Chapter 2 The Last Days Before Change

Scott and his two best friends, Max and Jamie, had been inseparable since childhood. The three of them shared everything-or almost everything.

On a bright Saturday morning, the trio met at their usual hangout spot: the old abandoned park near the edge of town. Max tossed a football in the air while Jamie was scrolling through his phone.

"So, man," Max teased, "you still a virgin at almost eighteen? Seriously?"

Scott rolled his eyes but laughed. "Leave it alone, Max."

Jamie smirked. "Dude, it's not a bad thing. Just weird you're the last one."

Scott shrugged. "I'm not in any rush."

"But the clock's ticking, man," Max grinned. "Birthday's coming up, huh? Maybe this year's your year!"

Scott's smile faltered for a moment. Their jokes were fun, but deep down, he felt a pressure he couldn't explain. Not from them, but from somewhere else-a silent voice telling him that something bigger was waiting.

As the afternoon sun dipped lower, they talked about college, parties, and girls. Scott listened quietly, feeling both excited and nervous. He wanted to be part of their world but wondered if he truly belonged.

That night, Scott lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. He felt a strange warmth in his chest, a flutter that didn't make sense. Something was coming, and he wasn't sure if he was ready.

---

Scott and his two best friends, Max and Jamie, had been inseparable since childhood. The three of them shared everything-or almost everything.

On a bright Saturday morning, the trio met at their usual hangout spot: the old abandoned park near the edge of town. Max tossed a football in the air while Jamie was scrolling through his phone.

"So, man," Max teased, "you still a virgin at almost eighteen? Seriously?"

Scott rolled his eyes but laughed. "Leave it alone, Max."

Jamie smirked. "Dude, it's not a bad thing. Just weird you're the last one."

Scott shrugged. "I'm not in any rush."

"But the clock's ticking, man," Max grinned. "Birthday's coming up, huh? Maybe this year's your year!"

Scott's smile faltered for a moment. Their jokes were fun, but deep down, he felt a pressure he couldn't explain. Not from them, but from somewhere else-a silent voice telling him that something bigger was waiting.

As the afternoon sun dipped lower, they talked about college, parties, and girls. Scott listened quietly, feeling both excited and nervous. He wanted to be part of their world but wondered if he truly belonged.

After the park, the friends headed to the diner downtown, where familiar faces nodded and waved. Scott's parents had always been strict, but he loved them dearly. They wanted the best for him, even if they didn't always understand his quiet nature.

His mom had reminded him again this morning to "enjoy his youth" and not to rush growing up. Scott wasn't sure what that really meant.

Back home that night, Scott stared out his bedroom window at the stars. The world seemed so ordinary-until now. A strange unease settled in, as if the calm before a storm.

His phone buzzed. A message from Max: *"Don't chicken out this year, bro."*

Scott smiled softly and typed back, *"We'll see."*

Little did he know, in just a few weeks, everything would change.

---

That night, Scott lay in bed, the ceiling fan humming softly above him. His mind wandered to his birthday, just a few weeks away. Seventeen turning eighteen-a milestone everyone talked about like it would change everything. But for Scott, it felt like a door he wasn't quite ready to open.

He reached for his phone and scrolled through old photos-him and Max at the baseball game, Jamie pulling a silly face at last year's school dance, Scott smiling shyly beside them both. They looked happy, carefree. But Scott felt something different-a heaviness he couldn't explain.

His parents' voices floated faintly from downstairs. His dad talking about work, his mom reminding him again about the future. They had dreams for him, but none involved fantasy or magic. Just college, a steady job, a normal life.

Scott sighed. Maybe they were right. Maybe he was overthinking everything. Maybe his friends' teasing about being a virgin at eighteen was just that-teasing.

But still, a part of him felt like a puzzle missing a piece.

The next day, school was the same as ever. Max and Jamie jabbed at him relentlessly during lunch, daring him to finally ask someone out. Scott laughed it off but kept his eyes down, feeling both amused and awkward.

In biology class, the teacher talked about genetics and inheritance. Scott found himself zoning out, wondering if there was something hidden in his own bloodline-something waiting to awaken.

That night, a strange dream pulled him under. He was standing in a vast forest, sunlight streaming through ancient trees. A voice, deep and commanding, echoed around him: *"The throne awaits. You must claim it."*

Scott jolted awake, heart pounding. Was it just a dream? Or a message? He wondered.

He shook his head, trying to push the feeling away. Tomorrow was another ordinary day. Or so he hoped.

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