Page 42 of The Knights of Gaia

“Essentially, yes. It works on humans and even supernaturals. But I’ve never seen it work on a Cursed One. They’re not supposed to experience real emotions.” He brushed his hand across my back. “You’re unique, Seven.”

I sighed. “Just for once, I wish I didn’t have to be sounique.”

He snorted. “I know just how you feel. But just remember: you are special. And it’s the weird, special people who change the world.”

We crossed the road, entering a forest enclave. The large wooden sign at the entrance read ‘Apprentice Village’.

“It’s the weird, special people who change the world,” I repeated.

Kato nodded. “Keep saying those words to yourself. Trust me. It will help you feel less like a freak of nature.”

I threw a glance over my shoulder at him. “You sound like you’re speaking from personal experience.”

“You sound surprised.”

“Yeah, well, you always seem so confident, so sure of yourself. The perfect Knight.”

His helmet buzzed a little. It took me a moment to realize that he was chuckling. And another moment to realize he was laughing at me.

I felt my cheeks flush and my hackles rise. “Is there something funny about what I said?”

“I wasn’t laughing at you, Seven. I was laughing at myself, at how horribly I’ve fallen short of achieving my biggest goal. From my very first day at the Castle, I’ve always tried to be the perfect Knight. But I’m far from it.”

“I don’t know about that. It seems like you’re doing a pretty good job to me.”

“You’re very kind, but I think you know the truth about me. You’ve seen beneath my helmet. You know that I’m far from perfect.”

Actually, Kato seemed pretty perfect to me. He had powerful magicanda moral compass.

“So…” He stopped at the edge of a driveway. “This is your place. At least for the next few weeks.”

I looked past the red brick path, to the matching brick house beyond. It looked cozy. “Thanks, Kato.” I racked my brain for some excuse to make this day go on forever, but I couldn’t think of a thing. “Well, I guess I should go inside now.”

“Goodbye, Seven.” He bowed to me. “And good luck.”

“Thank you.”

Kato walked off to fulfill his magical destiny, and I turned down the driveway, wondering about my own destiny. As I moved toward the house, I thought about what he’d said:it’s the weird, special people who change the world.

It was a good motto to live by. And I was going to prove it was true. I was going to change the world. Somehow I was going to end the Curse, no matter what it took.

EPISODE 3

WAR GAMES

CHAPTER1

FORM 1 LANE

Last night, I dreamt I fought a legion of Cursed Ones. I had magic—actualreal, powerful magic that included hurling balls of fire, summoning crackling forcefields, and shapeshifting into a pretty terrifying dragon.

The invisible stranger was there too, fighting the Cursed Ones right beside me. And when we were finally victorious, he shrugged off his invisibility, peeled back his helmet, and…

My own face stared back at me.Iwas the invisible stranger.

I jolted awake, getting tangled in my blanket as I tried to jump out of bed—and tumbled out of bed instead.

“What are you laughing at?” I growled at the grinning sun painting on the wall.

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