "Almost there."


    As Zack approached Deb''s residence building, his heart raced with anticipation and a little guilt. He knew that Ethel had warned him for a reason, but at that moment, all he wanted was to be with Deb. She let him in, a soft smile playing on her lips.


    "Hey," she said, ushering him inside. "I''m glad you could make it."


    "Me too," Zack replied, trying to keep his voice steady.


    As they walked back to her room, Deb noticed the bags of snacks he was carrying. "Wow, you went all out," she teased, her eyes twinkling. "You didn''t have to buy so much."


    Zack shrugged sheepishly. "I didn''t know what kind you liked, so I thought I''d get a little bit of everything."


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    "Starbursts are my favorite," she said with a grin. "But don''t worry, I''ll help you eat all of these, too."


    Inside her room, the scent of her perfume hung in the air like an intimate secret. Zack''s pulse quickened, and he could feel his heart pumping within him, eager to be close to Deb. He tried to push the sensation away, but it was like trying to hold back a tidal wave, the need to be near her overwhelming his self-control.


    "Deb," he began, his voice strained. "I–"


    "Shh," she whispered, pressing a finger to his lips. "Don''t worry about it. Let''s just enjoy our time together."


    As they sat down on her bed, surrounded by an array of colorful snacks, Zack knew he should have listened to Ethel. It was becoming clear that his excitement was allowing his power to go unchecked. But as he looked into Deb''s eyes and saw the trust and affection that shimmered there, he couldn''t bring himself to care. For now, at least, he could pretend that everything was normal – that he was just an ordinary college student, spending time with the girl he loved.


    The moment they touched, Zack found himself pulled into a passionate embrace by Deb, her warm lips pressing eagerly against his. He responded in kind, the taste of her mouth an intoxicating elixir that made him momentarily forget everything else.


    Their hands roamed each other''s bodies, setting nerve endings alight with desire. The heat between them was undeniable, and Zack felt as if he were drowning in it. Abruptly, Deb broke their kiss to yank off his shirt, leaving him bare-chested and vulnerable. Her eyes drank in the sight of him as she traced a fingertip along the contour of his chest.


    "Deb," Zack whispered, heart racing with a mixture of excitement and worry, he had never done this before, "I don''t know if we should–"


    But before he could finish his sentence, there came a sudden knock at the door, like the sound of doom approaching. Panic flared in Deb''s eyes, and she shoved Zack towards her closet, hissing, "Hide! Quickly!"


    With no time to argue, Zack stumbled into the dark space, the scent of Deb''s clothes surrounding him like a cocoon. He pressed himself against the wall, trying to calm his breathing as he listened intently to the scene unfolding outside.


    "Deb? It''s Abby. Can I come in?" Abby''s voice carried through the door, deceptively sweet and innocent.


    "Uh, yeah, just a second!" Deb called out, her voice trembling ever so slightly. Zack heard her take a deep breath, then the door creaked open.


    "Hey, Abby," Deb greeted her friend, attempting to sound casual. "What brings you here?"


    "Nothing much, just thought I''d stop by and see what you''re up to." Abby stepped into the room, her footsteps soft on the carpet. "My goodness, what''s with all the snacks?"


    "Um, I''m just... studying their nutritional information for my nutrition class assignment," Deb lied smoothly. Zack could picture her nervously tugging at her short black hair as she tried to look convincing.


    "Really?" Abby asked, sounding intrigued rather than suspicious. "That''s an interesting project. How''s it going?"


    "Pretty well, actually," Deb replied, relief palpable in her voice. "It''s fascinating to see how many carbohydrates some of these things have."


    "Is it? Speaking of assignments," Abby said, shifting the conversation as she took a seat on Deb''s bed, "did you ever look up the history of that ring I gave you for your birthday?" Her hazel eyes sparkled with curiosity.


    "Ah, yes." Deb hesitated, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the outline of the mysterious ring on her finger. The cool metal seemed to hum with energy beneath her touch. "I tried to find some solid information, but I mostly came across an old tale about farmers who lived in Japan centuries ago."


    Abby leaned forward, her interest piqued. "Go on."


    "Well," Deb continued, her voice taking on the tone of a storyteller, "the legend says that a young couple was tormented by a youkai - a supernatural creature - who wanted their firstborn child. When the child was born, the youkai came to collect her while the father was out in the fields. The mother did all she could but died protecting her newborn daughter from the youkai."


    A somber silence filled the room as Deb recounted the tragic tale. She could feel Zack''s presence in the closet, and all she wanted was Abby out of her room so she continued.


    "Seeing this," Deb went on, "the moon cried a single tear, creating the blood moonstone. The father used a piece of the stone to seal away the youkai forever. He then made the rest of the stone into a ring and gifted it to his daughter for protection."


    "Wow," Abby breathed, clearly enthralled. "That''s incredible."


    Deb shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. "It''s just a fairy tale, though. Nothing more than a fanciful story passed down through generations."


    Abby looked disappointed, her excitement deflating like a punctured balloon. "I suppose so, but it''s still fascinating. Some would fairytales stem from truths we just couldn''t explain at the time."


    As she got up from the bed, Abby paused, a sudden idea crossing her mind. She turned back to Deb with a determined expression. "You should read Shoku Nihongi, an old Japanese history book. I have a feeling you''ll find it very enlightening."


