The Frozen Hour

Somewhere in the endless starry sky, where no light reaches and no sound is heard. A hazy figure could be seen sitting on a throne made up of very starry sky itself. Its presence both Ancient and divine. After a few moments the hazy figure slowly opens its silver starlight like eyes and gazes somewhere far yet near, a small smile tugging it's lips. Soon. It once again closes it's eyes…

*Knock* *Knock*

"Miss A.."

"Miss Ann.."

"Miss Anna..!"

Anna hurriedly wakes up after hearing her butler call for her.

"Ugh.. good morning uncle Andy" 

"Good morning, Miss Anna"

"What time is it?" Anna says while rubbing her sleepy eyes to get rid of her sleep.

"It's about to be 8 AM, Miss Anna"

"Hah.. I am going to get late…" 

"Then you shall hurry up and get ready, Miss Anna"

"Yea…"

"Let me talk to the driver so you can leave for your college as soon as you are ready." Andy said as he left the room.

Anna stands up from her bed and leaves to get ready for college.

After a few minutes, Anna is ready to leave for her college. She walks past the gates of The Starborne Mansion and reaches the car. after sitting at the right back seat ( behind the driver seat ) Anna spoke

"Uncle Jack please drive fast or else I'll get late!" 

"As you say, Miss Anna" 

Jack starts the car and they are soon on their way to the college, Anna gazes at the towering trees going past her through the car's window causing her to blossom a small radiant smile.

Jack looks back through the mirror, after seeing the small radiant smile tugging to Anna's face he thought.

'Master... you must be happy that your kids are having a happy life? right?' 

"Hah.." A long sigh escape his lips

"Hmm? What is it, uncle jack? Something's wrong?" 

"No... nothing, miss Anna." 

After a few minutes they stop in front of the gates of Solar Trinity Collage, Anna steps out of the car.

"I'll see you at 2 PM then miss Anna."

"Sure thing uncle jack, bye!"

Anna looks behind where stood A three-storey college building with cream-colored walls and large glass windows stands elegantly amidst lush greenery. The entrance features dark wooden doors and stone pillars, leading to a welcoming portico. A modern welded iron gate with sleek, geometric patterns secures the main entrance. Beautiful gardens with colourful flowers and neatly trimmed lawns surround the building. Tall trees and stone pathways complete the peaceful, academic atmosphere.

Anna hurriedly entered the gates.

'I hope I am not late' she thought.

While stuttering through the stone pathway towards the main entrance of the collage. Her eyes then fell on two girls standing beside the main entrance gossiping with each other.

"Elise, Henna!!"

Elise and Henna move their head towards the sound after hearing someone call them, Their eyes sparkle after seeing a girl with shiny blue hairs, green emerald like eyes, a fit feminine build of 6 feet height with a heavenly face.

""Anna..!!"" Both of them call out at the same time.

"Hmm? Where is zora?" Anna asks when she didn't see the third monkey of this group of mischievous friends.

"Her mother had an accident at home. So, she didn't come." ---a fair skinned 24 years old woman, she had deep green hairs reaching till her waist, black eyes and a good to look at face, she had a normal build of 5.8 feet height--- Henna said with a small frown on her face. Her expressions were of worry. 

"I see... I'll talk to her later." 

Soon, the three friends left for their class, as it was is about to start.

After a few moments, The three friends reached the classroom. After looking throughout the classroom Anna decides to sit at the 6th bench of 5th row with Henna and Elise sits right after them at the 7th bench of 5th row

"Huu.. I am all alone" ---a 19 years old woman, she had dark blue shoulder-length hair and eyes of same colour, she had an above average face however due to her short stature she looked cute---Elise said while acting dejected from the thought of sitting alone.

Soon, Another girl came to where Elise was and called out.

"Elise!!" 

