the legacy of A Past Life

The next morning, Ethan woke to the distant sound of excited voices coming from downstairs. He rubbed his eyes, his hair messy, and glanced at the clock—it was still early, but his stomach was growling with hunger. Dressed in a simple T-shirt and shorts, he walked downstairs to the cafeteria, hoping to find something to eat. When he reached the courtyard, he noticed a strange movement. Students were running around, some carrying colorful flags, others adjusting their sports uniforms. It seemed like everyone was getting ready for a game, but Ethan had no idea what it was.

Confused, he approached Penelope Park, who was walking by with a clipboard in her hand, clearly organizing something.

— Hey, Penelope, what's going on? — Ethan asked, scratching the back of his neck with a curious expression.

Penelope turned to him, an excited smile on her face.

"It's Salvatore School's Games Day!" she replied, adjusting her sunglasses on her head. "Once a year, we have a competition between the students. There are games of skill, spells, strength… it's like a supernatural Olympics. You should participate, Nichols, you'd do great!"

Ethan nodded, intrigued, a smile beginning to form on his face. He liked the idea of ​​a challenge. As he thought about it, his eyes swept the courtyard and landed on a group in the distance. Alaric was there, talking to Rafael Waithe—a tall, intense-looking werewolf who was known to be best friends with Landon Kirby, the boy who had brought Landon to school after he revealed his phoenix nature. Rafael had once been protective and loyal, but now his expression was tense, reflecting the weight of Landon's betrayal. Beside them, Hope watched, arms crossed, a serious expression on her face.

Curious, Ethan decided to approach. He walked up to the group, trying to appear casual, and cleared his throat to get their attention.

— Hey, Alaric, Hope… what's up? — he asked, his heterochromatic eyes moving from one to the other, noticing the tension in the air.

Hope looked at him, and for a brief moment, the blush returned to her face as she remembered the scene at the water fountain, but she quickly looked away, keeping her expression serious. Alaric, on the other hand, looked worried, and Rafael watched Ethan with a mixture of curiosity and caution.

Alaric sighed, running a hand over his face before answering.

"Ethan, you should know…" he began, his voice heavy. "Landon Kirby, that boy you met here, stole an enchanted knife from the school. A dangerous artifact. He ran off with it, and we're trying to find him before something worse happens."

Ethan frowned, processing Alaric's words. He knew Rafael from a few basketball games before, and that made Landon's betrayal all the more personal—he had trusted someone who seemed to belong in that world. Anger began to rise then, hot and familiar, a feeling he hadn't felt in days. He clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with indignation.

"What the fuck?" he exclaimed, his hoarse voice thick with fury. "I was fooled by that guy? I gave him five thousand bucks! Even if the money means nothing to me, it was still five thousand bucks! I feel like an idiot… cheated, like I was robbed!"

The betrayal hit him like a punch to the gut. He had trusted Landon enough to give him money—perhaps as a favor or a promise—and now he was discovering that it had all been a facade. Feeling anger bubble up, he turned to Hope, his eyes searching hers.

"Hope, what's really going on?" he asked, his voice lower now, but still thick with emotion. "Wasn't Landon your friend?"

Hope hesitated, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her eyes met Ethan's, and for a moment, she seemed torn between the anger she still carried and something softer, maybe even guilt. Before she could respond, Ethan stepped forward, anger spilling over into his words.

"You know what? I need to go on this adventure," he said, his voice firm, his eyes blazing with determination. "I need to punch Landon a couple times for stealing my money. I mean, I know I gave him the money, but that doesn't matter right now. I need to punch someone right now!"

Rafael, who was nearby and watching the scene, raised his hand in a calm gesture, trying to calm the situation.

"Hey, Ethan, take a breath, man," he said, his voice firm but reassuring. "We're going to figure this out together, okay?"

But before Ethan could respond, Alaric cleared his throat, catching everyone's attention. He looked at Ethan, his expression serious, but with a hint of determination.

"Ethan, if you're so determined, I'll let you come with us," Alaric said, his voice firm. "We need all the help we can get to find Landon and get the knife back before he causes any more trouble."

Hope immediately turned to Alaric, her eyes wide, her voice thick with concern.

"Alaric, no!" she exclaimed, her arms uncrossing as she gestured toward Ethan. "He doesn't know anything about magic! He could end up getting hurt… or worse!"

Ethan raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile appearing on his face. He crossed his arms, tilting his head to the side as he looked at Hope.

"Seriously, Hope?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, but with a hint of playfulness. "I can defend myself, okay? I'm not a novice at fighting. I took down Mg in training, remember? Relax, I can handle a little magic… or whatever comes my way."

Hope frowned, clearly not convinced, but before she could retort, Alaric held up his hand, cutting off the argument.

"Enough arguing," Alaric said, his voice sharp but firm. "We should get going. The sooner we find Landon, the better."

Hope watched in silence, her lips parted in a mixture of surprise and reluctance as her eyes shifted from Alaric to Ethan. She was still worried, but after a long moment, she let out a heavy sigh and nodded slowly, accepting the decision, though with evident hesitation.

Soon, the group was in a car, the engine purring as they drove down the road. Ethan sat by the window, staring at the trees and fields that passed quickly beyond the glass. He sighed, his mind spinning with the events of the day. Was he really angry? Hahaha, of course not. Money had never been a problem for him, he knew that. After all, 5 thousand reais was a drop in the ocean for his family. Besides, the choice to give the money to Landon had been his—no one asked him to do it. He chuckled quietly to himself, his initial anger giving way to an almost childish curiosity. In truth, he was there more for fun, to take a ride and see how people solved things based on "magic." It was all new, and he was eager to find out what would come next.

