The wheels of the car hummed steadily beneath them as Anika steered through the winding Tennessee backroads, her eyes scanning the mist-laced horizon. The sun had just begun to rise, casting soft gold through the dense forest canopy that lined the road. She didn't speak much, but her fingers tapped against the steering wheel.
Sabrina sat in the passenger seat, silent but alert. Her hoodie was pulled halfway up, her arms crossed tight against her chest. She hadn't slept. Neither had Anika.
The trees grew denser, and the road narrowed. In the distance, the first glimpse of Anika's secluded estate emerged, partially veiled by the morning mist, perched like a secret in the hills. A sense of stillness washed over the space around it, old and watchful.
Sabrina leaned forward, her brows drawn as she took it in. "This where you live?" she asked quietly.
Anika nodded. "It's safe here. For now."
They pulled up to the front. Just stillness and that strange, pressing quiet. The kind that felt like the land was listening. Sabrina stepped out slowly, her shoes crunching on the gravel. The mountain air was cleaner, but something about it felt heavier too, like the atmosphere itself held secrets.
She paused at the base of the porch steps, staring up at the house. "Feels... old," she murmured. "But like... not in a bad way. Just... like it remembers."
Anika glanced at her but didn't explain. She just opened the door. Inside, the house was dim and quiet. The scent of vanilla and sage lingered in the air.
Jor'Danna looked up from where she was perched on the edge of the couch, wrapping a bandage around Brevin's head. Her curls were pulled back into a messy knot, her shirt smeared with dried blood and dirt.
Jor'Danna stood quickly. "You're back!"
Anika's heart dropped. She rushed across the room, eyes wide as she dropped to her knees beside Brevin.
"What happened?" she asked, voice trembling.
"We got attacked. It was the Obsidian," Jor'Danna said, her voice still heavy with exhaustion. "The same one from Colorado... but there were two more that accompanied him."
Anika froze. "Two more?"
"Yeah, they were relentless and strong, but we got lucky. We found someone. Another one of us."
Anika looked up sharply. "What do you mean?" She stood, her pulse quickening. "Where is he?"
A deep voice answered from the hallway.
"Sorry to intrude." Ozias stepped inside, his broad frame filling the doorway. The room went still.
Anika turned, startled. Her breath caught. "You... You're one of them."
Ozias nodded once. "Name's Ozias. You must be Doctor Anika. Jor'Danna mentioned."
He extended a hand. Anika took it, still stunned. "Yes. Yes, I'm Anika."
"He runs a food truck," Jor'Danna explained. "He showed up right before they did. Helped us fight back." She glanced between them, then looked at Sabrina. "And this is...?"
"Sabrina," she replied quietly.
"Nice to meet you." Jor'Danna offered a soft smile. "I'm Jor'Danna."
Anika stood still, trying to collect her thoughts. Trying to breathe. So much had happened in so little time, and now this.
"So the massive energy spike I detected from here... that was you?" she asked, her gaze drifting between them.
"Probably." Jor'Danna murmured, her head lowered. "It got chaotic."
Anika's brow furrowed. "How did the Obsidians even find you?"
Jor'Danna hesitated. "I'm not sure. We were at Ozias's boxing match, watching him fight when—"
Anika's head snapped toward her. "A boxing match? Jor'Danna, what happened to lying low like I asked?"
Ozias stepped in, voice calm but respectful. "That's on me. They helped me with a flat tire on my food truck. I cooked them a meal, and then I invited them to come see me fight."
Anika blinked, lips pressed tightly together. Was this divinely orchestrated? the thought whispered through her mind.
"Brevin and I saw his powers during the match," Jor'Danna added. "He tried to leave right after, clearly freaked out. We followed him, tried to explain what was happening, but he was skeptical. So Brevin stopped him, and I used my power to show him we were like him and he didn't need to be afraid."
Ozias nodded. "Then those things showed up.
Anika stared at the floor, her voice low. "I'm glad you all found each other and had each other's back, but Jor'Danna..." she looked up slowly, "using your abilities so openly like that was reckless."
"I know," Jor'Danna said, her voice breaking with guilt. "But if we hadn't shown him, he might've taken off. And what if they found him alone..." She shook her head. "They would've killed him, Anika."
Anika's jaw tightened. After a long pause, she exhaled. "Fair point. But next time, please let me know before engaging."
She stepped closer to Brevin, who was still unconscious on the couch, his chest rising and falling shallowly.
