A collective murmur rippled through the Rectangle students, a mix of excitement and apprehension. The rivalry between Rectangle and Triangle schools was well-known, their basketball teams constantly vying for dominance. This impromptu challenge had the potential to ignite a fierce competition.
"Alright," IM said, a competitive fire igniting in his eyes. "Let's do this. You guys ready?" He turned to his teammates, who responded with enthusiastic nods and cheers.
The newcomer grinned, turning back to his own group of friends who had been watching from the sidelines. "Let's show them what we're made of!"
The two teams quickly organized themselves, the air crackling with anticipation. The Rectangle students, despite being outnumbered, were determined to defend their home court. The Triangle students, fueled by their newcomer's confidence, were eager to prove their superiority.
The game began with a jump ball, IM soaring high above his opponents to secure possession for his team. The pace was fast and furious, both teams showcasing impressive skills and teamwork. The crowd that had gathered on the sidelines roared with each basket, their cheers echoing through the night.
IM, with his enhanced abilities, was a force to be reckoned with. He effortlessly dribbled past defenders, executed flawless passes, and sunk shots from seemingly impossible angles. But the Triangle team was no pushover. They countered IM's agility with their own strategic plays and precise teamwork.
"Pass to IM!" one of his teammates yelled, recognizing an opening.
Swoosh! The ball sailed through the air, landing perfectly in IM's outstretched hands.
Thud! The newcomer, anticipating the pass, intercepted the ball with lightning-fast reflexes.
But IM wasn't giving up that easily. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance between them. Just as the newcomer was about to dribble away, IM's hand phased through his, snatching the ball away with effortless precision.
The crowd erupted in cheers, marveling at IM's incredible display of power. The Triangle player stumbled back, surprise etched on his face. IM had stolen the ball without even touching him!
With the ball back in his possession, IM wasted no time. He weaved through the remaining defenders, his movements a blur of speed and agility. With a final, powerful leap, he dunked the ball with a resounding crash, the rim shaking under the impact. The crowd went wild, their cheers echoing through the night.
The Triangle team, visibly shaken by IM's display of power, struggled to regain their composure. Their plays became more hesitant, their passes less accurate. IM and his teammates capitalized on their opponents' disarray, scoring basket after basket.
As the final buzzer sounded, the score was lopsided in favor of the Rectangle team. The Triangle players, though disappointed, couldn't deny the sheer skill and determination of their opponents. The newcomer, who had initiated the challenge, approached IM with a grudging respect.
"You're good," he admitted, extending his hand. "I underestimated you."
IM grinned, accepting the handshake. "You're not bad yourself," he replied. "But remember, if there's me, you can't handle me."
The guy leaned closer to IM's ear, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I know, Harbinger."
IM's eyes narrowed, his playful demeanor vanishing in an instant. A serious expression settled on his face, the atmosphere around him suddenly charged with tension.
"How do you know?" IM whispered back, his voice barely audible above the cheers of the crowd.
The newcomer smirked, a hint of arrogance in his eyes. "Let's just say I have my sources," he replied cryptically. "And I'm not the only one who's been watching you. My name is... Jeanthus, a seer."
A seer, eh? IM thought, a spark of intrigue flickering in his eyes.
IM's expression remained guarded. "A seer, huh? So, what do you really want?"
"Just to let you know, Unveiled," Jeanthus said, his smirk widening, "every one of you has caught our eyes." He then slowly backed away, leaving the court without another word.
IM watched him go, a mix of curiosity and unease swirling within him. The encounter had been brief, but it left a lingering sense of mystery and intrigue.
"I should tell them..." IM muttered to himself, a newfound urgency in his voice. He knew he needed to share this information with the others, especially Xian. There was something about Jeanthus and his cryptic warning that set off alarm bells in his mind.
***
Back at the WRA Building, I lay sprawled on a chair, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me. The office was eerily quiet, the only sound the soft tapping of Dove's fingers on her keyboard.
"Hmm..." I mumbled, scrolling through my phone with a sense of listlessness.
