Chapter 11: Fractures of Trust and the Shadow of the Goddess
The late afternoon sun bathed the school grounds in golden light as Metro walked out of the gates, the final bell still echoing faintly behind him. His backpack slung casually over one shoulder, he wore an air of calm, unaware of the shifting tides of fate. As he walked, he spotted Caleb leaning against the fence just ahead, dressed in his usual dark hoodie, hands tucked into his pockets.
Metro gave a small wave, but just as he took another step, his vision distorted. The path under his feet vanished. His surroundings melted like ink dropped into water. A moment later, he found himself floating in a void between dimensions, surrounded by stardust and echoes.
"Not again," Metro muttered, annoyed but strangely expectant.
From the shadows formed a humanoid figure—his own powers personified, looking identical to Metro but shimmering with energy.
"Are you sure you trust him?" the figure asked in a tone both curious and grim.
Metro didn't hesitate. "Yes. Caleb's my friend. I trust him."
The power-being gave a wry smile. "Very well. But remember this—sometimes, the decisions you make might cost you your life."
Metro frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
The entity said nothing further. It merely nodded, and Metro felt the weight of reality return. The strange world faded, and he blinked as the normal colors of the real world returned.
Caleb was standing in front of him. "Hey, you okay? You kinda blanked out for a second."
Metro shook his head. "Nothing. Just… zoned out."
They walked on, talking about school and silly things, the heavy conversation hanging silently in Metro's thoughts.
---
Elsewhere, in the bustling streets of Neo City, Mark was walking briskly. His head lowered, lost in thought, when a sudden voice stopped him cold.
"Mark."
He turned, eyes wide. "Ryo?" His heart raced, instinct telling him to run. But Ryo raised his hands, calm and gentle.
"I'm not here to hurt you. I've been looking for Metro."
Mark tilted his head, confused. "Metro never told me he had more friends…" He studied Ryo carefully. "Please don't take it the wrong way, but can we talk? There's something important I think you should know."
---
Far away, at the Slayer Headquarters, a helicopter's blades whirled to a halt. Clante stepped down, followed by the rescued team force members. The air was thick with tension.
Gajoto Yamura, the Grand Keeper and oldest of the Slayers, stood waiting in traditional robes, his long white beard flowing in the wind like threads of wisdom.
"Clante," he called, his voice commanding. "How did the mission go?"
Clante sighed. "Complicated. The police force found something... odd. Not related to the ritual for Trayors."
"What did they find?"
Clante opened his hand to reveal a crystalline shard, black and pulsing faintly with a strange light. "A black crystal. Glowing. Unnatural."
Gajoto froze. His expression darkened. "No… It can't be. Sara. The Goddess of Death. She's still alive."
Clante's eyes narrowed. "Sara? Still on Earth?"
Gajoto turned toward the mountains in the distance. "Which means she's working with the demons. Trayors is not the only threat. We need to return to the police force immediately. That crystal is a sign of dark convergence."
Clante nodded. "Then let's prepare to move."
---
In Neo City, Lucien stood in the center of his lavish study, poring over a large blueprint. Magical symbols were drawn around the map of the city, red lines crisscrossing like veins.
He muttered, "Metro… how do I bring you back to me?"
Suddenly, the walls cracked. His mansion shook as if struck by a hammer of the gods. The ceiling tore open, and in the smoke and rubble stood Clader, the Harbinger of the Moonless Night.
In his bloodstained hands were two heads—Keal and Nova, Lucien's prized students. He threw them onto the marble floor.
Lucien dropped to his knees, a cry caught in his throat.
"Lucien," Clader said, his voice as cold as death. "It's been a long time."
Black threads exploded from the air and tied Lucien in place. He struggled, eyes blazing.
Then a soft flutter—like a whisper. A black butterfly flew past Lucien's face.
A voice followed, melodious and chilling. "You must be the chosen one… selected by Purify."
Lucien's eyes widened. "Sara?" he whispered.
---
Back in a quiet neighborhood, Metro followed Caleb through a large iron gate into a towering estate. The house was magnificent, like a castle hidden in the heart of the city. The ceilings stretched into arcs, and ancient tapestries adorned the walls.
"Wow," Metro said, amazed. "Are you from a royal family or something?"
Caleb laughed softly. "No. My life's… complicated. I just prefer to keep it private."
Metro hesitated, his powers' warning echoing in his mind.
"Can I ask you something? Are you a Slayer? Or… a demon?"
Caleb stopped walking. He turned to Metro with a mysterious smile.
"I'm your friend. An ally. And more importantly… what do you think of me?"
Metro stared into his eyes, searching. Despite the warnings, despite the mystery, all he saw was a boy who had stood beside him through thick and thin.
"I think of you as my closest friend."
Caleb's smile widened, but something flickered in his eyes—a momentary sadness, like a burden hidden behind loyalty.
They walked deeper into the estate, unaware that far beyond the veil of the world, gods were watching, and destinies were shifting.
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End of Chapter.