Zeke barely saw the attacker move—just a blur of motion, a gust of wind, and then impact. The punch landed like a thunderclap. He threw up his arms, activating his special ability, soul energy crackling around him like a protective shield. But it wasn't enough. The force was overwhelming, smashing through his defense and sending him hurtling backward.
He crashed into the ground, the air driven from his lungs. The world spun, his vision a haze of pain and confusion. How is he so fast? Zeke's mind raced. His body ached, but he forced himself up, eyes narrowing as he searched for the attacker.
The figure stood calmly, shrouded in the black fog Zeke was severely wounded. "Is that all the famed soul power of the Guardians can do?" the attacker's voice dripped with contempt.
Zeke clenched his fists, anger flaring. He couldn't afford to lose. Because losing meant death, who would protect his sister, The attacker closed the distance in an instant, his fist connecting squarely with Zeke's face. Pain exploded through Zeke's jaw, stars bursting in his vision. But even as he staggered back, he smirked—just a little.
Got you.
In that brief contact, Zeke had channeled a flicker of his special ability onto the attacker's hand. A subtle, glowing mark now pulsed on the skin, spreading a faint, invisible energy through the veins.
The attacker frowned, flexing his fingers. "What did you—?"
Zeke wiped blood from his lip, his eyes blazing with defiance. "You'll find out soon enough."
The energy would slow him down, disrupt his movements. It wasn't much, but in a fight this fast, even a moment's hesitation could change everything.
The attacker's eyes widened in frustration as he tried to shake off the strange energy clinging to his hand. It was like a parasite, burrowing deep, threading through his veins. He clenched his fist, attempting to suppress it, and for a moment, the flickering glow dimmed. But the drain on his strength was undeniable—a subtle, relentless pull.
"What… is this?" he muttered, his voice strained.
Zeke steadied himself, wiping the blood from his mouth. "A little gift," he said, breathless but resolute. "It feeds on your soul energy. You might slow it down, but you can't stop it."
The attacker's glare sharpened. He lunged again, this time with a hint of hesitation, the same blinding speed but slightly less fluid, slightly less powerful. But it was still too much for him,, faster than Zeke could react. In an instant, a crushing hand clamped around Zeke's neck, twisting sharply. A sickening crack echoed through the air, and Zeke's body crumpled to the ground, motionless.
The attacker stood over him, a triumphant smirk curling his lips. "Even the Guardian officers are nothing to me," he sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. He slammed his fist into the ground, the impact sending shockwaves through the earth. Dust and debris scattered around him.
Satisfied, he turned away, not sparing another glance at Zeke's lifeless form.
But surprisingly, Zeke was still alive. The attacker's fist had hit the ground near him. Zeke was stunned and didn't understand what was happening. Suddenly, he heard a voice behind him: "Thank God I got here in time."
Zeke, still catching his breath, managed to whisper, "What… Did you do it?" His voice was shaky, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Alistair smirked, a hint of pride in his eyes. "I didn't want to use it," he said calmly, "but the situation forced my hand." He glanced at the departing attacker . "Unlike you, Zeke, I have a special power too."
Zeke's mind raced. "What power?"
Alistair's smirk widened. "I call it False Belief. If someone's strength isn't too far beyond mine, I can make them believe something happened, even if it didn't. Just a little… mind game."
Zeke's eyes widened as the weight of those words sank in. The attacker had believed he'd killed Zeke—but it had all been an illusion.
"In his eyes, you're already dead," he muttered. he added, "We should stop talking. You're losing too much blood. We need to get you to headquarters—now."
Zeke, clutching his side, nodded weakly, blood seeping through his fingers. His mind swirled with pain and confusion. Why... Why is this happening?
Why am I so weak?
Why are there 3 people with special abilities in my team?
People with special abilities are supposed to be very rare!
the odds felt impossible. Everything about this situation felt off, like pieces of a puzzle that didn't add up ,Time passed, and Zeke focused on his recovery. The pain was intense, but the healing process filled him with a fragile sense of hope. Every moment he spent at the headquarters felt like a step away from the chaos,
A knock at the door broke the silence. Zeke looked up, his muscles tensing slightly. The door creaked open, and Alistair stepped in, followed by a familiar figure—the examiner responsible for their entrance into the Guardians' department.
The examiner's gaze was sharp, unreadable. "Zeke," he said, his voice calm but heavy with meaning. "We need to talk."
Zeke glanced at Alistair, who gave a small nod, his expression serious. Something was happening—something beyond the attack. Zeke could feel it.
This isn't over, he thought, his heart pounding.
The examiner stepped forward, his posture straight and authoritative. "I am Captain Varek," he introduced himself, his voice firm. "I'm responsible for the entire city of Zeblax. Unfortunately, I cannot take justice for you."
Zeke felt a sense of resignation wash over him. I knew this was coming... He had expected as much, if the attacker was actually sent by the Lennox family no one would dare to lay a hand on him.
Captain Varek continued, his eyes locking with Zeke's. "However, I can ensure that this doesn't happen again. The department will investigate, and we'll take necessary precautions."
Zeke nodded slowly, trying to push down the anger that bubbled inside him. At least they're taking action. But it doesn't change what happened.
The captain looked at Alistair and said you should be the one telling him.
Alistair nodded and looked at zeke and said you need to know what is happening in this kingdom
Zeke's confusion deepened as Alistair's words sank in. He could feel the tension in the air, thick and heavy. "What's happening?" Zeke asked, his voice strained. "What are you talking about?"
There is a huge storm coming towards this kingdom and the people at the centre of it are the Lennox family, Alistair said.
Alistair took a slow breath, as if gathering his thoughts before revealing the full truth. "The Lennox family… they're not just making a move for power," he began. "They're actually rising against the king. And they're not alone in this. The Valtore family, one of the three major noble families, has allied with them."