"Ah, Alex. Elias," Kael greeted them, pulling up a chair. "I hear we're discussing your future."
Alex nodded, not showing any surprise at Kael's arrival. "Yes. I want to keep living a normal life, even after the ceremony."
Kael exchanged a glance with Elias before leaning back in his chair. "A noble goal, but difficult to achieve given the circumstances."
Elias couldn't hide his frustration. "Alex, you need to understand that your abilities will draw attention—dangerous attention. Trying to maintain a normal life might put you at risk."
Kael raised a hand, stopping Elias. "Hold on. Let's not dismiss Alex's wishes so quickly." He turned to Alex, his tone gentle yet serious. "If you want a normal life, I'll support you. We can make arrangements to ensure your safety while allowing you to live as you wish. In fact…" Kael's eyes gleamed with a hint of cunning. "How about this: I'll offer you a sum of money, a substantial amount, to consider early retirement. You won't have to join a guild or take on any missions. You can focus entirely on living that normal life you want."
Elias stared at Kael, incredulous. "You're bribing him?"
"I'm giving him options," Kael replied smoothly, his eyes never leaving Alex. "The choice is his."
Alex remained calm, absorbing their words. He could sense the tension between the two men, both offering him different paths, both trying to sway him. But Alex's mind was already made up.
"I appreciate the offer, Kael," Alex said, his voice steady. "But I'm not looking for an easy way out. I'll participate in the ceremony, and I'll do what's expected of me. But I won't abandon the life I've fought to keep. I'll find a way to balance both."
Elias let out a frustrated sigh. "You're talking about walking a tightrope, Alex. One misstep…"
"I won't fall," Alex interrupted, his gaze firm. "I know what I'm doing."
Kael smiled, impressed by Alex's resolve. "Then it seems we have a deal. You'll have our support, whatever path you choose."
Elias shook his head, though there was a hint of admiration in his eyes. "You're a stubborn kid, Alex. But I suppose that's what makes you… unique."
"Or a monster," Alex added quietly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Or that," Elias muttered, leaning back in his chair. "Just don't make me regret this."
*****
The evening was quiet in the house, the kind of silence that felt heavy and tense, as if everyone was holding their breath. Alex stood in the living room, glancing around at the familiar surroundings—the family photos on the walls, the soft glow of the lamps, the comfortable but distant atmosphere that had settled in over the past year. He knew what he had to do, even if it felt like a weight on his chest.
His parents were in the kitchen, busy with dinner preparations. His mother moved mechanically, chopping vegetables with a distant look in her eyes, while his father set the table, his focus entirely on the task at hand. Neither of them noticed Alex standing there at first.
Alex cleared his throat softly, just loud enough to get their attention. His parents looked up, their expressions neutral, almost indifferent.
"Mom, Dad," Alex began, his voice steady but soft. "I need to talk to you."
His mother paused, her hands stilling on the cutting board. His father glanced at him, then exchanged a quick look with his wife. They seemed to brace themselves as if expecting bad news.
"I've decided… I'm going to leave," Alex continued his tone calm. "I think it's for the best."
His mother's hand trembled slightly, but she didn't say anything. His father frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"Leave?" his father repeated. "Where are you going?"
Alex shook his head slightly, avoiding their eyes. "I can't say. But… I think it's what needs to happen. Maybe… maybe the three of you can be happier this way. Leo needs you, and I… I don't want to be a burden anymore."
His mother's face twisted with a mix of emotions—anger, guilt, relief. She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. His father looked at him, trying to find something to say, but he seemed just as lost.
"We'll be fine," Alex added, forcing a small, reassuring smile. "This is my decision. I want you all to be happy. I hope… I hope you can be, without me around."
The silence that followed was suffocating. His mother turned away, gripping the edge of the counter tightly, her knuckles white. His father ran a hand through his hair, still struggling to process what Alex was saying.
"Take care of Leo," Alex said softly, almost as if to himself. "He needs you both more than I do."
Without waiting for a response, Alex turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving his parents standing there, stunned and silent. He didn't look back as he made his way to his room to gather his things. The finality of his decision settled over him like a heavy blanket, but he knew it was the right choice.
As he packed, he thought of Leo, of the moments they had shared, and of the distance that had grown between them. He hoped that, in time, Leo would understand. Maybe one day, things would be different, but for now, this was the only way forward.
When he was ready to leave, he took one last look around his room and then headed for the door. He left quietly, the sound of the door clicking shut behind him the only indication that he was gone.
Outside, the night air was cool, and Alex took a deep breath, feeling a strange mix of relief and sadness. He didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in a long while, he felt like he was moving toward something—toward a life that he could finally call his own.
*****
The night was quiet, the streetlights casting long shadows across the pavement. Kael pulled up in a sleek, dark vehicle, the headlights cutting through the darkness. He parked and stepped out, his presence commanding yet relaxed, a stark contrast to the tension that had been building in the night.
Kael scanned the area, his sharp eyes quickly finding Alex standing alone near the curb. The boy was only nine years old, but there was a weariness about him that seemed to defy his age. His small frame was hunched slightly, his clothes a bit rumpled from the hurried packing, and his face was etched with a blend of exhaustion and resolve.
Kael approached Alex with a measured, almost paternal step. Despite the circumstances, he maintained a casual demeanor, as if trying to offer some semblance of normalcy in this unusual situation.