"From the looks of it, things seemed like they got very violently." She added with worry etched across her face.. "What happened to him?"
Jor'Danna's mouth drew tight. "One of them, the big one. He ripped out a streetlight pole and hurled it at him. It hit Brevin pretty hard."
Anika swore under her breath. "We're going to have to get him to a hospital."
"I—I think I can help with that," Sabrina said quietly.
All eyes turned to her.
"What do you mean?" Anika asked, surprise in her tone.
Sabrina stepped forward, unsure but resolute. "I think... I can feel when people are hurt. Where the pain is, and I can... fix it. I did it once back home to my friend. I didn't even know I was doing it. It just... happened."
Anika blinked. "A healer," she whispered under her breath. She looked at Brevin, then back to Sabrina. "Do you think you can try? On him?"
Sabrina nodded slowly. "Okay." She exhaled, brushing trembling hands down the sides of her jeans as she stepped closer.
Sabrina knelt beside Brevin, her fingers trembling slightly as she reached out. The closer she got, the more her body reacted. Like a static charge humming just beneath her skin.
She hovered her hands over his chest and his head, where blood had stained the bandages. His breathing was shallow, strained. She could feel it, the pain, like a low vibration radiating off him. It buzzed through her palms, sharp and aching, as if her body was trying to sync with his wounds.
"You don't have to force it," Anika said gently, sensing her hesitation.
A soft green shimmer bloomed across her palms, flickering at first like candlelight, then glowing brighter, warmer. The light reached into Brevin's chest, washing over him, sinking into his wounds.
Brevin stirred, a soft gasp leaving his lips.
Jor'Danna took a step forward, wide-eyed. "It's working!"
His breathing evened out. His forehead no longer glistened with sweat. Brevin blinked awake.
Sabrina exhaled, relief washing over her like a wave.
Brevin looked down at himself, then slowly sat up, testing his ribs with one hand. His eyes widened.
"I feel... fuckin' amazing," he laughed, half in disbelief. "Like it never even happened."
Anika's gaze stayed on Sabrina. "You healed him," she said, voice hushed with awe. "You're a true empathic healer. That's... extremely rare. Based on the surveillance video, I thought shielding was your only gift."
"She can shield people?" Ozias asked, glancing over at Sabrina.
"How?" Brevin added.
Without warning, Anika reached into her coat pocket, pulled out a small silver pocketknife, and lunged it straight at Ozias.
Sabrina gasped. Her hands flew up on instinct. In a flash, a golden energy field burst outward from her palms. The shield erupted in front of Ozias, and the knife slammed against the energy field with a sharp clink, then dropped to the floor.
Everyone froze.
Even Sabrina looked stunned, her hands still raised, the shield flickering and slowly fading out.
Anika bent down and picked up the knife, a sly smile on her face. "That's how." she said with a chuckle.
Ozias blinked, lowering his hands. "Yo... okay. That was dope."
Sabrina let out a shaky laugh, wiping her face. "I don't know how I'm doing it... it just feels like... I don't know. Like something's flowing through me."
Anika knelt beside her. "That's exactly how it works. You're channeling a gift, something ancient and divine."
Jor'Danna winced slightly as she shifted her weight. "So... if you're still in healer mode," she said, lifting her shirt just enough to show a deep bruise along her ribs, "think you could patch up Ozias and me too? We might've won that fight, but we definitely took a few beatings."
Sabrina nodded with a gentle smile. "Yeah, of course."
Sabrina wiped her hands on her hoodie as the last green shimmer faded from Ozias's shoulder. He flexed it once, surprised by the total lack of pain.
"I owe you for that," he said, offering her a nod of genuine respect.
As Anika stood and grabbed her bag. Her expression had shifted calmer, but focused. "I need everyone to meet me in my office." She said.
Brevin gave Sabrina a reassuring pat on the shoulder as they all moved to follow Anika through the wide hallway of the mansion. Their footsteps echoed softly against the hardwood floors, the house still quiet except for the distant chirp of morning birdsong outside.
They entered a large room at the end of the hall. Anika's office. It was spacious but not extravagant. A wide window overlooked the misty forest, sunlight filtering through the treetops. The walls were lined with overflowing bookshelves, maps of constellations, vintage scientific equipment, and glowing glass models of DNA strands suspended midair. A large circular table sat in the center, with a chalkboard filled with intersecting zodiac signs and unfamiliar symbols standing just behind it. They each took a seat, but Anika remained standing. She turned and faced them.
