Sky sat on the edge of the stone ledge outside the main hall, his elbows on his knees, surrounded by his usual crew— Bryan, Tyson, Iyo, Randy, and Klein. The late morning breeze carried faint sounds of few students training in the distance, but the group wasn’t paying attention to that.
They were focused on Sky— and the story he’d been trying to avoid telling all morning.
Iyo crossed his arms observing the young man. "You might as well spill it, man. We already know sothing went wrong."
Sky sighed, running his hand through his hair. "Alright, fine. I ssed up, okay?"
Tyson leaned forward, grinning. "Define ssed up?"
Sky hesitated before blurting, "I tried to kiss her."
The group went silent for two seconds. Then Randy burst out laughing, followed by Tyson slapping his leg.
"Bro!" Iyo said between laughs. "You didn’t even last one date! Co on man."
Tyson shook his head, smiling. "Classic Sky move. Can’t even finish a conversation without thinking it’s a romance movie."
"Hey!" Sky defended, pointing at them. "It wasn’t like that, alright? We were just... talking. Everything was going great. We were really having a good ti, and there— I taught maybe she was feeling , you know... Her replies were giving these signals and... and her smiles... n, I got carried away, I leaned in— and..." He Continued with a discouragingly low voice "...And she pulled back."
Tyson winced. "Ouch. That’s cold."
Sky groaned, covering his face with his palms. "She looked so uncomfortable. I swear the whole thing went from perfect to tragic in three seconds. I am still embarrassed at my self till now, I an no girl in the academy has rejected this much"
Randy couldn’t help but laugh "I guess you’re running outta charm my dear friend" then the whole crew burst into laughter.
Iyo leaned back with a softer tone. "You probably ca off too strong. Valkyrie doesn’t strike as the impulsive type."
"Yeah," Bryan added, "she’s all calm and mystery. You should’ve known better, bro."
Sky exhaled sharply. "I know. I just... I don’t know what ca over . She’s different, man. Not like anyone else I’ve ever t."
Iyo nodded slightly. "Different how?"
Sky looked up at them, trying to find the right words. "She’s confident, smart, but still feels like she’s holding sothing back. Like there’s more going on inside her head than she lets on. And I guess that made want to know her more... maybe too much."
The group fell quiet for a mont.
Klein who had been mostly silent, finally spoke. "So what now?"
Sky shrugged. "I’ll give her space. If she wants to talk, she will. If not..." he trailed off and shook his head. "Guess that’s on . But I gotta see her first and apologize."
Iyo smirked. "At least you tried. So of us don’t even make it that far."
That broke the tension, and they all laughed. The sound carried through the open air before slowly fading as Bryan shifted his weight, his usual calm tone cutting through the mont.
"Speaking of trying," he said, "I t soone too."
Randy leaned forward. "Wait, what? You?"
"WELL. WELL WELL." Iyo mocked hilariously.
Bryan smiled faintly. "Yeah... Soda. At the music departnt."
Tyson grinned. "Valkyrie’s friend?"
"Yeah," Bryan said with a nod. "We were paired in practice a few days ago. She was singing lead, I was doing the harmony. Honestly... she surprised ."
Iyo raised a brow. "Surprised you how?"
Bryan’s voice softened a little. "She’s genuine. The type who doesn’t pretend to be perfect or act like she’s better than anyone. We talked for a while after class, and... it felt real."
Randy smirked. "Oh no. Bryan’s catching feelings."
Bryan chuckled. "It’s not like that. At least, not yet."
Tyson leaned back against the wall. "So, what did you two talk about?"
"Music," Bryan said. "Dreams. The way she sees things. She’s got this calm energy— the kind that makes you forget everything else for a mont."
Iyo nodded. "That’s deep, bro. Sounds like you’re falling in love."
Bryan didn’t deny it. "Maybe I am. But I’m not rushing anything. If it’s ant to be, it’ll find its way."
Sky looked at him with a small grin. "Look at you, talking like so wise sage while I’m out here blowing my shot."
Randy laughed. "Guess that makes you the example of what not to do."
Sky shook his head, chuckling despite himself. "Yeah, yeah. Laugh all you want. But I’ll make it right."
Bryan gave him a nod of encouragent. "You will. Just... next ti, try not to scare her off."
The group laughed again, the air was lighter this ti. Despite all their teasing, there was a quiet sense of brotherhood among them— the kind that didn’t need to be spoken out loud.
Sowhere deep down, each of them knew that things were changing— not just with their friendships, but with whatever storm was building around them.
"I guess it’s lunch ti?" Iyo asked.
"Yeah, am getting hungry too, we should find sothing to eat" Sky added.
But before they could stand to leave, A voice cut through from the back.
"Guardians."
