Episode 1: Duality Gem

May 05th 9:30 a.m.

It was quiet. Voices were neither spoken or heard, not even whispers. The very atmosphere itself felt very dull and lifeless despite the sun's rays shining through the windows, but this was necessary.

Though it was quiet the only remaining sounds heard were of the clock ticking on the wall, various breathing, and pencils being used. But soon enough a pencil was stopped being used.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Cherry? I'm finished." The student said, raising his hand up.

The teacher, Mrs. Cherry, looked up from her desk and directed her eyes toward the center of the room. The student raising his hand was fair skinned with spiky green hair. One of his most unique attributes were his heterochromic eyes with his right eye being cyan and his left eye being crystal blue. His other attribute were the white goggles with black lenses placed on his head. His attire consisted of a pure white shirt with various crystals in different colors pointing in all directions, dark blue jeans accompanied with a jet-black belt, a black hoodie jacket, and black and white striped sneakers. Lastly was the light green Gem on his right wrist in the form of a sideways Diamond.

"Already?" Mrs. Cherry asked.

The student nodded as he raised himself up from his desk. He took hold of his paper and walked toward the front of the room before handing the paper to her. Her lips slowly stretched into a grin as she took it into her hand, "Be sure to remain quiet until everyone is finished, Kameron." She added. He gave her a nod as he turned around and made his way back to his desk. Once he sat down he reached below for his backpack and unzipped the first zipper before pulling out a large black book and opening it.

'Might as well waste some time.' He thought as he picked up his pencil.

May 05th 11:55 a.m.

"Okay class. To be truly honest with you all, I am very surprised by the results. It's pretty clear that you all have taken the time to study and be prepared for the test. I'm really proud of you all for that." Mrs. Cherry said. "And as much as I don't want to remind any of you, remember that finals are coming up soon and it will count for twenty-percent of your grades. No pressure or anything, but please be sure to study hard because those questions can be a serious pain in the ass. Okay?" She added.

Though she was showing a very radiant smile to her students most began to groan from the grade percentage she mentioned. She said no pressure, though now she might've accidentally added it in.

"Also, I would like to congratulate Kameron Evans for scoring the highest grade point average within the top ten." Mrs. Cherry said as she started clapping.

Kameron himself rubbed the back of his head as his eyes averted hers. The other students started clapping along too, making his cheeks burn.

'It's not that big of a deal. I studied just like everyone else.' He thought to himself.

The clapping soon died out as the bell started ringing, causing each of the students to start packing up. "I'll see you all tomorrow. You all know your homework assignments tonight and if there's anything any of you need or want to talk about then fill free to stop by afterschool. My door is always open." Mrs. Cherry said as her students walked out of the room.

May 05th 12:15 p.m.

One of the most important and amazing times of the day, lunch. It's basically the only time in school where nearly everyone gets to relax and rest their brains for a short period. Plus the food is the major highlight since it always comes out fresh and nutritious.

Once he got his food and paid the cashier lady Kameron began walking through the cafeteria. His eyes soon turned to a table near the windows on the far end of the building. His lips soon stretched into a smile as he noticed two people sitting at the table. The first was a tanned teenager with short orange hair, brown eyes, and large holes in his ears while wearing a dark maroon T-shirt, light blue jeans with a black belt, and maroon sneakers. The other person was a fair-skinned short girl with short blonde hair and black eyes wearing a dark blue shirt showing several planets in the center, dark blue jeans with a brown belt, and light blue sneakers.

"Yo!" Kameron called out.

Both teens at the table turned their heads to Kameron and the moment they saw him their lips stretched into smiles. "Lars. Sadie. How's it going?" Kameron asked, taking his seat next to Lars.

"Alright." Lars replied as they shared a fist bump. "Though I'm sooo exhausted from that stupid test. Some of the questions weren't even stuff Mrs. Cherry taught us." He added, letting out a loud groan.

"C'mon, Lars. I'm sure it'll be worth it once we get our grades tomorrow morning. Plus as long as the three of us keep on studying together then we'll pass." Sadie said.

"She's right." Kameron added. "Plus I'm gonna make sure you both pass the most."

Lars soon turned his attention to Kameron, "Well...you are one of the geniuses in our class. But can we talk about something else?"

"Is it about hanging out with the Cool Kids or Summer Break?" Kameron asked as he grinned.

"Both." Lars replied. "Plus I need you to be my wingman if any beach babes come by."

Kameron sighed as he shook his head. Classic Lars, always wanting more out of life and lacking both the confidence and motivation to put it into action. Still, he was still young and new at these things, so a little help from your friends never hurts sometimes.

"I'll do my best to be there for you, but that depends on the day and if I'm not busy." Kameron said.

Lars' face lit up at those words. "And this is why you're one of my best friends. Plus if I'm lucky I'll be sure to get you involved too."

