Two days had passed since the sudden invasion by the Dark Sign members. The city was still reeling from the aftermath, and while its people tried to return to normalcy by helping one another to rebuild their houses and jobs, many questions remained unanswered.
Inside a quiet hospital room, Alex lay asleep on a bed, his body wrapped in bandages, the effects of the battle still weighing heavy on him. Near the window, Kazuki stood silently, reading a manga, the sunlight casting a soft glow around him.
Alex stirred and blinked his eyes open. As his vision cleared, he spotted Kazuki and jolted in surprise.
"Kazuki…? Is that you? What are you doing here?" Alex asked, his voice hoarse with confusion.
Kazuki glanced up from his manga. "Relax. Your bones haven't even healed yet. Don't move too much."
Alex frowned, struggling to sit up. "I mean… shouldn't you still be in training? Did you just finish the three years?"
Kazuki shook his head. "Nah, I only came back to the city to get some rest. I wanted to see you… and Serena before I head back out again."
"Head out?" Alex echoed, his eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?"
Kazuki's expression turned serious. "There are things I need to find. Questions I want answered." He paused for a moment. "Alex… have you ever wondered who your parents really were?"
The question struck Alex like a jolt. He looked away, visibly caught off-guard. "...Yeah. I've thought about it before. But I never really bothered to dig deep. There was always something else going on."
Kazuki walked over to a nearby table and lifted a bag. "Well, we can talk more over food." He dumped out a mountain of snacks—biscuits, drinks, burgers—onto a small tray.
Alex's eyes sparkled. "Whoa… okay, now this is the kind of healing I need."
"Calm down, glutton," Kazuki chuckled. "I brought these so we could catch up a bit. That's all."
Meanwhile, in his office at headquarters, Kojin sat with his hands folded, deep in thought. The invasion had left him worried. Too much had happened too quickly.
Without warning, Veronica burst through the door, grinning with excitement. "I'm back!"
Kojin stood up immediately. "Is everyone alright? No casualties?"
"They're fine," Veronica replied confidently. "Some of the girls were injured, but I used my healing abilities. They're recovering."
She then took a seat across from him, her tone turning more serious. "Kojin… I have a request."
He raised an eyebrow. "You could have just asked a few questions of my well being but you decided to go straight to the point. Go on."
"I want my assassin group, Black Fire, to start working alongside the city's defense. They're trained, disciplined, and skilled. With what's coming… we'll need all the help we can get."
Kojin leaned back. "That was kind of straight forward. And what made you come to this conclusion?"
Veronica's eyes sharpened. "I received intel. The Dark Sign are after something… they're gathering the Millennia Stones. For what purpose, I don't know. But it's dangerous. Beyond dangerous."
Kojin sighed. "I had a feeling… but I kept brushing it off. If they're after the Millennia Stones, then sooner or later, the world is going to be caught in something massive. Each Millennia stone has A-rank beast in them, and i know the horrors of fighting beast of that caliber."
He looked out the window.
"And for some reason… Alex is right in the center of it."
Veronica nodded. "He holds a great power. One he still can't control. That's why he needs to begin intense training. He has to learn to survive what's coming. Not just him, but everyone else as well."
Kojin remained silent for a long moment before whispering to himself, "What kind of nightmare is heading our way…? Olivia! What are you planning?"
Moments later, Baraka and Kinto entered the office.
"We managed to capture one of the Dark Sign members," Baraka reported.
"Good," Kojin said. "Take him to interrogation. I want answers."
In a dimly lit interrogation room, Garou sat chained to the chair, glaring at the walls with mild amusement "Hm. What a dark place. Is this supposed to be intimidating?" Levi walked in
"Start talking," Levi ordered. "Why did the Dark Sign invade the city? What's your next move?"
Garou smirked. "You think I'm just gonna talk because you asked nicely? More so, you suck at intimidation. You all are just half asked soliders trying your best to do your simple jobs. Pathetic."
Levi's eyes narrowed. "If you don't, we'll make you."
Garou chuckled darkly. "Even if I told you… it wouldn't change a thing. You'll fail. They'll get their hands on that demon kid and any other power they want to acheive. And when they do, it's all over."
Levi stepped forward. "Last chance. Tell me what you're planning."
Garou looked up with dead eyes. "Hell if I know. Only the leader understands the full plan. We just follow orders."
His body began to crumble into ash.
"What the—?!" Levi took a step back.
As his body turned to dust, Garou grinned. "You can try… but you'll fail horribly."
Moments later, he was gone.
Outside the room, Kinto waited.
"Did he say anything?" Kinto asked.
Levi shook his head. "Nothing useful."
Kinto looked troubled. "I still don't get it. What's their true goal? It makes no sense to just storm into the city and go on a rampage. Except if they just wanted to weaken our forces for later attacks."
Levi's expression darkened. "From what I've gathered… they're after Alex. There's something inside him they want."
Kinto sighed. "Tch! Treating him like some main character huh. I've got a bad feeling about this."
Later that evening, Alex and Kazuki sat atop a tall building, watching the sunset paint the sky.
"I still can't believe you went through three years of training," Alex said.
Kazuki chuckled. "Yeah… it was hell. But I learned a lot."
Alex nodded. "Same here."
Kazuki grew quiet, then spoke. "I figured something out recently. I think… I'm related to Shinki. From the Dark Sign."
Alex turned to him in shock. "What? You mean the Shinki guy you and I fought back then? How? It doesn't make sense"
"I've been digging," Kazuki replied. "Still trying to piece it all together. But the signs are there."
Alex frowned. "If that's true… take a break. Rest before you start looking again. Whatever."
Kazuki looked at him. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm okay," Alex said. "But… I don't know for how long. They're after me because of this power I have. I don't know what it is, but… it's important. And dangerous."
He clenched his fist.
"That's why I need to get stronger. I need to protect everyone and everything i love. I cant just drag people down coz of my problems, i have to get stronger. I have to become the lord."
Kazuki grinned. "Still clinging to that dream, huh?"
Alex smirked. "I'll become strong enough that even the gods will know my name."
Kazuki laughed. "Jesus Christ Alex, you've been reading way too much manga. Well if that's the case, then you better watch out—because I'm your rival. I'm aiming just as high."
Elsewhere, at a quiet bridge overlooking a flowing river, Ranpo stood beside Diablo.
"It's time Alex learned to control his demonic powers," Ranpo said quietly.
Diablo kept his eyes on the water. "Why should I help him control something he should be taming on his own?"
"Because his life is at stake," Ranpo replied. "The Dark Sign want him. And if they get him… it's over."
He paused. "You owe it to his father. He was your teacher."
Diablo sighed. "I'm not doing this because of him. I'll help Alex… because he's my student now."
He turned and smiled.
"I'll teach him to master that power inside him."
Then, he looked back at the river. "But tell me, does he know the truth? About his parents? About how it all started?"
Ranpo shook his head. "I've been trying to find the right time to tell him. But… it never feels right. I don't want him to feel distorted by the horrible truth."
Diablo's eyes narrowed. "Sooner or later, he'll need to know. Whether he's ready or not."
End of Chapter.