Lightning's Crown Volume I

Kai stumbled to his feet, his body heavy with exhaustion, every muscle screaming at him to stop. He'd barely been able to concentrate on the bus ride home, his mind numb from the strain of casting Zaker earlier that day. He hadn't realized how much it had drained him until he tried to stay alert during the ride and nearly blacked out.

By the time he got home, he was barely able to carry his schoolbag inside. Dropping it carelessly by the door, he collapsed onto the couch, his head spinning. Before he could even reach for the remote, his sister's voice cut through the silence.

"Did you seriously fall asleep during PE again? Coach Kynaston roasted you in front of the entire gym."

Kai groaned without looking up, barely able to muster the energy to respond. "Maddy. Please. Not now."

His eleven-year-old sister stood in the doorway, tablet in hand, a smirk plastered on her face. Her messy ponytail bounced with each step as she strutted over to him, enjoying her little victory.

"Also, you got a D on that chem test," she added casually, sitting down on the edge of the couch. "I checked Mum's school portal."

Kai turned his head, narrowing his eyes. "How do you even know my password?"

"You used your favorite football team. Not very secure, genius," she said with a raised brow.

He sighed dramatically, pulling a cushion over his face. "I'm being blackmailed by an eleven-year-old."

"I prefer 'information analyst,'" she retorted with a smug smile.

Before Kai could respond, their mother's voice cut in from the hallway. "Kai? You home?"

"Yeah," he replied flatly, already dreading what was coming next.

Dr. Elaine Tamsin, their mother, stepped into the room, still in her navy scrubs, a badge clipped to her pocket, and a coffee cup in hand. She looked exhausted, her usually neat bun slightly undone, a streak of pen ink across her wrist. But despite her tired appearance, her eyes were sharp with concern.

"You're pale," she said, walking over to him with practiced care. "Are you sick?"

"I'm fine," Kai lied, pushing himself up on the couch, though his body screamed at him to stay still.

Elaine's hand was cool when it touched his forehead. "No fever. But you've been looking off for days."

Kai lowered his gaze, guilt creeping into his chest. "Just tired. School stuff."

"You're isolating again," she said softly, her voice betraying her concern. "I know things aren't easy for you socially, but you can't shut everyone out. You're brilliant, Kai. But the way you hold yourself apart... it worries me."

Kai felt that familiar knot in his chest tighten. The guilt, the frustration—he hated this conversation. "Thanks, Mum," he muttered, dragging a hand through his hair. "I'll try."

She nodded but didn't seem convinced. "I'm heading back to the hospital. Night shift. Maddy, don't stay up watching anime. Kai, help her with dinner."

"Got it," Maddy called from the kitchen.

As their mother left, Kai sat in the silence that filled the house. Every part of him wanted to lie back down, escape from his thoughts. Instead, he dragged himself to his room and locked the door behind him. Before he could even unpack his bag, Zayn appeared, stepping out from the shadows like he'd been waiting there the whole time.

Kai jumped, startled. "Can you not do that?"

Zayn blinked, his usual calm demeanor in place. "Do what?"

"Appear like a damn ghost ninja," Kai snapped, rubbing his eyes in frustration. "You know what? Never mind. I'm too tired."

Zayn tilted his head, a small glint of something unreadable in his eyes. "You used the spell today. It worked."

"Barely," Kai muttered, flopping onto the bed. "It felt like my brain short-circuited. Is it supposed to hurt?"

"Your body isn't used to it. It will adjust."

"Great," Kai grumbled, closing his eyes. "So, I just have to survive long enough for my nervous system to catch up to casting lightning spells. No big deal."

Zayn didn't respond at first. Instead, he took a few steps toward the window, his posture alert.

Kai's brow furrowed as he pushed himself upright, suddenly feeling a chill in the air. The hairs on his arms stood on end, like something was off—something dangerous.

"Do you feel that?" Zayn asked, his voice now serious.

Kai's eyes narrowed as the sensation grew stronger, more pressing. A low hum in the air seemed to vibrate around them. The room's temperature seemed to drop by several degrees in a matter of seconds.

"What is that?" Kai asked, his pulse quickening.

Zayn's eyes flickered with recognition, the kind of knowing that only came with experience. "They're here," he said. "Another Mamodo."

Kai barely had time to react before Zayn was already out the door, moving faster than Kai could follow. With adrenaline flooding his veins, Kai scrambled to grab his book and follow.

They darted outside into the cool evening, the streets illuminated by the faint glow of streetlamps. Across the street, in a narrow alley bathed in orange light, two figures stood waiting. One was a lanky teen with a green beanie, his expression full of cocky confidence, his hand clutching a dark, ancient-looking book. The other was a Mamodo girl, nearly Zayn's height, her arms covered in glowing blue tattoos that pulsed with power. Her eyes locked onto Kai and Zayn, sharp and calculating, like a predator sizing up its prey.

