Chapter 22 : The Observer

Chapter 22: The Observer

The night deepened over Prismara as its citizens fell into deep slumber. Through the city's shadows one can hear distant echoes—a haunting medley of laughter and howls and growls of some unknown animals. In the darkness, those who shunned sleep wandered the narrow alleys, their footsteps barely whispering against the long lonely streets. A tattered newspaper tumbled across the empty street, dancing with the bitter wind like an urban tumbleweed. Silvery moonlight bathed the city in an ethereal glow, transforming mundane architecture into a grand theater. Behind the eternally quiet darkness of night, a hidden artist observed through mist, weaving illusions for an unsuspecting audience.

The night's lead performers, Conrad and Anira, stood atop an unfinished building, its skeletal framework standing tall among its neighbours. Light mist swirled around them for a heartbeat before dissolving into nothingness. The duo watched the city as if they were the master of night watching over its grand beauty.

"Anira," Conrad said, his deep blue eyes meeting her crimson ones, "our first challenge is distance. What are your suggestions?"

"My lord," she replied, her voice soft as silk, "that vehicle below offers a solution."

"And its driver?" Conrad asked, a hint of concern threading through his whispered words.

Ability: Teleportation

Ability: Entity Possession

Anira vanished in an instant into the thin air, materializing inside the moving vehicle. The car lurched to a halt with precision, its tires barely whispering against the pavement.

Her powers are like some character who is a level 100 boss from a video game. Who could possibly stand against abilities of this magnitude?

Conrad jumped with fluid grace, each movement calculated as he used stones edges and wooden beams as his path. Reaching the black car, he found himself facing an elderly gentleman in an elegant top hat and pristine black coat. The man's lips parted, and out flowed a voice that belonged to someone else entirely.

"Your chariot awaits, my lord."

Sliding into the front seat, Conrad watched as Anira, wearing the old man's form like a borrowed coat, guided their vessel through empty streets. Their target loomed ahead—the museum. Their prize—Alexander Gustavo's legendary artifact.

Aurelius National Museum, 1:20 AM

The marble halls echoed with footsteps as a young lieutenant conducted his rounds. His polished cap gleamed in the dim light, the name badge on his left pocket identifying him as part of Prismara's elite. The Prime state's police force commanded respect throughout Aurelius, but here in the capital, they achieved a level of excellence that had become legend.

"Be on your guard all the time, Be vigilant, Vigilance is our shield," the lieutenant reminded his men, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "Even a small mistake and carelessness can cause catastrophe."

"Understood, sir!" Two guards snapped to attention, their sharp practical swords and modern machinery with some unknown arrow-like mechanism creating an odd juxtaposition of old and new.

"The Captain arrives tomorrow," he continued, reaching for his cigarette case. "She warns of potential criminal activity in Prismara. We must exceed even our usual standards." Smoke curled from his lit cigarette as he turned away.

"This is Lieutenant's fifth cigarette, whenever he gets excited he can not control himself from smoking" one guard whispered.

"Careful," his companion cautioned, eyes darting nervously. "His hearing is as sharp as his blade. Some say he is not even human."

"The halls are empty. Besides," the first guard relaxed slightly, "who wouldn't be excited? The Captain's coming."

A resigned sigh escaped his lips.

"Well their history runs deep—trained together at the academy, I heard they were not on good terms when they first met."

"Perhaps, but everyone knows the Captain's reputation. Her pursuit of justice knows no compromise, especially regarding crimes against women."

"Like that incident in Intellex with the slave trader, If the lieutenant were not there she might have killed that guy. She is even more inhuman than lieutenant"

"Speaking of Intellex," the guard leaned closer, "have you heard what they're saying?"

"What rumors now?"

"Silence." Lieutenant Derrick Das's voice cut through their conversation like a blade. "If I hear any more sound from you two, your heads will roll on the ground."

"Sir!" The guards straightened, their focus returning to their charge—an ancient firearm shaped junk, its rusted form belying its historical significance. Most considered it worthless in combat, yet here it sat, under elite protection.

Derrick Das was a walking contradictions—a gentle soul capable of terrible violence, a warm smile that could accompany lethal force. His reputation at the military academy had been stellar until joining the Aurelius Essentia Agency. There, a younger woman had bested him, her prodigious talents elevating her to Captain of AEA.

I am already a Tier 8 Essentia, yet still insufficient. To stand beside her, I must transcend my limits. Control. Efficiency. Growth.

Derrick's mind was unable to focus when a certain image of a girl surfaced in his mind.

Perhaps another cigarette will clear my thoughts.

Derrick stepped into the chill night air, moonlight casting long shadows across the museum's facade. An unnatural stillness gripped the street—no stray cats prowled, no night birds called. His Essentia senses tingles sending warning to his mind.

This silence... it's as if the night itself holds its breath, cowering from something unseen.