"Nah. You don't need to do that." Kameron replied.

"Of course I do, man. I mean, when was the last time you had a girlfriend?" Lars said.

Kameron's pupils slowly shrank as his eyes expanded. His smile soon faded and was replaced with a frown as he turned away from his friend. Girlfriend... A word that hasn't been used on him for a long time.

"Lars!" Sadie said, raising her voice at him.

Realizing what he just did Lars' eyes soon widened as he turned to Kameron, "Dude. I'm so sorry. I forgot."

"It's fine. It's not your fault." Kameron replied, his voice becoming flat.

Before either Lars or Sadie could say something to him a loud buzz echoed in their ears. Kameron reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. The screen showed an image of a Gem flashing red and black colors. Raising his other hand Kameron tapped on the screen before it pulled up a map with a Gem symbol blinking at a location. His eyes soon turned to his friends as their lips turned into frowns. Letting out some air from his nose Kameron put his phone back into his pocket and got up from his seat, grabbing his backpack and his lunch tray with almost all of his food eaten.

"Do you have to go?" Sadie asked.

"You both know I have to." Kameron replied. He then turned around so his friends could see his back. "I chose to do this and gained this dove. As long as I have this I can't ignore what I need to do. "I'll try and make it quick before the next period starts." He added.

Their expression didn't change as he looked back at them. This was hard on them every time he gets a call like that. No matter where he is or what he's doing, as soon as his phone rings that certain tone he immediately goes off to where he has to go.

"Just be careful. Please." Sadie asked.

"Same from me too." Lars added.

Kameron gave them a nod as he placed his backpack on him before walking away from the table. Dumping his remaining food into a nearby trash can Kameron reached into his shirt and pulled out his Warp Whistle. Placing it close to his mouth he blew into it, and soon his body began to get engulfed in light until he completely disappeared. Several bystanders alongside his friends witnessed this before going what they were doing.

May 05th 12:30 p.m.

Within a small alleyway Kameron appeared from a large body of light before it slowly vanished. Putting his Warp Whistle back into his shirt Kameron took off his backpack and placed it on the ground. Raising his right arm his Gem started emitting a bright green glow. A small bright green beam shot right out of his Gem and targeted his backpack, surrounding it in a energy cage before getting it pulled into his Gem. As it got pulled in something else was summoned out.

Coming out of his Gem was a long sharp sword. The blade's hilt showed a large angel wing spread out and stretched upwards on it's right side while the handle was long with a firm grip. Kameron soon grabbed the blade with his right hand and soon placed it on his back as it ended at the back of his left knee.

Turning his body around Kameron's eyes soon descended at a manhole cover. His eyes soon narrowed as he gripped his hands tight. Walking forward he raised both of his hands up and placed them onto the manhole cover. Adding in some pressure Kameron lifted the cover as it got pulled from the ground before he jumped into the hole while reattaching the cover.

Down below Kameron's feet landed in the water, though there wasn't much of it and it was pretty clear that there wasn't just water and muck down here. Stepping out of the water he got onto a nearby walkway and began moving ahead.

'Wonder what kind of Corrupted I'll be dealing with this time?' He thought to himself.

It was a good thing that it was still daylight since the rays were illuminating the area. However it didn't cover all of it, and it was gonna get pretty tricky if Kameron would have to go further down the system.

Making a turn around the corner the sound of water catches his ears. Jogging forward Kameron soon stopped in his tracks. Straight ahead was a bridge that he could easily cross, but from left to right were large waterfalls releasing massive amount of water. Walking onto the bridge he placed a hand onto his goggles and lowered them until they were in place in front of his eyes. He soon walked over to the ledge of the bridge and took a glimpse below. Luckily for him there was a large amount of water, but the major question was how deep it was.

'There's a possible chance there's some drainage holes. From this height I could end up as a pancake or be lucky and smell like a dumpster, which wouldn't be good since I've got to back soon.' He thought to himself.

Just as another thought came into his mind an unexpected chill shivered itself down his spine. He felt a hand touch his shoulder, making him freeze in place. Turning his head his worries soon decreased from seeing a familiar face. Right beside him was a gray-skinned young man with black hair and gray eyes. His hair was short, though he did have short bangs near his eyes. He wore a black vest equipped with numerous belt buckles styled into it, four black belt buckles on his upper and lower arms, black jeans with a black belt, and a black choker with a white dove at it's center.

"Onyx." Kameron said.

"Hello, brother." Onyx replied.

His voice was calm while his face showed no expressions. It wasn't much of a surprise to Kameron as he looked at his brother. He's always been like that ever since he was born into existence.

"Why are you here?" Kameron asked.

Onyx removed his hand from Kameron's shoulder before speaking, "I have come to help."

"I can do this by myself." Kameron said. "Don't you have work today?" He added.