Meanwhile, Hope sat in the front seat, next to Alaric, who was driving. In the rearview mirror, she watched Ethan, his face creased in confusion and suspicion. Why had he lied? She could sense, almost instinctively, that he hadn't been truly angry when he'd spewed those words about Landon earlier. His tone, the way he'd joked about it later—it had all been an act. Was he enjoying this? But why? Landon's betrayal was serious, dangerous, and here Ethan was, treating it like some random fling. Hope pressed her lips together, her thoughts spinning as she tried to understand his intentions.

The car stopped in a clearing at the edge of a dense forest, tires squealing against the gravel. Alaric turned off the engine and turned to the group, his expression serious.

"We're here," he said, opening the door. "We're going to the forest. Stay alert."

The group got out of the car, the fresh forest air filling their lungs as they walked towards the trees. Ethan adjusted his backpack on his shoulders, looking around with a mix of excitement and curiosity.

"It looks like the scene of a horror movie," he commented, a playful smile on his face. "I hope there aren't any zombies around."

Hope glanced sideways at him, her lips pressed together, but didn't respond. She paused for a moment, her eyes scanning the vegetation ahead, and let out a frustrated sigh.

"I don't know why he's still here," she said, her voice thick with doubt. "He's got a whole day's head start. He could be anywhere."

Rafael, who was walking beside her, frowned thoughtfully.

"Maybe because he has no reason to run away," he suggested, his voice calm but with a hint of uncertainty.

Hope turned to him, eyes narrowing.

"That would be a great argument if he hadn't run away," she retorted, her tone dry and sarcastic.

Before Rafael could respond, Alaric held up his hand for silence. He tilted his head, eyes alert as he listened to something in the distance.

— Shh! — he whispered, his voice tense. — Everyone shut up. Do you hear me? There's someone here.

The group fell silent, the sound of snapping branches echoing faintly through the forest. Alaric pulled a small flashlight from his backpack and began running toward the sound, his heart pounding. Hope, Rafael, and Ethan followed, staying close as they moved through the trees.

Alaric came to a small clearing and stopped abruptly, finding a woman sitting against a tree. She was black, with dirty, disheveled hair falling over her face, her eyes wide with fear as she looked around. Her clothes were torn, and she looked disoriented.

"It's okay," Alaric said, his voice soft as he approached slowly, his hands raised in a sign of peace. "I won't hurt you."

The woman stepped back a little, her eyes darting nervously between Alaric and the group. She hugged her knees, as if trying to protect herself.

Alaric crouched down slightly, keeping his distance, and asked carefully:

— Were you on the bus?

The woman hesitated, her lips trembling, but before she could answer, Alaric turned to the group, his expression serious.

"You need help," he told the woman, his voice firm but gentle. "Please come with me."

Then he looked at Hope, Rafael, and Ethan, pointing to the forest ahead.

"Why don't you guys go?" he instructed. "But don't approach Landon. He's dangerous."

Rafael frowned, taking a step forward.

"Landon isn't dangerous," he replied, his voice thick with conviction.

Alaric interrupted him, raising his hand authoritatively.

"I told you not to approach him," he cut in, his tone making it clear there was no room for discussion.

Hope, Rafael, and Ethan exchanged glances, the tension between them palpable. Alaric stood by the woman's side, ready to help her, as the trio began moving through the woods toward Landon.

As they walked through the trees, the silence was interrupted only by the sound of footsteps on the dry leaves. Rafael broke the silence, turning to Hope with a worried expression.

—And what really happened on that bus? — Rafael asked Hope.

"No one knows," Hope replied, her voice low and filled with uncertainty. "It feels like something burned him up inside."

Rafael paused for a moment, his eyes fixed straight ahead, before continuing.

— Whatever he did, I know there's a good explanation. He's the most loyal friend I've ever had. He was there for me on the worst day of my life. When my girlfriend died, he was the one who kept me going. So let me take the knife and let him know what he has to say — Rafael told Hope, his voice firm with determination.

Hope crossed her arms, giving Rafael a critical look.

"I appreciate the trust, but I think you can help yourself by making new friends," Hope said, her tone dry.

Rafael snorted, a slight wry smile appearing.

— To seem popular and loved like you? I've only been at school for two days and I've already heard all about Hope Mikaelson and her good humor — Rafael retorted.

Hope shook her head at Rafael, as if she disagreed with his words, but didn't respond immediately. Ethan, who was walking alongside, watched the exchange with interest.

— I'll get your stupid knife and the answers you want, I promise — Rafael said, with a determined face, clenching his fists.

"And why should I trust you?" Hope asked, her ironic tone cutting through the air.

— Because I don't lie — Rafael replied, lifting his chin.

"Everyone lies," she said mockingly, smiling as she looked at Rafael and then looked away to Ethan, who was a little surprised by that direct look.

Ethan blinked in surprise and thought to himself, "Did I do something?" as he turned his neck slightly to the side in confusion.

Hope sighed, turning her attention back to the front.

"He's right ahead. You only have three minutes to do it your way," Hope said, pointing toward a cabin in the distance.

— Wait, the director said we shouldn't talk to him… — Rafael began, hesitantly.

"Two minutes and fifty-eight," Hope began, scoffing as she shook her head.

Rafael ran to the cabin with a rush in his steps. 

Ethan, still processing the situation, gave a surprised smile.

"So you're the type who doesn't follow rules?" he asked, trying to keep up with Hope.

"What do you think, sir? I'm having fun with crazy, dangerous adventures," Hope joked, chuckling lightly as she started walking toward the cabin.

— Hey, what are you doing? Didn't you say three minutes? — Ethan called, quickening his pace to keep up with her.

— As I said before, dear Ethan, everyone lies… even me — Hope replied, mocking as she continued to head towards the cabin, Ethan stayed behind looking at her a little surprised and with a small smile