《When Tomorrow Burns》


 Prologue

    The alleyway was a death trap. The air was hot and foul, and a dark path stretched before them.


    Ava wiped her forehead and peered into the shadows.


    "So this is it, right?" she asked Erik, who stood beside her with a white flame hovering over his palm. He nodded, and then bit his lip and glanced around nervously.


    They were in the heart of a forsaken city, where shadows danced with malice and the very air whispered of long-forgotten secrets. They were in a city that had been deserted by its people long ago, a city that now belonged to anything but sane, Devils¡ªdemonic creatures that preyed on the living, or worse. Some existed as beasts having horns, tails and hairy bodies while some were far more disturbing than creatures with broken twisted and morphed limbs to nightmarish brutes with plastered smiles that would haunt you until your end.


    These were twisted beings that had existed for thousands of years, a curse sent upon the world for all the misdeeds and disobedience committed despite countless warnings. What was driving the human conscience back then? Were they blinded by expected everlasting growth and prosperity? Back then human science had reached its true potential, a breakthrough from every discomfort. But sometimes this greed only destroys everything, the foundations, the pillars. Forcing you to start over without any blueprint or help, solely lying on your understanding and what you can remember.


    The truth is, no one will have a peaceful end.


    Every country had sealed itself behind walls to escape the horrors that lurked outside. But these two fellow humans had a mission to complete, and they couldn''t turn back now.


    "Anyone there!?" Shouted Ava, but as expected nothing descended.


    "Did you really expect to get an answer?" Erik couldn''t help but scoff as he met her frowning gaze.


    "I know what I''m doing!" Ava shook her head. She pointed to the silver badge attached to her breast pocket as she stated rather haughtily, "I''m one rank higher than you, which means I have more experience." She puffed out her chest proudly.


    "More like one neuron short, if you ask me." Erik couldn''t help but smirk.


    "Hey-"


    She was interrupted by a strange sound from inside the alleyway. It was brief and muffled, but it made them both freeze. They looked at each other, wondering what it was but failing to come up with a conclusion they let it slide hoping it was only their probable imagination trying to mess them up. They didn''t have time to waste. They had to complete the mission before nightfall.


    After checking the pollution index with a small metallic device with an antenna, having a small display on its body, it was concluded according to the graphical and temperature monitor that the pollution index of the alleyway was quite low, with no chance of infection just like the rest of the small city.


    Ava took a deep breath and stepped into the dark path, her cape trailing behind her. Erik hesitated for a moment but then followed the little lady after quickly shoving the device into his bag. The darkness swallowed them up.


    The two kept walking for some time but the path stretched on and on without any signs of its end. Erik looked back time to time expecting to see the alleyway''s opening from which they came from but all he saw was the the pitch-black murk. At times he thought he saw some shifts and movements but he didn''t know if he was going insane or something was really following them. He had this gnawing feeling, continuously choking him, there was something strange about this place, but strangely, he couldn''t land a finger on what it was. Ava, however, seemed to be quiet resolute and firm, with no tension or anything. Maybe she has found herself in similar situations countless times, only that reason could justify it.


    They walked for a long time, but the alleyway seemed endless. The flame in Erik''s hand grew fainter as if it sensed something wrong. Erik realized that this place was extremely humid and hot causing himself to sweat slightly. How long would the path stretch? Thinking this he was about to suggest turning back when suddenly he heard Ava shout to him.


    "I see something!" she exclaimed, seemingly excited.


    He looked ahead and saw a faint glow in the distance. It was hard to make out what it was, but it was different from the darkness around them.


    "Finally! I thought we were stuck in a maze."


    "But I thought you knew what you were doing," Erik said sarcastically slightly relieved himself.


    Ava rolled her eyes and ran towards the light, with Erik close behind. They reached a large shop window that was embedded in the wall. It was lit up by some unknown source. Inside the window, a dusty mannequin sat on a stool, it was positioned as if it was adjusting a hat that wasn''t there, its hands only gripping a small bit of air.


    Ava stared at the hatless mannequin, wondering what it was doing there. Was this some kind of marketplace in the past? Before the catastrophe, shops were everywhere, ranging from food, clothes and daily essentials to even luxuries. She was interrupted by Erik, who pointed to something else further down the alleyway.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Surprised, they saw another shop window a few meters away. They exchanged a puzzled look before moving towards it. This shop was the same as the previous but the mannequin''s posture was a bit different, this time it was only sitting, with one leg crossed over the other, the faceless mannequin only staring blankly towards them. It was a bit unsettling.


    "Was it normal to have such shops in the past?" Erik spoke to himself.


    Ava froze as she saw the light coming from deeper within the alleyway. they saw another shop window ahead, and another, and another. They were all the same, except for the mannequins. They moved deeper and inspected each one of them, before picking up pace and eventually their footsteps became urgent, they were running now. The litted displays kept appearing and appearing, were they stuck in a loop? Were they just repeatedly coming across the same shop? What was even happening?


    As they ran past the shop windows, they noticed the mannequins changing. Can the mannequins also feel their presence just as these two can feel theirs? As they passed by more mannequins, they became more twisted and distorted, as if they were alive and in pain. The lights also grew dimmer and dimmer, until they barely lit up the windows.


    "I think I preferred the darkness to this..." Ava muttered.


    "You''re not the only one." Erik agreed.


    They stopped abruptly when they saw the last window on the right. It was different from the others. The lights were flickering erratically, and the glass was smeared with blood. Fresh blood. Something was inside the shop, something that was moving and making horrible noises. It sounded like crying and screaming. Then the glass cracked as if something had hit it from inside. It had seen them.