"Oi!" the boy called out with a wicked grin. "Thought we smelled fresh meat!"

Zayn immediately tensed, positioning himself between Kai and the enemy. "He's a partner. The girl—she's one of us."

Kai barely had time to process the information before the Mamodo girl raised her hand, crackling with electrical energy. Her palm glowed bright blue as electricity danced across her skin, like a storm building inside her.

The boy laughed, flipping open his book with ease. "Let's start easy," he said, and without any further warning, shouted, "Zagoron!"

A massive arc of power erupted from the Mamodo girl's hand, streaking toward them with blinding speed. The air sizzled as the bolt of lightning tore through the space between them, a force of nature unleashed.

"Move!" Zayn shouted, shoving Kai out of the way just in time. The bolt smashed into a nearby streetlamp, blowing it apart in a shower of sparks and debris.

Kai hit the ground hard, his lungs constricting as the wind was knocked out of him. "What the hell—!"

"Book," Zayn snapped, already in a defensive stance. "You have to use the spell. Now."

Kai scrambled, panic setting in as he fumbled for the grimoire in his backpack. His fingers were shaking, his mind a whirlwind of chaos, but then Zayn's voice pierced through the noise in his head.

"You've used this spell before, Kai. Say it."

Another crackling burst of energy raced toward them.

"I—I don't remember!" Kai gasped.

"Yes, you do," Zayn said, his voice steady. "The spell is part of you now. Say it."

Kai swallowed hard, trying to steady his breath. The weight of the book in his hands felt heavier than ever, like it was testing him.

"Zaker!"

The book flared with a golden light, the words leaping off the pages like living flames. Zayn raised his arm, a bolt of pure electricity crackling to life in his palm.

With a powerful thrust, Zayn fired the bolt of lightning at the oncoming attack. The two spells collided midair, a violent explosion of energy that sent a shockwave rippling through the street. Sparks and smoke filled the air, stinging Kai's eyes.

For a split second, the street was silent.

Kai blinked through the smoke, his breath ragged. "I did it," he whispered, disbelief settling in his chest. "I actually did it…"

"Don't get cocky," Zayn warned, his gaze already focused on the enemy. "He's not finished."

The enemy boy's smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with malicious amusement. "Oh yeah?" he said, licking his finger and flipping to a new page in his book. "Let's try this one next."

The enemy boy smirked, his eyes full of cruel amusement as he flicked through the pages of his book. "I hope you can handle this one," he taunted, as his hand began to glow with ominous energy.

The Mamodo girl, whose blue tattoos now crackled with more intensity, stepped forward. Her eyes were cold and calculated, the predatory gleam never leaving them.

Zayn was tense, his entire body coiled like a spring ready to snap. Kai's heart raced, but he didn't have time to hesitate. The air felt thick, heavy with the anticipation of the next strike.

"Zaker," Zayn muttered under his breath, his hand raised and ready. He had been trained for moments like these—instincts kicking in as soon as the threat was recognized. But Kai wasn't as experienced, and for a split second, he froze.

The boy laughed again, the sound echoing down the empty street. "You think you're ready for this?" he sneered, finally turning his attention back to Zayn and Kai. "We'll see just how long you can hold out."

The Mamodo girl raised her arm again, and a deep, menacing blue glow formed around her palm. Without warning, she released a barrage of electric bolts, each one larger and more volatile than the last.

"Zagoron!" she cried, her voice cutting through the air like a whip.

The bolts were like a storm unleashed, striking the ground and zipping through the air in every direction. The force was so strong that the ground beneath Kai's feet trembled. He barely had time to react before one of the bolts rocketed toward him, crackling with deadly energy.

Zayn was faster this time, his own spell launching just as the bolt was about to hit Kai. "Zaker!" Zayn yelled, his voice sharp with urgency.

Electricity collided with electricity in a burst of light and sound. Kai's heart raced as he watched the spells struggle for dominance, the force of their power shaking the ground beneath them.

The two bolts struggled to push against each other in the air, neither giving an inch. But then, just as the enemy's attack was about to overwhelm them, Zayn's spell surged forward, forcing the enemy's bolt back and striking the Mamodo girl's arm. She screamed in pain, stumbling back as the electrical energy scorched her.

But before Zayn could capitalize on the moment, the boy had already begun chanting again. The sound of the spellbook turning echoed in the air.

"Zakara!" the boy shouted, his voice thick with power.

From the pages of the book, a new energy erupted, far darker and more destructive than before. The air turned colder, and the night seemed to bend under the pressure of this new attack.

Kai's pulse quickened. "What's that?"

