22nd of September 2025, three months later
A young man wearing a black t-shirt and deep blue pants was standing in front of a grave. Its owner's was name indiscernible. His sad, blue-gray eyes reflecting the grave. His hair was slightly long and unkempt, as if he hadn't had them cut in months, and fell in front of his face. The long beard and mustache made him look like a grown up. His body and face were thin just like his pressed lips.
His voice was hoarse as he was trying to suppress the sadness inside of him.
"... It's been a long time... I'm sorry I couldn't come to your funeral and didn't visit you for three months... You see, I'm a criminal apparently. They blamed me for your death saying I was a murderer..."
The man could no longer contain himself. A few tears flowing from his eyes as his voice stopped. Overwhelmed by his sadness, Nicolas felt like his voice was stolen. He couldn't utter a sound.
After a few minutes, he finally felt like he could speak again and continued.
"... I discovered many new things all this time... I wish I could show them to you too... I wish you were here with me. I... I feel lonely without you."
Just as he said that, Nicolas put a single flower in front of the grave. It was a beautiful flower with purple white petals. Afterwards, Nicolas turned away and left. Wiping away the tears on his face, he clenched his teeth. His still wet eyes full of determination. Ready to face the world.
*
This whole time, Nicolas had been hiding in the suburban area of Raphina, east of the center of Athens. He slept at closed schools and in the day...he made tremendous discoveries.
First of all, a few days after meeting Jacob he remembered what happened in the fight and came to a single conclusion.
I wasn't in my right mind. I was never in my right mind ever since I woke up at the hospital. I feel like my thoughts change... they become more violent than ever. Not just my thoughts, my actions too...
Nicolas was extremely confused by his actions and found a reason shortly after.
...The doctors had said something was with my brain and heart...but what about it? How is it connected to my suicide attempt and what the hell's this weird feeling I'm getting from my heart?
Since his fight with Jacob, Nicolas could feel something inside of his body. It was faint but he could move it with his mind. For a whole month he repeatedly tried to move it and he had a realisation. That something was also moving inside of his blood at an incredible speed.
Wow... This is... amazing?... Actually this is scary. Something unknown is coursing through my blood.
What worried Nicolas the most was that he could move it outside of his body. It was something invisible to the naked eye yet he could see it, move it. The first four times he tried this he fainted almost immediately.
The fifth time though was different.
So... what am I supposed to do with this?... Is it like magic...
"Fire!"
Nothing. Just the silence of an empty classroom ridiculing him.There was no reaction whatsoever from the blue particles floating in the air.
If it's not magic, then is it like...mana from those animes?...
Nicolas had no idea what to do with it until...he put it on his fingers and snapped them out of curiosity.
Oh... Shit.
Nicolas' fingers caught on fire. Immediately, he put it out by hurriedly rubbing his fingers on his shirt but there were already burn marks all over them. He did the same thing again, only this time he was wearing plastic gloves. He found them while searching the chemistry lab for anything useful. As he tried again, he saw a small crimson flame before it disappeared shortly after.
So this is what happens when friction is created between these particles... Interesting. Then, let's try something new now...
*
Like that, the three months passed for Nicolas without him noticing.
He was now heading towards a house. It was a beige two-story apartment with it's own parking lot. Countless plants and trees decorated the garden with their beautiful colors.
Nicolas walked through the lustrous garden, his footsteps were not silent like usual. His eyes were watery and his face had discernible softened. Though, his beard made him look mature and stern unlike his current emotions.
With a hint of hesitation, he rang the bell and waited nervously for a reply. Without noticing it he fiddled with a small box in his hands.
"Who's there?"
The familiar voice of a middle aged man pierced through the thick door. It was a voice Nicolas knew all too well. It was his girlfriend's father.
"... I have a package for someone named...Jaybob. Is Jaybob here?"
"... Do you mean Jacob by any chance?"
"... Now that I'm taking a better look, it's indeed for a Jacob. Silly me~."
Even though Nicolas was acting carelessly, his eyes were as composed as ever. His high, melodic voice was different from his normal, deep yet fast paced voice. It was as if he was an entirely different person.
"... Please wait for a moment."
The distant call of the father for his son was so loud that Nicolas felt his ears bleeding.
"Jacob!!! There's a package for you!!! Come get it!!!"
After a few seconds, the door opened and a blue eye peeked through.
"What is this now. I didn't order anything."
The distrustful voice of the bored teen matched perfectly his suspicious gaze.
"This is the package that you ordered from the company Sue Air. Please sign this document."
"What the hell are you talking-"
At that moment, Jacob's eye widened.
*
It was afternoon. The setting in the distance, behind the mountains, colored the sky a beautiful orange. The bearded boy, sitting on a bench in the small park, admired the view while eating a sandwich until another boy sat right beside him.
The teen without looking at him spoke with a slight smile gracing his lips.
"So you came... You're late by twenty minutes."
"I didn't know we had a date mister wanted man."
The brown-skinned boy quipped back at him, his voice stern. Nicolas had no way to respond to such a reply so he stayed quiet. His smile faded like the sun behind the mountains.
He turned to look at Jacob who was staring at him, his mouth was quivering. Jacob wanted to talk to Nicolas but he didn't have the courage to.
Nicolas broke the everlasting silence as he took off his glasses. His expression was grave and his eyes cold.
"...Three months ago...at your sister's funeral two men came. They stood out from the rest so you know who I mean."
Jacob didn't say anything. His eyes had turned heavy, his expression became sad at the mention of his sister.
"...Who are they?..."
Jacob unwittingly pressed his lips tightly before he sighed. His now hoarse voice presented Nicolas a reply he hadn't expected.
"... I don't know."
... What?