I nodded, my own frustration mirroring hers. "I mean, yeah..."
Essokinesis shook his head, his ethereal form flickering sadly. "There's nothing we can do about it. What we can do is move on. If you really want... I think, make Xian become the Fool God again. But I don't think he wants that."
"Yeah, I don't want to become some kind of god," I confirmed, my voice firm. The idea of wielding such immense power, of being revered and feared, held no appeal to me. I just wanted to live a normal life, to protect my loved ones, and to make the world a better place, one small act of kindness at a time.
"Then we'll just safeguard this book," Dove said, taking the book and closing it gently. "Let's focus on creating a new story, and write it back into the world."
A sense of determination filled the room, replacing the earlier despair. The Unveiled Family, faced with the corruption of their legacy, chose to forge a new path, one built on their own values and aspirations. They would not let the Seers' actions define them, nor would they allow their past to dictate their future.
"We'll create our own story," Lili declared, her voice ringing with newfound confidence. "One where the Unveiled Family stands for justice, compassion, and the power of the human spirit."
I smiled, my heart swelling with pride. This was the true strength of the Unveiled Family, the ability to adapt, to evolve, and to create their own destiny, even in the face of adversity.
"Together," I said, my voice echoing their resolve, "we'll write a story that will inspire generations to come. A story of hope, courage, and the unwavering belief that even in the darkest of times, the light of the human spirit will always shine through."
Snap! IM snapped his fingers, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"That's a good line, Xian!" he exclaimed, raising his arm for a high-five.
Clap! I answered his high-five, a shared sense of camaraderie and excitement filling the air.
"Okay, seems like there's a lot going on here... so, who's going out to be the hero tonight?" Dove asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and playful challenge.
A comfortable silence settled over the room as everyone considered the question. The weight of their recent discoveries, the knowledge of the Seers' insidious plans, hung heavy in the air. But amidst the tension, there was also a sense of determination, a shared commitment to their cause.
Finally, IM spoke up, his voice filled with a quiet resolve. "I'll go," he said, his gaze steady.
"I'll go too," I added, my own determination echoing his.
"I'm going to take a rest today," Yolan replied, a hint of exhaustion in her voice.
Liam raised his hand, his eyes shining with eagerness. "Can I go? I want to try being a cool hero..."
Lili shrugged. "I'll pass, but Elang, you go with them."
"Huh!? Why me-" Elang protested, but Lili cut him off.
"Just go."
"...Tsk!" Elang grumbled, but a flicker of excitement betrayed his reluctance.
With the team decided, IM, Elang, and I prepared for the night's patrol. We donned our suits, each one a testament to our unique powers and personalities. IM's suit shimmered with an ethereal glow, reflecting his ability to phase through solid matter. Elang's suit crackled with fiery energy, a visual representation of his newfound control over fire. And my own suit, a sleek black ensemble accented with silver, embodied the limitless potential of my imagination.
We stepped out into the night, the city lights a dazzling backdrop to our mission. The air hummed with anticipation, the promise of adventure and the possibility of danger lurking around every corner. We were the Unveiled Family, protectors of the innocent, and tonight, we would once again answer the call.
***
We split up, Elang going solo, Liam accompanied by his Harbinger, and IM flying beside me as we soared through the night sky, patrolling the vast expanse of the capital city. The wind whipped past us, carrying the sounds of the city below - the distant sirens, the muffled laughter, the quiet hum of a million lives intertwined.
As we soared above the city, a sudden commotion caught our attention. In a quiet side street below, a lone figure was sprinting desperately, pursued by two masked individuals.
The victim's panicked gasps and the pursuers' menacing laughter echoed through the otherwise peaceful night. It was a classic scene of robbery, a stark reminder of the darkness that still lingered even in the most seemingly safe neighborhoods.
"IM, down there!" I shouted, pointing towards the unfolding chase. Without hesitation, I dove towards the fleeing victim, my cape billowing behind me as I cut through the air.
"Hey, where do you think you're going!" the robber shouted, revving his motorcycle and accelerating towards the fleeing victim. The engine roared, shattering the tranquility of the night.
The victim, drenched in sweat but fueled by adrenaline, pedaled furiously, his heart pounding in his chest. The distance between him and his pursuers was shrinking, the fear of being caught driving him to push his body beyond its limits.
Swoosh!
With a burst of speed, I swooped down, my leg extended in a powerful kick aimed at the robber's motorcycle. The impact sent the bike tumbling, its rider thrown off balance and crashing onto the pavement with a sickening thud.
"Aghhh!" The robber cried out in pain, his skin scraped and torn from the harsh impact with the ground. He lay sprawled on the pavement, his motorcycle a mangled wreck beside him.
I slowly descended from the sky, landing gracefully in front of the fallen robber. "Where were you going?" I asked, my voice a low, mocking echo of his earlier taunt.
The robber, his face contorted in pain and humiliation, glared at me through his mask. "Mind your own business, freak!" he spat, struggling to rise to his feet. The adrenaline coursing through his veins momentarily masked the pain from his injuries, fueling his defiance.
His accomplice, who had managed to avoid the crash, circled back, his motorcycle engine revving threateningly. "Leave him alone!" he shouted, brandishing a knife. "Or you'll regret it!"
I chuckled, unfazed by their empty threats. "Regret it?" I echoed, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I think you're the ones who are about to regret messing with someone else's property."
With a flick of my wrist, I summoned a shimmering energy whip, its tip crackling with electricity. The accomplice's eyes widened in fear as he recognized the weapon, a signature tool of the Imaginary.
"You're... you're the Imaginary!" he stammered, his voice trembling. The realization that they had tangled with the city's protector sent a wave of panic through him.
"Seems my name is already famous, isn't it?" I mused, a sly grin spreading across my face.
Swoosh! IM materialized behind me, effortlessly lifting the fallen robber's motorcycle.
"Your motorcycle was easy to carry," IM laughed, tossing the motorcycle aside as if it were a mere pebble.
The accomplice's bravado crumbled, his grip on the knife loosening. He glanced between IM's casual display of strength and the crackling energy whip in my hand, his fear escalating with each passing second. The reality of their situation was sinking in, and it wasn't pretty.
"W-We didn't know it was yours!" he stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "We... we were just messing around..."
I stepped closer, the energy whip coiling around my arm like a living serpent. "Messing around with someone else's property is still a crime," I said, my voice firm. "And you're going to pay the price."
Fwoop! A rope materialized from thin air, snaking around the two robbers and binding them tightly.
"Aghhh!?" they cried out in unison, their struggles futile against the unyielding bonds.
Meanwhile, Elang wandered the streets alone, his bare hands tucked into his pockets as he scanned the surroundings for any signs of trouble. The night air was cool against his skin, a stark contrast to the fiery heat he could summon at will.
"Tsk, I'm alone, good... no bike, no car..." he muttered under his breath, a hint of bitterness lacing his words. He was still adjusting to his newfound freedom, the absence of the Seers' control both liberating and unsettling.
< Chapter 183 > Fin.