After dinner, Keith decided to take a walk through the city. The cool night air was refreshing, and the streets were alive with people enjoying the evening. As he walked, several passersby greeted him with warm smiles and nods of recognition. Running Arcadia Industries had made him a known figure in the city, but there was something about tonight that made those greetings feel distant, like they were part of a dream.
Keith's pace slowed as he approached a small, elegant store with a display of shimmering jewelry. His eyes caught on a silver ring, simple but refined. He stood there for a moment, staring at it. His thoughts drifted to Reana, wondering if—
Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine. The comforting hum of the city around him faded into the background as his instincts screamed at him—someone was watching. Slowly, he turned around, scanning the street, his eyes narrowing.
There, on top of a distant building, stood a silhouette. The figure was motionless, but Keith could feel the weight of its gaze, cold and unyielding. His heart rate quickened. Who was it? Why were they watching him?
Without hesitation, his eyes glowed a soft, eerie gold as he activated his conjure ability—an advanced form of perception that allowed him to see the world in greater detail, to analyze even the faintest energy signatures. Yet, as his power surged, nothing changed. The figure remained a shadow, shrouded in mystery.
Keith's brow furrowed. "What the hell...?" His ability had never failed him before. It should've been enough to reveal any hidden presence, any cloaked threat. But here he was, staring at a complete enigma.
And then, in the blink of an eye, the silhouette vanished, leaving behind nothing but the empty rooftop.
Keith stood frozen, tension running through his entire body. He scanned the area again, his mind racing, but there was no trace of the watcher. The familiar streets suddenly felt unfamiliar, almost hostile. He was left standing there, confused and worried.
---
Back at the office, the quiet hum of Arcadia Industries filled the room as Keith and Hank sat across from one another. The light from Keith's desk lamp cast long shadows on the walls, but the atmosphere between them was tense, not from work, but from something far more unsettling.
Keith leaned forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk, his eyes distant. "I was being followed earlier," he said, breaking the silence.
Hank raised an eyebrow. "Followed? By who?"
"I don't know," Keith admitted, frustration clear in his voice. "I couldn't get a clear look. It was just... a figure. Standing on a rooftop. Watching me."
"An enemy?" Hank asked, his tone sharp. "Or maybe a stalker? You've made a lot of enemies in the underground world, especially after what we've been doing."
Keith shook his head, staring at the papers on his desk as if they might hold the answer. "I thought the same thing, but something felt... off. I used my conjure ability to try and get a better read on them."
"And?"
"It failed," Keith said quietly, his fingers tightening into a fist. "My conjure didn't work."
Hank's brows furrowed. He leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "That's impossible. Your ability has never failed before."
"I know," Keith muttered, rubbing his temples as the unease built up inside him. "It doesn't make any sense. The only thing my ability can't work on is famili—"
His words trailed off, his eyes widening as a terrible realization hit him.
"Oh… my… God…"
Hank's gaze sharpened, and he leaned in closer. "You don't think... your brother is alive, do you?"
Keith's breath caught in his throat, his mind racing. He hadn't thought about Shiro in months, not like this. "It's not possible," he said, his voice faltering. "Shiro's been dead for nine months.
The room fell into an uneasy silence. Hank's gaze didn't waver, his face a mask of seriousness. Keith tried to push the thought away, but it was like a seed that had already taken root, and now it was growing, consuming every logical explanation.
"There's no way," Keith whispered, though his tone betrayed doubt. "But he might be... Shiro might be…"
--