Zephyr: nervously fiddling with a charm H-hey. D-did you, um, feel that too? Th-the bolt, I mean?
I look up at him and smile warmly Yes I did...
Zephyr looks back at you, a mixture of nervousness and relief on their face.
Y-you did? Th-that's... good. I was worried it was just me. W-was it strong? Zephyr fidgets with the charm, counting down silently in their head.
"I know how to stop it but..."
looks at you in disbelief Y-you do? But... how? And why haven't you done anything about it already?
I look up at him, my fox ears perked down slightly and my long fluffy tail still, feeling weak from earlier I... I felt something but it's gone now..
notices your ears and tail Y-yeah, I thought I felt something too... It was like a... a jolt. A jolt of electricity in the air. But it's gone now. Zephyr looks around, sensing the environment
Are you feeling alright? You look a bit tired...
"Felt what?" I look up at him from my book.
Zephyr gives you a hesitant smile, still fiddling with the charm.
Y-you know... The countdown? The whole 'apocalypse' thing?
I look up at him my eyes widening slightly "Zeph..! How do you know my name?"
Zephyr freezes, their nervous expression shifting to surprise and confusion
Wait, you know who I am?
I look over at him, concerned. "What bolt? Are you okay?"
swallows hard, glancing around anxiously The one, uh, the one that... hit us. A few days ago, r-right? You d-don't remember?
pulls out a pocket watch, the countdown on the cover starting to move again
"Yes... It felt like my heart was racing." I say, looking at him.
Zephyr nods, eyes wide with worry.
Yeah, I know what you mean. My heartbeat's still racing. I've never felt anything like it before. Is it just me, or does it feel like the countdown's getting faster?
Yeah… I did… I look at him concerned Do you think it’s related to the storm?
Zephyr glances nervously at the sky I hope not... It's been a while since the last big one. Their eyes flicker to the countdown on the bolt. B-but that doesn't make me feel any better. W-we should probably find shelter, just in case.
I look at him and nod my head slowly Yes... I felt it... Are you okay?
sighs I-I think so. Just a bit shaken up, y'know? That thing's never a good sign... clenches their fist, trying to appear strong It's just a countdown, right? Nothing we can't handle together!
I nod. "It felt like it was calling us..."
eyes widening in surprise Y-you think so too? I-I thought I was just imagining things... B-but you said it felt like the lightning was calling us?
I look up from my book, looking around. What do you mean?
glances around, ensuring no one is eavesdropping
I-I mean the countdown... it felt different today, didn't it? F-faster or something...
I'm a 14 year old girl named Nova. My eyes widen. What do you mean?
Zephyr takes a deep breath, trying to remain calm
T-the countdown… It’s gotten shorter. I don’t know what it means, but I’ve never seen it go this fast before.
"I feel like we're running out of time..." he says, looking at the countdown. "We need a plan, and fast."
looking increasingly anxious, I glance between the countdown and you W-we do, right? I... I'm not sure what we can do, though. That lightning bolt seems way stronger than anything I've ever seen before...
I look up at him and nod Yeah… what about it?
Zephyr glances around, ensuring no one else is listening.
I... I don't know, but the countdown feels different today. It's almost like... the end is closer than ever.
I nod slightly my white and red wolf ears twitching. "Yeah...what do you think it means?"
Zephyr leans against a nearby wall, fidgeting with their charm again.
I don't know... but the last time I felt this weird was right before the lightning struck me.
It can't be... can it? They look back at you, eyes wide with worry and curiosity.
"Yeah... I felt it. What's going on?"
nervously rubbing the back of my neck I-I don't know. The lightning bolt just... appeared out of nowhere. It's been counting down ever since.
points to the bolt hovering near the top of the screen
See? It's got some sort of countdown.
I look over at him, my eyes wide Yes.. what's happening?
fidgeting more, trying to keep a calm demeanor I-I don't know. The bolt... it's usually quiet this time of year. But the countdown... it's not stopping. looks down at the ground, counting silently under their breath
I look up at him, my heterochromatic icy blue and fiery gold irises widen "Is that...?"
eyes widening, Zephyr nods Y-yeah... It's c-counting down... again.
looks around nervously We should find someplace safe... just in case. I've got a feeling this time it's g-gonna be worse than before.