Heka wandered through the aisles of Caraluzzi Newton Market, his mind heavy with thoughts. The bright fluorescent lights and the hum of casual shoppers around him felt distant, almost unreal.
He was here out of necessity, trying to maintain some remembrance of normalcy after the devastating loss of his parents. The weight of grief pressed down on him. But he pushed forward, picking up a few essentials.
As he reached for a carton of milk, a familiar voice called out behind him.
"Heka, how are you? Are you okay?" It was Sachiel, his coworker. He stepped out from behind a shelf with a concerned expression.
Heka turned slowly, forcing a small nod. He answered briefly. His voice was flat and guarded. "Fine."
Sachiel's eyes searched his face, reading the pain that Heka tried to hide. "Well, I get it. It must be very hard for you to lose a whole family. Anyway, when will you start work again?"
Heka's heart clenched at the question. Since the tragic death of his parents, he had retreated from the world. He was unsure when or if he would return to his job.
The uncertainty gnawed at him. But he knew he had to be ready at a moment's notice whenever Marchio, their enigmatic and demanding boss, called him back for an assignment.
Heka admitted quietly. "I don't know. Right now I'm busy helping my uncle."
He couldn't bring himself to reveal the truth. That his life had been shattered. That he was haunted by shadows darker than grief. As he spoke, his eyes flicked past Sachiel and landed on a figure standing a few feet away, Ansel.
Ansel, the man who had been present on that fateful day, the man Heka knew would one day try to kill him. A cold, burning hatred surged through Heka's veins.
He clenched his fists, his mind racing with memories of betrayal and fear. He couldn't face Ansel now, not here, not like this.
"Sachiel... I'm going to leave. I have to go home soon. There is a lot of stuff that I have to do." Heka said abruptly, stepping back.
Sachiel nodded, concern deepening in his eyes. "Okay, take care of yourself."
"You too." Heka replied, forcing a faint smile.
As he turned to leave, Heka felt the unmistakable sound of quick footsteps behind him. Without looking back, he knew who it was. Ansel was following him.
His heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of fear and resolve flooding through him. He had to stay alert.
"Heka..." The voice was soft but unmistakable.
Ansel called out to him from behind.
Heka's steps faltered for a brief moment, just two seconds, but that was all. Then, without turning around, he pushed forward, his pace steady and determined.
"Heka wait..." Suddenly, Ansel was right in front of him, blocking his path. His eyes searched Heka's face, desperate and pleading. "Heka... are you mad at me? I'm so sorry."
The word "sorry" hung in the air. But to Heka, it was hollow, an empty sound that meant nothing. How many times has Ansel apologized? How many times has he expressed regret?
None of it mattered. None of it could erase the truth that lingered like a shadow over Heka's life. Ansel would kill him someday. That was a fact carved deep into his soul, unchangeable and terrifying.
Without a word, Heka turned sharply and walked away. His heart pounded, but his face unwas readable.
"Heka, get out of here quickly!!!" Ansel's voice rose in panic, almost desperate now.
Even if Ansel hadn't told him to leave, Heka would have gone anyway. He didn't want to see him and didn't want to hear another empty apology.
But before Heka could disappear into the crowd, Ansel reached out and grabbed his hand. The grip was firm, almost pleading.
Heka's reaction was immediate and fierce. He shook off Ansel's hand roughly. His eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and fear.
Ansel's voice grew more urgent, his grip tightening on Heka's arm. "Heka, it is dangerous. You have to get out of here. There's a fayfiend above. I know you are angry with me. But, at least you should be concerned with your safety."
Heka's brow furrowed in confusion and disbelief. Fayfiend? What nonsense was this?
To him, Ansel's words sounded like empty threats. A desperate attempt to manipulate him.
He knew better than to trust Ansel. After all, Ansel had never truly cared about his life. This was just another ploy.
Ansel pleaded, his voice almost breaking. "Heka, get out of here, please. This building seems like it will collapse. Trust me."
But Heka's heart remained unmoved. There was no sign of any imminent disaster. If the building were truly unstable or if an earthquake were underway. The authorities would have evacuated everyone by now. The bustling market around them seemed oblivious to any danger.
Suddenly, Ansel's grip on Heka's hand became firm and forceful. The sudden jerk nearly sent Ansel crashing into a nearby rack.
The display case was filled with delicate cutlery, ceramics, and glassware. One wrong move and everything could shatter. He was lucky, he could stop himself. If he couldn't, maybe that day was his last day.
Then, a strange sound caught Heka's attention. A heavy, falling voice echoing from above. He glanced upward and froze.
There, descending from the upper floors, was a figure cloaked in a flowing red robe. He was accompanied by a monstrous creature. The sight sent a chill down Heka's spine.
He recognized the man immediately. It was the same man he had seen once before at Kiervant Sky. A place known for its mysterious and powerful inhabitants.
It was when he had just gotten out of the Reversed Time Illusion. At that time, he barely saw the other one in Kiervant Sky, beside Marchio and Jino. Once he was not sure, because he was merely awake. When he regained his consciousness completely, that man was gone already.
Though Heka had met Marchio several times, he had never learned the identity of this mysterious figure who appeared right in front of him. The only other being he knew well was Jino, Marchio's small dragon companion.
The man in the red robe turned his gaze toward Heka, his eyes sharp and calculating. He muttered. As if guessing the reason for his presence. "Did Marchio send him for me?"
There was no doubt about the man's strength. With a few effortless movements, he dispatched the monster beside him. He demonstrated the power far beyond that of an ordinary Immortal. Heka's heart pounded as he realized this was no common foe.