    The glass was shattering, and the sound from inside was growing louder and more terrifying. A strange shadow became visible inside, it hit his huge hand on the glass multiple times. "What is that thing?" Erik gasped. "It''s coming out!" Ava quickly pulled Erik away reflexively as she gritted her teeth


    "We can''t wait here to find out Erik, quick we need to get out of here!" Ava shouted as she tried to pull Erik away, whatever that thing was, no way could they battle it alone without support.


    "What do you mean? Are we just abandoning our mission?!" exclaimed Erik as he pulled his arm away from her grip.


    "Do you prefer to die? Then go ahead, I''m leaving!" Ava snapped at him before turning away to make an escape. Clearly, in this sort of situation, one''s survival instinct always gets the best of him.


    Suddenly, a claw-like hand smashed its way through the window and tried to grab Erik! He quickly fell back as the beast was only able to grapple air. Taking this opportunity and not wanting to become its prey he quickly got on to his heels and followed Ava behind.


    Throwing a brief glance back they saw a clawed hand reaching through the broken window, it was attached to a monstrous creature that looked like a twisted version of a devil. It had black fur, red eyes that glowed with malice, two horns that curled above its head, and massive hands with sharp claws. Its mouth was wide and full of jagged teeth, and it seemed to be hungry for human flesh. The beast roared and pushed its way through the window, shattering the remaining glass and finally being free. A deep groan came from its mouth, it turned its head towards the two runaways. It gave an ugly grin, dark saliva dripping from its massive mouth. The beast got on all his fours before lunging forward and chasing them!


    Both comrades were sprinting through the darkness towards the exit of this horror house.


    As they ran past the windows, they saw more of the clawed hands breaking through the glass, followed by the horrific faces of more beasts. The screams of the creatures filled the air, growing louder and more piercing with every second. They felt like their ears were going to burst. Blood spattered from the windows and splashed on the ground, creating a slippery and sickening trail. Every step they took made a squelching noise that made their stomach churn in disgust.


    "SAVE US!"dreadful voices growled.


    "DON''T LEAVE US!" one shouted.


    "PLEASE HELP!" the other joined in.


    "WE DON''T WANT TO STAY!"


    "IT HURTS!"


    "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"


    The screams blared from every direction in pain and agony. Small black figures moved in every direction in front of them. Smashing sounds came from everywhere, angry growls, painful screams and laughter all mixed together, creating a cacophony of terror. They felt the beast behind them getting closer and closer, breathing heavily and snarling.


    What was this nightmare?


    Erik spotted a gap in the wall ahead of them. "That must be the exit!" he shouted. Ava followed his gaze and felt a surge of hope. She could see the light outside, shining through the opening. They ran towards it, but before they could reach it, a black figure leapt in front of them, blocking their way. They skidded to a halt. Ava drew her dagger and held it in front of her. Erik muttered an enchantment and a strange flame appeared above both his hands.


    "Get out of the way!" Ava shouted as she pointed the dagger in the man''s direction. This man was definitely not here to assist them in any way. As the loud and heavy noise increased behind them, it was clear that they couldn''t stand around wasting time, survival was most impulsive in the current predicament. Ava quickly moved forward moving the sharp dagger in the man''s direction.


    "!"


    She was taken aback when the man deflected her attack and forced her back with the blade that he took out in only a moment as if he already had expected such a surprise.


    The figure smirked and pulled off the cape that covered his head. He revealed himself to be a tall and pale man with white hair and sapphire eyes. He looked at them with amusement and drew his blade. He held the blade up and admired its shine, then glanced back at them.


    "I''m sorry, but I can''t let you leave so easily. You''ve made some interesting friends here. Though I hoped them to meet someone else."


    The beast was now right behind them, a smile plastered on its face.

 The Beginning

    On a tempestuous night in Col Chester, raindrops crackled like gunfire as they plummeted from the darkened sky, whipped into a frenzy by the ferocious winds that howled through the streets. Despite the bitter cold and biting rain, the denizens of the city hurried homeward, their figures hunched against the elements, seeking refuge within the warmth of their coats and umbrellas.


    Observing the chaos, a solitary figure stood beneath the shelter of an umbrella, clad in a long coat that billowed around him like a cloak. His mind was cloudy with his imagination. Even in such weather, he was busy dreaming or perhaps busy being a revolutionist in his mind at the very least. Suddenly a piece of newspaper flew over and landed before him. With gloved hands, he reached down to retrieve the stray newspaper, its ink smudged and its pages sodden with rain.


    As he glanced down at the headline, his lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. "Death Of 2 comrades outside city bounds!" the bold, black letters proclaimed, drawing his attention to the grim news that lay within.


    The tragic demise of two comrades from the DEA, their bodies were discovered near the entrance of an alleyway after the agency had lost contact with them. Despite the conclusion that they had perished in battle with a devil, the mysterious marks found upon their bodies remained unexplained, shrouded in uncertainty and speculation.


    A black and white photograph accompanied the sombre description, capturing the chilling scene of the crime¡ªa haunting tableau of two figures lying beneath a white sheet, their identities concealed in death.


    ***


    Brrrrrring!


    The shrill sound of an alarm clock shattered the early morning tranquillity, jolting Alastair from his sleep. With a groan, he buried his face beneath the sheets, determined to ignore the insistent ringing that echoed through the dormitory.