"I know you all have questions. And now that you're here, it's time you got some answers."
She took a deep breath, letting her eyes sweep across the room at Sabrina, Jor'Danna, Brevin, and Ozias.
"I need you to understand something," she began. "None of this is coincidence. Not the powers. Not the attacks. Not your connection to each other. Everything that's happening, it's been building for decades."
She tapped the edge of the chalkboard.
"Twenty-four years ago, during the great planetary alignment on New Year's Eve, 2001, the year each of you were born something awakened. A cosmic shift. That moment activated a dormant genetic mutation. Something ancient, buried deep in your DNA. I call it the Z-Gene."
Her voice grew steadier as she moved to the center of the room.
"That same night, I had a vision of this moment. I was given a task: to find you, guide you, and prepare you."
She paused, letting the silence settle.
"You were born with it. All of you are what my research and certain ancient texts refer to as Starseeds."
Ozias raised an eyebrow. "So... we're like chosen ones or something?"
Anika nodded. "Yes, but you weren't chosen by man, or government organizations, like the Obsidians. You all were chosen by something far greater. Something sacred, and cosmic in design."
She turned to face the board.
"Each of you represents a unique energetic signature tied to celestial forces... and the twelve zodiacs. You're here to help Earth raise its vibration so it can evolve past the darkness, fear, and corrupt systems that plague this planet making the human experience nothing but suffering."
Brevin leaned forward. "Twelve? But there's only four of us here."
"Exactly," Anika replied. "Which means eight more are out there. And at any given moment, they can activate just like you all did. Which means they'll likely be scared, confused, and possibly under attack by either an Obsidian... or someone working for the government."
Jor'Danna narrowed her eyes. "So people like your ex-husband are trying to kill us?"
"The people my dad works for?" Sabrina added, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes," Anika said. "And they're not going to go easy."
She turned back to the table.
"So far, I've identified four of the twelve zodiac signs. Libra..." she said looking at Jor'Danna. Capricorn—Brevin. Virgo—Sabrina, and now you, Ozias. When's your birthday?"
"April 22nd," he answered.
Anika nodded. "a Taurus."
Brevin spoke again. "So... are the Obsidians like us? I mean, they have powers like we do."
Anika shook her head. "No. They're something else entirely."
Her voice darkened.
"The Obsidians weren't chosen, they were created by a covert military faction led by my ex-husband, General Pitman, and his lieutenant, your father, Sabrina."
Sabrina's face went pale.
"They discovered the Z-Gene long before the public knew anything about it. I believe they were trying to weaponize it by specifically using your genetic code, Brevin. Which is why they held you in the facility being one of the first to activate. However, when their experiments failed, they ended up creating an artificial counterforce."
She stepped back, letting her words hit.
"The Obsidians are the result of black market human trafficking and illegal experimentation. Kidnapped children, and soldiers sold by corrupt officials. Most didn't survive the trials, but those who did..." her voice tightened, "...became what you've seen."
"They were engineered to suppress, neutralize, and kill those carrying the Z-Gene. Think of them as shadows, on a mission to snuff out your light, and now that you're awaken... they're hunting."
Jor'Danna whispered, "The black market... that's fucked up."
Ozias crossed his arms tighter. "So they were turned into weapons against their will."
"I can't believe my father would be part of something this vile," Sabrina muttered, her voice breaking slightly.
Jor'Danna stared out the window, jaw clenched. "So we're just supposed to wait around for them to come after us?"
Anika's voice grew firm. "No. You train. You learn who you are. Develop your abilities, and stay hidden for now. The time will come, when you all have to fight back. Together."
Sabrina looked down at her hands, still faintly warm from the healing. "But how do we find the others? There's twelve of us, right?"
Anika moved to her desk and tapped a small device. A glowing holographic map of the U.S. floated above it. Four red points pulsed. California, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
"I've been tracking cosmic surges similar to what happens when one of you activates. That's how I'm able to find you."
Brevin stood, stretching his shoulder. "Then let's find the rest before those freaks do."
"Agreed," Ozias said.
Anika looked at each of them, so different, yet bound by the same force. Then she sighed.
"Unfortunately, that's not how it works."
They all looked up.
"The red dots only appear after a Starseed activates. That's the only time I can detect them. Until then, the cosmos hides you strategically. You're all scattered across the world for a reason. Each awakening is tied to divine timing."
