Chereads / The Legend of the Dark Knight / Chapter 17 - The Chosen ones

Chapter 17 - The Chosen ones

Professor Lawrence sat in his office, engrossed in a novel, when a sudden voice broke the silence, startling him. He looked up to see a figure emerge from the shadows, their presence commanding attention.

Raven: "You were quite talking about the chosen ones. So, what about me?"

The professor's eyes widened in recognition as he processed the identity of the intruder.

Professor Lawrence: "Raven... You're the infamous vigilante."

Raven nodded, a sense of purpose emanating from his masked figure.

Raven: "Yup. And you were talking about me in class. So, tell me about the prophecy."

Professor Lawrence hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal to the enigmatic figure before him.

Professor Lawrence: "The prophecy speaks of a warrior, descended from the gods, who will rise to face great evil alone. It is said that this warrior will possess unparalleled strength and abilities, capable of vanquishing any foe."

Raven's masked expression remained unreadable as he absorbed the professor's words.

Raven: "And do you believe in this prophecy?"

Professor Lawrence paused, weighing his words carefully.

Professor Lawrence: "I believe that there are forces at work in this world that we may not fully understand. Whether the prophecy is true or not, the fact remains that there are those who possess extraordinary abilities, such as yourself."

Raven nodded thoughtfully, the weight of his responsibility as the vigilante settling heavily upon him.

Raven: "Thank you, Professor. Your insight has been valuable."

With a nod of acknowledgment, Raven disappeared into the shadows once more, leaving Professor Lawrence to ponder the implications of their conversation and the role that Raven would play in the unfolding events foretold by the ancient prophecy.

As Raven ascended the floors of the mysterious building with incredible speed, his cybernetic arm transformed into a grappling hook, propelling him upward effortlessly. With each floor he conquered, his resolve strengthened, fueled by the urgency to rescue the hostages held captive at the top.

Upon reaching the pinnacle, Raven burst into the room with a silent determination, his presence commanding attention. The gangsters, armed and ready, were taken aback by his sudden appearance, their expressions shifting from confidence to fear.

Gangster 1: "Who the hell is this guy?"

Gangster 2: "I don't know, but he looks dangerous."

Without uttering a word, Raven engaged the assailants with unparalleled agility and precision. His movements were fluid and calculated, each strike delivered with lethal accuracy.

As Raven swiftly incapacitated one foe after another, the gangsters realized they were no match for his unmatched combat prowess.

Gangster 3: "We need to get out of here! This guy's not human!"

Gangster 4: "I told you we shouldn't have messed with him!"

As Raven's mechanical hands crackled with bioelectric energy, casting an ominous glow in the dimly lit room, the gangsters found themselves paralyzed with fear. With each movement, Raven's silent resolve spoke volumes, his actions conveying a silent warning to any who dared challenge him.

Gangster 5: "We're no match for him! He's not human!"

Gangster 6: "We should've never taken those hostages! This guy's on another level!"

Despite their attempts to rally and mount a defense, Raven remained a silent force to be reckoned with. His martial prowess was unmatched, each strike delivered with precision and purpose.

Gangster 7: "We need to retreat! There's no way we can win against him!"

Gangster 8: "But what about the hostages? We can't just leave them!"

Gangster 9: "Forget the hostages! Our lives are more important!"

As Raven continued to subdue his adversaries with ease, the gangsters' resolve wavered, their desperation palpable in the air.

Gangster 10: "Please... just let us go!"

Gangster 11: "We won't mess with you again, I swear!"

Despite their pleas for mercy, Raven remained stoic and unwavering, his silent presence a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice.

As the last of the gangsters fell to the ground, defeated and demoralized, Raven stood amidst the chaos, a silent guardian watching over those he had rescued.

With the room now quiet and the threat neutralized, Raven turned to leave, his silent vigilance a reminder of the power that lay dormant within him.

Jacob: "Raven, what's the situation?"

Raven: "I've just completed the mission. The hostages are safe."

Jacob: "Good work. What else did you find out?"

Raven hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts before relaying the encounter with Professor Lawrence.

Raven: "Lawrence mentioned something about the chosen ones and a prophecy. He seemed to imply that I'm connected to it somehow."

Jacob: "Interesting. Did he say anything else?"

Raven: "Not much. He seemed surprised to see me, to say the least."

Jacob: "Keep an eye on him. We need to know everything he knows about the prophecy and the chosen ones."

Raven: "Understood. I'll continue my surveillance."

As Dabao entered the hostel, a sense of apprehension washed over him. He glanced around, noticing the familiar faces of his peers settling into their rooms. Then, his gaze fell upon Hanyu, who stood in the hallway with a look of surprise etched upon his features.

Hanyu: "Lou? What are you doing here?"

Dabao hesitated for a moment, the weight of Hanyu's gaze bearing down on him. He searched for the right words, careful not to reveal his true identity.

Dabao: "Just needed a change of scenery, I suppose."

Xubao and Su Han emerged from behind Hanyu, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

Xubao: "Lou, we were just wondering..."

Su Han: "...if everything's okay. You seemed a bit off earlier."

Dabao felt a twinge of guilt gnawing at him. They were his friends, after all, and he hated keeping secrets from them. But he couldn't risk revealing the truth.

Dabao: "I'm fine, really. Just tired from the day."