    But his peaceful rebellion was short-lived, interrupted by the booming voice of his friend Mika. "Alastair! Wake up! We''re going to be late for breakfast!" Mika''s urgent tone cut through the haze of sleep, accompanied by the sound of his frantic attempts to fix his tie.


    Alastair raised his head, but he was met with swift and unexpected retaliation¡ªa pillow collided with his face, courtesy of their other friend, Yu.


    Rubbing his face, Alastair glared at Yu, who stood across the room with a mischievous smirk dancing upon his lips. "Ha ha really funny, Yu!" Alastair muttered, tossing the pillow back in his direction, but Yu effortlessly dodged the incoming projectile, his laughter filling the room.


    "Practise your aim at least if you plan on fighting back." He sniggered.


    Alastair frowned at him before reluctantly dragging himself out of bed. Even if he really wanted to, there was no way he could miss school today. The disciplinary teacher would chase him to the ends of the Earth just to make him attend the training, and the thought of being sworn enemies in his past life hit Alastair more than once.


    "Come on now, get going already or else we''ll leave you behind." Yu persisted as he packed his stuff quickly. Even if he is a scumbag, he is considerate.


    ***


    In the bathroom Alastair stared wearily at his reflection in the mirror as he brushed his teeth, the stark contrast of his dark hair and coal-black eyes against his pale complexion reflected the weariness that seemed to weigh heavily upon him. At seventeen, he appeared older than his years and it bothered him a lot. It only proved the point that he had seen too much and too early.


    The Aurum Military Institute like the other public military schools was responsible for training soldiers for the kingdom''s army, although it made him feel that he too could be useful in some way, he wasn''t a god-forsaken patriot, but being recruited in the military isn''t bad if he wants to be worth something. He doesn''t want to die and be forgotten.


    He rinsed his mouth quickly, pushing the unpleasant memories away.


    After a while, he stepped out of the bathroom, his uniform crisp and neatly pressed¡ªa white collar shirt, black pants, and a grey tie, the standard attire for students here. Glancing around the dormitory, he took in the simple yet orderly layout. Three beds stood in a row along one wall, each adorned with a blue blanket and a white pillow. On the opposite side, three desks were arranged facing the window, allowing the soft glow of natural light to filter into the room. A handful of posters on the walls, injecting a splash of colour and personality into the otherwise plain space. Images of sports stars, movie characters, and motivational quotes adorned the walls, lending a sense of familiarity to the room even if no one cared about motivation nowadays.


    Before he could fully take in the pointless surroundings, Mika grabbed his hand scolding him and pulling him out of the dormitory with an urgency that belied the early hour. Yu followed close behind, grumbling about the state of the room as he shuffled along.


    As they emerged into the corridor, they were met by the sight of Kate, her light brown hair framing her emerald eyes as she waited impatiently for us.


    "There you guys are!" she exclaimed, her tone tinged with irritation. "I''ve been waiting for ages."


    "Who asked you to?" Yu retorted, his arms crossed defiantly over his chest.


    Ignoring her brother''s grumbling, Kate took charge, leading the way with a determined stride. "Come on, let''s go now. I''m hungry!" she declared.


    With Kate at the helm, they made their way to the cafeteria with just enough time to spare. Each of them grabbed their tray before lining up in the queue. Today''s menu is...Juice, sandwich and pudding?


    "Huh?" Alastair gazed up at the cook, the lady forced a smile, an ugly mole on her nose, she seemed as if she was silently threatening him to get going before she did anything that she wouldn''t regret.


    They settled into their usual spot at one of the lunch tables.


    "Impossible..." Yu muttered as he took a bite out of his sandwich.


    "Are we dreaming? who knew that the cook could be so considerate for once?" Kate laughed.


    "It still looks unappetizing.." Mika said gloomily at his breakfast.


    "There must be a reason, she clearly seemed unhappy," Alastair smirked not feeling bad for the cook, who would want to wake up to eat mashed peas and inedible stew every morning?


    Alastair paused as he glanced around the room, a sense of unease washed over him¡ªthe cafeteria seemed different today, almost unnaturally pristine. Every surface gleamed with painstaking cleanliness, and even the staff appeared unusually well-groomed and impeccably dressed. The scent of sanitizers and perfumes hung heavy in the air, mixing incongruously with the aroma of freshly prepared food, giving him a headache.


    "I feel something special is happening today." He finished before drinking from the small juice carton. Yu nodded in agreement.


    "Maybe a visit?" Mika suggested tentatively, his gaze lingering on his unappetizing breakfast with a hint of sadness.


    Kate snapped her fingers, "Oh yeah, I know mm something mm," Kate mumbled with still food stuffed in her mouth.


    "..."


    She took her time to munch the food down her throat before finally speaking. "Well, Mika is right," she said, her words dripping with scenic flair. "Yes, we are going to be visited by a guest today, but not just any guest¡ªa very important one." She said, her eyes crinkling from the corners as she smiled. She paused to see any effect her words had on them.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "Get to the point," Yu cut in sharply, his impatience evident in his tone. Alastair couldn''t help but silently thank him, sharing his sentiment as he felt a wave of ennui wash over him. Despite being twins, Yu and Kate rarely saw eye to eye.


    Kate shot Yu a glare before turning her attention, coughing and continuing, "Well, today we are going to be visited by...The Second!" she announced, her words hanging heavy in the air. She seemed proud as she crossed her arms.


    Mika and Yu''s eyes widened in disbelief. Yu coughed, food slightly choking his windpipe, he was completely taken aback by the unexpected revelation.


    "No way!" He spoke having recovered slightly.


    "Are you sure?" Mika added in disbelief.


