Chapter 5: Shadows in the Spotlight
"You know, there's a fine line between being the star of the show and being the guy everyone's out to kill. Right now, I'm stuck somewhere in the middle, and let me tell you—it's not fun."
I stare at my phone, the cryptic message still lingering in my mind. Who's "they"? And how does whoever sent this know about me?
This is bad. Really bad. If the Council has informants or spies in this world, keeping a low profile is going to be impossible.
Narration Mode Activated
"Look, I'm not saying I can't handle it. But being hunted by a shadowy organization while also juggling high school life? That's just cruel."
---
The next morning at school, everything feels…off. Students chat and laugh like normal, but I can't shake the feeling that something is watching me.
"Paranoia's a hell of a drug," I mutter, slumping into my seat.
Reina gives me a side-eye from her desk. "Rough night?"
"You could say that," I reply, forcing a grin.
"You look like you got run over by a truck," she says. "Not that I'm surprised. You always bring trouble wherever you go."
"Trouble? Me? Never!" I say, dramatically placing a hand over my heart.
"Akira," she says flatly. "There's still a crater in the courtyard."
---
Before I can come up with a witty response, the classroom door slides open, and in walks Selene.
"Morning, everyone," she says with a smile that's just a little too perfect.
Reina leans closer, whispering, "Are you sure you don't know her? She keeps looking at you like you owe her money."
"Maybe I'm just irresistible," I whisper back.
Reina snorts. "Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that."
---
As Selene takes her seat, her eyes briefly meet mine. She gives me a knowing smile, like she's daring me to say something.
"Okay," I think to myself, "this girl is officially my top suspect. She knows too much, and she's way too calm about everything."
I spend the rest of the morning trying to figure out her angle. Is she working with the Council? Is she here to help? Or is she just here to ruin my life for fun?
---
By lunchtime, I've decided to confront her.
I find Selene sitting under the same tree where we talked yesterday, a book in her lap. She looks up as I approach, her green eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Akira," she says, closing the book. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Cut the act," I say, sitting down across from her. "Who are you really?"
She tilts her head, feigning innocence. "I'm not sure what you mean."
---
"You know exactly what I mean," I snap. "The Council of Shadows. The demons. That cryptic warning you gave me. You're involved in all of this, aren't you?"
For a moment, Selene's smile falters. Then she laughs, shaking her head.
"You're sharper than I expected," she says.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
"Take it however you like," she replies. "But you're right. I'm not just some random transfer student. I'm here because of you."
---
I narrow my eyes. "Why?"
"Because you're not what you seem, Akira," she says, her tone turning serious. "And neither am I."
Before I can press her further, a shadow falls over us.
I look up and feel my stomach drop. A massive figure looms above, its body cloaked in black armor and its eyes glowing red.
Another assassin.
---
The figure raises a massive sword, and Selene jumps to her feet, summoning a glowing barrier just in time to block the attack.
"You really attract the worst kind of attention," she mutters.
"Hey, it's not my fault!" I protest, summoning a small fireball in my hand.
The armored figure roars, swinging its sword again. I duck under the blade and hurl the fireball at its chest. The explosion sends it stumbling back, but it's not down yet.
---
Selene glances at me, her eyes narrowing. "You're holding back."
"What gave it away?" I quip, dodging another attack.
"You're not as weak as you pretend to be," she says. "So stop playing around and deal with this thing."
I sigh. "Fine. But you didn't see this, okay?"
---
I take a deep breath, letting a fraction of my true power seep through. My aura flares, and the ground beneath me cracks.
The armored figure freezes, sensing the shift in energy.
"Time to end this," I say, snapping my fingers.
A golden chain of light materializes in the air, wrapping around the figure and binding it in place. It struggles, but the chains tighten, glowing brighter with each passing second.
---
Selene watches, her expression unreadable.
"Who sent you?" I demand, stepping closer to the bound assassin.
It doesn't answer. Instead, it lets out a guttural laugh, its body starting to disintegrate.
"Another self-termination spell," I mutter. "Cowards."
---
As the figure vanishes, I turn to Selene. "Happy now?"
She raises an eyebrow. "So you really are the Dragon God of Destruction."
I freeze.
Narration Mode Activated
"Well, crap. So much for keeping a low profile."
---
"Relax," Selene says, waving a hand. "Your secret's safe with me…for now."
I groan. "Can everyone stop saying that?"
She smirks. "Come on, Akira. You didn't really think you could hide your power forever, did you?"
---
Before I can respond, my phone buzzes. Another message from the unknown number:
Unknown: "It's time you learned the truth. Meet me at the abandoned church tonight."
I show the message to Selene, and her expression turns grim.
"This is a trap," she says.
"Probably," I agree.
She looks at me, her eyes hardening. "But we're going anyway, aren't we?"
I grin. "Of course. What's life without a little danger?"
End of Chapter 5