She turned to face them fully.
"Think about it. Ozias's flat tire. Jor'Danna and Brevin just happened to be nearby. I go to Oklahoma because of Sabrina's activation. You three endured a brutal fight, untrained and survived against the Obsidian. I return just in time with Sabrina who has the ability to heal which has helped all of you return to good health. It all happened intentionally." Anika added.
They sat quietly for a moment, each processing the truth in their own way.
Finally, Jor'Danna nodded. "That... actually makes sense."
Brevin rubbed his face and muttered, "This is wild."
Ozias gave a low grunt of agreement.
"I know this is a lot to take in... but from this point forward, everything you do matters. Each of you will need to understand your abilities, what they are, and how they work. You also need to know how to protect yourselves without drawing attention."
Jor'Danna raised a brow. "You're saying we train now? Like, actually train?"
"Yes," Anika said. "I have a military background. You'll train to strengthen your physical body and I'll teach you to tune into your energy, expand your abilities, and ground yourselves spiritually. Your powers come from being focused and grounded, not just aggression."
Ozias stepped forward, curious. "You have a place for all that here?"
Anika gave a small smile. "This house sits on one of the oldest energy lines in North America. A natural ley line. There's a meditation dome in the forest, an underground sparring room in the cellar, and enough land for elemental training."
Brevin let out a low whistle. "You've been ready for this."
Anika's eyes softened. "I've been waiting twenty-four years for you, of course I was preparing for this." She laughed.
Sabrina looked up, her voice barely audible. "So... what do we do first?"
Anika walked back to the table and spread out four slim folders, each marked with each of their zodiac glyphs.
"We start with understanding who you are."
Anika looked around the table, her gaze steady. "You aren't here to become soldiers. That's not what I do. We all are here for a purpose. This isn't just about survival, it's about becoming the fullest version of who you were chosen to be."
She tapped the table once more. "You'll start training in the mornings. I'll pair you off for simulations and control work. We'll meditate together every evening. It won't be easy, but it's the only way we can stay prepared for what's coming."
They each nodded, a slow but steady resolve settling in the room.
Jor'Danna spoke up. "And what happens when another Starseed activates?"
Anika stepped toward the window, staring out at the trees swaying in the morning light.
"We'll go get them. Before someone else does."
______________
That evening back on base, monitors flickered with surveillance footage, digital schematics, and biometric readouts. A sleek black conference table stood at the center, surrounded by steel chairs.
General Cory Pitman stood at the head of it, arms folded, his eyes hard. Dressed in a dark tactical uniform, his face was unreadable, but the tension in his jaw said enough. One by one, the Obsidians entered the room Echo, Reaper, Rage, and Mayhem.
"Sit," Cory said flatly.
They obeyed.
He tapped the table. A hologram bloomed in the air above it maps, surveillance clips, and images of Jor'Danna, Brevin, Ozias, Sabrina, and Anika.
"Your failed mission in Tennessee changes everything," Cory began. "You fuckin embarrassed me." He snapped.
He looked each Obsidian in the eye.
"No more mistakes. No more underestimating them."
He paused. Then, he turned to Echo.
"Effective immediately, you're leading this unit. I'm done letting emotions compromise decisions. Reaper follows power. Rage follows impulse. Mayhem follows blood, but you follow results."
Echo straightened, but said nothing. Reaper blinked slowly, but didn't protest. Rage grunted and leaned back in his chair. Mayhem tilted her head with a grin.
"So what's the mission, General?" Echo asked.
"All four of you are being deployed," he said. "You will track the Starseeds. Divide and conquer. If you can capture them alive, good. If not terminate them, and bring their corpse to me." He leaned forward, his voice like steel.
"Anika is now priority one."
Echo nodded.
Cory stepped back into the shadows. "NOW GO, and this time... don't fail."
_______________
As the moonlight cast pale slivers across Anika's office. A single candle flickered on the edge of her desk. Papers were scattered across the table notes, birth records, astrological maps, and scrawled timelines.
Anika sat alone, deep in thought, her fingers gently turning a beaded prayer bracelet around her wrist.
The mansion was still. Everyone else had gone to bed. But her mind remained alert. Suddenly a soft chime echoed through the room. She turned. A small console on her desk blinked red. Her breath caught. She stepped closer and tapped the screen. The map unfolded again, this time zooming across the globe.
A new pulse. A new signature. São Paulo, Brazil...