    "Of course!" Kate proclaimed with satisfaction, she seemed pleased at their ridiculous faces. "I overheard it from one of our teachers when he was conversing with the headmaster yesterday."


    Alastair glanced between them, his curiosity piqued.


    "So?" he interjected, his confusion evident. The group became silent as they immediately turned their heads in his direction. Their incredulous stares made Alastair feel like a fool and he couldn''t help but frown.


    "So?!- Don''t you know about him? Have you been living under a roc¡ª" Yu began, his irritation palpable, but Kate quickly cut him off, clamping a hand over his mouth to silence his angry muttering.


    Ignoring her brother''s outburst, Kate coughed delicately or at least acted to, before addressing Alastair with a bright smile. "Don''t mind him! you might not know much about him but let me fill you in on that!" she reassured Alastair but he felt like she was probably just as surprised as Yu.


    "Well, let me tell you a bit about him," she began, her voice taking on a tone of reverence. "He is known as ''The Second'' because he comes after ''The First,'' the crown prince, in terms of power and influence."


    As Kate delved into her explanation, Mika and Yu eagerly added their own insights."They say he''s the real deal, The Second''s not just some big shot with a fancy title. He''s earned every bit of his reputation. I heard he''s faced down some of the nastiest devils out there. People talk about him all the time like he''s some kind of legend, and from what I''ve heard, it''s not far from the truth."


    "They also say that he has killed the highest numbers of devils ever since becoming part of the DEA!" Mika chimed in, his eyes sparkling with awe.


    Alastair listened closely, is someone really capable of conquering such feats? Hasn''t the man only joined the Devil Executionr''s Army 2 years ago? How powerful can someone be to progress this fast and already earn everyone''s respect? Alastair couldn''t help but feel that everyone was getting swayed too easily. Perhaps the man received special treatment or favour. Only a children''s storybook can make the impossible seem conquerable.


    "I wonder what he looks like," Kate said as she rested her head on the palm of her hand, her eyes alight with curiosity. "I''ve only seen him in the newspaper, but sadly the quality is always horrible. It''ll be sad if he turns out to be an old man."


    They all seemed lost in thought. Yet amidst the dreamy gazes of the companions, Alastair couldn''t help but wonder if they were all thinking straight.


    "And why is he coming here?" he asked, attempting to steer the conversation back to reality.


    "Ah right, that''s the best part!" Kate exclaimed, her enthusiasm undiminished as she continued to eat her breakfast. "He''s coming here to pick one of us to train and become part of the Devil Executionr''s Army!" Kate announced, not caring about the number of bombs she kept on dropping casually.


    "R-really?.."


    A whirlwind of thoughts spun through their minds at the prospect. Alastair was deep in thought as he weighed the opportunity of getting picked. The chance to learn how to fight and protect others from the monstrous beings that had wrought havoc on everyone''s life was a chance he couldn''t pass up. Well, this sweet dream becoming a reality had a low probability.


    Alastair furrowed his eyebrows, it really was a low chance, this isn''t some child play after all. He couldn''t help but remember his this month''s test results that kept popping up in his mind.


    "Well if any of you is getting their hopes up, it''s pointless," She sighed. "The Headmaster is going to take this opportunity, he won''t let anyone but his son get selected and he will make sure of it. Selfish brute, I know."


    "Lawrence?" Alastair scoffed, that guy is even worse than him. What right does the principal have to discriminate against other students like that?


    "That prick? No way, I''m more suited than him," Yu stated as he crossed his arms and raised his head in pride. Alastair smirked at the bold statement. One thing Yu and Kate have in common is their huge ego.


    "But do you guys really think that he will listen to the Headmaster?" Mika voiced his opinion, his uncertainty was palpable as he sought reassurance from the group before glancing back down shyly when everyone looked at him all of a sudden. "The Second I mean.."


    Kate scratched her head, momentarily stumped by the question. "You do have a point!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in realization. "He doesn''t have any control over a prestigious rank now does he? Mika, you are a genius," She patted his back strongly, Mika becoming embarrassed as Alastair couldn''t help but chuckle.


    "Keep dreaming losers." someone sniggered. They turned to see Lawrence, seated just behind Kate and Yu. He and his gang members sitting at the table, his friends cheering for him from behind.


    "Lawrence is definitely getting in!"


    "The principal will make sure of it!"


    His friends grinned as they supported their leader like a bunch of dogs drooling over their master.


    "You arrogant bastard, are you always so reliant on your father?" Yu said irritated.


    "He''s a daddy''s boy, what did you expect?" Alastair added, the words slipping out without any real resentment, eliciting a chuckle from his group and a few other students who were close by.


    "Keep that shitty mouth of yours shut!" Lawrence snapped and glared at him, his voice laced with frustration feeling embarrassed from the laughter.


    "Are you any better? Alastair, both of us know who''ll be selected." Lawrence said. "Or are you assuming someone like you will be getting in? Ha, don''t make me laugh." He stood up from his seat and pointed a fork in his direction, he grinned.


    Alastair could feel his patience wearing thin as he stood up from his chair, mirroring Lawrence''s movements.


    "Are they going to fight?"


    "I wanna see!"


    "Me too- Stacy get your head out of the way!"


    All the students roared in excitement and cheers at the commotion, betting on who would win.


    ***


    "This is the cafeteria, sir, and my office is just after another turn," the 250-pound Headmaster said, his sweat trickling down his neck. A seemingly ugly man in his late 40s with a blotting face.


    "Mm," the tall gentleman responded nonchalantly, paying little attention. He was dressed in a black uniform with silver badges, and a cape accompanying him.