Xubao exchanged a glance with Su Han, their unspoken communication evident in the air. They knew there was more to the story, but they respected Dabao's privacy.

Xubao: "Well, if you need anything, we're just down the hall."

Su Han: "Yeah, don't hesitate to reach out if you need to talk."

Hanyu furrowed his brow, deep in thought as he, Xubao, and Su Han lingered in the hallway outside Dabao's room.

Hanyu: "I don't understand. If Lou is really Dabao, why didn't he come back to us? And what was up with that strength he showed when he confronted David?"

Xubao sighed, her mind racing with questions and uncertainties.

Xubao: "I don't know, but something doesn't add up. Dabao wouldn't just disappear like that without a word."

Su Han nodded in agreement, her expression reflecting a mixture of concern.

Su Han: "We need to find out the truth. If Dabao is in trouble, we have to help him."

Hanyu's gaze hardened with resolve, his determination matching that of his friends.

Hanyu: "Agreed. But we have to be careful. Whatever's going on, it's clear that Dabao is keeping secrets for a reason."

Xubao and Su Han nodded in solemn agreement, their minds already racing with plans and possibilities. Deep down, they knew that uncovering the truth would be a daunting task, but for the sake of their friend, they were willing to do whatever it took.

Dabao sat alone in his room, his thoughts swirling with uncertainty and apprehension. He glanced down at his mechanical limbs, the whirring of gears a constant reminder of the secret he carried.

Dabao: "Why are they here? Why now?"

He mulled over the unexpected presence of Hanyu, Xubao, and Su Han in the hostel. Their decision to stay there instead of at their parents' houses raised suspicions in Dabao's mind.

Dabao: "Could they suspect something? Do they know the truth?"

He shook his head, trying to push aside the nagging doubts that threatened to overwhelm him.

Dabao: "No, I can't let myself be consumed by paranoia. I have to remain vigilant."

As he contemplated his next move, a sense of determination washed over him. He knew he had to tread carefully, lest he risk exposing his true identity.

Dabao: "I won't let them uncover the truth. I'll do whatever it takes to protect myself and those I care about."

With a steely resolve, Dabao prepared himself for the challenges that lay ahead, knowing that the path he walked was fraught with danger and uncertainty.

As Hanyu sat in his room, his mind couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was amiss with Lou. He couldn't understand why his friend had suddenly reappeared under a new identity, nor could he ignore the undeniable strength Lou had displayed during the confrontation with David and his gang.

Hanyu: "There's something off about all of this. I need to find out what Lou is hiding."

He glanced at his phone, contemplating whether to confide in Xubao about his suspicions. Realizing that they needed to consult with their parents, Hanyu quickly dialed Xubao's number.

Hanyu: "Xubao, we need to talk. Meet me in the common room."

Within minutes, Xubao joined him, her expression mirroring his own concerns.

Xubao: "What's going on, Hanyu?"

Hanyu hesitated, unsure of where to begin.

Hanyu: "I can't shake the feeling that Lou is hiding something from us. Did you notice how he didn't seem surprised when we approached him earlier?"

Xubao frowned, her thoughts racing as she considered Hanyu's words.

Xubao: "You're right. Something doesn't add up. We need to talk to our parents about this."

Hanyu nodded in agreement, relieved that Xubao shared his suspicions.

Hanyu: "Let's go. Maybe they can shed some light on what's going on with Lou."

Together, they made their way to their parents' house, their minds filled with questions and uncertainties about their friend's mysterious behavior. Little did they know, their journey for answers would only lead to more questions and unexpected revelations.

Xubao dialed her mother's number anxiously, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for Suqing Mo to pick up.

Suqing Mo: "Hello, Xubao?"

Xubao: "Mom, we need to talk. It's about Lou."

Suqing Mo's voice was filled with concern as she listened to her daughter's words.

Suqing Mo: "What happened? Is everything okay?"

Xubao took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves before explaining the situation.

Xubao: "Mom, we saw someone today who looks exactly like Dabao. He goes by the name Lou now, but Hanyu and I can't shake the feeling that he might be Dabao."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Suqing Mo responded, her voice trembling with emotion.

Suqing Mo: "Xubao, I... I don't know what to say. Are you sure it's him?"

Xubao's eyes welled up with tears as she tried to articulate her thoughts.

Xubao: "I don't know, Mom. That's why I'm calling you. We need your help to figure this out."

Suqing Mo's voice cracked with emotion as she tried to compose herself.

Suqing Mo: "Xubao, sweetheart, I understand how you're feeling. But we can't jump to conclusions. If it is Dabao... if it's really him... then we need to approach this carefully."

Xubao wiped away her tears, her heart heavy with uncertainty.

Xubao: "I know, Mom. But what if it's not him? What if we're just holding onto false hope?"

Suqing Mo took a deep breath, her voice steady as she tried to reassure her daughter.

Suqing Mo: "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, Xubao. Right now, let's focus on finding out the truth. We'll get through this together, okay?"

Xubao nodded, her resolve strengthened by her mother's words.

Xubao: "Okay, Mom. We'll keep you updated. Thanks for listening."

Suqing Mo: "Anytime, sweetheart. Take care, and be safe."

With a heavy heart, Xubao ended the call, knowing that their journey to uncover the truth was only just beginning.