Jolly Rancher

It was already dark and the moon was hanging like a white ball in the sky. It was calm and peaceful like any other night.

But a girl with her hair cascading like waterfalls across her shoulders and a pale face which was regaining its original lush at a noticeable pace laid on the bed. Anyone who saw her right now would be clearly mesmerized by her enchanting beauty.

Asher's coal black eyes watched over her like a lion protecting its cub.

He still felt unreal thinking about what happened a few hours back. Her eyes, the blank gaze and the expression on her face all of it seemed so untrue. If it wasn't for the rest also to witness the scene Asher would have thought he was hallucinating.

Even the instructors and spectators was shocked by the event. Immediately after she passed out Asher along with the medic team instantly took her to sick room.

The Doctor Diagnosed that she was perfectly fine but the large mental stress and strain may have worn her body down.

A panicking Ryan had immediately called up Mia and informed her about Rin's condition. Mia was utterly petrified, but her fear was replaced by rage when she realized that the stupid girl had willingly participated in such a torturous training disregarding her condition.

She was mad that she had attempted through something so stupid when she knew she was in so much pain. She didn't understand why she had to be so determined to do something that would only bring trouble for her.

A bunch of profanities entered Ryan's ears which could put a sailor's mouth into shame. This was unlike the elegant Mia who carried herself with gracefulness and sophistication. Mia apologized when she realized that she had gone overboard.

Ryan gulped down his saliva secretly deciding that he would never get into Mia's bad books, before accepting her apologies.

Mia informed him to immediately call her when Rin wakes up. 'It has only been more than 10 days, looks the girl's got some guts now, hahaa...' thought Mia in displeasure before releasing an dangerous sigh.

Ryan felt chills on the other side of the phone, he pitied Rin who had to face the Devil's wrath. He promised and repeatedly assured her that he would immediately call her when Rin wakes up. When the call was finally disconnected Ryan let out the breath he was holding in.

'She is so scary, I miss my momma' thought Ryan before hugging himself.

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Back in the sick bay, Asher was thinking hard about the events that had perspired.

No matter how he thought, he couldn't understand a thing. What happened was really out of ordinary. He could only come to the conclusion that the incident was really strange.

She was literally half dead but suddenly she woke up with such great power and force that even the snakes and creepy crawlies refused to approach her.

The sight of the snakes and various insects fleeing away from her reminded him of how animals would escape from lethal dangers. They acted like it was a natural instinct.

The incident that transpired today was really unprecedent that the instructors had immediately informed the AU authorities and headquarters.

How could someone look so familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. It was as if a stranger with Rin's face was standing before him

The door opened and his friends entered the room. After glancing around for some time Rehan finally spoke.

"What happened back then was really strange right?"

"She looked like a really different person right !!!!I am not the only one who felt that way, isn't it???" Tristan asked.

The guys could not still come into terms with the bizarre events. If they were someone else they would just dismiss thinking this was something normal that happened due to excess fear or shock. But not them.

Being members of a secret society had taught them that if there was anything out of ordinary then it should be investigated and the incident involving Rin was definitely bizarre. Of course who had ever seen snakes and insects parading around a body like it was a plaything suddenly get thrown off and avoid the same person running away as if it was a plague or something.

"I think she is not what it seems, maybe she has a secret herself." muttered Aimen expressing his doubts.

Many thoughts were running through their minds but seeing Asher in such a miserable condition they didn't have the heart to voice it.

It has been only more than a week or so since Asher had met Rin. But he was clearly affected by her. It was truly disastrous for Asher to be affected by someone else.

Asher was different from them. His identity did not allow him to have any weakness and Rin clearly could influence him. It would be bad if his family get informed about the incident that transpired today.

It was the first time they saw Asher being so unstable and dysfunctional. It was hard for them to believe that this was the self possessed and tranquil friend they knew.

While everyone was being absorbed in their thoughts, the ringing of a cellphone broke the tranquility in the room. Asher checked the caller before picking up the phone.

As the other speaker spoke they watched as his eyebrows arch upwards while jaws hang slack. A trace of astonishment and bewilderment could be seen in his normally serene eyes. He spoke a few more words and disconnected the call.

The guys watched curiously wondering what was it that made Asher so surprised.

The black eyes finally subdued the remnants of astonishment and bewilderment reverting to the previous unperturbed orb. Asher's gaze flipped through the three of them before returning to the sleeping beauty.

"The Neylan stone displayed activity today, Master said that for a few minutes the stone gleamed brightly radiating negligible amount of God force. If it wasn't for his instincts they would have missed it." announced Asher in a single breath watching the boys mouth hang open in shock.

"Th...the Ney....lan, Neylan stone" stuttered Aimen in disbelief.

" It's been what.... like 5 years right since it last showed signs of activity. Right???." asked Tristan.

"Ummm... A god force...." uttered Rehan while his eyes glanced meaningfully at Rin before moving back to the boys.

The Neylan stone was a powerful Ancient magical tool that was said to have belonged to a Powerful Entity. It manifested suddenly 10,000 years back within a divine light along with a message to safeguard it until its Owner returns. Then it lost its gleam before reverting to an ordinary stone. Since then the stone had been protected and preserved waiting for its Owner's Arrival. A group of people named 'The Protectors' were tasked with the duty of Protecting Neylan stone. Signs of activity was first detected 18 years and 5 years ago respectively after centuries of inactivity. The sudden activity today was going to create a frenzy.

The protectors knew the stone's power was unimaginable but the exhibition of God-force was truly beyond belief.

To be precise Asher along with his friends were the latest additions to 'the Protectors'. They had displayed signs of magic before being admitted to AU. They learnt how to control and wield their powers along with academic majors.

Aslan University under the guise of an Elite University was an Institution that ventured beyond the border of normal life delving into a realm that transcends nature, as that of divine, magical, or ghostly beings and a force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature; occult, paranormal.

The admissions to AU was based on the traits of being highly intelligent and that which are beyond human comprehension. Students admitted to AU have some hidden abilities that are yet to be unlocked; like mind reading, magic, super strength etc. But that doesn't mean the whole population had powers, normal students also existed here.

It was a blend of natural and supernatural coexisting peacefully while the secrets laid deeply hidden within them.

The silence lingered in the air, the leaves rustled, a light breeze that sneaked through the windows softly dance along Rin's face teasing her eyes, cheeks and her slender neck.

The sudden exposure to slight breeze sent chills over Rin's body. Her long lashes fluttered like a butterfly before her Hazel orbs came into view.