The skies over Country I had turned gray, and the clouds whispered rain. Rio stood at the bus stop, arms folded, tapping his foot with visible irritation.
"I shouldn't have given the bike keys to that idiot," he muttered to himself. "That idiot! Now I have to wait another twenty minutes for the damn bus."
He scrolled through his phone. None of his friends had picked up. Not one.
"Man... ever since Luceniel left for Country A with his girlfriend, everything's been changing," he sighed. "Even the family refuses to acknowledge their relationship."
The drizzle began.
"Great," Rio groaned. "The weather's against me too. What a day."
He leaned against the bus stop pole, eyes squinting at the wet road ahead. "I just hope things calm down before their wedding... And it looks like—I'll have to kill my own grandmother for Luceniel's happiness."
Just then, a sleek black car rolled up before him. The window lowered, revealing Kaelron behind the wheel with a smirk on his face.
He motioned for Rio to get in.
Surprised, Rio climbed in and shook the rain off his jacket. "Thanks for the rescue."
Kaelron's voice was heavy. "Don't thank me yet."
Rio narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean? You didn't come here just to pick me up, did you?"
Kaelron chuckled. "Clever. Just like your brother."
"I'm heading to Country J."
"Why? Something happen over there? Luceniel and Elunara just reached Country A . And didn't you say you wouldn't leave until your wife recovered?"
"Mira's doing well now. She can walk on her own," Kaelron said.
"I'm glad," Rio replied sincerely. "But why the sudden trip? Don't tell me you're off to kill someone again."
Kaelron laughed. "Even if you're Luceniel's brother, you're not as good at reading people. That's fine. You're different."
"There's going to be an auction in Country J—two weeks from now. Some rare items will be sold there, including the Ruby of Star."
Rio raised his brows. "The one Luceniel wanted?"
Kaelron nodded. "I want to give him something special for his wedding."
"So, what do you want from me?"
Kaelron's tone deepened. "You're coming with me."
He continued, "I know you've been down since Luceniel left. You helped me find the medicine that saved Mira's life. So let this be a little gift from me to you."
Rio exhaled. "Alright, fine. But you'll have to do something for me first. I think I found the root of the problem in my house."
"Oh? Found it in a day? My little detective," Kaelron teased.
"Yeah, yeah. Laugh all you want, but I'm not sure yet. You need to help me confirm it."
Kaelron's tone grew serious. "Who do you want me to investigate?"
Rio's voice was firm. "My grandmother."
Kaelron didn't flinch. A faint smile appeared. "My gut was right, then. After Luceniel and Elunara left, I had my men keep an eye on your family. Four of them."
Rio leaned forward. "And?"
"Your uncle, aunt, even that cousin who broke Luceniel's bike—they're all clear. But the man investigating your grandmother... he's dead."
Rio's face paled.
Kaelron's eyes darkened. "And by the state of his body—I can say this for certain. He wasn't killed by a human."
Later, at Kaelron's House
They entered the dimly lit hall. Rio took out his phone and played a recording.
A demonic voice echoed: "Believe me, human. I'll give you your youth back. You just have to find Luceniel's weakness."
A female voice, firm yet trembling, answered, "Don't play games with me. You have no idea who I am. I'm far stronger than you."
The demonic voice laughed. "Foolish human. I know who you are. A demon who ran from the God of Justice. Once you ruled in darkness, and now you hide as a fragile mortal."
The female voice hissed, "I don't care who Luceniel is—even if he's a Supreme God in disguise. If I can take his power, I can rule the Seven Heavens and Seven Hells."
"Fool," the demon whispered. "You don't know anything."
The recording ended.
Kaelron stared, stunned. "Where's the rest? How did you record this? Why didn't you tell Luceniel?"
Rio's expression was grim. "That night, Luceniel had just left. I was gaming with my friend Rayan. He was recording our voices. Suddenly, I couldn't hear him anymore. I called his name. Nothing."
Later That Day
Rain pounded outside. Kaelron asked, "So what happened?"
Rio sat on the couch. "I went to Rayan's house today. His family was tense. His sister looked like she'd been crying for hours."
She approached Rio, eyes red. "Rio brother… Rayan didn't wake up. I think he's dead."
She broke down, sobbing into his chest.
Rio rushed inside. Rayan lay pale and motionless. Three doctors surrounded him. His mother was in the corner, holding back tears.
She looked at Rio with desperation. "Call Luceniel. He'll save my son."
Rio stepped toward Rayan, tears welling up. He reached out to touch his face—but the doctors stopped him. "Call the ambulance. Now!"
Then, something in his pocket began to glow.
It was the badge Luceniel had given him.
A green light burst from it, flowing into Rayan's body. Everyone watched, stunned, as color returned to Rayan's face. His eyes fluttered open.
He smirked weakly. "Looks like even hell doesn't want me."
Rio hugged him tightly.
"Ow! Dude, careful!" Rayan winced.
Tears streamed down Rio's cheeks. "You bastard… How could you go to the afterlife before me?"
Rayan smiled faintly. "Sorry, buddy."
The family rejoiced.
Rio asked, "What happened to you?"
Rayan replied, "I don't remember much. When we were playing, your voice just stopped. Then... I heard strange voices. One was man. The other was a woman. That's the last thing I recall."
Rio checked Rayan's PC. The recording was still there. The timestamp shocked him.
At 12:00 a.m., his voice vanished.
At 12:10 a.m., the demonic voices began.
At 1:00 a.m., his voice returned.
He saved the file and walked out.
"Don't game till you're fully recovered," he teased.
Rayan grinned and went back to sleep.
Back in Kaelron's hall, thunder cracked.
Kaelron and Rio sat silently, rain tapping against the windows. The storm outside mirrored the one beginning to brew in their world.
To be continued...