    "I completely understand how important your time is, and yet you still came," the Headmaster babbled on, "I can''t repay it, but I can offer you a bit of relief in exchange," he continued.


    "You see I have this brilliant young boy in my school and he is also my son, a proud father I sure am," he stated as he fixed his tie.


    As they walked, the Headmaster continued to extol the virtues of his son, urging the tall gentleman to consider him for the DEA training program.


    "Sigh, Mr. Principal, we''ve talked about this," a lady with ginger hair interjected, her voice low and commanding. She had her hair neatly tied in a braided bun, her sharp features and sly fox eyes scanning the papers in her hand.


    "Every student''s participation is required for the inspection," she continued, handing one of the papers to the gentleman next to her, who nodded in approval. "I''m sure your son will have no problem with the test, yes?"


    "O-of course, my boy will surely qualify, no doubt," the Headmaster stammered nervously. "But what''s the point when you know who the best student already-?"


    "You take that back!" Lawrence snapped, his voice tinged with anger.


    "What if I don''t?" Alastair challenged, a smirk playing on his lips.


    "!"


    Suddenly, something flew past him with a loud whoosh! Barely missing his head and leaving him frozen in shock for a few seconds as he saw Lawrence quickly duck back into his seat, his eyes wide with fear, and Alastair''s friends urgently whispered for him to do the same. He only recovered when the Headmaster''s voice rang out, demanding to know who had caused the disturbance. It was the beginning of everything, and he turned to see what had happened, his heart racing.

 They call him "The Second"

    "What is the meaning of this?!" After making sure the guest was safe and sound, The principal shouted in fury as he quickly faced the crowd that was gaping at the whole scene.


    It turned out that during the heated argument between the two students, one of them, in a fit of rage and without realizing what he was holding, hurled the object in his hand¡ªa fork. It flew through the air, narrowly missing an unlucky visitor''s head, "The Second."


    The gentleman slightly taken aback by the unexpected greeting, momentarily stared at the fork pinned to the wall as if he had found something eye-catching.


    The woman accompanying him¡ªlikely his assistant¡ªhurried to his side, her face taut with concern. "S-Sir, are you hurt?!" she asked, her voice quivering with worry.


    Without hesitation, she began inspecting him, her movements brisk and frantic. She lifted his arms one by one, turning them carefully, then cupped his face, her eyes darting over every inch as though searching for any sign of injury. Finally, she exhaled a shaky sigh of relief when she found no trace of blood and let him go. The man only blinked blankly before smiling and getting his head free from the grasp.


    The Second seemed unperturbed by the near miss. "Oh, I''m alright," he replied casually, flashing a brief grin. His nonchalant demeanour was surprising, considering the danger he had just narrowly avoided. "You get too anxious," he remarked teasingly. "It wouldn''t have hurt me much even if it did stab me. I doubt this is how fate wants me to die. Though I''m unsure if we can say the same about being hit in the head."


    "Don''t say that!" the woman scolded, her tone sharp as she shot a glare towards the principal, who seemed visibly intimidated by her presence. It was clear she held some authority.


    "Miss-"


    "Don''t miss me! What is this nonsense, is this some kind of prank?!"


    "No-"


    "Are you trying to joke around with me?!"


    "N-no miss, " the principal blurted out before facing the students once more. His eyes immediately fell on Alastair, the only one standing in the crowd.


    Having met the piercing gaze, Alastair immediately sat down, but it was too late.


    "Why, it was you, Alastair, you intruder!" he sneered, his words dripping with contempt. The headmaster wasted no time in pointing the finger of blame at him, accusing Alastair of attempting to harm the esteemed guest.


    "Is this another one of your ridicules?! You utter delinquent, this was the last chance, but now I must take strict measures, and I''ll make sure that you get suspended!" The Principal declared, his face slightly red as if it was about to burst.


    Alastair pursed his lips tightly, ''strict measures my ass'', a mixture of disbelief and anger churning within him. How could the old hag accuse him without any proof? Getting suspended from school, charged with a crime he didn''t commit, and facing the ire of both the headmaster and the esteemed guest. What fairness is this? He wanted to laugh.


    He could hear Lawrence and his gang sniggering, making him even more furious. Mika patted his shoulder for some comfort but Alastair had enough of this.


    "Let us get going now...he won''t be any bother, this was only a misunderstanding and I have taken care of it-" The principal urged as he forced a smile trying to lighten the otherwise tense atmosphere.


    "Wait!"


    The room at once became silent, it was the first time that such silence accommodated the entire room, it felt almost suffocating. Wide eyes stared in his direction, at Alastair, as he stood up from his seat. ''The Second'' looked at him amused, his interest peeked at the spectacle. The Principal became even more frustrated.


    "It was not me," Alastair protested, his eyes narrowed on to the headmaster. Maybe he was a fool, but he wasn''t a timid one.


    "..."


    "Sit back down." The headmaster gritted his teeth, as he pressed his temple. "I will deal with you later-"


    But before he could speak more, ''The Second'' raised his hand, silenceing him at once. "Enough now," he said, before glancing at Alastair. Alastair felt cautious all of a sudden. This man was indeed someone who held a lot of power, maybe even more in a situation like this.


    "Come here if you have something to say." He ordered as he gestured to Alastair, his expression unreadable. His jet-black eyes met his.


    The headmaster looked surprised as he looked between the assistant and him.


    Huh?... Alastair wasn''t expecting this, he was mad at the headmaster for making blind and false claims about him to save his skin, sure, but being called out like this, he didn''t think this through, did he?