Zayn's eyes narrowed. "It's an enhanced spell. Brace yourself."

Kai didn't have time to process the warning before the ground beneath them cracked open. The very earth seemed to warp and distort, creating jagged fissures that spread outward. The energy released by the boy's spell was not just electricity—it was pure, raw destruction.

Kai jumped back just in time, but the force of the explosion sent him tumbling to the ground, his vision blurring with the impact.

From his position on the ground, he could see the chaos unfolding around them. The streetlights flickered, their light dimming under the weight of the attack. A crackling, charged energy filled the air, creating a thick haze that blurred the line between reality and the chaotic battlefield.

Zayn was already back on his feet, his posture braced for the next move. He was breathing hard, but his eyes were locked onto their enemies, a fire burning within them.

"They're relentless," Kai gasped, still trying to catch his breath.

Zayn nodded, his expression grim. "They won't stop until they've defeated us."

Kai's hands trembled as he forced himself back onto his feet. The fight wasn't over, but the damage already done made him question how much longer he could keep up. This wasn't like the other battles he'd fought. The strength of their opponents felt different—more dangerous, more real.

The Mamodo girl, now visibly wounded but still standing, turned her gaze on Zayn and Kai. Her eyes glinted with fury, and the energy crackling around her intensified. She was ready for more.

"Zayn, I can't keep doing this," Kai muttered, his voice heavy with frustration. "I'm not strong enough."

"You will be," Zayn replied quickly, his voice unwavering. He reached out, grabbing Kai's wrist. "But only if you trust in your power. You're stronger than you realize."

Kai's mind raced, his thoughts swirling as he tried to steady himself. The weight of Zayn's words lingered in his chest. Trust in your power. It was easy to doubt, easy to feel small against the sheer force of their enemies. But Zayn was right—he had the ability to fight. He had the power to protect himself, to protect Zayn.

With a deep breath, Kai focused. He grabbed the book with both hands, his fingers brushing the edges of the worn pages. The familiar weight of the spellbook grounded him, reminding him that he wasn't alone in this fight.

The enemy boy laughed again, taunting them, but it was starting to lose its edge. They could sense the shift, the growing resolve in Kai.

Zayn stepped forward, his stance ready for whatever came next. "We're not done yet."

Kai's heart pounded in his chest as he raised his hand. "Zaker!" he shouted, his voice carrying the weight of his decision.

A bolt of electricity shot from his hand, crackling with power. This time, there was no hesitation, no uncertainty. It was a strike of determination, not of fear.

The enemy boy's smirk faltered for just a moment as the bolt barreled toward him, but he recovered quickly, flipping open his book with practiced ease.

"Zagoron!" the boy shouted, but his voice lacked the confidence it had before.

The two spells collided with explosive force, the shockwave of their power sending the air vibrating. For a moment, everything was silent. Kai stood in the eye of the storm, his heart racing, sweat dripping down his face.

Then, slowly, the crackling energy began to dissipate. Kai's spell had broken through the boy's defense, striking him directly in the chest. The impact sent him crashing to the ground, his body twitching as he struggled to regain control of his breath.

The Mamodo girl, stunned by the turn of events, turned to face her partner. There was no mocking grin on her face now—just a look of disbelief.

Zayn took a step forward, his hand still crackling with energy. "It's over."

The boy was still on the ground, struggling to move. He coughed, his breath ragged, his body unable to recover from the violent blast of Zayn's power. His spellbook lay a few feet away, glowing faintly as if calling to him. But it wasn't enough. He could barely summon the energy to crawl toward it.

Kai's hands were still trembling, but there was a fire in his chest now—something had changed. He had felt it in the midst of battle, the moment he'd finally trusted in his power. It wasn't just Zayn's strength that had carried them this far—it was his own, too. A realization that shifted something deep within him.

His gaze moved to the Mamodo girl, who was standing at the edge of the battlefield, her chest heaving with strained breaths. She was wounded but not beaten, still capable of fighting if given the chance.

Zayn seemed to sense the shift, his body tense but his mind sharp. "Kai, watch out," he said, his voice low but urgent.

Kai turned just in time to see the Mamodo girl's eyes flicker with renewed determination. She raised her hand once more, and this time, the air crackled with an even darker energy. The ground began to tremble beneath their feet, as if warning them of the storm she was about to unleash.

"Zagoron, again!" she screamed, her voice breaking through the chaos like a blade.

Kai's eyes widened as a surge of electric energy erupted from her, shooting toward them like a torrent of lightning. It was far more intense than anything they had faced before—pure, raw, and uncontrollable.

Zayn was already moving, his hand raised, ready to defend. "Zaker!" he shouted, and a bolt of lightning shot from his hand, meeting the oncoming attack in a blaze of light.

