The Curse Between Us

"Relax, it's just me," Kelvin's voice came, low and teasing near his ear.

Felix's breath hitched. "Kelvin, what are you doing?"

Kelvin chuckled softly, resting his chin on Felix's shoulder. "No homo bruh, relax. You've been acting weird lately. Just thought I'd mess with you a little. You seemed stressed."

Felix tried to pull away, but Kelvin tightened his hold. "Let go," Felix muttered, his cheeks flushing.

"Why? You're not used to a little affection?" Kelvin teased, his tone playful but with an edge of curiosity.

Felix could feel his pulse quicken. "You're annoying," he said, finally managing to shrug out of Kelvin's grasp.

Kelvin stepped back, his signature smirk in place. "And you're fun to mess with," he said, before turning and strolling out of the kitchen as if nothing had happened.

Felix stared after him, gripping the counter to steady himself. His mind was racing, but he quickly shook it off. "What is wrong with this guy?" he muttered under his breath, finishing his water before heading back to his room.

Then the blonde boy busied himself with making coffee. He made two cups of coffee, one for him and the other for Kelvin who was watching him make his cappuccino art.

Felix was very good when it comes to art and it was evident in everything he does- his outfits, tattoo and even the walls of his room.

As Felix finished making two cups of coffee—one for himself and one for Kelvin—Kelvin leaned casually against the counter, watching him.

"So, what are your plans for today?" Kelvin asked, his tone light but curious.

Felix shrugged without looking at him. "I was thinking of going to the mall. That's it."

Kelvin's face lit up. "Perfect. Let's go together. We can hang out or something."

Felix froze for a moment, then turned to glare at him. "Why would I want to hang out with you?"

Kelvin smirked and grabbed both cups of coffee from the counter before Felix could. "Because I'm great company," he teased, taking a sip from one of the cups.

Felix sighed, crossing his arms. "Seriously, what's wrong with you? Why do you suddenly want to hang out with me?"

Kelvin groaned dramatically, setting the cups down with a loud thud. "Why does there have to be a reason for friends to hang out? Can't it just be normal?"

Felix raised an eyebrow, his glare intensifying. "Friends?" he repeated. "You're acting like we're best buddies now or something."

Kelvin's jaw tightened, his voice rising slightly. "You know what? Forget it. I'm trying to be nice, and you're making it impossible."

Felix stepped closer, his own voice growing louder. "Nice? You're always picking on me, and now you want to act all buddy-buddy? Give me a break."

"Maybe I wouldn't have to pick on you if you weren't so impossible to deal with!" Kelvin shot back, his frustration clear.

The two of them stood there, glaring at each other, the tension thick in the air. For a moment, neither spoke, the only sound being the faint hum of the refrigerator.

Finally, Kelvin broke the silence, grabbing his coffee again. "You know what? Do whatever you want, Felix Chang. I don't care anymore."

Felix watched as Kelvin stormed out of the kitchen, leaving him alone with his coffee and an annoyed expression.

"Unbelievable," Felix muttered, taking a sip of his own drink. But as much as Kelvin annoyed him, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

Felix gripped the edge of the counter, his frustration boiling over. Kelvin's words kept replaying in his head, making him even angrier. But then it hit him—a sharp, searing heat spreading through his chest.

His eyes widened. "No… not now," he whispered.

The heat intensified, like his entire body was being thrown into a furnace. Panic surged through him as he stumbled out of the kitchen and bolted to his room. He slammed the door shut and locked it, his breaths coming fast and shallow.

Felix fell to his knees, clutching his chest as the transformation began. His hands grew wrinkled and gnarled, his nails turning into sharp, black claws. His reflection in the mirror caught his eye, and his stomach dropped.

He looked like a witch straight out of a Disney movie—crooked nose, hollowed cheeks, a dark cloak appearing out of nowhere to cover his hunched figure.

The burning didn't stop. It was unbearable now, making him cry out in agony.

Then, just as he thought he couldn't take it anymore, a voice rang out in his head.

It was bold, commanding, louder than the screams of his biggest fans.

"WELCOME TO KARMA HELL."

Felix's eyes snapped open, his heart pounding. The room spun around him, and he could feel the weight of those words pressing down on him.

And then—nothing.

---

The air shimmered with a golden hue as the seven figures materialized atop a grand celestial platform. Each one carried an aura so powerful it could bend the will of men, their forms covered in robes that seemed to ripple like water under moonlight. They stood in a perfect circle, surrounding an ancient stone tablet etched with glowing runes.

These were the Celestial Wardens, guardians of balance, keepers of justice, and arbiters of karma.

Each Warden embodied a specific aspect of the human soul, their names tied to the virtues—or vices—they governed.

At the forefront stood Xianlong, the Warden of Retribution. His silver hair flowed like a river, and his sharp golden eyes pierced through all who dared to challenge him. His voice, when he spoke, was like thunder rolling across the heavens.

To his left stood Meiyue, the Warden of Mercy, her serene presence calming even the fiercest storms. Her robe was as white as freshly fallen snow, and her gentle hands rested on a staff that glowed faintly.

Next to her was Renhai, the Warden of Justice. His towering form was clad in deep crimson, and his gaze carried the weight of countless judgments. He held a bronze scale in one hand, its balance shifting subtly as he moved.

Lianhua, the Warden of Grace, stood quietly, her emerald robe blending with the mist swirling around her feet. She was the most enigmatic, her face partially hidden behind a fan of translucent jade.

On the opposite side, Shenglie, the Warden of Wrath, radiated an energy that seemed to spark like lightning. His black armor gleamed under the ethereal light, and the twin swords strapped to his back hummed with barely contained power.

Beside him was Qingzhu, the Warden of Forgiveness, her soft, melancholic eyes reflecting centuries of sorrow. Her flowing robes were a deep shade of violet, and her hands rested over her heart as if she carried an eternal burden.

Lastly, there was Zhihao, the Warden of Wisdom. The oldest among them, his long beard and simple robes gave him the appearance of a humble scholar. Yet his every movement was deliberate, his every word profound.

Xianlong was the first to speak, his voice cutting through the silence. "The curse stirs again. The boy has felt its weight."

Renhai nodded, his tone grave. "It was bound to awaken. His karma is deeply entangled with another."

"Felix…" Meiyue's voice was soft, almost mournful. "His path is unclear. Mercy has guided him thus far, but retribution must take its due."

Shenglie scoffed, his voice sharp and unforgiving. "Enough with your mercy. The curse is justice. Let him suffer as he should."

Lianhua raised her fan, her calm voice cutting through the brewing tension. "We are not here to argue over his fate. The wheel of karma turns as it must."

Qingzhu lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "And yet, his suffering echoes. How long must one soul endure for a past mistake?"

Zhihao, who had remained silent, finally spoke. His voice was soft but carried the weight of eons. "The boy's journey is far from over. The threads of karma bind him, and they bind another. Their fates will unravel together, for better or worse."

The Wardens fell silent, the glowing runes on the tablet pulsing faintly, as if in response to their words.

"Then we shall wait," Xianlong declared, his gaze fixed on the tablet. "The boy's choices will determine the outcome. For now, the curse remains."

With a collective nod, the Celestial Wardens dissolved into streaks of light, leaving the platform empty once more.

In the distance, the faint toll of a bell echoed, signaling that the balance of fate was shifting once again.