"Yeah… he's my dad."
It was sudden. Too sudden. But Aron tried to stay composed.
Aron Telsa—genius son of a genius father. Not much could shake him anymore. But this… this was different.
The man standing before him gave off a presence that set off something primal in Aron's instincts. It wasn't fear exactly—more like how a smart, wild dog might go still in front of a lion.
"How's your dad doing?"
"...He's gone."
The words hit Aron harder than he expected, snapping him back to reality. Everything had happened so fast. He hadn't even had time to mourn properly. He hadn't realized he was crying until he felt the tears slide down his cheek.
"I see… He must be happy."
"Why would you say that?"
"Because he lived—and died—on his own terms. That's kind of badass, if you ask me. Honestly? I'm a little jealous."
"But... none of this makes sense. Why did he have to die? Why are they coming after me? Why did I even run into you? My head's spinning."
"It's alright. One day, the pieces will come together."
"Are you saying this is all… destiny?"
Aron wiped his eyes, trying to pull himself together. Bloodshot and exhausted, he forced a breath.
"I'm not really the 'destiny' type. Feels too much like blaming everything on a script someone else wrote."
"Ha! Destiny's real, kid."
"Sure. And the Easter Bunny's my landlord."
"You'll see. Just because something doesn't make sense now doesn't mean it won't later. Our brains aren't built to get everything."
"So what, you really believe we met because of destiny?"
"Maybe. But if it is destiny, it sure as hell doesn't revolve around me."
"What's that even mean…? Ugh, my eyes… feel so heavy…"
Aron collapsed onto the ground, finally giving in to exhaustion. He didn't even try to fight it.
"Poor kid. Must've gone through hell today."
---
What was this kid's name again?
Aron, right? Yudish's son… I'm pretty sure he only had one.
The kid didn't look like much. Not scrawny, but clearly more of a thinker than a fighter. Maybe eighteen, maybe twenty.
Still… the way he talked, the way he shot down anything that didn't make logical sense—it was so Yudish.
That's funny.
Yudish, if you seriously planned to leave your kid with me… that's a mistake. You only know the chained version of me. You've never seen what I'm like when I'm free. You don't know what I've done. Who I really am.
I might break this kid in a way you wouldn't like.
But… if you trusted me that much, I'll try. No promises, though.
He looked at Aron. The boy was fast asleep, breathing deep and slow. If nothing stirred him, he might sleep until morning.
But something was stirring.
Five… eight… twelve.
Twelve people heading this way. And they're not here for a picnic.
Still chained. Damn it. I can't do much like this.
Guess I'll have to rely on you guys again, after all this time.
"Hey—Spirit Guardians. If things go south, I'm counting on you."
"After all this time, my lord… we are ready."
"Thanks."
---
"How the hell does a place like this even exist out here in the middle of nowhere?" one of the agents muttered, clutching his rifle.
"Probably because the entrance looks like a rock formation threw up," said the guy with the sword.
"We should not tell Gargantua about this. We could sell this info to the Pigeos for way more."
"Shut it," the squad captain snapped. "No one reports this to the Deputy Director. Not him. Not the Director. Got it?"
"Y-yes, sir."
None of the others argued. Their captain's authority wasn't up for debate.
"Enough chatter. We're going in."
They moved into the cave. The deeper they got, the hotter the air became—humid and stifling, like the cave itself was alive.
They didn't have to go far before they saw him.
"There he is. Aron Telsa."
But they failed to notice someone else in the shadows, behind the sleeping boy.
"Looks like we've got company."
---
"Who the hell are you? And what's with the chains?"
"Shouldn't I be asking that? Who the hell are you?"
The air went thick.
The man's gaze hit them like a wall. His energy was crushing.
'His Kanuragan… it's too strong. This guy isn't normal.'
The agent captain forced himself to stay cool under the pressure.
"Sorry for the interruption. But we're taking the boy with us."
Stirred by the noise, Aron slowly woke up.
"Ugh… what's with all the yelling…?"
"Telsa!"
"You guys again? What the hell do you want now?"
He stood up instantly, gripping a long rolled-up object like a weapon.
"Drop the act. Come quietly, and maybe you won't get hurt."
"Yeah, that's not happening."
"Onic! Take him!"
The sword-wielder stepped forward—
BOOM!
A thunderous sound exploded behind them.
Everyone turned.
They froze.
Two things hit them: First, the remains of their comrades. Second, a creature they couldn't comprehend.
A massive, glowing white figure stood there. Built like a sumo wrestler, with long hair tied by a rope patterned like dragons. He held a hammer as big as himself.
The cave glowed from his presence.
And before anyone could react, the chained man spoke.
"I'm nobody.
That kid's my guest.
So back off… and go home."
{Chapter 2 End}