    "..."


    "You heard me," ''The Second'' grinned, "Or did you just want my attention?"


    Alastair frowned slightly, this guy was purposely trying to rile up the situation even more and if he held back now, he really would be suspended. He glanced at his friends, their expressions a mix of pity and remorse, while Kate attempted to alleviate the tension by pinching Lawrence, for which Alastair wanted to thank her but despite their silent support, he couldn''t shake the weight of this suffocating situation.


    ''Well, shit.'' He thought.


    He got out of his seat and made his way to the awaiting figure, the sea of stares and whispers was drowning him, every student''s gaze piercing him as sounds of quiet laughter were heard aswell.


    "He''s not going to get out of this one easily." A student whispered.


    "I feel bad for him but he is the one who brought this upon himself in the first place." Someone chuckled.


    "What is going to happen next?.."


    "Didn''t you hear? He''ll probably get suspended, and no school will accept a misfit like him, Haha!"


    He clenched his fist, trying to control his emotions. He wanted to escape all of this as if this was a horrible nightmare and he would wake up at any moment. These students might have joined this institution out of passion but for Alastair, his sole reason was to belong somewhere. Where he felt comfortable but now that is going to be taken away from him, he can''t let that happen. Life isn''t always a losing game, sometimes you have to make a chance for yourself.


    Alastair stopped in front of the tall gentleman, who only smiled at him.


    "Ha..., you are quite bold aren''t you." The man tilted his head, getting a good look at the boy standing before him. "I like the gutsiness,"


    His assistant dismissed the apparent distressful atmosphere with a casual wave of her hand, her eyes shifted back to Alastair, her tone taking on a mockingly sympathetic edge as she addressed.


    "So what do you have to say for your heroic act? Almost stabbing my master with a fork!" she said, her voice laced with sarcasm, then turned to The Second with a fake sympathetic look.


    "Ha..." The Second raised a brow, ''Really?'' he must have thought.


    Alasair''s heart raced as he struggled to formulate a response, acutely aware of the precariousness of his situation. "I''m sorry but I didn''t try to hurt you." Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The Second''s expression remained inscrutable, his silence stretching on for a tense moment that seemed to hang in the air like a heavy fog.


    "Sorry?" The Second finally spoke, his tone betraying a hint of amusement. "Do you expect me to accept an apology? Especially for something like that? How do I know if what you are telling is the truth or not?" His eyes narrowed as he fixed the boy with a penetrating gaze, his scrutiny unnerving.


    "I oath to get this institution shut down for such an attempt" He crossed his arms before lazily glancing at the seated audience. Everyone was taken aback by the revelation.


    "Why are you punishing all of them for something they haven''t done?" Alastair raised his voice. The situation was only deteriorating. There was a palpable tension in the air as The Second considered his words, his expression unreadable as he contemplated his fate. Alastair could feel the weight of his gaze bearing down on him.


    "Well, Why don''t you take the punishment instead," The Second''s voice cut through the silence like a blade, his words carrying the weight of authority as he leaned his head down slightly. Playfully flicking the boy''s forehead with his fingers, wanting to make fun of him when suddenly!


    ''!''


    The sudden touch sent shockwaves tearing through Alastair''s mind, a searing pain stabbing into his skull as if caught in the merciless grind of machinery. His pupils contracted sharply, his vision consumed by a chaotic whirlwind of flashing imagery and ungraspable colours. In mere milliseconds, disjointed scenes overwhelmed him¡ªa grotesque figure with a twisted grin leering at him, the haunting echoes of cries and screams filling his ears, and two lifeless bodies drenched in blood sprawled before him.


    "E-end is approaching..." A faint voice sounded in his ear. He reflexively stepped back, a cold sweat break on his forehead as a dull pain filled his head. The Second retracted his hand immediately, his face slightly pale, his eyes slightly widened. Did he also experience that?... They stared at each other momentarily before being thrashed down to reality, Alastair flinched slightly as he heard The Headmaster''s voice.


    "Quit wasting our time boy, you''ve heard The Second, you''ll be punished! Severely punished I tell you!"


    "But your son did this!" He tried to protest.


    "Don''t bring my son in to this Alastair-"


    "Suspend him." The Second cut him off with a wave of his hand, slightly tense.


    Alastair stared at him in shock, struggling to process the ultimatum. The mere thought of expulsion sent a wave of dread crashing over him.


    The Headmaster exhaled a sigh of relief, "Of course." He must be proud of his shameless victory.


    "But," The Second interjected smoothly, "I want to impose another punishment for his boldness."


    With an air of nonchalance, The Second reached for a paper held by his assistant, catching her off guard. Without hesitation, he handed it to Alastair, who finally took a moment to observe the man closely. He was tall and strikingly handsome, his pale complexion accentuating the dark eyes that gleamed with both intelligence and authority. His hair, a rich blend of black and deep brown, cascaded in soft waves around his face, giving him an aura of effortless power.


    "Sign this," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    Alastair stared down at the sheet of paper in his hand, his mind reeling. He glanced back up at the man, whose calm smile betrayed nothing but confidence in his command.


    "Your other punishment," The Second began, his voice steady but laden with weight as he crossed his arms, "is to train for the DEA."


    The words snapped Alastair out of his daze, his heart skipping a beat. "W-What?" he stammered, the unexpected nature of the declaration sending his thoughts into a spiral. How? What? What is happening?!


    "What? Don''t like the punishment?" The Second teased, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.


