Chapter 25: HIATUS

"Aildrin, listen. Wear this necklace. Always wear it, understood? If something wrong is about to happen, it will throb like a troubled heart."

The boy remembered the words of his father while gripping the necklace—a ruby in the shape of a water droplet set in the middle of a circular turquoise. It was like crystallized blood in a bluish-green ocean.

"You nervous, loser?" The voice behind Aildrin interrupted his thoughts.

It was Osho, his vice-captain and best friend. A fair-skinned teenage boy, the same age as Aildrin, with long black hair neatly tied in a ponytail. "What's that? Is that our lucky charm for tonight's match?"

"A gift from dad. I'm not nervous, I'm thrilled! Have you forgotten that I'm your lucky charm, loser?"

"Lucky charm my ass! We've never won a match against them during the season because of your silly plans!" Osho said. "And now your plan is even crazier! This is the finals!"

"Just stick to the plan. Let's go. The others are waiting for us at the entrance."