Chapter Seventy-EightNova ZeroAs I made my way back to Silva Sivitas, the nagging thought that she was concealing something vital tugged at the corners of my mind. Despite my curiosity, I refrained from pressing her for further information. It wasn't my nature, especially when dealing with someone who had already endured the relentless hardships of this unforgiving town.My thoughts drifted to New Spain Village, my home town, where similar mysteries might be unfolding even now. Were children there being kidnapped, and if so, what unspeakable fate awaited them? My heart clenched with worry for my own family, wondering if they were safe.Questions swirled within me, each more distressing than the last, but answers remained elusive. I realized I needed to expedite my efforts in Silva Sivitas and uncover its enigmatic secrets, for the sake of both the town and my yearning to reunite with my family as swiftly as possible.I couldn't help but recollect the time when the world still basked in the glow of technological advancements. News reports constantly reminded me of the countless children who went missing daily across the globe. In the United States alone, the statistics were staggering, with over 300,000 children disappearing each year. Yet, despite the grim numbers, my faith was restored as I remembered that a significant majority, around 85% to 90%, eventually found their way home. But for the remaining 30,000 children who remained unaccounted for, the anguish endured by their families was immeasurable. Back then, my role was passive, limited to posting pictures of missing children on social media. But now, in this newfound journey, I possessed the power to take more direct action. Once my mission in Silva Sivitas was complete, I would waste no time in reuniting with my beloved family and close friends, and with my newfound abilities, I would strive to make a difference in the lives of those affected by the shadows of uncertainty. Well, I guess im trying to do all that from now. As I stepped through the mystical veil that shielded our city from the ravages of monstrous attacks, a potent surge of energy caught my attention, resonating with familiarity. It could only be Laylah. My pulse quickened, and I hastened toward the source of her power. In just a few brisk minutes, I reached the location, greeted not by Laylah, but by the eerie aftermath of a fierce battle. Broken windows, dented structures, and hairline fractures on the ground told the tale of a vicious struggle that had unfolded.Surveying the chaos, I couldn't help but muse, "There was definitely a battle here." My unique eyes, gifted with the ability to discern residual energy, allowed me to glimpse a peculiar phenomenon: the buildings themselves were repairing, slowly mending the wounds inflicted during the skirmish. It was a surreal sight, as cracks sealed themselves together. Focusing on the energy traces left behind, I traced two distinct trails. One undeniably belonged to Laylah, but my curiosity drew me toward the other enigmatic presence. I concealed my energy signature, moving like a shadow through the city, ensuring my approach remained undetected.The trail guided me through concealed alleys and hidden passages, ultimately leading me to the clandestine underbelly of this sprawling metropolis. Just in the nick of time, I caught sight of a group of four men. Two wore masks while the others appeared lifeless, bearing the grim marks of a vicious brawl. Adorning their clothing was the unmistakable crimson fox insignia, an emblem of the notorious Red Fox Gang that had earned a sinister reputation.These men were undoubtedly up to no good, and I remained hidden, my presence veiled behind a peculiar mushroom-shaped building. With keen observation, I listened intently to their conversations and watched their every move. One member stood sentry atop a nearby building, his energy unmistakable to me. In an instant, I materialized by his side, a whisper in the night.With a casual tone, I inquired, "What's the lookout for tonight?"His response bore a hint of suspicion but he didn't even turn to look, "We're on the watch for anyone who might disrupt our business."I nodded knowingly, masking my true intent. "Especially those masked troublemakers, always sticking their noses where they don't belong, right?"His voice trailed off as he realized I wasn't one of his own. Swiftly and efficiently, I rendered him unconscious and discreetly removed him from the scene, leaving behind a gathering of unaware comrades.I had to haul this guy all the way to my secret hideout, nestled a few miles away in the Artisan's town. The journey with this particular nuisance had been quite the task. I hoped I hadn't missed the gathering I had planned for later tonight. Entering through the concealed underground passage of my investigation store, I secured the thug to a sturdy chair. Leaving him here in this condition was not an option. Although he didn't appear especially strong, I had no knowledge of his powers or if his powers could make him escape. Maybe it was time to get some answers.I delivered a resounding slap across his face, abruptly awakening him from his stupor. "What... Where am I? Do you even know who I am?" He blustered, desperation lacing his words. "I'm Tarzan, from the notorious Red Fox gang! You like to lurk in the shadows. Show your face, you coward!"His