harbouring a deep-seated vendetta against Erick's parents, claiming they had taken everything from him. Now, he intended to take everything from them, starting with their son. He pounded on Erick's frail body repeatedly, relishing the torment, ensuring that he did not kill him quickly. He wanted Erick to suffer as he was turned into a quivering mass of fear, declaring that he would transport him through time to confront his parents, allowing them to witness their son's agony.
Even as a child, Erick was a brilliant thinker and understood the hopelessness of their situation. Instead of calling out to Guion for help, as any child might, he yelled for him to run. But Guion, paralyzed by fear of letting him down, remained rooted in place. In desperation, Erick broke down in tears, crying so intensely that he eventually passed out from the sheer volume of his screams. Just before he collapsed, he transformed.
When the police arrived, they found both boys lying in a pool of blood. Erick visited Guion in the hospital every morning before school, and each time, Guion would ask him what had happened that day. Over time, Erick realized that Guion had no true understanding of what he had become, so he kept the truth hidden from him and everyone else.
Despite Guion's monstrous transformation, Erick looked at him with unwavering affection, feeling indebted to him in ways he believed he could never repay. To Erick, Guion was a hero. He silently vowed to surprise him on the very day he could offer something that might come close to repaying his debt.
After hearing this, Annika felt she had gravely misjudged Guion. Guilt washed over her, and her eyes filled with tears. "He's not going to do anything reckless, is he?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Of course he would. I'm the only functional part of his brain, and thanks to you, he feels utterly alone," Erick replied, his tone devoid of concern for her feelings.
Anxiety gripped Annika, prompting her to question Erick's loyalty to Guion. "You say he's your brother, and you would let him do that?!", "It's precisely because he's my brother that I would let him do whatever the hell he wants. If there's even the slightest chance it might make him happy, I'll follow him straight to hell. When the consequences arise, we'll face them together. That's what it means to be a brother," he said, as Annika listened quietly, feeling increasingly despondent.
Despite his harsh demeanour, Erick sympathized with her plight. He urged her to pursue Guion before it was too late. "The city is relying on you, and Guion is leaving because of you. He might struggle to admit it, but he's in love with you. You know it, and you love him too.
If anyone can stop him, it's you," he insisted. Nodding resolutely, Annika dashed to Guion's house, but he was nowhere to be found. Frantically, she headed to the train station. The place was teeming with people, yet she felt certain he had to be there. She searched with determination until she finally spotted him standing by the railway, a black tourist bag slung over his shoulder, waiting for the train like everyone else.
"Don't go!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the crowd. Guion turned, instantly recognizing her voice amidst the chaos. "Annika!" he exclaimed, shame flooding his features as he struggled to meet her gaze. "Please don't go," she pleaded. "I may have been blind when I transformed, but I could feel the fear in your hearts.
The way you all looked at me made it clear that I will always be a monster in your eyes," he said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "You are not a monster, Guion," she insisted. He looked at her, anguish etching his face. "Let's pretend for a moment that I'm not hideous. What was your reaction when you first saw me?"
Annika faltered, unable to respond without causing him further pain. She averted her gaze, silence hanging between them. "It's what I thought," he murmured, turning his back to her. "I've grown so accustomed to the sweetness in the coffee you make that I can taste the bitterness of my own tears when you're not here. My tongue feels sour when I'm denied your affection.
I don't know how to make you feel better, but I need you more than anyone has ever needed another.", "The city needs you," she replied, her voice steady. "The city needs a hero," he echoed. "You are not a monster, Guion," she reaffirmed. "Then what am I supposed to be?" he asked, turning back around. "Love!" she declared, her voice rising with conviction. "It is blind and powerful. I can think of no other emotion."
A smile broke across his face, filled with overwhelming joy. She smiled in return, stepping closer to him. But just as she moved, a colossal bird's foot descended from above with the speed of a shooting star, crushing her onto the hard cement ground. It was Fear, one of the Big Five and their largest member.
He stood like a man with the legs of an eagle, covered in feathers and fur, a brownish hue enveloping his massive form. Long feathers adorned his muscular thighs, and his upper body was similarly cloaked in fur. His arms lacked bulk, yet his stomach was shredded, showcasing formidable strength.
His head resembled that of a lion, yet bore the face of a man, complete with thick black eyebrows, long black hair, and a beard that brushed his lower lip. He towered six meters tall, with two pairs of wings, his upper wings extended fifteen meters, while the lower ones measured four. A lion's tail, twenty-two meters long, trailed behind him, ending in a tuft of black fur. Black feathers lined the bottom of his wings and adorned the back, just below the centre.
His glowing yellow eyes radiated an aura of horror, exerting immense pressure. Annika passed out instantly, her body growing cold as she lay beneath his massive foot, slowly being engulfed in her own blood.