We continued gazing at each other, our fingers still linked. The low hum of the air conditioning filled the shop. It was so silent that I felt as if he could hear my heart thumping. I followed his gaze as it gradually settled on my soft lips, causing me to part my mouth slightly in shock. Felix then abruptly cleared his throat, withdrawing his hand from mine. He turned his face away, but I could tell his ears were bright red.
"I should tidy up the store," he said, excusing himself as he stood on the chair and got to work. I observed him as he swept the floor. My heart hadn't settled yet. The moment felt surreal. It was almost unbelievable that I had seen him blush.
I gently grazed my lips with my fingers while imagining what it would be like if we had actually kissed. The mere thought made me flush. I must be losing my mind. Felix only regarded me as a friend, and I felt the same way. There was no romance between us. I reassured myself that we were merely friends.
I stood up and placed my hands on my hips, grinning widely. "Let me assist you." I nodded. Felix raised an eyebrow, unsure if I was joking. "Are you serious or just joking?" he asked, uncertain about my words.
I shook my head. "I'm not joking. I genuinely want to help." Without hesitation, I picked up the mop and began cleaning the floor he had already swept. He glanced at me for a brief moment before returning to his task.
"Do whatever you want," he muttered softly. I simply smiled as we both tidied up the shop together.
"So, what's your story, Felix?" I inquired curiously. He paused his work and looked at me with a raised eyebrow, giving me a 'you can't be serious' expression. "Now you're interested in my life?" he replied flatly.
"Is it a secret?" I asked with intrigue, resting my chin on the back of my hand, which was perched on the mop handle. "No, it's not," he said, resuming his sweeping.
"My parents passed away when I was eight in a house fire. The electrical short circuit came from overuse. My maternal grandparents raised me. However, when I turned sixteen, they died in a car accident. Since that day, I've had to rely on myself. I juggled multiple jobs to make money just to attend HeroVill University. Thankfully, I graduated and obtained my license. After that, I decided to open a small shop to sell goods. And here I am," he stated calmly yet confidently.
"Oh, so you belong to the Elites? I knew it!" I exclaimed cheerfully to myself, beaming. "Yes," he replied nonchalantly, as if the title meant little to him.
"It makes sense why your request was immediately approved by the government. It's because you're an Elite. Requesting something like keeping me out of this area is a significant ask." I spoke to myself while mopping the floor again. He pondered for a moment, making a thoughtful sound.
"I mean, the 'Rich' and the 'Elites' are treated equally, but the government and the public tend to favor the Elites more." He sighed while continuing to sweep. "That's just how things work in this world. The Elites have a greater advantage over the 'Rich'," he added.
I listened, acquiring more knowledge about the gifted individuals. "I understand..."
Once Felix finished, he placed the broom back in its spot and walked over to me, then paused. He looked down at me with an expression that was hard to read.
"That's the reason it's risky for you to be here." He lightly touched a strand of my hair, twirling it around his long, slender fingers. "But you don't grasp that and choose to do your own thing." He chuckled softly. "I believe that's what defines you." His eyes locked with mine.
"The stubborn one who refuses to give up, Clara." His hand gradually fell back. I held his gaze as I smiled gently, letting out a soft laugh. "I'll take that as a compliment." I moved towards where he had put the broom and returned the mop as well. Turning to him with a bright smile, my hands settled behind my back. "And you're the laid-back yet kind Felix!" I stated.
Felix shook his head in disbelief but played along. "Say whatever you like." He smirked slightly and then headed to the counter. I followed him and sat down in a chair nearby.
"By the way... How come you're different from the others here, Felix?" My question prompted him to lean a bit closer to the counter, resting his palm on his cheek.
"I grew up with my grandparents, who believe we're all the same, even if some among us lack the blessing of the comet." His voice was smooth and deep.
"And I still hold that belief. The only difference is that some of us have powers while others do not. But ultimately, we're all human." He continued with a slight nod.
I smiled, further admiring his perspective. "Of course." I clasped my hands together, resting them on my thighs. "I'm grateful that someone as gifted as you exists in this world." I whispered, feeling a sense of relief.
"Thank you, I truly appreciate that, Clara." He replied gratefully.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, indicating that someone had entered. Felix turned his attention to the sound, noticing a group of teenagers.
Ah... The same teenagers who had harassed me before.
I grimaced slightly at their presence. Their gazes fell on me, and I could see their malicious smiles.
"Lucky~" one of them taunted.
Felix stepped out from behind the counter and positioned himself in front of me, shielding me with his arm. "What are you doing here again? I told you to stay away." Felix sounded furious at their return.
The teenagers laughed as their leader approached.
"You're not in charge of us. We do what we want because we believe we're special. And what we want is to take that worthless trash." The leader said harshly, grinning widely. My complexion turned pale. Why me?
"What are your intentions with this woman?" Felix inquired, ready for any surprises while staying focused on the group.
"We just want to have some fun with her~" Their words filled me with disgust, and I clutched the hem of my shirt. If only I had the power to fight back, they'd be done for by now. My anger was boiling, but I also tried to think rationally, knowing I couldn't overcome them since I was powerless.
