Anne slips through the crowd, her eyes lowered, her halo carefully concealed beneath a mundane cap. The resonance circle looms nearby, its glowing runes pulsing with power—a reminder of destinies chosen at eighteen. She moves with practiced ease, blending perfectly among the hopeful and ambitious. Nobody notices how the light bends around her, how the air feels colder in her wake.
Four Anomalies—heroes revered for their five-door destinies—are missing, their halos absent from the skyline. The fifth, a villain, is nowhere to be found. Tension thickens as the search narrows, rumors swirling of a sixth anomaly hiding in plain sight. Anne’s name is whispered, her mysterious aura drawing suspicion. Leaders gather, plotting to infiltrate the hero school and reveal the hidden one.
Anne stands at the edge, watching their approach, her heart steady and cold. She recalls her mentor’s words, echoing from the shadows: “You are not like them, but you must live among them.” She feigns surprise as the group confronts her, their leader’s voice urgent. "Anne, we know who you are. The world needs you now—will you help us?"
Anne[/@ch_1]’s measured breathing.]
She debates the request, shadows swirling within her, emotionless yet thoughtful. Her mentor’s sacrifice weighs heavy, urging her to transcend the darkness. Though she has never felt pain or love, she understands duty—her mask of kindness is more than an act. "I’ll help you, but you must trust me. The shadows reveal truths the light cannot."
Anne[/@ch_1] steps into the center.]
Her shadow powers surge, swirling tendrils weaving between the doors—each opening to hidden worlds inside herself. For the first time, she reveals her halo: obsidian, rimmed in violet, radiating secrets. The others watch, awestruck, as she manipulates darkness to trace the missing Anomalies’ echoes. "They’re alive, but trapped. I can show you the way, if you follow me into the shadows."
Anne[/@ch_1]’s halo lighting the path. The team follows, their faces grim yet hopeful.]
She leads them deeper, navigating labyrinths shaped by her power—every step revealing more of her hidden self. Though she is consumed by shadow, her actions are gentle, guiding others without cruelty. As the group reaches the heart of the maze, a faint glow signals the presence of the missing Anomalies. "This is your chance. Step through, and reclaim your future. I’ll keep you safe, even if I must stay in the dark."
