"Sometimes, the most powerful storms begin with a quiet breeze."
A School Like Any Other
Morning light slipped through the windows of Arivaan High.
Teachers carried chalk and registers.
Students yawned, leaned over notebooks, rushed through late homework.
Nothing felt divine. Nothing hinted at destiny.
But the Soulbounds walked these halls — unknowingly divine beneath school uniforms and shy smiles.
Ameira's Calm
Ameira walked to school with headphones in, humming. Her bag bounced gently as she walked past the old temple on the corner, offering her usual folded hands.
She didn't know why, but the breeze always followed her. The trees around her swayed slightly even when the rest of the street stood still.
At lunch, she ate under her favorite tree and watched the sunlight filter through the leaves.
The others often asked why she looked so peaceful.
She didn't know how to answer.
She felt… watched, but not in a bad way. Like something ancient had curled beside her and simply rested.
Rudren's Restlessness
Rudren sat in the last row, head down, fingers twitching as though his body was wired with tension.
When the bell rang, he darted from class to class. Always quick. Always tired.
One day, the tube light above his seat flickered wildly.
Another day, his notebook burned slightly at the edges — no one saw. He closed it fast.
He didn't say anything.
Didn't want to explain that sometimes he heard thunder when there wasn't any.
Vikran's Balance
Vikran walked quietly, as always.
He cleaned the class board after everyone left.
He helped a girl pick up spilled notes in the hallway.
He didn't laugh loudly, but he listened when others did.
When Rudren snapped at a junior during gym, it was Vikran who calmed him.
When Ameira got a cut on her palm, Vikran pulled a cloth from his bag, already folded and clean.
"Thanks," she said.
He nodded. "You're welcome."
He never talked about himself.
But inside… something listened.
Unknown Tensions
The dragons' souls stirred faintly. Still hidden. Still silent.
They did not want to interfere yet.
But they could feel it.
Their Soulbounds were growing closer.
Talking more. Laughing more.
Each interaction created small ripples in their aura — enough to make the souls take notice.
Still, there was no communication.
Only observation.
Later That Day
After school, Ameira and Vikran walked home together.
"Rudren didn't come with us?" she asked.
"He said he had work."
"Does he ever… feel different to you?"
Vikran paused. "Different how?"
"I don't know. Sometimes when he's around, the air feels… heavy."
Vikran smiled faintly. "That's just Rudren. Always stormy."
Ameira laughed. "And you're always too calm."
They stopped outside her gate.
"You're different too, you know," she said.
Vikran didn't respond.
Because part of him already knew.
Closing Scene
Far above the sky, two spectral beings drifted across the moon's curve — the White and Black Dragons.
They no longer looked down with pride. Or anger.
Only anticipation.
Soon, their Soulbounds would begin to notice.
The first signs were already blooming — in glances, dreams, flickers of strange energy.
But none of them were ready yet.
None of them understood…
The fire hadn't started.
But the world was quietly gathering fuel.
To be continued