Elise turned around to look who had called her. Her eyes then fell on ---a 22 years old woman, She had light brown hair tied in a ponytail, eyeglasses adorned her light light brown eyes, she had a cute looking face and a decent build of 5.8 feet height--- and she spoke.

"Hmm? Oh. Amaya!!" 

"Can I sit with you?" Amaya asked.

"Sure!!" Elise beams from not having to sit alone throughout the day.

"Hey guys! Meet Amaya. She just started to live near my house so we became friends!!" Elise said as she had a smug look on her face.

"hello.." "Hello Amaya!!"

Anna greeted her half-heartedly while Henna moved her hand towards Amaya for a hand shake.

*Ahem* *Ahem*

Anna and Henna turned back towards the direction of the sound and saw the professor was looking at them with dissatisfied look.

"Eek.. agh.. sorry professor!!" startled by the professor's gaze, both Anna and Henna replied in a meek voice.

"Take your seats!" said the professor , his voice authoritative.

Anna and Henna hurriedly sat on their seats while glaring daggers at Elise, Who was looking at them with a wide grin on her cute little face.

The clock hands move past one another and now it's time for the interval.

"You may now leave the classroom" the female professor said as she was bundling all of her items.

As soon as Elise heard that she started running towards the cafeteria, Anna and Henna also started to run behind her with the intention of catching her and give her some tough love.

Amaya after seeing their group act like this blossomed a small smile which soon gets replaced by a slight frown.

'I hope I am not doing something wrong.. but.. I still have to do it.' Amaya thought with a determined look in her eyes.

The group of four sat near one of the tables at the corner and ordered some snacks and drinks from the cafeteria.

"So, what I was saying is that please don't forget that today is Jacob's birthday and you have to come." Henna said with worry

"Ya ya i get it, stop bothering me." Anna replied in an annoyed tone

"Heh. Didn't you say the same thing during the engagement party of Lilya?" Elise said with a smug look.

"Hmph!" Anna looked away seemingly not interested in their questions anymore.

"Hey.. you guys.. have you heard about midnighters?" Amaya questioned.

"""Midnighters? What's that?""" 

"Hmm? What? You never heard about them?" Amaya said with a shocked expression.

"Spit it out!" Elise demanded.

"Ah so, I heard that there are few humans who get Superhuman abilities at night time and they call themselves midnighters" Amaya said while leaning forward in a low tone preferably she didn't want others to hear her.

Hearing her both Elise and Henna rolled up their eyes meanwhile sparkles can be seen in the eyes of Anna 

"You sure?!" Anna asked with an excited look 

"Ah... yes" Amaya replied not expecting Anna to act like that 

"Hah.. Not again" both Elise and Henna heaved a long sign 

"You should stop reading and watching those novels and anime of yours, Anna" Elise said while shaking her head.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Anna asked.

"It makes you stupid!" Elise replied matter-of-factly.

"But... don't you have the lowest grades among all of us?" Anna replied while tilting her head.

"Um..." a voice escaped Amaya's lips who had an embarrassed look on her face

"Ah i meant among us" Anna said while pointing at Herself, Elise, Henna and an image of Zora in her smartphone.

"It's not about the grades!!" Elise said, she couldn't believe what Anna was saying. 

*Ring* *Ring*

The interval bell rang announcing the end of interval and start of yet another boring class.

Few hours later the bell rings one more time announcing the end of collage and giving the freedom Anna so desperately wanted.

"Finally i am free" Anna said like she had been trapped in a cage for years.

Anna walked towards the towering exit gates with her three friends.

"Anna, Please don't forget about Jacob's birthday party." Henna said with a voice tinged with worry.

"Yea, yea" Anna replied half-heartedly.

"I beg you, please" Henna requested.

"Ugh.. you are so tense for no reason. I'll be there at right time, don't worry" Anna said while giving a deadpan look to Henna.

"Haa.. Ok" Henna replied with the thought of putting her faith in Anna.

"Miss Anna." Jack who was standing beside the car called out to anna with a small smile.