"Xian," Dove's voice cut through the quiet office, drawing my attention away from my phone. "Would you ever want to be in one of my videos?"
I tilted my head, a bit surprised by the question. "Videos like cosplay?"
"Yeah," she replied, a playful smile gracing her lips. "You have a good face for cosplay."
"Sure..." I responded, a hint of mischief in my voice. "If you give me some money."
Dove chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yeah, I will."
"Great! I have a few ideas in mind," Dove said, her excitement evident. "Maybe we could do a superhero-themed shoot, or something fantasy-inspired."
I nodded, intrigued by the possibilities. "Sounds fun. Just let me know when and where, and I'll be there."
"Awesome!" Dove exclaimed, her enthusiasm contagious. "I'll start planning right away."
"So what kind of cosplay are we going to do? From anime, right?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"Yeah, probably some hero anime," Dove confirmed with a smile.
Creak! The door opened, revealing Irune and Lili entering the office.
"Hey guys!" Irune greeted cheerfully.
"Hey, already back?" Dove asked, looking up from her laptop at the two newcomers.
"Yeah, we finished packing and filling the things," Lili replied.
Irune walked closer to me, her voice filled with urgency. "Xian, Xian."
"Yeah?" I responded, turning my attention to her.
"There's news about a forest fire," she said, her expression concerned. "It might be that guy, Elang. How about you go check it out?"
"Forest?" I echoed, my brows furrowing.
Lili nodded. "Yeah, I think it's Elang. The fire seems... abnormal. The heat isn't normal, and I could see a black cloud from a distance."
I stood up from my seat and walked over to the window, peering out at the cityscape.
In the distance, a plume of dark smoke marred the clear blue sky, staining the horizon with an ominous hue. The sight sent a chill down my spine. Elang, the fire manipulator, was back. And this time, he seemed to be targeting a forest, putting countless lives at risk.
I turned back to Irune and Lili, my expression grim. "I'll go," I said, my voice resolute. "I won't let him get away with this."
I quickly donned my Imaginary suit, the familiar sensation of power coursing through my veins.
"Be careful, Xian," Dove called out, her voice laced with concern.
"I will," I assured her. "See you again soon."
With a final nod, I teleported outside the window, the cityscape blurring around me as I materialized in mid-air. I took a deep breath, then shot off into the sky, my cape billowing behind me as I flew towards the encroaching darkness.
The closer I got to the forest, the more intense the heat became. The air shimmered with an oppressive warmth, and the smell of burning wood and vegetation filled my nostrils, a choking reminder of the destruction unfolding below. I could see the flames dancing through the trees, their hungry tongues devouring everything in their path, leaving behind a trail of blackened devastation.
Animals fled in terror, their cries echoing through the smoke-filled air, a heart-wrenching symphony of fear and despair. I knew I had to act quickly. If I didn't stop Elang soon, the entire forest would be reduced to ashes, and countless lives would be lost.
With a burst of speed, I descended towards the heart of the blaze, my eyes searching for any sign of the fire manipulator. The heat was almost unbearable, even through my suit, but I pressed on, my determination unwavering.
Finally, I spotted him. Elang stood amidst the flames, his figure wreathed in a swirling vortex of fire. His eyes glowed with an unnatural intensity, his face contorted in a mask of sadistic glee. He seemed to revel in the destruction he was causing, his laughter a discordant melody amidst the chaos.
"The Imaginary," he sneered, his voice raspy from the smoke. "I've been expecting you."
"You really love heat, don't you?" I retorted, my voice laced with a hint of disgust.
"...That voice is familiar..." he said, his brow furrowing in concentration.
"Yes, I'm the one from the concert who roped you," I replied, a grim satisfaction settling in my chest.
Elang's eyes widened in recognition. "Heh! So you're playing the hero now, huh!?"
"Someone has to stop you from destroying this forest and harming innocent lives," I declared, my voice echoing through the burning landscape.
Elang laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Innocent lives? They're just animals, insects, trees. They're nothing compared to the power I wield!" He gestured dramatically, and a wave of flames surged forward, threatening to engulf me.
