(This is the revised version of Chapter-30)
On the day after his birthday, Zede woke up rather late. When he finally stirred awake, he noticed Diego in his room and immediately inquired, "What happened last night?" Before Diego could respond, Paige entered the room. "You, you! I remember you... Were you the one who took me back home? What's your plan, who are you working for, and most importantly, who are you? The Paige I knew from my childhood didn't have powers like you," Zede questioned.
"Hey, hold on. I'm the same Paige you've known since childhood," Paige chuckled. "I became a disciple of a yogi from India, and that's how I gained control over my six chakras. I used that power last night, nothing special."
"What? Are you a meditator as well? Oh my, what is happening around me?" Zede exclaimed.
"Let it go, Zede. Are you feeling okay now?" Paige asked.
"I know what you're asking," Zede stood up and opened the curtains, allowing the bright sunlight to flood the room. "I feel like a burden has been lifted from my head," Zede admitted.
"But Zede, how did you switch the explosive mask with the normal one? Was it an accident, or did you do it on purpose?" Diego inquired, but Paige swiftly covered his mouth with her hand.
Zede wore a serious expression as he looked out the window. "Actually, the plan to kill me had been in motion since the day Dahlia and I went on a date. On that very day, she saw me leaving SSHQ with my mask designs. She secretly took one of those designs. I wasn't suspecting her at the time. However, on the day we were at the amusement park, I saw a message on Dahlia's phone from Adam, asking about a plan."
"That triggered something in my mind because she had previously claimed she wasn't with him due to his association with PEN. She even tried to gain my trust by recounting her family's tragic backstory."
"Fortunately, her cat appeared that evening, and I placed a neckband with a spy cam around its neck," Zede explained, leaving Diego fascinated.
"When I got home, I overheard her talking to someone on the phone about the plan to kill me. The plan involved gifting me an explosive mask. When she actually gave me that mask, I pretended it slipped from my hand. But in mid-air, while catching it, I switched the masks."
(Zede clenched his fist in anger) "But that son of a... Adam threw the explosive mask towards Dahlia, thinking it was a normal one, and she got killed. I didn't do it on purpose," Zede's voice quivered, and tears welled up in his eyes.
"So that's why you didn't act excited when you saw Dahlia on the werewolf incident day, or when she hugged you after the conclusion," Diego deduced.
"Yes, because the feelings I had for her vanished," Zede confessed while wiping his tears away. "After hearing the whole story, I don't know why my stomach is making weird noises," Diego commented.
Paige chuckled and suggested they have some breakfast. "I cooked some dishes because Mr. and Mrs. Blake aren't home," Dahlia mentioned. "Mom and Dad aren't home? Alright, after breakfast, let's head straight to Kylan's house," Zede decided.
Meanwhile, in SSHQ, Aayam's brothers, Kaal and Mendel, were conducting their regular inspection. Suddenly, a portal opened in front of them, and Aayam emerged before it closed. Aayam was coughing up blood and collapsed. "What happened, brother?" Kaal asked, alarmed.
"Quick, get him to the emergency room," Mendel urged.
"It might be that mission..." Kaal began.
"We'll go with him next time," Mendel suggested.
"But we don't stand a chance against Yugasura," Kaal expressed his concern as they exchanged words. Aayam slowly regained consciousness. "There's no need for both of you to fight him. My variants and I have gained control over Yugasura. There's nothing to worry about for a few years, maybe," Aayam explained, still coughing. "By the way, where's Maxine?" he inquired.
Kaal and Mendel exchanged glances. "What? Say something," Aayam urged them to speak.
"We suspended her," they said simultaneously, closing their eyes.
"What are you saying? She's the senior manager here. Did you kick her out for some trivial reason? Call her now!" Aayam ordered Kaal.
"Was there an explosion?" Aayam asked Maxine, who had returned to the emergency room.
"Yes, sir! We found the pieces of an exploded body near a tall tower. According to the villain's DNA data, it matches with Lynxy's sample," Maxine reported.
"So, that girl is dead now," Aayam reacted. "Wasn't it the group that tried to kill our member, Blaze (Zede), multiple times? Those people will now be even more determined to kill Zede after losing one of their comrades," Aayam predicted.
Meanwhile, Adam was still struggling to forget the love and care Dahlia had shown him. It had been two days since he locked himself in his room. Darby, Simon, and Adam's black humanoid bull, Doowee, did their best to coax him out. "Master seems really upset," Doowee remarked.
Doowee, the sword-wielding humanoid with two needle-like swords, drew his weapons and cut through the walls to enter Adam's room. "Master, please eat something. You must be hungry," Doowee implored. Adam, however, remained silent.
"Master, you haven't even bathed yet. Please leave this room," Darby pleaded.
"What's your problem, you trash can?" Adam grabbed Doowee tightly. This sudden angry contact with Doowee caused Adam to grow in size and turn black. "Master, you know I can grant you shape-shifting powers, the ability to regenerate your organs, and the capability to shoot them at will. But if you make contact with me without mental control, you'll burst with my power," Doowee warned.
Adam stared into Doowee's eyes and reverted to his original form. When he turned away, Darby and Simon anxiously asked if he was alright.
"Wear your suits" said Adam. "But why Adam, you need some energy first" Darby said. "We will eliminate him this time. For sure" Adam Stood up.