"""Uncle Jack!!""" the three friends called out to jack with a small smile of their own.

"Bye guys, see you all at the party!" Anna said before parting her ways and walking towards her ride

Jack opened the door to the right back seat for Anna, Anna takes her seat in the ride Jack having taken the driver seat asks 

"How was your day miss Anna?"

"It was fine.." Anna said lazily but soon she beamed

"ah, I want to meet my brother today!" 

Hearing that Jack nodded

"I'll contact young master and ask if he is able to meet you today." Jack replied.

"Okay!" Anna said with a grin plastered on her face.

After reaching at her mansion Anna dashed to her room to get changed, she had worn a red and black checkers long skirt, A red T-shirt which fit her perfectly, black boots with red soles, A black jacket with red and white strips, her ears were adorned with golden square earrings.

After checking herself out in the full body mirror for a few minutes she thought 

'kya! Why am I so cute and beautiful?' (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)

After a few more moments of praising herself she walks out of the room and reached her ride 

"To the emporium!" Anna said with a bright smile.

"Yes, Miss Anna" Jack said while slightly bowing his head.

The duo soon reached A tall, tower-like Emporium rising gracefully, its sleek glass windows reflecting the bustling surroundings. The structure tapers slightly as it ascends, with bold metallic accents adding a modern touch. At the base, wide glass doors welcome visitors into a vibrant shopping space. Decorative lighting wraps around the tower, making it stand out at night. Lush planters and designer benches enhance the stylish entrance area.

Anna walked past the entrance and started walking towards the elevator. All of the staff who saw her bowed slightly acknowledging her presence. Anna nodded towards all of them.

Anna knocked at the door in front of her 

"Come in" came a sweet voice filled with both grace and authority

Anna opened the door and walked inside. She looked around and her gaze landed on large glass windows overlooking the city. A sleek dark wood desk and leather executive chair sit at the centre. Minimalist shelves display awards and decor along the walls. A cosy seating area with plush chairs adds comfort. Soft lighting and subtle metallic accents complete the elegant space.

Then her gaze landed on a man with white hair reaching his shoulders, blue sapphire like eyes, handsome face, muscular yet lean build of 6.5 feet, he was donning a black shirt with a white leather jacket having black embroidery, black pants and black boots. He had a small grin on his face 

"Anna..!!" Said Damien The head of Starborne Emporium with happiness written all over his face 

"Brother!!" Anna beamed after looking at her brother 

Damien stood up from his chair and hugged Anna. Soon, they parted. Damien then led her to the sitting area, he sat at one of the black leather chairs while patting one beside him gesturing Anna to take a seat. soon both of them started talking about their day and various events that took place in last few days. After some time Anna asked Damien with an excited look.

"Ah, Brother! Do you know about midnighters?" 

"Midnighters?" Damien replied with a confused look.

"Ah you know, I heard that there are few humans who get Superhuman abilities at night time and they call themselves midnighters" Anna Said as she repeated what Amaya had told them.

Hearing that Damien laughed out loud.

"Haha! Yea she is right and I am one of them you know." 

"Hmph, it's fine if you don't believe me but you don't have to make fun of me like that" Anna said while pouting seemingly offended from the teasing 

"Haha sorry! sorry!" Damien apologized while still chuckling to himself.

Both of them talked to each other for sometime before Anna left the room.

Suddenly the smile from Damien's face disappeared and his eyes turned cold. He called out.

"Who was it?" 

"She was one of miss Anieal's classmate." came a voice

"Hmm... could it be a trap from a midnighter?"

"I don't think so, young master"

"I see.. still check if she is in relation with any midnighter" 

"Yes, young master" 

As soon as the unknown person said so he disappeared from wherever he was.

'I can't lose anna too, I won't lose anyone... not again.' Damien resolved in his mind.

Damien closed his eyes while dropping his head on the headrest of his chair.

"Hah.."