"Who are you?" The words forced out of my mouth before I could even process it.
What he did just now… did he just countered my realm?
I looked at his emotionless demeanor which I was beginning to hate. I hate that he seemed unbothered and was able to stop something that powerful. Was he more powerful?
The ghouls power weren't all that after all.
"What are you doing?" He asked, and immediately, I was snapped back to reality. I looked around and noticed everything was normal. Nothing was destroyed just as I had seen earlier.
"Did you… did you just reverse time?" I asked with my eyes widened.
He drew his brows and stared at me like I had gone crazy. "What are you talking about?" He asked, looking confused. "You were out for a few minutes and wouldn't answer when I call."
What just happened? I am sure of what I saw. It felt so real. I saw the thieves running out and I got controlled. I wanted to extend my dominance but he chanted and countered it. Now, he said I was lost in thought?
"Can you stop lazing around and let's go check up on the team?" He said, bringing me back to reality, again.
I looked at where the thieves ran to, but found no one. Could it have been my imagination? Not saying a word, I went after him.
When we got in, the squad lay scattered on the floor groaning in pain with tears streaming down their faces. There was a foul chemical stench wafting the air which began to burn my eyes. Something was sprayed.
"They are getting away," Samara pointed out, with her eyes shut.
"Let's get them out," Hugh said, already helping the captain. He didn't bother about the thieves and was more concerned about the squad. I nodded and helped the others.
"Damn those mother fuckers!" Maya cursed, rubbing her eyes furiously.
"What happened in here?" I asked, watching them stumble and wheeze. If only they had listened to my plan or Hugh's.
"They sprayed us the second we entered," Dennis answered. "Didn't even hesitate. Just started robbing the bank like we weren't even here."
"We should've listened to the newbies," Samara admitted, blinking through the stinging pain. "They saw our van and got ready. Our pride ruin this mission." No one argued because she was right.
"Let's go," Hero finally said, managing to stand. "We need to report our failed mission as usual."
We walked back to the van along with our defeat. Once we got back to the headquarter, Hero dismissed us to our dorms.
Thankfully, the CSS gave each agents a dorm and the better part was, no roommates, no distractions. I fell onto my bed, exhaling deeply.
After a minute, I asked aloud, "Who is he?"
Maki appeared before me and dropped to his kneels. "I apologize master for trying to blow our cover. I got agitated seeing him."
"I asked you a question. Who. Is. He?"
Maki looked up slowly. "I sensed the spirit of the Grim Reaper inside him."
I sat upright. "The Grim Reaper? You mean the angel of death? The one who takes souls to the afterlife?"
He nodded. "Yes. And they are our natural enemies. Ghouls feed on souls, but the reapers send them away to the afterlife, preventing us from feeding."
That explained Maki's panic. There are so many mysteries in the world, and that made me wonder how everyone would react when they discover these mysteries too.
"So, he is a grim reaper living among the humans?"
"Yes, master," he answered and went on, "Although, he hasn't awakened. But when he does, he would be a stumbling block for us."
I laughed and rose from the bed, walking toward him. "I'm not worried." He looked up, startled. "As long as he haven't awakened, it's all good."
"I fear the Grim Reaper will awaken before you make your first conquest."
I laughed again and walked toward the bathroom.
"Maki... you underestimate me." I opened the door and looked over my shoulder. "I will get stronger and surpass him."
I opened my palm and a blazing arrow emerged from it just as it did for Ben. Its heat radiated intensely.
"I know what it means to be weak. I've been stepped on, looked down on, mocked, and ignored. That ends now." I clenched my fist. "I will rise above everyone and no one will ever look down on me again."
I walked into the bathroom. "Whatever stumbling block he is, he would move away." I shut the door behind me.
I pulled off my towel and stood under the shower, allowing the warm water pour on me as my mind drifted to my reality. My new reality.
"Reggie…" I heard a whisper and quickly turned off the shower, trying to listen. "Reggie," the whisper came again and I looked around.
"Maki?" I called, wondering if he was playing games with me. "Is that you?"
"Reggie," the whisper came again, this time, closer.
"Stop messing with me," I said, looking around for the sight of him.
"Reggie, come to me," the voice came again, this time, with a shrill. I turned and came in contact with a red veiled woman staring at me. "Come to me, my darling," she added and pointed a finger at me.
"Shit!" I screamed and slipped, hitting my head hard on the wall.