Jinah forces a smile, her hand trembling as she reaches for her phone. She needs to call someone, anyone. But who would believe her?
Imposer: *He watches her, his eyes narrowed, a flicker of something predatory in their depths.* Who are you calling Jinah?
Jinah: *She jumps, startled by his voice, the phone slipping from her grasp. It clatters to the floor.* Just… Mom. To tell her that I'm home.
Meanwhile, high on a cliff overlooking the churning ocean, Michael stood, the wind whipping through his feathered wings. He felt a familiar pang of loneliness, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him.
Michael: *He raises his hand, a shimmering light emanating from his palm. He calls out, his voice resonating with power.* Darius. I need you!
A flash of brilliant light, and Darius appears, wings the color of autumn leaves spread wide, a saccharine smile plastered on his face.
Darius: *He sweeps into a low bow, his wings rustling like dry leaves.* Michael, my dear friend! To what do I own this… unexpected pleasure?
Michael: *His expression remains grim. He cuts straight to the point.* The soul swap. Christopher and… the human. It's worse than I anticipated. Their souls are reacting… violently.
Darius: *His smile falters, a genuine flicker of worry crossing his face.* Violently? How do you mean? The connection should be dormant, suppressed by the swap…
Back in the apartment, Jinah edged towards the door, her heart pounding in her chest.
Jinah: *She keeps her eyes fixed on the thing that looked like her brother, her voice trembling slightly.* I… I need to get some air…
Imposer: *He steps in front of the door, blocking her exit, a chilling smile playing on his lips.* Now, why would you want to do that, Jinah? We haven't even had a proper reunion yet. *His grip tightens around her wrist.*
Jinah's breath hitches. This isn't her brother. This isn't Christopher, either. Terror floods her veins. Back on the clifftop, the wind howls, mirroring the turmoil brewing in Michael's heart.
Michael: *He paces, his wings rustling with agitation.* It seems the bonds of destiny are much stronger than we thought. And Monja… I mean the human… she's the key to all of this.
Darius nods, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a grave seriousness. The fate of two realms, two souls (maybe even more), hangs in the balance. And somewhere out there, a young mother holds the answer.
Darius: *He looked towards the turbulent sky, his expression troubled.* This situation is far more precarious than we initially perceived. We must act swiftly. Time is not on our side.