    The assistant glanced between the two of them, clearly at a loss for words, while the Headmaster''s bewildered expression only added to the absurdity of the moment.


    Their eyes locked, and Alastair searched his face, desperate for any flicker of doubt or hesitation, any sign this was some elaborate jest. But his expression betrayed nothing. His gaze was unwavering and calm.


    But before Alastair could gather his thoughts and formulate a response, the Head Master''s voice thundered across the room, filled with outrage and indignation at the sudden turn of events. Veins bulged on his forehead, his face contorted with anger.


    "Sir, this isn''t fair!" the headmaster finally spoke up, his voice tinged with frustration and disbelief. The words spilt out just like that, driven by a sense of injustice that threatened to overwhelm him.


    Yet The Assistant swiftly intervened, her voice firm and authoritative "Hey, you''re not allowed to interfere!" she admonished him, her tone brooking no argument as she glared at him.


    Undeterred, the Head Master persisted, his frustration boiling over as he confronted The Second. Accusations flew, and grievances aired, as he accused him of abandoning protocol in favour of personal bias.


    "Miss, let me have a word with him because he''s going completely against his words! He told me that tests are supposed to decide who gets to train in the DEA, and he''s out here picking just because he almost got stabbed?! What kind of nonsense is this?!" He demanded, his voice ringing with incredulity and outrage.


    A soft chuckle escaped The Second''s lips, and the room fell silent, every eye trained on him. "You''re being a nuisance..."


    Glancing at The Headmaster, The Second''s expression shifted, his gaze piercing. The Headmaster faltered under the weight of that gaze, realizing he had overstepped his bounds.


    "What if I choose your son? Is that what you want? Is that what your students want?" The Second''s voice held a subtle edge, a hint of disappointment laced within his words. He glanced briefly at the students, before his smile vanished, replaced by a steely resolve.


    "Your authority doesn''t work on me, Mr. Green. Who I pick or not isn''t your concern," he continued, his tone firm and unwavering.


    "And I know he didn''t do anything, yet he still apologized for something that could''ve cost him his place in this school," The Second added, his voice carrying a note of esteem. "If you can''t keep a check on what students do, then don''t interfere in my work next time, because the results will be quite amusing." he finished and dismissed the Headmaster just like that, not sparing him another glance.


    Turning back to Alastair, The Second''s smile returned, warm and reassuring. It was a stark contrast to the tension that had gripped the room moments before.


    "I want you to fill out this page; it contains some details that we need to know before your arrival." The Second pointed at the page resting in his hands.


    "A car will be waiting for you at 6 in the morning, next Monday. Be prepared if you want to..." He leaned in closer to Alastair, his voice a soft whisper in his ear. "...get revenge." His words sent a shiver down his spine, momentarily caught off guard, what did he mean by that?...


    "Master, should we leave now? You have to meet up with someone," the assistant interjected, breaking the momentary silence with a reminder of their impending departure.


    "Oh, right, I almost forgot about that. And please tell this fine Principal to give me the reports about this specific student," The Second remarked casually. She nodded in understanding and gestured for him to follow her. Together, they walked out of the room, with the Headmaster trying to catch up from behind and still trying to convince them, leaving Alastair standing there, still processing the whirlwind of events that had just unfolded. As the door closed behind them, he felt a mixture of emotions swirling inside him. Relief, excitement, disbelief¡ªall vied for dominance in his mind.


    He glanced down at the form in his hands, its words now imbued with newfound significance. In bold letters, it proclaimed: ''Devil Executioner Agency welcomes you! Please sign this form as it is the first step to your success and others'' protection!'' These words for some reason reminded me of the various motivational posters in his dorm room.


    Suddenly, everyone ran over to him, he was engulfed in a wave of congratulations as his friends rushed over to embrace him. Their cheers and hugs were a welcome distraction from the lingering doubts and fears that still remained in the back of his mind. Amidst the chaos of the crowded cafeteria, he found ease in the support of those who believed in me. As the commotion gradually died down, he noticed Lawrence and his cronies glaring at him from across the room. Their expressions were a mix of resentment and frustration, their plans thwarted by the unexpected turn of fortune. With a sense of satisfaction, he watched as they left in fury.

 The Crow?

    After the initial excitement of being chosen to train for the Devil Executioners, life at school settled back into its usual routine, classes remained as dull as ever, and the training sessions stretched on for a long time.


    The only noticeable change was the sudden surge of attention directed towards Alastair. Suddenly, everyone wanted to know about the boy who had caught the eye of The Second.


    Alastair became popular, during recess or whenever there was free time, everyone would gather around Alastair to ask every bit of detail, and right now he was stuck with two girls who asked so many questions. They just wouldn''t stop.


    Thankfully, Mika and Yu, forever loyal friends, came to Alastair''s rescue.


    "He has to write a letter"


    "Letter?..." the girl raised a brow.


    "Yes, a thank you letter, you girls be on your way."


    Yu responded before driving Alastair out of the courtyard. All of them laughed heartedly.


    Exhausted after a long day, Alastair retreated to his room and retrieved the form that had been safely hidden within the pages of his notebook. His hands trembled slightly as he grasped the pen, the moment''s weight settling heavily upon him. It took him a full hour to painstakingly complete all the required details, his handwriting is quite bad, he admits but he doubts they select students on that basis.


    "There are a lot of shady questions in here," remarked Yu, glancing over the form.


    "Mm, where''s Kate?" I inquired, noticing her absence.


    "She said she''ll be here in some time, probably spreading the news," Yu replied, rolling his eyes in amusement as he handed the form back.