The two energies collided in mid-air with a thunderous explosion, the shockwave sending a blast of force in every direction. Kai felt himself thrown backward, his body slamming into the ground with a sickening thud. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he couldn't breathe.

His ribs screamed in pain, and a sharp gasp escaped him as he clutched his side. The impact had been brutal, and he could feel blood trickling down his arm from a gash across his shoulder where debris had cut him. His body was battered, but the fight wasn't over. His legs shook, but he forced himself to sit up, blinking away the spots in his vision.

"Get up, Kai!" Zayn's voice cut through the haze, pulling Kai from the fog of pain and disorientation. "Now!"

Kai pushed himself up, his body sore and his mind still reeling, but his resolve was growing stronger. He was no longer just fighting to survive—he was fighting because he had no choice. The weight of the battle, of the consequences, pressed down on him, but he couldn't afford to let it break him.

Through the smoke and debris, he saw Zayn, his stance braced, a look of concentration etched on his face. But the enemy wasn't finished. The Mamodo girl was still standing, her eyes burning with fury. She wouldn't stop until they were defeated.

Kai's breath was heavy as he stood tall. "Zayn, let me try again," he said, his voice steady, though every word felt like it took more effort than the last.

Zayn looked at him, a glint of surprise in his eyes. "You sure you're ready? This is going to get even harder."

"I have to be," Kai replied, his gaze unwavering. He reached down, gripping the edge of the spellbook once more. "Zaker!" he shouted, his voice clear and filled with newfound conviction.

Electricity surged from his hand, cutting through the chaos like a blade. The Mamodo girl's eyes widened as she saw the power behind Kai's attack—this wasn't the same boy who had hesitated earlier. This was someone who had found his strength in the midst of the storm.

But the Mamodo girl wasn't going down without a fight. She countered quickly, her own spell launching in retaliation.

"Zagoron!" she cried, the air around her pulsing with raw energy. A violent electric pulse shot from her hand, aiming directly for Kai. He barely had time to react before the blast was upon him.

But Zayn was faster this time.

"Rashield!" he yelled, thrusting his hand forward. A massive electric wall appeared between Kai and the Mamodo girl's attack, deflecting the surge of lightning. The shield crackled with power, redirecting the force of the blast back toward their opponent.

The Mamodo girl tried to dodge, but the redirected lightning struck her squarely in the chest, sending her stumbling back. Her body jerked from the shock, and for a moment, she collapsed to her knees, gasping for breath.

Kai's chest heaved as he watched her struggle to regain her footing. She was still alive, still able to fight. But Zayn's shield had bought them the time they needed. They could end this—right now.

"Zayn," Kai said, his voice filled with determination. "Let's finish this."

Zayn nodded, a small but resolute smile crossing his face. "Together."

They moved in sync, each of them attuned to the other's movements. Zayn held up his hand, crackling with power, while Kai readied the book, his heart beating loudly in his chest. This was the moment. No more hesitation. No more doubts.

The Mamodo girl tried to fight back, summoning another wave of energy from her hands, but it was too late.

"Zaker!" Kai shouted, thrusting his hand forward.

"Rashield!" Zayn called out in unison.

A massive bolt of electricity surged from Kai's hand, while Zayn's shield expanded in front of them, amplifying the force of the attack. The two powers collided with the Mamodo girl's final effort, and the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air.

Kai felt the power of the blast reverberate through him, the force knocking him back. A sharp pain shot through his body as he collided with the ground once again. His head spun, and his arm felt as if it were on fire from the earlier injury. Blood dripped from the gash on his shoulder, and he gritted his teeth to fight through it. He couldn't afford to show weakness now.

The explosion was deafening.

Kai shielded his eyes from the blast, his body braced for the inevitable aftermath. When the dust finally settled, he blinked through the haze. There, lying on the ground, was the Mamodo girl—unconscious, her spellbook shattered beside her.

The battlefield fell eerily silent.

Zayn slowly lowered his hand, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. His expression was one of quiet satisfaction, but it was tempered by the knowledge that this battle had come at a cost. They had won, but only just.

Kai struggled to sit up, his breath ragged as pain radiated through his body. He could feel his ribs aching from the earlier impact, and his shoulder felt numb from the gash that was still bleeding. But he refused to stay down. His determination kept him upright, even though his legs trembled beneath him.

"We did it," Kai whispered, his voice hoarse.

Zayn glanced over at him, his eyes softening. "You did it, Kai. You're stronger than you think."

Kai's breath caught in his throat. The words struck him more deeply than he expected. It wasn't just about surviving anymore. It was about trusting in himself, in his power, and in his ability to protect those he cared about.

The road ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time since the Mamodo tournament had begun, Kai felt ready to face whatever challenges awaited them.