Getting myself together and mustering the strength to stand, my knees protesting with each movement, I took a closer look at the cloaked figure towering above me.
As I observed him, I noticed that he stood at least two heads taller than my own 6'2" height.
His physique was defined by a powerful, muscular frame that complemented his stature without appearing disproportionate.
Though his face was mostly concealed, I caught glimpses of his features—an angular jawline and swept greenish white hair that contrasted strikingly against his midnight cloak.
His eyes, a mesmerizing shade of greenish-silver, radiated an intensity that held my gaze captive.
I noticed a pair of silver cross earrings adorning his ears. Each earring featured a gleaming green gem embedded in the center, adding a touch of mystique to his already enigmatic presence.
The earrings dangled slightly, swaying with every movement, catching the light and casting an ethereal glow in their surroundings.
They seemed to hold a significance, an emblem of power or belonging that only added to the air of intrigue surrounding this mysterious figure
I couldn't deny that he possessed a handsome allure that would undoubtedly capture the attention of many.
Shaking off the distracting thoughts, I focused my attention on the matter at hand and mustered the courage to ask the question that burned within me.
"Who are you?" I inquired, my voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
"Give me your friend's body," he replied with a commanding tone, his words cutting through the air.
Confusion and apprehension swirled within me. Why would he ask for Kian's body? What was his motive?
"Wait, why?" I questioned, my voice tinged with skepticism.
"Trust me," he assured me, his words carrying a weight of conviction that sparked a glimmer of trust within me.
Reluctantly, I relinquished my grip on Kian's severed head and lifeless body, extending them toward the enigmatic figure.
"Take it, but remember, if you do anything suspicious, there will be consequences," I warned, my voice laced with a hint of threat, even though deep down I knew it held little weight against this formidable being.
Without a word, the figure accepted the offering, and to my astonishment, Kian's body began to float upward, his head levitating in tandem.
As if guided by an unseen force, his head seamlessly reattached itself to his neck, the wounds disappearing as if they were never there.
The miraculous sight before me left me speechless, a mixture of wonder and disbelief coursing through my veins.
"What the fuck did you do, and how?" I exclaimed, my voice trembling with a mixture of astonishment and hope.
The cloaked figure turned to face me, his greenish-silver eyes filled with a depth of knowledge and compassion.
"The Raina'd, they possess the power of life and death," he began, his voice steady and calm.
"Their essence, infused with the blood of your friend, holds a transformative energy that can restore life under certain circumstances."
A surge of disbelief and wonder coursed through me as I absorbed his words. Could it be true? Could Kian still be alive?
"The Raina'd are bound by ancient laws, and my intervention wouldn't be taken lightly," he continued, his tone firm.
"In this case, your friend's death has triggered some kind of resonance within the cosmic balance, allowing for a chance at resurrection."
The realization struck me with a force akin to a lightning bolt, electrifying every fibre of my being. Kian, my best friend, might still have a fighting chance.
"Hey kid," the cloaked man suddenly said, his voice filled with curiosity.
"Yeah?" I replied, my eyes fixed on him, a mix of respect and eagerness in my gaze, as I trusted him completely with my friend's revived body.
"Who are you, and how do you know about Paragons?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue.
"I'm Aito Suzuki, just an orphan with no special background," I admitted, my voice steady but vulnerable.
He examined me closely, as if trying to unravel the truth hidden within my words.
"What did you learn from that book about being a Paragon?" he probed further.
"It was my father's diary or something like that, given to me by the orphanage after they found me alone in my burnt-down house when I was two. I don't remember much, but that's all I have," I explained.
"Did the book teach you how to use your lightning chi and control your essence? Also, how did you acquire your fighting skills? They seem exceptional, especially for a Paragon of your level," he inquired, his voice firm.
"You have a natural affinity for lightning chi. What techniques did you learn from that book? Did it reveal the true nature of our world?" he pressed on.
"It mentioned more than just Raina'ds. There are other powerful creatures like Arkons, Daemons, Minotaurs, Werewolves, and even dragons," I disclosed.
"Answer my questions and tell me where the book is now. What essence manipulation technique did you acquire, and your control over your chi is remarkable," he demanded.
"My friend, another Paragon who vanished two years ago, took the book with him. As for my training, he urged me to train relentlessly from a young age. We would train every night until morning, and as I grew stronger, I needed less sleep," I revealed.
