The air thickened with tension as the masked men slowly drew their Starbreaker blades. They moved with deliberate purpose, ready to strike, their silence as unsettling as the dark glow of the Starbreaker blade in the leader's hand.
Alastor's muscles tensed, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the weight of every breath, every heartbeat. He knew that his restraint was wearing thin, but he had to stay focused—stay in control. He couldn't risk exposing his full power, not yet. But if they pushed him, he would have no choice.
His eyes narrowed as the assumed-to-be-leader of the masked men took a step forward, smirking beneath his mask. "You still hide behind these humans, Solvaris?" he sneered, a dark malice in his voice. "Pathetic. I expected more from the so-called 'Astraliros.'"
The name hit Alastor like a physical blow, a rush of memories flooding his mind. Astraliros—his old superhero name, a symbol of power, of hope. It was a name he hadn't heard in years, and the mere mention of it brought a cold dread to his bones. His breath caught, but he didn't flinch. He had to stay calm.
Emily, still standing nearby, felt a sudden chill wash over her as she heard the words "Solvaris" and "Astraliros." They sounded like echoes from another lifetime, but the way the masked man said them—like they were weapons—made her heart race. The shock in her chest was immediate, and her eyes flickered to Alastor. Solvaris? She had never heard him speak of this before. The name felt unfamiliar, yet oddly weighty, like a burden he hadn't shared. Astraliros? Was this another identity of his, a past long buried? The pieces were starting to fit, but the reality of it hit her like a thunderclap.
Alastor's voice broke through her thoughts, sharp and demanding. "Who are you?" he asked, his gaze never leaving the masked man. "Who do you work for? And how do you know me?" His fists clenched at his sides, his eyes scanning the group of men, calculating, waiting for an opening.
The leader of the masked men let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "You're still asking questions? How quaint. You'll learn soon enough."
Alastor didn't wait for a response. His hands subtly tightened into fists, his body coiling like a spring ready to unleash itself. He knew he had to act fast, but he couldn't let his powers loose just yet. He would deal with them the only way he knew how—through sheer strength and precision.
"Get back," he commanded, his voice low but firm, his eyes flickering toward Emily, who was still standing nearby, frozen in shock.
"Alastor, no—" she began, her voice a soft tremble, but he cut her off with a hard look, his voice softening just for her.
"Emily, go. Now."
She hesitated, her brow furrowed with concern, but after a long moment, she gave him a worried nod. "I… I can't just leave you."
"I'm fine," Alastor assured her, though his voice held a hint of urgency. "I need you to go. It's not safe here."
Emily bit her lip, but she nodded again, reluctantly backing away toward the back of the bar. "Okay. But please… be careful."
The air outside the back of the bar was cool, a stark contrast to the heat of the chaos still raging inside. Emily's breath was quick, her pulse racing in her ears as she dashed for the back exit. She needed to get outside, needed to find a way to help, but her legs were moving of their own accord, pushing her toward the alley behind the bar. The noise of battle echoed through the walls, muffled but still unmistakable—clashing metal, grunts, and the occasional crack of bone against flesh.
She slammed through the door, emerging into the cool night. The street was quiet, the usual hum of city life swallowed by the threat inside. She could see the patrons and the staff, still huddled nervously near the front of the bar, whispering among themselves. Their fear was palpable, their eyes darting between the door and the alley. Emily took a deep breath, her chest tight, forcing herself to calm down.
"Everything's okay," she called out, though she didn't believe her own words. "Stay back, and stay calm."
The crowd didn't seem reassured, their worried glances shifting toward the door as if the very air inside the bar was filled with an impending danger. But Emily knew they needed reassurance, so she offered them a weak smile, her nerves still raw. She could feel the weight of the situation settling in.
Meanwhile, inside the bar, Alastor was a blur of movement. The masked men had attacked in waves, their weapons gleaming with malice. But they hadn't expected the sheer force of his power. His body moved faster than the human eye could track, dodging and weaving through the air as the Starbreaker blades slashed through the space he once occupied. He could hear the sound of steel cutting through the air, the ringing of metal on metal, and the rush of his own breath, as his every movement felt like an explosion of energy.
But there was a limit to how far he could push his body. He could feel the weight of age in his muscles, the strain on his body as he pushed himself further. Each strike, each parry, took more effort than it should have. His limbs were slower than they once were, his breath coming more ragged as the fight wore on.
The leader of the masked men noticed the slight hesitation, a glint of triumph flashing in his eyes. But before he could exploit it, Alastor took advantage of a misstep, launching himself forward with a devastating blow that sent one of the attackers crashing into the wall. He could feel his muscles burn, the ache settling deep in his bones. But he couldn't stop now. Not when Emily was so close.