"Alex," Kael called out gently, his voice breaking the silence. "Ready to go?"
Alex looked up, his green eyes reflecting a mixture of relief and sadness. His gaze met Kael's, and for a moment, there was a flicker of uncertainty in his expression.
"I am," Alex said quietly, his voice soft but steady.
Kael's eyes softened as he took in the sight of the young boy standing there alone, looking more like a small, weary adult than a child. He noted the way Alex's shoulders sagged slightly, the tiredness in his eyes. It was clear that the decision to leave his old life behind had taken a toll on him.
"Let's get you out of here," Kael said, offering a reassuring smile. He gestured towards the vehicle. "I know it's a lot to take in, but you're not alone in this."
Alex nodded, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips. He walked towards the car, his steps slow but purposeful. Kael followed, noting the way Alex's gaze flicked around, as if taking one last look at the world he was leaving behind.
As they drove away from the house, the city lights glimmering through the windows, Kael glanced at Alex. The boy was staring out of the window, the night outside a blur of darkness and distant lights.
*****
A week had passed since Alex's departure from his old home, and he was slowly adjusting to his new life. The quiet, orderly environment of Kael's residence provided a stark contrast to the chaotic world he had left behind. Alex had found solace in immersing himself in books, particularly those that explored human history and weapon inventions from the past 300 years. He had a particular interest in understanding how the world had evolved in response to the alien invasions and the rise of heroes.
As Alex flipped through the pages of his book, he was deeply engrossed in the evolution of weaponry and the various technological advancements that had emerged in response to the threats from otherworldly creatures. His emerald eyes scanned the text with intense focus, his mind processing the complex information with ease. The knowledge he sought wasn't just academic; it was part of his ongoing quest to understand the world he was now a part of.
In the adjacent room, Kael was busy with paperwork, his expression one of focused determination. The work was a necessary part of his role as the president of the Hunter Association, but his thoughts occasionally drifted towards Alex. He had taken a keen interest in the boy's progress and well-being, though he maintained a professional distance, respecting Alex's need for space.
Elias, meanwhile, had taken to visiting occasionally, each time extending an invitation for Alex to join the Athena Guild. His requests were met with polite but firm refusals from Alex, who remained steadfast in his desire to live a life of normalcy, despite his extraordinary circumstances.
Unbeknownst to Kael and Elias, a rumor had begun to swirl among the staff at the Hunter Association. Whispers of speculation filled the hallways and carried on the hushed voices of those who had observed the subtle similarities between Alex and Kael. They spoke of the striking resemblance in their emerald eyes and their shared intelligence, which led to wild conjectures about Alex being the secret child of the Hunter Association president.
In the break room of the Hunter Association headquarters, the hum of fluorescent lights and the clinking of coffee cups set the backdrop for a hushed conversation. Four staff members gathered around a table, their voices lowered as they discussed the enigmatic young boy who had recently entered their lives.
Jenna leaned in, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Have you noticed how much Alex resembles Kael? It's not just the eyes—there's something about the way he carries himself. It's almost like he's a miniature version of Kael."
Mark, his brow furrowed in thought, nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. The boy's intelligence and demeanor… it's like he's Kael's shadow. The way Kael looks at him, it's almost like he's protecting something precious."
Sophie, who had been listening intently, raised an eyebrow and let out a soft, speculative laugh. "You don't think… could Alex be Kael's secret child? I mean, the resemblance is uncanny. And Kael's always been so private about his past. Maybe there's more to it than we know."
Liam, who had been sipping his coffee, leaned back in his chair and pondered the idea. "It's all speculative, though. Kael has never mentioned anything about a child. But if you consider how invested Kael is in Alex's future and the rumors about Alex's intelligence, it does make you wonder."
Jenna nodded thoughtfully. "I've heard some whisperings around the office. They say Kael's always been mysterious about his personal life. Maybe Alex is the result of an old affair or something. It would explain Kael's intense interest in him."
Mark's eyes narrowed his expression one of deep contemplation. "Exactly. It's not just the looks. Alex's behavior, the way he interacts with Kael—it's like Kael is trying to keep him protected, maybe even hidden."
Sophie shook her head, though her expression was more intrigued than dismissive. "But if it were true, wouldn't there have been some indication? A public acknowledgment, perhaps?"
Liam took another sip of his coffee, his gaze thoughtful. "True, but think about it. Kael's always been known for his secrets. If Alex is his child, Kael might be keeping it under wraps for some reason. And Elias's interest in Alex—there's something going on."
Jenna leaned forward, her voice dropping even lower. "I think there's more to it. Alex's presence here, the way Kael is invested in his future—it's suspicious. There must be a reason behind it."
Mark nodded, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to fit together in his mind. "It's intriguing. If there's any truth to this rumor, it could be a huge revelation. But until we have concrete evidence, it's all just speculation.
Sophie smirked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, it's harmless fun to think about. Maybe there's a secret family drama unfolding right under our noses. Who knows?"
As Alex read, he was unaware of the gossip that was circulating. His focus was entirely on the book in front of him, his thoughts far removed from the idle speculations of others. Kael, absorbed in his work, remained oblivious to the growing rumors. Elias, on his visits, continued to press for Alex's inclusion in the Athena Guild, his persistence underscoring his belief in Alex's potential, but he too was unaware of the whispering speculation surrounding the boy.