" Hey guys let''s beat up one last time. I''m getting bored of this, he doesn''t even have any money to give to us. Fucken poor loser"
The biggest guy in the group came and told him to stand up, his eyes were swollen so he could barely see what was infront of him. As he stood up, though he struggled he looked around him, there were several people surrounding him. Which put him at a disadvantage.
Travis’s vision blurred as the punches landed on his face, each blow carrying a stinging force that resonated through his skull. The taste of blood filled his mouth, and he could feel the warmth trickling down his split lip. Gasping for air, he struggled to rise from his knees, but another kick to the stomach sent waves of searing pain through his entire body, causing him to convulse in agony.
The relentless assault continued, his body absorbing the impact of fists and boots like a punching bag. The sound of his own labored breathing mixed with the sinister laughter of his attackers, creating a disorienting symphony of brutality. Travis’s hands trembled as he tried to shield himself, but the blows kept coming, each one intensifying the throbbing ache that radiated from his battered form.
Crashing into the unforgiving wall, he felt the sharp edges digging into his back, exacerbating the torment. As he struggled to stand, the dim light revealed the disarray of his once composed appearance – torn clothes, bloodied and bruised. The cycle of pain persisted, a relentless dance orchestrated by his assailants, leaving Travis helpless in the merciless onslaught of violence.
Lying on the ground, immobile and broken, Travis''s body bore the weight of the excruciating pain from shattered bones. Every breath sent ripples of agony through him, and he could feel the throbbing ache in every inch of his being. As he lay there, staring at the muted hues of the moon outside, his buffed-up cheek and swollen eyelids testified to the brutality he had endured.
The moonlight, though distant and blurred through his battered vision, offered a small reprieve from the darkness that enveloped him. He strained to appreciate its sight, finding solace in the pale glow that gently touched the edges of his battered form. The contrast between the serenity outside and the chaos within seemed surreal as he lay there, broken and vulnerable, in the aftermath of the relentless assault.
'' Maybe this will kill me. '' he thought.
Right beside him, a brilliant blue light suddenly began to emanate from the wall, casting its intense glow across the entire alleyway. Travis, who had his eyes closed, instinctively opened them as the light caught his attention. Before he could even begin to question its origin, a potent force suddenly gripped him, pulling him irresistibly towards the luminous source. The very next second it vanished.
.....
A few moments later, Travis found himself surrounded by a tight circle of people. His vision was hazy, like looking through frosted glass, but the voices were unmistakable—his classmates. Panic gripped his chest as their indistinct laughter and murmurs grew louder. He stumbled back, his legs trembling, and fell to the cold floor. Bracing for the humiliation of bare skin against the ground, he glanced down and realized, to his relief, that his pants were still on.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
'' At least I''m not in my underwear, '' he thought, clinging to the small mercy.
He rubbed at his eyes, trying desperately to clear his vision, but the fog remained, stubborn and disorienting.
Then, without warning, his vision sharpened as a surge of energy coursed through his body. It was unlike anything he had ever felt—warm, pulsating, and alive. His breathing steadied as the stinging pain of his earlier wounds faded into nothingness. He flexed his fingers, his mind racing.
'' What the hell? Am I going crazy? '' The thought lingered as he slowly rose to his feet, his movements surprisingly fluid and strong.
Glancing around, he realized he had moved without noticing, now standing behind his classmates. His heart pounded, but it wasn’t from fear—it was something else, something raw and unfamiliar.
Before he could fully process what was happening, the air around them shifted, growing dense and oppressive. From the shadows, a colossal figure emerged, his presence filling the space with an overwhelming sense of authority. He towered over everyone, his form exuding an aura that demanded attention.
As he stepped forward, the empty surroundings melted away, transforming into an ornate throne room. Marble pillars stretched toward a ceiling that seemed to glow with its own light, and crimson banners adorned the walls, fluttering in an unseen wind. The giant figure took his place on a grand throne, his every movement deliberate and commanding.
“Welcome, my dear heroes,” the man said, his deep, resonant voice reverberating through the room like a storm. The power in his tone sent shivers down their spines, making their knees weak.
Travis blinked, his confusion deepening. '' Heroes? What is he talking about?''
The man’s piercing gaze swept over the group, as if weighing their very souls. He opened his mouth to speak again, but his words were interrupted by a sharp outburst.
“Yo, where the fuck are we?!” one of the students shouted, stepping forward, his frustration and fear plain on his face.
The man’s eyes snapped to the boy, his gaze sharp enough to cut steel. He tilted his head slightly, his expression a mixture of irritation and amusement. “Well, I was just about to explain that,” he said, his voice dropping an octave, each syllable dripping with authority. “Now, hush.”
The man’s glare bore into the student, and a wave of pure terror washed over him. His bravado melted away as he nodded instinctively, unable to resist the command. The room fell silent, the air thick with tension, as they waited for the man to continue.
“Well, now let me explain,” Zephyros began, his voice carrying a regal calm despite the growing unrest. “I am Zephyros, a deity—or a god, in your common tongue. I summoned you all here because a world is in need of help, you see.” His words echoed through the grand hall, each syllable deliberate and weighted.
Before he could elaborate further, a student stepped forward with defiance written all over her face. She had striking red hair pulled into a high ponytail and an intense, no-nonsense glare. “You do know this is classified as kidnapping, right? You could get arrested for this crap! Which is exactly what I plan on doing—after you take me back home.” She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. “What is this, some dumb reality TV show? You didn’t even ask for my permission!”
Her name was Elara Winters, and her voice carried the sharpness of someone who didn’t tolerate nonsense. She stood tall, facing Zephyros without an ounce of fear, though her knuckles were white from clenching her fists.
Zephyros opened his mouth to respond, but another voice cut through the air.
“Yeah! You better take us back home right now!” The shout came from a broad-shouldered boy with slicked-back hair and an air of entitlement. His name was Darius Kane, and he practically puffed out his chest as he stepped forward. “Do you even know who my father is? I could have you shut down faster than you can say ‘deity.’” He pointed accusingly at Zephyros, his voice dripping with indignation.
The protests grew louder as more students joined in, their voices overlapping in a chaotic chorus of demands. Some called Zephyros a liar, others accused him of staging some elaborate prank. None of them even entertained the idea that this might be real, their disbelief blinding them to the strange energy that lingered in the air.
Except for Travis.
He stood silently at the back of the group, his thoughts swirling. Unlike the others, he couldn’t deny what he had experienced. Just minutes ago, his body had been battered and bruised, his wounds stinging with every movement. Now, he felt stronger than ever, his skin unblemished and whole.
'' Man, can’t they just shut up for once?'' he thought, rubbing the back of his neck as the noise around him escalated.
TO BE CONTINUED