Outside, Jack paced near the alley, his mind racing. He couldn't stop thinking about Alastor—how he was faring inside, what was happening. His fingers twitched with nervous energy, glancing back at the door every few seconds. Emily stood nearby, her gaze locked on the entrance, her expression tense but determined.
Before Jack could make his move, Carla and Ray stepped in front of him. Carla crossed her arms, her dark eyes hard and unyielding. Beside her, Ray stood firm, though his hands fidgeted as if itching to do more.
"You're not going in there, Jack," Carla said firmly. "It's chaos inside. You'll only make it worse."
"You don't understand," Jack shot back, trying to step around them, but Ray shifted to block him. "There's someone in there who needs me. I can't just stand out here."
Emily stepped up beside him, her voice sharp. "And I'm going with him. Whatever's happening in there, it's better than standing out here doing nothing."
Pete, the lanky barback, emerged from the cluster of patrons, wringing his hands nervously. "Jack, man, who even is this guy you're talking about? What's going on in there? This doesn't sound like some regular fight."
Brian, the shift manager, joined the group, his brow furrowed as he looked between Jack and Emily. "Pete's right. Jack, we don't know what's going on, but if it's as bad as you're making it sound, you going in there isn't going to help. And her—" he gestured at Emily "—is just going to get herself hurt too."
Jack clenched his fists, frustration boiling over. "You don't know him, Brian, but I do. He's putting everything on the line in there, and I'm not going to leave him to do it alone."
Brian raised an eyebrow. "We don't even know this guy, Jack. You're telling me he's worth your life and hers?"
Emily stepped forward, her voice resolute. "You don't need to know him. What matters is that Jack does. And if he's willing to go in, so am I."
Pete shifted uncomfortably, his lanky frame trembling slightly. "Look, I don't mean to sound like a coward, but what if something happens to you guys? What are we supposed to do then?"
Jack turned to Pete, his voice softening. "Stay here. Keep everyone safe. That's all I need you to do."
Carla sighed, her arms dropping to her sides. "Fine. Go, but don't say we didn't warn you."
Ray threw up his hands. "Seriously? You're just going to walk into that madness?"
Brian sighed, shaking his head. "If you're this stubborn, I'm not going to stop you. Just don't make us regret letting you through."
Jack glanced at Emily, who gave him a steady nod. Together, they pushed past Carla, Ray, and the others and headed for the door. Emily's heart raced, but she stayed close to Jack, her resolve unwavering.
As they stepped inside, the sight that met them froze them in their tracks. Alastor stood in the center of the room, his back to them. The air around him shimmered with power, a faint crackling energy making the hairs on their necks stand on end. He was faster than anyone she'd ever seen, his movements fluid and unnatural. He was a force of nature, a storm contained within human form.
As for Emily, she could see it now. The way his muscles rippled beneath his clothes, the way his every strike was both precise and devastating. She watched as he disarmed another attacker, sending the man sprawling to the floor with a single, effortless motion. His power was immense, far beyond anything she could have ever imagined.
Jack was still in shock, his mouth slightly open as he watched Alastor with wide eyes. He had never seen anything like this, not even in his wildest imaginings. He could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him, his mind struggling to process what he was witnessing.
"Alastor!" Emily finally called out, her voice a mixture of awe and fear. "What… what is this?"
Alastor's head snapped around, his eyes locking onto theirs. His expression softened for the briefest moment, though the intensity of his gaze never wavered. "Get back," he said firmly, his voice low but commanding. "It's not safe."
But the words barely registered. Both Emily and Jack were frozen, their eyes wide as they took in the full extent of his powers. The way he moved, the way the energy seemed to pulse around him—it was as if he wasn't even human anymore. It was both terrifying and mesmerizing.
In that moment of shock, two of the masked men saw an opening. They lunged, trying to trap Emily and Jack in a quick snare, their blades flashing with deadly intent. Alastor's eyes snapped back to the scene, his face hardening.
Without a moment's hesitation, he raised his hand. A surge of energy exploded from him, a ripple of force that sent the attackers flying backward. The blades fell to the ground with a metallic clang, their owners sprawled in the dust, stunned and disoriented.
Emily and Jack stumbled backward, their breaths shallow, their hearts pounding in their chests. The power Alastor had unleashed was unlike anything they could comprehend. Emily's mind raced, her thoughts swirling in a haze of disbelief and awe.
The leader of the masked men's eyes narrowed as he witnessed the full extent of Alastor's power. His voice was a low hiss, a knowing sneer curling at the edges of his words. "It looks like Astraliros is back," he murmured, his tone heavy with a mix of fear and recognition.
Alastor's eyes narrowed, a quiet fury building in his chest. The battle was far from over, but now, everything had changed.