As he ignited his family's heirloom lighter, a soft thud reached his enhanced hearing. His body responded instantly, superhuman reflexes launching him toward the sound. Through the dim light, he glimpsed a figure of medium height, their clothing seeming to drink in the darkness itself. The museum's subdued lighting made details difficult to discern, but Derrick wasted no time. His warning whistle pierced the night, jolting the city from its slumber. Guards rushed toward the signal as lights blazed to life throughout the building. Two of his men lay unconscious before William the First's sword—a priceless artifact from Sternfall kingdom that would fetch a fortune in shadow markets.

"One more step means death," Derrick commanded, his voice steady. "Remove your mask and state your purpose." He addressed the cloaked figure whose face bore what appeared to be living shadow—a mask born from the abyss itself, formless and vast as night, revealing only piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold ancient secrets.

The masked man stood motionless, his presence suggesting ownership of not just the space, but time itself. His smile carried mysteries beyond mortal understanding, as if he were keeper of knowledge from beyond the veil of reality. His cloak rippled in a nonexistent wind, and darkness itself seemed to tremble in his presence.

Minutes Earlier

"Our stage is ready," Conrad murmured, studying the museum's imposing silhouette against the night sky. The building's classical architecture seemed frozen in time carrying countless stories within.

"Security has doubled since my last observation," he noted, eyes narrowing as he assessed their opposition.

"Your strategy, my lord?" Anira's voice carried both devotion and deadly capability.

Seeing Conrad didn't say anything Anira added,

"My lord, we should expect there will be at least one Essentia. Beings above tier 6 are rare in such mundane posts, yet we must prepare for any possibility. I could handle this alone—"

"No," Conrad interjected softly. "Your skills are essential, but this is also my opportunity for growth. Tonight, I will craft a new identity, one of many masks I'll need for the future ahead."

"As you wish, my lord."

"Let us give Prismara a performance worthy of legend," Conrad smiled, eyes gleaming. "I have just the right plan."

The guards stood fixed in a position, those without Essentia abilities trembling before the stranger's otherworldly presence. Fear rippled through their ranks like a physical force.

"Your silence damns you," Derrick warned, blade ready. "Identify yourself. How did you penetrate our defenses?" He maintained perfect form, prepared to strike while protecting the priceless artifacts surrounding them.

A voice echoed through the museum—deep as ocean trenches, ancient as the world itself, each word layered with cryptic meaning:

"I am the Eye Behind Mist, puppeteer of fate in this era. Remember me as The Observer."

The Observer? Eye Behind Mist? From the sound of it, it looks like he might be a minimum tier 7, not some common thief. Why would a being of such apparent power target a simple museum piece?

As questions flooded Derrick's mind, mist began coalescing around the figure. Years of training took over as Derrick initiated his attack.

Ability: Plasma Bolt Projection

Though the technique drained significant Brahman, making it rarely suitable as an opening move, Derrick wouldn't risk his quarry's escape. Yet the attack found no target—the man had vanished as if he'd never existed, leaving the guards to marvel at what seemed impossible magic. Chaos erupted through the once-quiet night.

Derrick's gaze fell to William the First's sword—untouched, undisturbed.

Did he fail to claim his prize? No... such simple thinking won't unveil this mystery. A being of his caliber must have achieved his true purpose. Perhaps this was merely... an introduction? The Captain must know of this immediately. Captain might have predicted something like this, which is why she warned me.

"At last," Conrad exhaled, admiring their prize in the safety of his own hands. "Though I must admit, maintaining such a grandiose persona proved more taxing than expected."

"You were magnificent, my lord," Anira responded, her gloved hands folded elegantly before her.

"Anira?" Conrad's voice softened with concern. "You're exhausted, aren't you?"

"Yes, my lord. Multiple teleportations drain considerable energy, and the entity possession taxed me severely. I apologize for my current weakness—I fear I'll be of little use for some time."

"What are you talking about? We've achieved our objective perfectly. Rest is our priority now. No one will disturb us here."

"Take these few hours to recover. We'll depart before dawn."

"Thank you, my lord. A brief rest should restore me." Anira settled onto Conrad's bed, her movements betraying her fatigue.

Pardon me, Miss Anira, but that's actually my bed...

A thought struck him. "Anira, your recovery would be faster in my shadow. Should you return there?"

Anira lifted her gaze to meet his crimson eyes pleading silently with her master to reconsider the order.

Those eyes... How can anyone resist such a look?

"Well," he conceded with a soft chuckle, "we did pay for both beds. It would be wasteful not to use them."

Conrad had secured this room during his morning visit, anticipating the night's events. The 228 sili rate, even with the seasonal discount, had come from his personal funds.

"Ani—" His words trailed off as he noticed Anira had already drifted into sleep.

"Truly remarkable," he mused. "While I played at being mysterious, you performed the real miracles."

The woman who had demonstrated godlike power now lay vulnerable as a sleeping child. Conrad approached quietly, lifting her legs fully onto the bed and drawing a thick blanket over her pale form as the night's chill deepened. Anira slept peacefully, absolute trust in her master's protection evident in her serene expression.

"You truly are the most extraordinary being I've ever known," he whispered.

“My lord, don't forget about dining together” Anira whispered in her sleep.

Conrad looked at her with surprised

You did remember that. Huh?

That night, Anira's dreams were filled with beauty, warmth, and the presence of the one person who meant everything to her.