บท 2: Chapter 2: The Rebirth of Thunder
Lio awoke to the gentle hum of the city outside his window. The soft morning light filtered through the thin curtains, casting a warm glow across his small, cluttered room. He stretched, feeling the energy of Thunder Strike coursing through his veins.
"Today's going to be a good day," he muttered to himself, feeling a rare sense of optimism. Today was a day to enjoy his new life, free from the burdens of his past. The previous life—his fame, his betrayal, his pain—felt like distant memories. Now, it was about living differently.
He stepped out of bed and made his way to the tiny kitchen. Opening the standing refrigerator, he chuckled lightly as he grabbed a carton of milk. "No AI chef, huh? Guess it's back to basics." He poured the milk over a bowl of cereal and grabbed a piece of fruit, the simplicity of it all grounding him.
As he ate, Lio couldn't help but think about how different this life was from his previous one. The little luxuries he once had—automated kitchens and Ai chef—were all gone. But somehow, this simpler life felt more honest. "There's something nice about this… normalcy," he said softly, talking to no one in particular, his voice fading into the quiet hum of the apartment.
After breakfast, Lio activated his bulky holographic wristwatch, the light flickering as it struggled to fully display the weather forecast. "Great. Out of battery again?" he muttered, giving the watch a shake, but the image refused to sharpen. With a sigh, he decided not to waste the morning and headed out to explore the city, hoping the fresh air would help clear his head.
He pulled on his worn-out sneakers, the soles barely hanging on, but they were all he had now. Stepping out into the bustling streets, Lio was greeted by a wave of activity—people rushing to work, street vendors setting up their carts, and children chasing one another along the sidewalks. The city was alive, full of noise and energy. It made him feel like a small part of a much larger world.
As he wandered through the streets, his thoughts kept pulling him back to his old life. The stadiums… the roar of the crowd… He could almost hear them again, chanting his name, urging him on. A rush of nostalgia washed over him, but it quickly turned bitter as memories of his betrayal surfaced. His jaw clenched, fists tightening at his sides as he fought the feelings back. "That's over now," he whispered, though the wound still felt fresh.
He found himself at a small market, the smells of fresh produce, grilled meats, and sweet pastries filling the air. Lio's stomach growled at the tantalizing scents, and he couldn't resist stopping by one of the snack stalls.
"One of those, please," he said to the vendor, pointing at a warm, sugary pastry that had just been pulled from the fryer.
The vendor smiled warmly, handing over the treat. "You've got good taste, kid. These are the best in town."
Lio took a bite, the sweetness bringing a small smile to his face. "Thanks," he said, feeling a flicker of contentment as he continued to stroll through the market. It was a simple pleasure, but one he hadn't allowed himself to enjoy in years.
As he left the market, Lio's feet carried him to a nearby park. He found a quiet spot under a large tree and sat down, the soft breeze brushing against his face as he watched families picnic and children play on the grass. Lio leaned back against the tree, closing his eyes and letting the peaceful atmosphere surround him.
The peace didn't last long. His mind, ever restless, wandered back to the countless hours of training, the relentless pursuit of perfection. He remembered pushing his body to the brink, his every move analyzed, every mistake punished. "All that work… and for what?" he muttered to himself, shaking his head. A broken body and shattered trust.
But there was no use dwelling on it. This was his new life, a clean slate. "New life, new chances," he whispered, as if saying it aloud would make it more real.
After a while, the pull of the city beckoned him again, and Lio decided to visit one of his favorite spots—a tall building with an observation deck offering a panoramic view of the skyline. It was a place he had discovered by chance when he first arrived in the city, and it had quickly become a refuge for him.
The climb to the top was longer than he remembered, his legs burning with every step as he ascended the narrow stairwell. When he finally reached the observation deck, he was greeted by the sight of the city stretching out beneath him, the sprawling maze of buildings and streets glowing in the warm light of the setting sun.
"Still beautiful," Lio whispered, leaning against the railing as the breeze ruffled his hair. The view, bathed in hues of gold and orange, had a way of making the world feel both vast and small at the same time. Here, in this moment, Lio felt at peace.
He took a deep breath, the memories of his past life swirling in his mind—matches that had defined his career, the adrenaline of victory, the crushing weight of defeat. But intertwined with those memories was the loneliness that came with his old life. He had been surrounded by thousands of fans, but none of them had truly known him.
"I was never free," he said quietly, more to himself than to the city below. "Not really." The pressure to always be the best, to constantly outshine everyone, had been suffocating. But now? Now, he had something he hadn't felt in a long time—freedom. The freedom to be whoever he wanted to be, without anyone's expectations weighing him down.
The sun dipped lower, casting the city in shades of pink and purple, and Lio felt a sense of closure. This was his moment, a symbolic farewell to his old life. As the city lights flickered on, one by one, the new life in front of him felt full of possibilities. He smiled softly, allowing himself to bask in the warmth of this second chance.
By the time he returned to his apartment, the sky had turned a deep shade of indigo, and the first stars had appeared. He felt exhausted, but it was a good kind of tired, the kind that came after a day well-spent. Collapsing onto his bed, Lio stared up at the ceiling, his body sinking into the mattress.
Just as sleep began to claim him, a thought crept into his mind—he had college tomorrow.
"Ugh, college…" he groaned, rolling over and burying his face in his pillow. The excitement of the day had completely made him forget. But as he lay there, staring at the faint glow of the city lights through his window, something else began to nag at him, a sensation he couldn't quite place.
Suddenly, the watch on his wrist flickered again, this time more persistently. Its glow cut through the darkness of his room, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Lio sat up, his heart skipping a beat. It shouldn't be doing that…
The light grew brighter, then suddenly, a sharp tone rang out from the device, its screen flooding with unfamiliar symbols and text. Lio's eyes widened as he stared at the cryptic message flashing across the display.
"What the hell…?"
Before he could even process what was happening, the message blinked off, leaving only silence and darkness in its wake.
Lio's pulse quickened, a chill running down his spine.
Something was coming.
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