I sidestepped the inferno, my movements swift and precise. "You're wrong, Elang," I said, my voice firm. "Every life is precious, every creature has a right to exist. And I won't let you take that away from them."
"Well... I don't care! Everyone betrays me! My friends, Lili betrayed me! The seers betrayed me! I will kill anything!" he yelled through the fire, his voice thick with rage and despair.
Imagine... the fire gone, I imagined, focusing my will on the raging inferno.
Swoosh!
In an instant, the flames surrounding Elang flickered and died, the once-raging inferno reduced to a few smoldering embers. The air cleared, the acrid smell of smoke gradually dissipating, replaced by the fresh scent of damp earth and singed leaves. Elang stumbled back, his eyes wide with disbelief as his power was so effortlessly nullified.
"That's your trick, huh... imagining everything, just like your name," Elang exclaimed, his voice a mix of awe and frustration. He raised his hands, defiance burning in his eyes.
Crackle! Crackle! His hands ignited with a renewed intensity, the flames dancing and swirling with an almost hypnotic rhythm.
"You can't extinguish my rage so easily, Imaginary!" Elang roared, the flames growing larger and more intense with each passing second. "I'll burn this whole forest to the ground if I have to!"
I stood my ground, my expression resolute. "You won't," I declared, my voice unwavering. "I won't let you."
I closed my eyes once more, focusing my imagination on the flames that danced in Elang's hands. Imagine... the fire is harmless...
The flames flickered, their intensity diminishing. They transformed from a raging inferno into a gentle, warm glow, casting a soft light on Elang's surprised face.
"What...?" he stammered, his eyes wide with confusion. He tried to reignite the flames, but they refused to obey his commands. Instead, they danced playfully around his fingertips, harmless and docile.
"Take a good look," I said, and with a mental command, my Imaginary suit vanished, revealing my everyday clothes.
Elang's eyes focused sharply, locking onto my form. "Hmm... I see it now. You're that guy with the long hair, the one who suddenly made a rope appear... So what's the meaning of this?"
"Lili is with me," I stated firmly. "She doesn't want to work with the seers or you."
Elang's expression darkened, a flicker of hurt crossing his face. "Lili... she betrayed me," he muttered, his voice laced with bitterness. "She chose you over me."
"She chose to be free, Elang," I corrected him. "Free from the manipulation and control of the seers. Free to make her own choices."
He clenched his fists, the harmless flames dancing around them reflecting his inner turmoil. "She was supposed to be with me and do all my work!" he yelled, his voice cracking with emotion.
"That's why she betrayed you," I said calmly, meeting his gaze with unwavering resolve. "You just used her as a tool, not like family."
Swooosh!
The flames around Elang's hands flared up with renewed intensity, their color shifting from a warm orange to a menacing purple. The air crackled with energy, the heat radiating from him growing unbearable.
Imagine, the forest around that was earlier burned starts to grow again, and this time it can't be harmed by fire. Instead, it absorbs it as if it were water. I focused my will, pouring my imagination into the scorched earth and charred remains of the forest.
A gentle breeze swept through the clearing, carrying with it a sense of renewal and hope. Tiny green shoots began to emerge from the blackened soil, pushing through the ashes with surprising resilience. The trees, once skeletal and lifeless, sprouted new leaves and branches, their bark glowing with an ethereal green light.
The transformation was breathtaking, a testament to the power of the imagination. The forest, reborn from the ashes, now stood as a symbol of defiance against Elang's destructive rage.
Elang's eyes widened in disbelief as he witnessed the miraculous transformation of the forest. His purple flames, once symbols of his unbridled rage, now seemed impotent against the revitalized landscape. The trees, now infused with an otherworldly resilience, absorbed his attacks, their leaves shimmering with a vibrant green light.
"What... what is this?" Elang stammered, his voice laced with a mixture of confusion and awe. The power he wielded, the power that had once made him feel invincible, was now being effortlessly countered by the very nature he sought to destroy.
