Chapter 13: The Execution Day

  Ray

  I grew up believing I was different. Not in the naive way children often feel special, but in a deeper, unsettling sense. From a young age, I saw truths others couldn’t, and I dared to voice them. At five, I asked my mother, “Mom, how are people made?” Her face reddened. “You’re too young to know about that,” she said, flustered.

  “I’m not asking about sex,” I replied. “I already know about that. I mean, how did the first humans exist?”

  My parents didn’t understand me. They always dismissed my questions, brushing them off as the ramblings of a strange, precocious child. At school, I found solace in observing others. While other kids played and joked, I sat in the back, watching, analyzing. People were like puzzles, and I enjoyed piecing together their lives based on their actions and quirks.

  ‘That boy,’ I thought, noting his perpetually messy hair and tardy arrivals. ‘He’ll drift through life, always scraping by. A mediocre job, constant chaos at home, probably a divorce someday.’ My predictions became a game. I saw patterns in their behavior and drew conclusions about their futures.

  Sometimes, I couldn’t resist the urge to test my theories. One day, I approached that boy and told him exactly what I thought of him—his carelessness, his inevitable failures. My words hit hard. We fought, and I won, physically and verbally. It didn’t stop there. Other kids started treating him differently, echoing my comments. His life took the very path I predicted, spiraling downward.

  Back then, I felt no guilt. To me, it was proof of my superiority, my ability to see and shape the truth. It was just something I did—an experiment, an exercise of power. But now, in this new world, I questioned myself. ‘Would I use these people as stepping stones if it meant survival? Would I betray them as I had others?’

  I glanced at my group. Lucky was telling one of his ridiculous jokes, and to my surprise, Selia was laughing. Their smiles were genuine, unguarded. It felt… different.

  Akira’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “Ray, what’s the plan?”

  After a pause, I answered, “If the attack happens, we’ll use it to our advantage. Their target will be the royal family. We need to find them first. The problem is, we have no leads.”

  Theodore’s phone buzzed, and he answered quickly. “Yes… understood. I’ll be there.”

  When he hung up, I asked, “You have phones here?”

  “It’s a device for soldiers to receive orders,” he explained.

  “Do the king and his son use these too?”

  He nodded, handing it over to Selia. “Can you hack it?” I asked her.

  Selia nodded and started tinkering. “I’ll see if I can trace their locations through the network,” she said, her voice steady with focus.

  Meanwhile, Theodore informed us that the execution was scheduled in two days, following the kingdom’s anniversary celebration. The king planned to make a statement but wouldn’t appear in person—just another projection.

  After hours of planning, we divided tasks. Selia, Taki, and Lucky would stay behind to analyze the hacked data, pinpointing the king and prince’s locations. Theodore would follow his orders, with Akira and Maki nearby to assist. Their job was to delay the attackers. Benjiro and I would head straight for the king.

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  Lucky grinned. “Everything’s set. Why don’t we relax tomorrow? It’s the king’s anniversary. We could enjoy the festivities.” His suggestion was aimed at Selia, his tone overly friendly.

  Selia glanced at him and then turned to me with a soft smile. “What do you think, Ray? A bit of relaxation could do us some good.”

  I met her gaze, unyielding. “You don’t seem to grasp the seriousness of our situation. And Lucky,” I added, my tone sharpening, “I don’t trust you yet. That’s why you’re staying with Selia and Taki—so they can keep an eye on you.”

  Lucky’s grin faltered briefly before he recovered. “Soon enough, I’ll prove I’m on your side. You’ll see.” He turned back to Selia, his voice softening. “At least we can watch the fireworks from here. It’d be a shame to miss them, don’t you think?”

  Selia hesitated, her cheeks faintly pink. “I… suppose that would be nice.” Her glance flicked toward me, but I didn’t respond.

  I shook my head and turned away. “Do whatever you want.” Without another word, I left the room, leaving Lucky’s attempts at charm unanswered.

  The next day passed uneventfully. We watched the fireworks from Theodore’s home, preparing for what lay ahead. The celebration felt hollow, a prelude to the storm.

  Execution day dawned gray and cold. Theodore’s team went ahead to their assigned positions. Benjiro and I joined the crowd. The accused stood paralyzed before us—the muscular man who had been blamed for the city’s destruction. His trembling form bore the weight of fabricated sins, a calculated sacrifice orchestrated by the king and his son. They likely knew the muscular man was innocent but needed a scapegoat to maintain order and silence dissent among their people.

  High above, the king appeared, his image projected for all to see. Bald, with a devil’s fork beard, he exuded authority despite his frailty. His voice, both brittle and commanding, echoed through the square. “Greetings, citizens. I am Albert Elthias, sixth king of the great Elthias family. Today, we seek justice for those we’ve lost. Before us stands the traitor responsible for these atrocities. Yet, in our democracy, even he has the right to speak.”

  The guard activated the man’s voice. “I’m innocent,” he cried, his voice cracking. “The real culprit is dangerous. He killed my family too. I just want justice for my sister…”

  The king cut him off. “Lies! Today, you pay for your sins.” His tone softened as he continued. “But their attacks have only made us stronger. My son and I stand united.”

  Marshall Elthias appeared beside him, fury etched across his face. “Whoever destroyed my city will die,” he declared, his voice venomous.

  The king placed a hand on his son’s shoulder, silencing him mid-outburst. The tension between them was palpable, their strained relationship evident in the king’s measured tone and Marshall’s barely contained fury. Yet, despite their differences, they stood united in their determination to confront a shared threat: me. Perhaps they knew the muscular man wasn’t the true culprit, but casting blame on him served a purpose—to quell unrest among the people and maintain control. I realized, with bitter irony, that my actions had achieved what years of strained ties had not: they had brought father and son together.

  Suddenly, the sky darkened, an unnatural eclipse. Panic rippled through the crowd. I signaled Benjiro, and we began moving. “You’re too slow,” I muttered. “Grim Reaper: Takeover.” Entering his body in ghost form, I pushed his limits, forcing us toward Theodore’s house.

  Inside, Selia was still working on the device. She looked up as we entered. “Benjiro, you’re back. Where’s Ray?”

  “Leave now,” I barked, forgetting whose body I occupied. “The attack is bigger than expected!”

  Selia frowned but handed me a map. “I traced the devices. These locations are heavily guarded. They’re likely where the king and prince are.”

  I nodded. “Good. Now go.”

  Selia, Taki, and Lucky left as I turned my attention to the map. The sunlight vanished entirely, revealing the true cause: a meteor, massive and terrifying, descending toward the city. On it stood a green-haired man, grinning with malevolent glee.

  “The king and prince aren’t here,” I realized. “Their projections were a ruse.” Guided by the map, I made my way to a heavily guarded villa. Using Benjiro’s blessing, I avoided detection and traps, reaching the king’s chambers.

  Inside, Albert, Marshall, and the projection caster turned to face me. The king’s eyes narrowed. “Who are you?” he demanded. Raising his hand, he unleashed a scorching gust of wind. “Wind Element: Timeless Vapor Eruption!”

  I emerged from Benjiro’s body, phasing through the attack. Surprised, they dropped their guard, giving me a fleeting chance. I lunged toward the king, aiming to possess him.

  But as my hand touched him, a surge of electricity coursed through me, blasting me back.

  Albert’s gaze was unyielding. “So, my son was right,” he said. “An outsider dares to challenge the Elthias family.”

  The room filled with guards, their presence suffocating. Above, the meteor neared, casting a shadow of impending doom.