    Alastair inspected the form one last time for any errors, Mika posed a question, "So, how are you going to send this?"


    Alastair hesitated for a moment, pondering the best course of action. "I don''t know¡­ I guess I''ll send it through the post office," he replied uncertainly, his mind preoccupied with the weight of what lay ahead. With a final glance at the neatly folded page tucked into the envelope, he carefully stowed it away in his drawer.


    He settled back into his chair, and Yu''s amused voice broke the silence. "Did you see how pissed off Lawrence was? His face was priceless."


    Alastair chuckled in agreement, nodding at Yu''s observation. "Yeah, he hasn''t been handling my new ''fame'' very well," he replied, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.


    "Serves him right."


    "Even the headmaster rarely comes out of his office nowadays, only saw him at the morning assembly today. He was awfully pale."


    Before their conversation could continue, Mika''s voice interrupted, drawing their attention "H-hey guys, there''s something over there," he said, his finger pointing towards the small window behind the desk.


    Alastair widened his eyes in surprise.


    Perched on the windowsill was a large black crow. Its feathers gleamed with an otherworldly lustre, the darkness of its plumage contrasting sharply against the pale light filtering into the room. It''s eyes glowing, a purple shade, staring at us with an unwavering gaze.


    Something was unnerving about the way it looked at them as if it were beckoning them to open the window and let it in. A shiver ran down Alastair''s spine as a sense of unease settled over him.


    "Eh- what type of crow is that?" Mika questioned, his voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of apprehension.


    "It looks like it wants to get in," Yu remarked, his tone nonchalant as he observed the crow''s behaviour. It was hitting its black beak on the window continuously.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Tap, tap, tap.


    They all rose from their spots and gathered around the window, drawn by the peculiar sight. The crow seemed undisturbed by their presence, its glowing purple eyes meeting theirs with an almost hypnotic intensity. It continued to tap on the glass as if conveying a silent message to them.


    As the crow''s tapping persisted, the feeling of unease grew stronger. "Should I open it?" Alastair asked tentatively, uncertain of what to make of the bird''s strange demeanour.


    "I guess," Yu replied with a casual shrug, displaying little concern for the potential consequences of letting the crow inside.


    Alastair reached for the lock and slid it open, the metallic click barely audible in the room. Slowly, he pushed the window up, creating a gap wide enough for the bird to get in.


    To their surprise, the crow wasted no time and darted inside, its wings flapping rapidly as it manoeuvred through the opening.


    They watched in astonishment as the bird entered and started to fly around the room.


    "Um..."


    "Oh god! we''re doomed if someone catches us inviting birds to stay with us!" Yu exclaimed, his voice tinged with horror as he grabbed his head in distress.


    "You''re the one who literally told me to open the window¡ª" Alastair began, but his words were cut off by Mika''s sudden shout.


    "Look over there!"


    They turned their attention to Alastair''s desk, where the crow had perched itself, holding something in its beak. To their disbelief, it was the envelope that had been hidden in the drawer. How had the bird managed to find it? And what did it want with it?


    "Did it just open the drawer?" Alastair exclaimed, his disbelief evident in his voice.


    "He''s got the envelope! Catch him!" Yu shouted, lunging towards the bird.


    But the bird was too fast and agile. It dodged Yu''s hand and flew across the room, landing on the bed. It looked at them smugly, as if taunting them to chase it.


    "Hey you stinky bird, that isn''t yours!" Alastair yelled, jumping on the bed and reaching for the envelope.


    But the bird was ready for him. It flapped its wings and soared away, leaving them empty-handed. It circled around the room, looking for another place to hide.


    "Get back here!" Alastair shouted, frustration seeping into his voice as he leapt off the bed and chased after it.


    With a swift motion, he lunged forward, reaching out towards the bird. "Get back here, you thief!"


    But just as his fingers grazed its feathers, it flapped its wings defiantly and darted out of his grasp.


    "Damn it!" Yu exclaimed, joining in the chase. "We can''t let it get away with that!"


    But before they could make another move, the crow took flight once more, soaring gracefully through the air as if mocking their futile efforts. The crow hovered around, its mocking caw echoing through the room.


    After many failed attempts and a few bruises on the face.


    "I got it!" Alastair finally announced triumphantly, holding the bird firmly in his hand. The bird dropped the envelope onto the bed and tried to get out of his grasp trying to get free.


    "Kraa!!" it croaked loudly, seeking help.


    "Nice try, little birdie. You''re not going anywhere now," Yu declared, approaching him with a smug grin.


    But the victory was short-lived.


    "Hey guys, I''m back!" Kate''s voice startled us as she burst into the room. The door opened with a loud bang. They turned to look at her, and in that split second, the bird seized the opportunity. With a swift bite, it sunk its beak into Alastair''s hand and wriggled free.


    "Ow!" he screamed, instinctively releasing the bird who took the chance to grab the envelope once more, it then fluttered to the window sill, casting a mocking glance back at them before disappearing into the sky.


    "What are we going to do now? The bird took the envelope!" Alastair panicked, feeling a combination of pain from the bite and dread in his stomach. He rushed to the window, but the bird was now nowhere to be seen. It had taken its flight and had disappeared in the sky.


    "Maybe we can tell them it was the bird''s fault. They might believe that," Yu suggested, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he looked out the window aswell.


    "Did I miss something?" Kate asked as she looked around the room, taking in the mess that they had created.


    Kate looked at them with confusion, clearly wondering what was going on in the chaos of the room. While Mika just stood with her and tried to explain what happened, trying to sound plausible.