1 Prologue

--- Three years ago- --

Arya circled her opponent with careful steps, her eyes locked in an unblinking stare. She knew the deceit hiding behind her opponent's eyes well. Letting her guard down even for a moment could mean a defeat too bitter to swallow. There was too much at stake—her dignity, her pride.

"What's the matter, princess? You're putting me to sleep here," Imani's taunt came with a playful edge in her voice. "At this point, it's like you're channeling your inner Zen master with this 'Fighting Without Fighting' routine." Imani taunted, laughing at her own joke.

Arya ignored the obvious bait and remained focused. Imani enjoyed provoking her opponents, aiming to break their concentration and exploit their foolish errors. Since Imani was more endurant and her moves were always unpredictable, Arya decided to go for a 'one strike, one kill' approach. She took a deep breath and relaxed her stance.

"Are you admitting defeat?" Imani taunted. "If so, let's go back. I can't wait to see you try on the outfit!"

"Never! I'm not wearing that... that thing!"

Imani gasped dramatically, "A thing! Did you hear that Winda?"

She turned to their bored looking spectator in the training room, "She called my birthday gift a thing! You know, if I didn't know any better, I would think that she actually hated my gift."

"She did." Winds deadpanned.

"It's a full-body SpongeBob onesie!" Arya exclaimed.

"And?" Imani asked.

"Bright yellow, with the pants and socks printed on it." Arya replied through gritted teeth.

"It's cute! And who doesn't like SpongeBob?"

Arya answered her by discharging the electricity she had accumulated in her hands while talking to her. Bolts of lightning crackled and surged from her fingertips, the intensity of her power apparent. Imani's eyes widened as realizing that Arya was done playing around.

"I see you're getting better at electric discharge. Zola will be pleased," Imani chuckled. "But at this rate, you'll lose our deal."

Imani quickly dodged as Arya sent lightning bolts her way, leaving charred spots where she had stood. She looked around for Arya and found her dashing around the room in different directions with her enhanced speed. The girl was moving so fast that Imani was having a hard time keeping up and it made her feel dizzy.

From the sidelines, Winda touched her hair, which stood on end due to the static in the air. She clucked her tongue, cursing Imani under her breath. That fool always liked to taunt the princess, well aware that she'd never back down from a challenge.

"What are you doing?PFF! You look like a confused squirrel. How cute!"

"I'll show you cute!"

Arya accelerated, moving even faster, and leaping from wall to floor to ceiling in a blur of motion. Imani stopped trying to see her and waited in a relaxed stance. Arya wasn't fooled. She knew Imani was deliberately creating an opening for her strike so she could counterattack. But she had to attack anyway and hope that her speed and electrical power would be enough to knock Imani down.

"Princess, could you hurry up? The All Vegan's all-you-can-eat buffet is about to start. I can't afford to be late," Imani sighed wistfully.

Annoyed, Arya leapt from the ground to the ceiling, her body engulfed in a dazzling display of electrical power. The room transformed into a daylight-like brightness, crackling with electrifying energy. Utilizing the momentum from her jump, Arya charged toward Imani with lightning speed, crashing to the ground with a thunderous impact.

Winda, who had retreated from the room to avoid becoming collateral damage, peeked back in to witness the outcome of the match and laughed despite herself. Arya lay sprawled in a heap on the floor, with Imani holding her in a chokehold.

"I give! I give!" Arya chocked out.

"Ha! I won! Now you need to keep your promise, princess." Imani exclaimed, releasing Arya and helping her to her feet.

"Fine! I'll wear your damn onesie! Happy now?"

"Yes! I can die with no regrets now." Imani said as she wiped fake tears from her eyes.

"How did this happen?" Winda asked as she joined them. "You were doing so well princess, I thought you'd stand a chance this time."

Arya scowled at both of her guards, her voice frigid. "Weren't you supposed to go to All Vegan? What are you waiting for?"

"Spit! That's right! We need to go." Imani said, running out the door and dragging a protesting Winda with her. "You have to wear it, okay? I'll come check later."

Arya rolled her eyes and sighed in exasperation. Thinking about her loss, she couldn't help but feel a little frustrated. Out of her four guards, Imani was the weakest and least experienced. Arya had trained diligently, investing effort every day to become the best she could be. And yet, here she was, unable to defeat Imani. It felt like a complete waste of effort.

Sure, one could argue that it was normal for a fifteen-year-old to lose to a twenty-year-old, but that was irrelevant. As the heiress of the Amoja clan, she couldn't afford to remain this weak. She had to get stronger, and fast. Otherwise, her authority would be challenged.

"Yuck! I really need a shower." She muttered, wiping her face with a towel as she made her way towards the door.

As her hand rose to click the door button, a gentle warmth washed over Arya. Her eyes widened in shock as her arms started to glow. No, her whole body. She felt a powerful surge of energy within her and a sudden heightened awareness of her surroundings. The energy radiated from her body, and panic began to set in.

"What in the world?"

'Arya'

Arya jumped in fright, her gaze darting around the room. "Who's there?" She saw nothing, and the room remained empty. She took a deep breath, attempting to compose herself.

"Imani, this isn't funny!"

No answer came. She stood there for a moment, still trying to regain her composure. It couldn't be Imani—her body was glowing, and there was a tingling sensation in her head. This could only mean one thing, but Arya was reluctant to believe it.

"Are you... are you the, the, spirit?"

Arya waited for a response, but none came. She breathed a sigh of relief.

"Right. Of course there is no way. Mom must have been teasing me. I mean, really? A spirit that possessed my body when I was a baby? Ridiculous!"