"This is the power of life, Elang," I said, my voice echoing through the rejuvenated forest. "It's stronger than any destructive force you can conjure. You can't fight against nature, not when it's fueled by hope and the will to survive."
Elang's shoulders slumped, the fire in his eyes dimming. The realization of his futility seemed to wash over him, leaving him looking defeated and lost.
"I... I don't know what to do anymore," he mumbled, his voice barely a whisper. "Everyone I've ever cared about has betrayed me. I'm alone."
A wave of empathy washed over me. Despite his destructive actions, I couldn't help but feel a pang of pity for Elang. He was a victim of his own pain and isolation, lashing out at the world in a desperate attempt to fill the void within him.
Imagine, steal power... I thought, a bold idea taking shape in my mind. Perhaps there was a way to help Elang, to redirect his destructive energy into something positive.
"You're alone because of what you did, Elang," I said, my voice gentle but firm. "I do pity those who betrayed you, but you need to understand that your actions have consequences."
With a surge of focused intent, I reached out with my imagination, visualizing Elang's power flowing into me like a river. Imagine, steal power...
A wave of energy pulsed through the air, and Elang's purple flames flickered, then died completely. His eyes widened in shock as he felt his power drain away, leaving him feeling weak and vulnerable.
"Now rest," I said softly, watching as Elang's knees buckled, his body collapsing onto the soft, newly-grown grass.
If I said 'sleep', the person who hears it will fall asleep until I say 'wake up'. I imagined, my voice taking on a hypnotic quality. "Sleep."
Elang's eyelids fluttered, then closed. His breathing slowed, his body relaxing into the embrace of the earth. He was asleep, his troubled mind finally finding peace, at least for now.
"I'll take him to the WRA Building and talk to Lili about what we should do with him..." I murmured to myself, carefully lifting Elang's unconscious form.
With a gentle motion, I gathered him into my arms, his body surprisingly light despite his imposing presence. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the journey back to the city.
***
The silence in the WRA Building was broken only by the soft clicks and swipes of three girls engrossed in their phones.
Knock knock! The sound echoed through the room, startling them all. They looked towards the door, but it remained firmly closed. The knocking, however, persisted, coming from the window this time.
"Ah, Xian..." Dove said, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
I imagined the window swinging open like a door, and with a gentle breeze, I floated into the room, Elang's unconscious form still cradled in my arms.
"I brought your old friend, Lili," I announced, carefully lowering Elang's unconscious body onto the floor.
Lili's head snapped up, her eyes widening in surprise as she recognized the figure on the floor. "Elang?!" she gasped, rushing over to kneel beside him. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over her face – shock, anger, and a lingering trace of sadness.
"He started a forest fire," I explained, my voice heavy with the weight of the day's events. "I managed to stop him and take away his powers, but I wasn't sure what to do with him."
Lili's expression softened as she gazed down at Elang's sleeping face. A flicker of sadness crossed her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a steely determination.
"I... I don't know what to do..." she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "I don't want to face the past or him..."
"Don't worry, I took his power," I reassured her, my voice gentle. "The fire power is with me now. He won't hurt anyone."
Lili let out a shaky breath, her shoulders visibly relaxing. "Thank you, Xian," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't stopped him."
Dove walked closer to Elang's unconscious form, her curiosity piqued. "So this is the guy who set the forest on fire twice, huh?"
I nodded. "Yeah, seems he's..."
Take me back to my master's body, an unknown voice echoed in my head, startling me.
I blinked rapidly, the realization hitting me like a lightning bolt. I had taken Elang's power, which meant I had also taken his Harbinger.
Heh, you're not going back. I don't need you, and I'll erase you if I have to, I thought, my mental voice firm and unwavering.
Wait, what!? No! NO! Don't do that! the voice yelled in a panic, its fear palpable even in my mind.
Then be quiet, I retorted, my resolve unshaken.
...I don't want to be in your body... the brain... it's trying to kill me, the voice whimpered, its desperation evident.
< Chapter 165 > Fin.