    "Shoku Nihongi?" Deb echoed, making a mental note of the title. "I''ll look into it. Thanks, Abby."


    "Of course," Abby replied, her eyes betraying her happy-go-lucky attitude. "Happy reading!" With that, she left Deb''s room, closing the door behind her.


    As soon as Abby was gone, Deb allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief. The thought of Zack hiding in her closet, listening to this conversation about a mysterious ring that was tied to a family legend, made her cheeks beet red with embarrassment. Why was Abby so weird and always finding the worst moments to have these chats?


    No sooner had the door clicked shut than Zack stumbled out of Deb''s closet, his heart pounding with both fear and exhilaration. He quickly retrieved his shirt from beneath her bed and pulled it over his head, feeling the lingering warmth of their earlier embrace. He had time to calm down while in the closet and the Abby encounter reminded him just how dangerous the campus was.


    "Sorry about that," Deb murmured, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and lingering desire. "Abby just showed up out of nowhere."


    "It''s okay," Zack reassured her, brushing her hair back behind her ear with a gentle touch. "I should probably get going anyway. I have early morning practice tomorrow."


    Deb looked disappointed but nodded in understanding. She stepped closer to him, her eyes locked on his as she pressed her lips against his in a tender kiss. It was a bittersweet farewell for Zack, tinged with the knowledge that their stolen moments together were becoming more dangerous by the day.


    "I am just glad I don''t have to worry about you walking alone at night anymore, now that the bear is dead" Deb whispered as they pulled apart. Her concern for him was evident in her gaze, and it only made the goodbye that much harder.


    "Me too," he said knowing no bear was responsible for the killings, giving her one last lingering look before slipping out of her residence building and into the night.


    As Zack walked towards his own residence, the air seemed to thicken around him, filling with an oppressive weight that made it hard to breathe. His senses prickled with awareness, that familiar darkness was calling to him. When he turned, his eyes fell upon Gluttony, the sinister figure emerging from the shadows behind a stand of birch trees.


    "Ah, Zack, my wayward vessel," Gluttony drawled, Their voice like ice scraping against stone. "It''s time for you to fall in line and join my covenant."


    "Never," Zack spat, his hands balling into fists at his sides, his eyes flickering with a pink hue. His whole body screamed for him to walk over to Gluttony and join him, "You''re a murderer! I''ll never become like you."


    "Such defiance," Gluttony hissed, his eyes narrowing to slits. "You should know that lone vessels don''t last long in this world, and I won''t need you if I create more."


    With those ominous words, Gluttony vanished into the darkness, leaving behind a strange symbol burned into the trunk of a nearby tree. Zack could feel his pulse returning to normal and Gluttony''s call releasing him. As he came back to his senses, Zack quickly snapped a photo with his phone and sent it to Ethel, hoping she could shed some light on its meaning.


    "Any idea what this is?" he texted her, watching as the message was marked as read. But a response never came, leaving him with a gnawing sense of unease as he returned to his dorm.


    As he lay in bed, sleep eluding him, Zack couldn''t shake the feeling that something terrible was looming on the horizon. With a heavy heart, he finally drifted off into a fitful sleep.


    The sound of sneakers squeaking on the polished gym floor filled the air as Zack and his teammates darted back and forth during basketball practice. He noticed that Rob, usually a reliable partner, seemed to be avoiding him, passing the ball to others instead. Sweat dripped down Zack''s forehead, mingling with the unease settling in his chest. Something was off, and he couldn''t shake the feeling that it had something to do with him.


    As Rob went to sit on the bench, grabbing a water bottle and gulping down a much-needed drink, Zack seized the opportunity to follow him. He approached cautiously, trying not to startle his friend.


    "Hey, Rob," Zack began, his voice tinged with concern. "What''s going on? You''ve been kind of distant all week."


    Rob set his water bottle down, his gaze focused on the floor. It took a moment for him to answer, the silence heavy between them. "I''m just... I''m mad at you, Zack," he admitted, glancing up to meet Zack''s eyes. "You didn''t protect Lindsey at Deb''s party, and we both know you have the ability to. I know she''s okay now, but it could have been so much worse."


    Zack winced, guilt gnawing at him. "I''m sorry, Rob. I just don''t have full control of telekinesis when I am in human mode."


    "And what about when I texted you?" Rob continued, frustration evident in his tone. "I needed your help deciding if I should delete that evidence of Gluttony, and you just ignored me!"


    "Look, I messed up," Zack conceded, running a hand through his sweat-soaked hair. "But I promise you, deleting the photo was the right call."


    Wanting to lighten the mood, Zack leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. "You won''t believe this, but Gluttony confronted me last night."


    Rob looked shocked "And they didn''t try to kill you?"


    "No I think they want me to join them, they called it a covenant," He pulled out his phone, showing Rob the strange symbol etched into the tree trunk. "They left this behind. Any idea what it means?"


    Rob''s eyes widened as he stared at the cryptic symbol, his earlier anger momentarily forgotten. He pulled out his own phone, his fingers flying across the screen as he began to search for information. The mystery had piqued his interest, and Zack couldn''t help but feel a sense of relief. At least now, they could focus on something other than their strained friendship.