Liam turned to another attacker, repeating the process. One by one, the high schoolers' rage dissipated, their aggression replaced by a sense of peace and clarity. The brawl gradually died down, the once-chaotic scene now filled with confused teenagers and relieved locals.
Essokinesis, unseen by the crowd, created an invisible barrier wall, preventing any further physical altercations.
Liam stood in the middle of the two groups, his voice projecting authority. "Stop, or else I'll take you all to the police."
The high schoolers, their anger now replaced by a confusion, looked at each other sheepishly. The locals, their initial fear replaced by gratitude, murmured their thanks to Liam, their savior in the night.
Suddenly, the air around the high schoolers shimmered, and invisible forces bound them, lifting them off the ground as if caught in an unseen gravitational field.
"Aghhh! What is this!? Let us go!" one of the kids shouted, struggling against the invisible restraints.
"You can't go anywhere until the police arrive," Liam declared, his voice firm and unwavering.
Just then, the sound of approaching sirens filled the air, their red and blue lights flashing in the distance. The high schoolers' faces paled as they realized their escape was futile. The police arrived moments later, their officers quickly taking control of the situation, their presence a reassuring sight to the relieved locals.
The teenagers, still suspended in mid-air, were carefully lowered to the ground and handcuffed. The locals, their relief palpable, provided statements to the police, recounting the events of the brawl and praising Liam's intervention.
As the police led the high schoolers away, their heads hung low in shame, Liam turned to Essokinesis, a grateful smile on his face. "Thanks for the help," he said. "I couldn't have done it without you."
Essokinesis chuckled, his ethereal form flickering in the moonlight. "It was my pleasure, young Liam. You handled yourself admirably."
Liam's smile widened, a newfound confidence radiating from him. "Well, that's enough excitement for one night," he said, stretching his arms. "I'm going to head back and get my snacks."
***
Ting! The automatic doors slid open, and Liam, still clad in his superhero suit, walked towards the girl at the counter.
"Hey, are my snacks still here?" he asked, a hopeful note in his voice.
The girl stuttered, surprised to see Liam again, and nodded, grabbing the Supermarket bag filled with snacks. "Here... but please don't come to Walmart with your mask on. It's not a good idea..."
Liam chuckled sheepishly, taking the bag from her. "Sorry about that. I was in a bit of a hurry earlier."
"It's okay," the girl replied, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Just be careful out there, superhero."
Liam's smile widened. "I will," he promised, turning to leave. As he did, he slipped a 50,000 rupiah note into her hand.
"T-Thanks..." she replied, her eyes wide with surprise. "May I know your name, or... your hero name?"
Liam paused, considering the question. He hadn't really thought about a hero name before. "Luck," he said finally, a hint of pride in his voice. "That's my hero name."
Liam chuckled sheepishly, taking the bag from her. "Sorry about that. I was in a bit of a hurry earlier."
"It's okay," the girl replied, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Just be careful out there, superhero."
Liam's smile widened. "I will," he promised, turning to leave. As he did, he slipped a 50,000 rupiah note into her hand.
"T-Thanks..." she replied, her eyes wide with surprise. "May I know your name, or... your hero name?"
Liam paused, considering the question. He hadn't really thought about a hero name before. "Luck," he said finally, a hint of pride in his voice. "That's my hero name."
***
A new day dawned, and IM and I found ourselves back at the familiar grounds of our school. As we walked through the bustling hallways, Marcel spotted us and rushed over, his voice booming with excitement.
"Xian! Where were you yesterday? You didn't come to school, and IM said you went to watch a K-Pop girl group!?" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief.
I nodded, a playful grin tugging at my lips. "Yeah, I went to watch a K-Pop girl group... just a single day break from school, not a big deal."
"In Singapore, really?" Rayhan chimed in, his curiosity piqued.
"Yeah, in Singapore," I confirmed, enjoying their surprised reactions. "It was a pretty awesome concert."
"Lucky you!" Marcel exclaimed, a hint of envy in his voice. "I wish I could go to a concert too."
"Maybe next time," I said with a shrug. "Who knows, maybe I'll even bring you guys along."
Rayhan's eyes lit up. "Really? You'd do that for us?"
I chuckled. "Maybe. If you guys behave yourselves," I teased, enjoying their eager anticipation.
Just then, the bell rang, its shrill tone cutting through the cheerful chatter, signaling the start of class. We reluctantly parted ways, promising to continue our conversation later.
As I walked towards my classroom, a sudden sense of unease washed over me. A shiver ran down my spine, and my instincts screamed in warning. I paused, closing my eyes and focusing my senses. There was a disturbance in the air, a palpable sense of danger emanating from somewhere far above. It was a feeling I didn't want to acknowledge, a threat I had hoped to avoid.
Bwooong! A deafening roar shattered the peaceful school atmosphere.
I opened my eyes, my heart pounding in my chest. The sky above the schoolyard had been torn open, a swirling vortex of dark energy pulsating in its center. And emerging from that vortex, its massive form blotting out the sun, was the dreaded Whale.
IM and I were both jolted by the sudden appearance, our eyes widening in shock. The portal that had opened was larger and more ominous than any we had seen before. And the Whale itself, its gargantuan body casting a shadow over the entire school, was far bigger and more menacing than ever before.
"IM, Xian? What happened? Why the sudden shock?" The teacher asked, her voice laced with concern as she noticed our startled reactions.
IM and I exchanged a quick glance, a silent understanding passing between us. We knew we couldn't reveal the truth to the teacher, not without causing widespread panic. The sight of the Whale, hovering ominously above the school, was enough to send anyone into a frenzy.
"Nothing, Miss," I replied, forcing a casual smile. "Just a bit startled by the loud noise outside."
The teacher seemed unconvinced, but she didn't press the matter further. "Well, try to focus on the lesson," she said, turning back to the blackboard.
But focusing was the last thing on our minds. The Whale's presence loomed over us, a constant reminder of the impending danger. We had to act, and we had to act fast.
"We need to get out of here," I whispered to IM, my voice barely audible above the drone of the teacher's lecture.
IM nodded, his expression grim. "But what about the others?"
"We can do this alone."
Then I looked at IM, my mind racing. Time stop, can breathe, can easily walk, can see without the sun just like normal. I and IM can move in the time stop, now.
Clack! The world froze, everyone and everything suspended in a silent tableau. The teacher's chalk hung motionless in mid-air, the students' pens poised above their notebooks, their expressions frozen in a snapshot of time.
"Let's go outside, IM!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing in the unnatural silence. "While the Whale is still there, we must see who its master is!"
IM nodded and swiftly rose from his seat, ready to follow.
I didn't bother with the door, instead leaping straight out of the second-floor window. Despite the height, my enhanced strength made the landing effortless.
Thud! Our feet hit the ground, the impact barely registering in the frozen world.
"Imagine... massive speed," I whispered, the words hanging in the still air.
A surge of energy coursed through my body, my muscles coiling with newfound power. In the blink of an eye, we were a blur, racing across the schoolyard and towards the towering figure of the Whale. The world around us was a silent film, the frozen figures a testament to our superhuman speed.
As we approached the Whale, its immense form casting an ominous shadow over the cityscape, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe mixed with dread. It was a creature of immense power, its presence a chilling reminder of the forces that lurked beyond our understanding.
"This whale Harbinger is too big," IM remarked, his voice a hushed whisper in the stillness. "How can we possibly find its master?"
I looked at him, my determination unwavering. "Since we're still in time stop and have massive speed, let's search it."
< Chapter 185 > Fin.