"I am."

Arya shrieked in horror at the sound of the melodious voice. The warm light enveloping her body intensified, momentarily blinding her. After what felt like an eternity, the brightness subsided. She opened her eyes and almost fainted at the sight before her. A white, faceless figure floated in front of her—a woman-shaped being made entirely of light.

Arya didn't even try to comprehend what was happening. She turned around and slammed her hand on the door button.

"Wait!"

The voice echoed in her head, freezing her in place. Arya stood there, trembling, her hand still poised on the door button and acknowledged her one fatal weakness—she couldn't stand ghosts.

"I am not a ghost."

Arya spun around so fast that her ponytail slapped her face. "How did you... You can read my mind?"

"No, but I know you. I know your fear of ghosts and how you would react if you saw me."

Arya was speechless, trying to make sense of the situation. "You're not a ghost?"

"No, I am a spirit."

"That's the same thing!"

"No, they are not. Humans believe ghosts to be the apparition of a dead person. Which I am not."

"Then what are you?"

"Spirit is the closest term that I can find to describe what I am to a human. It is my wish that you can make do with it."

"Then, is it true that you possessed my body when I was a baby?"

The spirit's form flickered for a moment before regaining its radiant composure. "Possessed is a strong word. After all, I haven't taken control over your body, have I?" Arya shook her head. "I have merely chosen you to serve as my host."

"Your host? What does that mean?"

"Listen carefully, child. A great purpose awaits you. As my host, you will be the conduit for my power, the vessel through which I can aid you in the battle against the fear-born monsters that plague our world."

"Monsters?! Now you're joking. You really expect me to believe monsters exist?"

"There are humans in this world who wouldn't believe in your people's existence. Wouldn't you agree?"

Arya scowled at her and crossed her arms. "That's because we don't allow them to know about... Okay, I get what you mean. Let's say I believe you. What would you expect from me exactly? What do you need a host for? No, better yet, why do you need to fight 'monsters' that have never attacked us?"

"They haven't attacked yet because they are currently unable to. But that won't always be the case. When they do attack, they will be overwhelming. We must be prepared, and the only way to do that is by having people who can wield me and my brethren's powers. That's why we need hosts. That's why we need you."

"Hosts. Meaning there are others aside from me?"

"Yes. And when the time comes, you must join forces to protect the world. You will be the only ones who can do it. It is your destiny."

Arya's mind whirled with a mixture of apprehension and intrigue. Destiny? Protecting the world? It all sounded like a tale from a fantastical storybook, yet the presence before her, the luminous spirit, was undeniably real. She knew deep down that she couldn't ignore this, whatever it was.

"But," Arya hesitated, "Why me? I already have so many responsibilities as the princess of the Amoja and you want me to add something else to my plate? I'm sorry, but you should choose someone else."

"You have been my host from the moment you were born. After all these years, it is impossible for me to change my host." Seeing the horror on Arya's face, she added. "Besides, you have been using my powers all these years for your own benefit. Don't you think it's time to give back?"

"My ability to control electrons is inherent to the Amoja. It has nothing to do with you."

"I'm talking about the light."

"That was you?" Arya's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, what do you mean 'for my own benefit'? You speak as if I was making money from your powers or something. I only used them occasionally as a torch or to play some harmless pranks."

The spirit's form began to fade, the radiant light gradually diminishing. "Embrace your destiny when the time comes, for the fate of humanity rests upon your shoulders. But remember, you are never alone. Seek out the other hosts, and together, you will find the strength to overcome."

Arya watched in awe as the spirit dissolved into particles of light, swirling around her before merging back into her being. The tingling sensation in her head intensified, and she felt a surge of energy pulsating through her veins. It was as if a dormant part of her had awakened, ready to embark on a path she couldn't fully comprehend.

As the last remnants of the spirit's presence dissipated, Arya stood in the quiet room, her thoughts swirling like a tempest within her mind. She knew that her life would never be the same. Her worries about not being strong enough to command her people's respect suddenly seemed trivial compared to the enormous responsibility that had just been thrust upon her. And deep down, a flicker of excitement burned bright amidst the uncertainty.

If monsters really attack the world, if the hosts have already been chosen and cannot be changed then she has no choice but to be a part of this. She wasn't worried about her people. The women of her clan were all strong and powerful warriors. No, it was those weak and brainless humans that worried her.

"They're so unathletic, and their survival skills are pitiful," Arya muttered to herself, frustration evident in her voice. "Besides, they're so distrustful. Even if I used my powers right in front of them, they would just think it's some kind of device and ask where they can get one."

But despite her disdain for them, Arya couldn't simply sit back and watch them face annihilation. After all, Kellan is also a human...

"Saving the world, huh? That's something my mother would have been ecstatic to be a part of." Arya muttered on the way back to her room.

She undressed, took a long shower and threw her wet, naked self on her bed, yawning tiredly. "I need to talk to the others and come up with a plan to deal with this."

She buried herself in the covers and started dozing off.

Only to jolt awake a few minutes later with a curse. "Damn, I forgot to ask her what kind of monsters we're fighting."

Arya poked her chest, "Hey, spirit! You there? Answer me."

No response. "What monsters are we fighting? Oh and how do I find the other hosts? Hello?"

Minutes stretched out in silence, and Arya grew more irritated. "Fine! It's not like it was you who asked for my help or anything."

Still receiving no answer, Arya finally gave up and laid back down. 

Although she was worried and anxious about the future, she was determined not to let the spirit and her "The world is soon going to end" routine rob her of a good night's rest. To Arya, nothing was more important than eating and sleeping.