The laughter died instantly. Every head turned toward the sound. It was Mr. Oscar—the academy’s head guardian, their combat coach, and the Academy’s Coachman, he was standing a few paces away, with his arms crossed tightly against each other.
Mr Oscar was shorter in height compared to all six of them, but that didn’t an anything, everyone respected him, not just because he was the head guardian, but because his words carried more wisdom than expected.
His white coat ripped slightly from the wind sneaking in through the open corridor windows.
"Going sowhere?"
Sky straightened imdiately. "Uh, lunch, sir."
Oscar’s eyes, moved from one boy to the next before settling back on Sky. "You can eat later. For now, listen carefully. The council has finalized the preparations. All qualified supernaturals. AND guardians— will leave for Galveston"
There was a collective pause.
"Mr Oscar?" Klein started, "you an we’re actually going too?"
Oscar nodded once. "All of you." He stepped forward, his boots clicking against the marble. "You’re the walls that keep this academy standing. But it’s ti to rember that the world beyond those walls matters too. You’ll be accompanying the students— not just to protect them, but to learn alongside them. The Garden of Galveston is more than a ground. It’s where spirits are refined, and where angels, devils, and every in-between find out who they really are. Let the other guardians take their shine"
Sky’s heart gave a small, nervous twist. He wasn’t sure if it was excitent or pressure. He’d been waiting to prove himself— but part of him also knew Galveston would an more ti with Valkyrie.
Mr. Oscar’s gaze shifted directly to him. "And you, Sky."
Sky froze, then straightened instinctively. "Sir?"
"You may be a guardian," Oscar said, with his voice calm but firm, "but don’t forget what runs in your blood. You’re still an angel. It’s ti you stopped hiding behind that title and started acting like one."
A flicker of tension ran through the air. The others exchanged glances; they all knew Sky’s angelic heritage wasn’t sothing he liked being reminded of.
"Yes, sir," he said finally, steadying his voice.
Oscar studied him for a mont, then gave a slow nod of approval. "You’ll be taking part in the stance trials with the rest of the supernaturals. You might not like it, but you’ll thank later."
Bryan raised a hand slightly. "Sir, what about our regular duties? Guard rotation and wall defense...?"
"Those still stand," Oscar replied, pacing slightly now, his hands clasped behind him. "But understand this— our duty doesn’t end at the academy gates. Humanity is part of what we protect. The lines between realms are thinning, and if demons are beginning to crawl into the human world, then our reach must extend too. When you’re called to accompany a supernatural into real-world combat, you’ll go without question. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" they chorused, their voices echoing through the corridor.
Oscar gave a small, approving smirk. "Good. You’re young, reckless, and too confident for your own good. But you’ve got heart. Don’t lose it when things get ugly."
Iyo, trying to break the growing seriousness, muttered under his breath, "Things are always ugly when demons are involved."
Oscar’s sharp hearing caught it. "Then make sure you look uglier. Scare them first."
That got a round of muffled laughter, easing the tension for a mont.
But as quickly as it ca, the humor faded again. Oscar’s tone shifted, quieter but colder. "Galveston is no playground but it’s also not as serious as they make it seem. The energy that flows there— it’s ancient and unpredictable. You’ll be tested in ways you can’t train for. Not just strength... but loyalty, restraint, and what lies inside your hearts. Rember that the real enemy is watching from the shadows, waiting for arrogance to blind you."
Sky found himself holding his breath, realizing the man wasn’t just giving a speech— he was warning them.
Bryan crossed his arms. "Sir... do you think Venom’s really behind all this? The demons and the attacks?"
Oscar didn’t answer right away. He looked past them, out toward the distant towers where sunlight bled over the academy rooftops. "Let’s just say... the storm that’s coming has his na written all over it. And when it breaks, every one of you will need to stand where the light fails."
A heavy silence hung for a beat before he turned back to them, with a restored composure. "That’ll be all. Report to the east wing by dusk for gear check and briefings after lunch, And Sky..."
"Sir?"
A faint glimr of pride— rare and restrained, crossed Oscar’s face. "Don’t let your past make you hesitate. The academy needs angels who can fight like guardians."
And with that, he strode past them, his long coat brushing the marble as he disappeared down the hall, leaving the boys standing there in a thick, thoughtful silence.
Iyo exhaled slowly. "Well, that just got serious real quick."
Randy shoved his hands into his pockets. "I was just hoping for lunch, man."
Bryan grinned faintly. "Guess we’ll eat when we’re done saving humanity." they all laughed it off except for Sky.
Sky didn’t answer. His eyes were distant, fixed on the direction Mr. Oscar had gone. Sowhere between pride and worry, his heart tightened. As they made their way to the cafeteria. Sky didn’t say it out loud, but one thought echoed through his mind:
Galveston... it’s finally beginning.
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