"The service is over and I haven't received any calls for more. I thought it would be best for me to be at your side to stop the Corrupted." Onyx replied.

Kameron soon locked eyes with his brother. He wanted to do this on his own. He could do it. But one of his seven siblings wanted to be by his side and help. It was both common sense and common knowledge that they've been fighting the Corrupted longer than he has. They were more experienced than he was, but that didn't mean he was incapable of handling this in solitude. Still...there wasn't any time to make arguments and neither of them knew what they were going to face.

"Alright. We can make it quick and get it done before I have to head back. I'll except your help." Kameron said.

Onyx nodded as he turned his body and raised his arm out. A large dark portal soon erupted out of thin air, taking form directly in front of the two brothers. Onyx lowered his arm as he and Kameron went into the portal before it closed itself.

Underneath the bridge another large dark portal opened with the brothers coming out. They soon began moving forward.

Further and further they traversed ahead. There hadn't been any changes as they moved. Here and there a few water splashes echoed and quickly disappeared. They were getting close. They had to be.

Taking another turn around a corner the brothers reached a dead end with a vast quantity of water surrounding them. Dripping water entered their ears as they soon placed their backs against one another.

"Are you ready?" Onyx asked.

"Do you even need to ask me that?" Kameron replied.

Onyx's forehead started to glow, revealing his Gem. A long black pole started to exit out of it until Onyx pulled it out completely, revealing it to be a scythe. He started twirling it for a brief moment until a large creature jumped out of the water and was coming straight for them. Both brothers quickly moved out of the way as the creature landed on the walkway.

Taking a good look at it the Corrupted took the form of a scaly dark green reptile with yellow streaks around it's body. Small bolts of electricity circled around it's body as it gazed at the brothers while letting out a few hisses from it's mouth. The Corrupted soon stood on two legs and turned around toward Onyx. It opened it's mouth, letting loose a loud hiss before it dashed straight at him.

Just when Onyx or the Corrupted attempted to make a move the Corrupted suddenly stopped in place, merely several inches away from it's target. Turning it's head back it notice Kameron grabbing onto it's tail with his left hand. "What the hell do you think you're doing going after my brother while I'm standing right here?" He asked firmly. "Get your ass over here!"

With a quick pull Kameron pulled the Corrupted back toward him with great force. He then released it's tail and leaped into the air before spinning his body and launching a kick straight at it's face. The Corrupted was then pushed toward, flying over Onyx and crashing into the walkway.

Recovering from the attack the Corrupted picked itself and directed it's eyes at Kameron and Onyx. Letting out another hiss the Corrupted opened it's mouth while several sparks of electricity circled around it's body. More sparks appeared around it's mouth until a massive blast of lightning was shot out of it. Dashing ahead of Onyx, Kameron stood in front of his brother while raising his left arm out. The lightning impact his arm, making Kameron groan from the amount of pressure he was feeling at the moment. But little by little the lightning started to decrease in size. It kept getting smaller and smaller until it completely disappeared.

The Corrupted let out a ferocious roar and began charging at Kameron, but Onyx soon stepped in. Raising his scythe the Corrupted leaped into the air, but as it got in close range Onyx rapidly slashed the air in front of him, opening a large dark portal. The Corrupted fell straight into it before the portal vanished in the blink of an eye. Onyx then began twirling and spinning his scythe around until he jumped and slashed the air again, allowing the Corrupted to come out.

Crashing into the walkway again the Corrupted opened it's eyes as Kameron walked toward it. Just as it was about to make a move Kameron raised his sword out and brought it down fast and hard. The Corrupted's head was now severed from it's body until both of them exploded in puffs of smoke. When the smoke cleared a Gem with green and yellow streaks on it floated in the air until it fell to the ground.

Reaching out for it Kameron picked up the Gem as he placed his sword onto his back. Placing a soft grip onto it he soon opened his mouth, "From dark to light. Beyond the stars and the universe. Sleep within the core of your existence."

The Gem within his hand started emitting a faint glow before a dove symbol was soon placed onto it. Placing the Gem over his own Kameron's Gem began to glow before pulling the Corrupted's Gem into it.

Lowering his arm Kameron turned his eyes to Onyx, "I'll put it in the vault when I get home."

Onyx nodded as he turned around and opened a dark portal before stepping into it. Once he left Kameron pulled out his sword and placed it into his Gem while getting back his backpack.

You definitely made it quick, huh? - Said the voice.

Kameron placed his goggles on top of his head as he closed his eyes. 'I don't need any commentary from you.' Kameron replied through thought.

Just trying to lighten the mood. No need to get so serious. - The voice replied.

'Let's just go back. We've got Algebra next.' Kameron said in thought as he pulled out his Warp Whistle.

End of Episode 1.

Hope you all enjoyed a little taste of what is to come.

Next Time:

The Hive