Chapter 4: Whispers of the Past
Neo City – Behind the School
Metro followed Caleb hesitantly, feeling uneasy. Caleb led him to a quiet corner behind the school, where the shadows seemed darker than usual.
"You look tense," Caleb said, leaning against the wall, his golden eyes glowing faintly.
Metro crossed his arms. "I don't even know why I'm here."
Caleb smirked. "Because you're curious. And because deep down, you know something isn't right with your life."
Metro frowned. "What do you mean?"
Caleb exhaled, looking up at the sky. "The wind doesn't question why it moves. The stars don't ask why they shine. But a man lost in the dark will always seek the light, even if it blinds him."
Metro blinked. "…What?"
Caleb chuckled. "I expected that." He then turned to Metro, his face suddenly serious.
"Tell me, Metro… do you know your father?"
Metro's breath hitched.
As soon as Caleb asked, dark memories flickered in his mind.
—A man standing in the rain, his back turned. His mother crying, begging him to stay. Footsteps fading into nothing.**
—Metro, a child, reaching out but never being held.**
—The sound of a door slamming shut.
Metro clenched his fists, his heart pounding.
"I don't need him," Metro muttered, his voice cold. "He left me and my mother without saying a word." He glared at Caleb. "So don't ever call his name."
Caleb's smirk widened slightly. "Oh, Metro… that's where you're wrong."
Metro's brow furrowed. "What?"
Caleb stepped closer, his voice just above a whisper.
"Your father needs you now."
Metro's expression twisted in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
Before he could ask more, a voice interrupted them.
"Yo, Metro!"
Metro turned to see Mark approaching.
As soon as Caleb saw Mark, his demeanor shifted. His smile became unreadable.
"Well, this is where we part," Caleb said. He took a step back but kept his gaze on Metro.
"If you want to know more about your father… don't hesitate to let me know." His voice echoed strangely, as if coming from everywhere at once. "Because… I'm always watching."
Then, in a blink, Caleb vanished.
Mark reached Metro, frowning. "Hey, who was that guy?"
Metro hesitated. "…No one."
Mark eyed him suspiciously but didn't push.
---
The Library – An Awkward Encounter
Metro sat at the farthest corner of the school library, flipping through a history book. But he wasn't reading. His mind was still on Caleb's words.
"Your father needs you now."
Why now? After all these years?
His thoughts were cut short when someone sat across from him.
It was Rose.
"Hey, Metro." Her voice was smooth, confident.
Metro froze. His brain short-circuited.
She tilted her head. "What are you reading?"
Metro opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Rose frowned. "Hello? You there?" She waved a hand in front of his face.
Metro panicked. "Uh… I was… reading about… um… trees."
Rose raised an eyebrow. "Trees?"
Metro mentally punched himself. What the hell am I saying?!
He quickly tried to fix it. "I mean, history! About… um, trees in history. No, wait, I mean wars! Yes, wars that happened in history because of—uh—trees?"
Rose gave him a confused stare. "Are you okay?"
Metro felt his entire soul leave his body. He quickly grabbed his book, muttered, "Gotta go," and ran out of the library.
Rose sat there, stunned. "That was… weird."
---
Arrival of the Slayers
Meanwhile, in Neo City, four figures stood at the edge of the town.
Lucien, Ryo, Kael, and Nova.
They had finally arrived.
Lucien adjusted his blindfold. "We need to move fast. If Metro doesn't awaken his true potential soon… we may be too late."
Ryo cracked his knuckles. "Then let's find him."
---
A Challenge and A Warning
Later that evening, Metro told Mark about his awkward encounter with Rose.
Mark laughed so hard he almost fell off his chair. "Bro, you're hopeless!"
Metro groaned. "I KNOW."
Mark smirked. "You just need confidence, man."
Metro sighed. "Yeah, sure. Like that's easy."
Mark suddenly pulled out a flyer and shoved it in Metro's face.
"What's this?" Metro asked.
Mark grinned. "A quiz competition. And I want you to join."
Metro frowned. "Why?"
"Because you're smart and intelligent."
Metro shook his head. "No way. I might say something weird again."
Mark patted his shoulder. "That's why you need practice. Come on, bro, you got this."
After a long pause, Metro sighed. "Fine. I'll do it."
Mark grinned. "That's the spirit!"
They parted ways, and Metro walked home.
But as he entered his house, a strange feeling crept up his spine.
---
The Visitor
Metro closed the door behind him and dropped his bag.
He walked into the living room— and froze.
Sitting in his chair, staring directly at him…
Was a demon.
A human-like figure with sharp horns, glowing crimson eyes, and black veins crawling across his skin.
Metro's heart pounded.
The demon stood up slowly, smiling.
"You're scared," he said, his voice smooth. "No need to act tough."
Metro clenched his fists. "Who are you?"
The demon smirked. "Let's just say… I'm a messenger."
Metro's eyes narrowed. "For who?"
The demon chuckled. "You met my colleague at school, didn't you?"
Metro's stomach dropped. "Caleb?"
The demon nodded.
"I don't have time to waste," he continued. "I'm here to take you… to your father."
Metro's breathing hitched.
His mind spiraled. Everything was happening too fast.
He took a step back. "I don't want to see him."
The demon sighed. "I figured you'd say that."
Then he grinned, raising his hand. A red energy ball formed in his palm.
Metro felt his own power awaken in response. A strange blue aura crackled around his hands.
The demon smirked. "If you won't come willingly…"
Metro's eyes hardened. "Then you'll have to force me."
The two prepared to attack—
BOOM!
A bright light exploded between them.
Both Metro and the demon staggered back.
As the light faded, a tall figure stood in the middle.
His white coat swayed. His golden eyes burned with power beneath his blindfold.
Lucien had arrived.
His voice was calm… but deadly.
"You," he said, pointing at the demon. "Step away from the boy."
Metro stared in shock.
Who… is this guy?
---
To Be Continued…