"Why did you dedicate yourself to such rigorous training?" he asked, his tone expectant.
"I'm not sure exactly, but my friend insisted, and it was enjoyable. We trained together, pushing each other's limits, and as I gained strength, the desire to improve consumed me," I confessed.
The cloaked man nodded, seemingly satisfied with my responses.
"Anyways, we'll have more time to talk once we arrive at my school," the cloaked man declared.
"Wait, what?" I exclaimed, surprise and confusion evident in my voice.
"It's a school exclusively for paragons, kid," he responded, his tone calm and matter-of-fact.
"What's it called?" I inquired, a mix of curiosity and excitement in my voice.
"It's called Bright," he stated, a hint of pride and significance woven into his words.
"By the way, doyou realize that time was frozen?" I questioned, my words filled with astonishment.
"I do," he confirmed.
"How do y-"
"Mend... Break," he interrupted, his voice trailing off.
In an instant, time unfroze, the blood on the ground vanished, and all traces of the destruction caused by my earlier rage were erased, as if they had never occurred.
"Huh?" I muttered, baffled by the sudden reversal of events.
"What more can you do?" I asked, my voice brimming with curiosity and a glimmer of anticipation.
Turning towards me, the cloaked man sported a faint smile, his lips curling with an air of mystery. "Much more than meets the eye," he replied enigmatically.
Intrigued by his cryptic response, a surge of excitement coursed through my veins, eager to discover the depths of his abilities and the hidden knowledge that awaited me at Bright, the school of paragons.
"Hold on a moment," I interjected, my voice filled with uncertainty.
"How do I break the news to Kian's mother? I can't just tell her he died when he now has a chance to be revived due to some cosmic law connection."
"I have my methods," he assured me, his tone carrying an air of confidence.
"So, you're planning to manipulate everyone's memories?" I questioned, a note of scepticism lacing my words.
"Let's just say I have a way of handling such matters," he responded, his voice veiled with intrigue.
"What about the other kids at the orphanage?" I inquired, my voice tinged with concern and a genuine desire to help them.
The cloaked man turned his attention towards me, his gaze steady and understanding. "I will ensure they find safe and happy homes," he assured me, his words carrying a sense of reassurance.
Grateful for his willingness to extend his aid beyond my personal circumstances, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of appreciation and curiosity.
"Why? Why go to such lengths for me and my friend?" I asked, my voice sincere yet laced with a hint of confusion.
"I have traversed this world for a considerable time, and in that journey, I have made a vow to assist paragons and those with the potential to become one," he explained, his tone conveying a sense of purpose.
His words resonated within me, igniting a spark of hope and purpose. I realized that this enigmatic figure saw something in me, something worth nurturing and guiding.
As I pondered his response, I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the opportunities that lay ahead, the chance to grow and unravel the depths of my own potential.
With newfound determination, I nodded, accepting his offer and embracing the path that unfolded before me.
"I'm ready," I declared, my voice resolute and filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
As I spoke those words, a realization washed over me—the gentle patter of raindrops against my skin.
The rain, once a mere background element, now became an entity in itself, each droplet caressing my body with a touch that felt strangely alive.
The rainwater, cool and invigorating, seemed to carry a whisper of ancient wisdom and hidden power, as if nature itself acknowledged my journey towards embracing my true potential.
With each raindrop that trickled down my face, a renewed sense of purpose and determination surged through my veins, mingling with the remnants of grief and anger.
The rain, like a cleansing baptism, symbolized both the challenges and the blessings that lay ahead, washing away the past and preparing me for the transformative journey that awaited at Bright.
I stood there, in the midst of the rain's embrace, ready to face whatever trials and revelations awaited me, knowing that I had been chosen for something greater than myself.
Little did I know the trials and revelations that awaited me at Bright, the school that held the key to unlocking my true destiny as a paragon, was going to be very, very dangerous
I couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and amusement bubbling within me as I addressed the lingering presence of the author.
"Come on, what's with you sending me into danger 24/7? My friend died just a few hours ago, and now you're telling me I'm going to be in danger again?" I exclaimed, my voice tinged with exasperation.
The author's presence seemed to hang in the air, their voice echoing with an enigmatic tone.
"It is what it is," they responded, their words a stark reminder of the narrative forces that controlled my destiny.