shouts and threats echoed through the dimly lit room. Unfazed, I opened my eyes, which emitted an eerie, dark purple glow. His ranting ceased instantly.Recognition and fear washed over him. "Oh, it's you... You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into, you freak! Just because you managed to slay an advanced-class monster all on your own doesn't mean we're afraid of you!"I responded with a series of swift slaps, splitting his lips and coaxing a trickle of blood. "I'm the one issuing threats and asking the questions here. Now, what are you and your gang up to? I need answers, and I need them now!"In a moment of defiance, he began to laugh and spat a mixture of blood and saliva onto the floor. "I fear him more than I fear you, so I won't talk. You can just go ahead and kill me."His stubborn bravado only served to stoke my fury. All I sought was information, and yet here he was, in his dire predicament, attempting to maintain a facade of toughness."You're really pissing me off," I growled in the most menacing tone I could muster.My eyes tingled with an ominous energy as I fixed him in an intense, furious gaze. The room seemed to constrict as the weight of my powers bore down upon him. He crumpled, his face pressed against the cold floor, struggling to resist the unseen force. I harnessed my control over gravity to lift him off the ground, his entire body beginning to succumb to the relentless pressure."I'll ask you again," I hissed, maintaining my unwavering glare. My gaze locked onto his eyes, and with a focused thought, I visualized his hands disintegrating. A strange rage coursed through me, one I couldn't quite contain. I'd adhered to a strict no-killing rule, but this man had pushed me to the brink. He was connected to the mysterious disappearances plaguing the city for far too long.His fingers burst open in a gruesome spectacle, a symphony of agony emanating from his tortured form. I couldn't deny the satisfaction I derived from the sound of his suffering; it was the only means to make him talk. One by one, his fingers exploded into fragmented ruin, his cries of pain reverberating within the underground bunker."I'll ask again," I repeated, my voice an unyielding demand. "What are your plans?"Trembling in agony, he finally broke. "Okay, okay, I'll talk. I don't have all the details. A man dressed in red with ominous crimson eyes approached our boss, offering us a job to abduct people, especially kids. That's all I know, please, make it stop." His words stumbled out, mangled by the torment that gripped him. I scanned his hands, noticing the nova force within them in a state of disarray. I couldn't comprehend it, but then a sudden, sharp pain seared through my eyes.I quickly withdrew a vial from my pocket, a potion designed to mend injuries, and consumed it hastily. Offering another vial to the man, he hesitated before reluctantly drinking it. Slowly, his wounds began to heal, but his fingers remained twisted and distorted, a gruesome reminder of the brutal interrogation.I then knocked him unconscious once more and left him in the middle of nowhere as I hurried towards Silva Sivitas to make it in time for the Celebration.In the desolate stretch of land that lay between Silva Sivitas and Artisan Town, a disoriented member of the Red Fox gang staggered, fresh from the ordeal of being tortured for information. Confusion swirled in his mind as he gradually regained consciousness."That bastard," he muttered through gritted teeth, bitterness coursing through his veins. "I'll make sure he pays for this, mark my words. Torturing someone from the Red Fox Gang... He's going to regret the day he crossed our path."His thoughts, angry and vengeful, remained confined to the inner recesses of his mind, muttered only to himself. Little did he know that the ominous aura of impending doom loomed behind him. "Wait till the boss hears about what?" a voice inquired, manifesting from the shadows behind him. Tarzan, upon recognizing the voice, froze in place, the blood draining from his face."I didn't say anything, I swear!" Tarzan protested, his voice trembling.The voice remained relentless, seeking answers. "Are you guilty of something? I asked a simple question. Please answer and spare me the theatrics."Tarzan's heart pounded as he considered his response carefully. "The masked freak, he... he kidnapped me and took me somewhere. He's not a killer; he's soft. He didn't get any information out of me, I swear." A sinister chuckle cut through the tense silence, sending a shiver down Tarzan's spine. The menacing figure emerged from the shadows, revealing himself as the Vampire of Britanniac's second-in-command."Tarzan," the man sneered, his gaze piercing like a dagger. "You know what I despise most in life?"Tarzan stammered, his voice quivering, "What do you hate, sir?"The man's cold smile widened as he replied, "Liars."
In a swift and brutal motion, the man struck Tarzan with a forceful blow, severing his head from his body. Blood splattered, and Tarzan's lifeless eyes stared ahead, unable to comprehend the swift, brutal justice dealt upon him. The Vampire of Britanniac's second in command then nonchalantly removed his gloves and wiped the blood from his hands, casually stepping on Tarzan's severed head, crushing it beneath his heel as he continued his path, leaving no trace of his dark retribution.