"And what if I refuse to hand her over to you?" Felix was poised to strike but bided his time for the right moment.
I could see them laughing uproariously as if he were the one who had lost his mind. The leader placed his hand on his hip.
"Then we have no option but to eliminate both of you. So?" The leader paused, anticipating his response.
At that moment, I felt a wave of guilt. Because of me, Felix's life had been thrown into chaos. I should have just heeded the warning and stayed home instead of coming here.
"No." Felix's reply made me gasp. Is he out of his mind? He can't take on a crowd of teenagers; they are numerous, and he is all alone. He sensed my concern and turned slightly, giving me a small nod to reassure me that everything would be fine. He then directed his gaze back at the foes.
No. That reassurance was not enough.
"I understand," the leader replied, punctuating his words with a snap.
"Farewell." The leader lifted his hand, unleashing a laser beam in an instant, causing the items in the store to explode and melt onto the floor. Felix's eyes widened at the sudden onslaught, but he reacted quickly.
His arms swiftly encircled me as he skillfully swerved left, landing perfectly while I clung to him tightly, my skin ghostly pale.
"I'm so sorry! This is all my fault!" I yelled at him, and he looked down at me. "You're insane, just take it easy." He set me down gently and signaled for me to stay behind him, which I promptly obeyed.
"Laser beam, huh?" Felix remarked playfully, his blue eyes shining with excitement.
"Bring it on, guys." His smirk irritated the teenagers. With a quick motion, Felix conjured a red orb shield around me.
I gazed in wonder at the orb shield, then turned my attention back to him and the others, hoping for his triumph.
"Quit behaving like a coward, you bastard," the leader spat at him as a laser beam shot in his direction, but Felix swiftly formed an orb portal that absorbed it.
"What?!" The teens gasped, stunned, then glanced upward, sensing something-but it was already too late. A second rift hovered above, releasing a beam that struck several of them. Limbs liquefied in grotesque fashion.
Shrieks echoed as one of the remaining kids boiled with rage.
"Drop dead!" the boy roared, thrusting his arm forward, summoning sludge that began to swallow Felix.
Felix peered down at the creeping mire, unfazed. "Nice," he remarked.
"Are you out of your mind?! That'll kill you!" the boy shouted, as if Felix had lost all sanity.
"Hmm. Probably," Felix replied, indifferent.
"Just die already!" the commander bellowed, firing another beam toward Felix.
Felix lifted his hand and snapped. Instantly, the muck vanished from around him. The boy screamed, realizing his trap held no one. The commander froze, equally stunned.
"Where did he go?!" the leader yelled, scanning both sides. One of the group turned, then gasped in horror at the sight behind him.
"What?! Say something!" the commander demanded, voice rising. The boy trembled, pointing behind.
Felix grinned with eerie calm, leaned close, and whispered, "Right here."
The boss stumbled backward, launching a kick, but Felix caught his leg and twisted until bone cracked, drawing a scream of pure agony. Felix hurled the body repeatedly into the wall, each impact shaking the store and fracturing the surface. The sickening thuds of flesh and bone made the others sob. They had chosen the wrong enemy.
The boy's form was now beyond recognition. Felix stared blankly, then let go.
"Boring," he muttered, turning toward the rest, making them recoil. A few lost control of their bladders.
"Bro... We need to leave! Now!" one cried, dragging his friends toward the exit. Felix tilted his head, watching their desperate retreat.
"Why rush off? The excitement's just starting." He strolled forward, stepping over corpses. A shimmering wall formed at the entrance, trapping them inside. They attacked it with their powers, but nothing worked.
They collapsed, pleading, tears pouring down their faces.
"Please... We regret everything! We should've backed off! Please! Spare us!" They begged, desperate to survive.
"Why beg? You came to harm. Now accept the result." Felix replied, devoid of sympathy.
Felix shaped the orb into a jagged weapon, spinning faster than any human eye could follow. "No forgiveness for the woman. You crossed the line." With that, he sent the orb flying toward their heads. Silence fell instantly.
Blood splattered across the door and onto him. Skulls hit the floor, bodies settling like discarded dolls.
The carnage was so intense I couldn't move. I just watched the brutal clash unfold.
Relieved he prevailed, I still couldn't believe his ruthlessness. Was this the Felix I knew? I began to wonder.
I flinched as he turned and approached slowly. He gestured, dissolving the orb's shield. I remained seated, staring at his stained figure.
Felix knelt before me. His stare was icy, unfamiliar, but when our eyes met, I saw the glimmer return to his blue gaze.
"It's alright, Clara... You're safe now." he said, wrapping me in his arms. My head instinctively rested against his chest, feeling his heartbeat steady and calm.
"I'll guard you forever," he vowed, holding me tightly.
My arms gently encircled him, returning the embrace.
In a shattered store drenched in blood and surrounded by lifeless bodies, we held each other like the world had vanished, finding solace in each other's presence.
Explanation of Felix's power.
•His power is an orb that can be a portal for none living and living things.
•His orb can also be a teleportation for him and others.
•His orb can shaped into anything. For ex: shield, barrier, sharp orb that slices everything.
•The color of his orb is red. So y'all know since I'm tired typing "red" every time it is about his powers.