CHAPTER 2 UNREAL REALITY

Renn stood frozen, his legs numb and trembling, his heart racing wildly, unable to move even an inch. Words wouldn’t come to his mouth, and as he closed his eyes, his mind cried out, Is this my end? Am I going to die? I don’t want to die. Someone, please, help me.

Just as Renn felt the chilling presence of the shadow man's hand reaching for his neck, a sudden and swift motion sliced through the air. With a jolt, Renn opened his eyes in shock and disbelief. The shadow man's hand was cut cleanly in mid-air and fell to the ground.

“RRR—AAAH! AH—AAAGH!” the shadow man howled, gripping the stub of his severed hand as blood dripped down. He took a step back.

Renn turned to his right. Standing beside him was a tall, muscular man with glasses, his striking grey hair contrasting with his dark office attire. The man looked to be in his forties, and a vibrant blue aura flickered around his right hand, forming the shape of a sword-like weapon.

The man turned toward Renn. “So, kid,” he said, bending down to match Renn's eye level, “first time seeing this?”

“DON’T IGNORE ME!” The shadow man lunged forward, his steps unsteady due to the pain.

As the shadow man's left hand reached out to strike, the tall man stopped him with a gentle touch of his index finger on the shadow man's forehead. With a smile, he said, “Hey, kid, he’s not going to let us talk, so let me finish him first.”

With a flick of his finger, the tall man sent the shadow man crashing against the wall. The shadow man staggered to his feet, blood dripping from his mouth.

“AAAAH—I’M GONNA KILL YOU!” the shadow man shouted, rage filling his eyes as he lunged forward again, this time with more speed.

The tall man sighed. “Okay, let’s end this.”

Once more, a purple aura enveloped the tall man’s hand, taking the shape of a large, sharp sword. He moved forward and vanished in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, the shadow man’s head was cleanly sliced off.

The tall man stood firmly before him, watching as the shadow man's head fell to the ground in silence.

Gradually, as the purple aura faded from the tall man, the shadow man's body and head evaporated into ash.

Renn, still in shock, stared wide-eyed. Is this a dream? I’ve been saved, but who is he, and how is he doing this?

The tall man turned back to Renn and walked toward him. He glanced at Renn's school uniform and backpack. “So, returning home from school?”

Renn replied hesitantly, “Y... yes, sir.”

The man stepped closer, still smiling gently. “I can see you have a lot of questions, but let’s start with introductions. I noticed your uniform is from Riverview Public School, right?”

“I’m in eighth grade, sir,” Renn replied, trying to gather his composure.

The man's eyes sparkled with excitement behind his glasses. “Really? My daughter also attends Riverview Public School. What’s your name, kid?”

“My name is Renn Ashmer, sir,” Renn said with curiosity.

The man raised an eyebrow. “Hmm, Ashmer—interesting. Well, my name is Leo Renn.”

Leo pointed toward Renn's right palm. “Where did you get that mark, Renn?”

Renn looked at the sun mark on his palm. “It has always been with me since birth.”

“From birth? Well, remember one very important thing,” Leo said seriously.

Leo lifted his T-shirt, revealing a striking black circular mark etched onto his skin. At the centre of the mark, a detailed spear design stands out, its sharp tip pointing upwards. Surrounding the spear were ten rays that extended outward, each one radiating with a subtle texture, almost resembling sunbeams.

“Sir, you have a mark just like mine,” Renn pointed towards Leo's shoulder.

Leo smiled. “Yes, Renn, and many others have the mark as well, but there is a difference between your mark and mine.”

Renn glanced at his mark, then back at Leo's. “Yeah, you’re right, sir; it's different. I have twelve rays, and you only have ten.”

Leo raised an eyebrow. “Twelve, hmmm. Well, I think we should head back home; it’s getting late.”

Renn noticed the time on his watch. “Yeah, I’m going to be late. Mom will scold me.”

Leo laughed, “Hahaha, then you should head back quickly!”

With a little hesitation, Renn said, “But… sir, I want to ask you so many questions.”

Noticing Renn’s hesitation, Leo replied, “Well then, how about you meet me tomorrow?”

Renn's eyes sparkled with excitement. “Yeah, but where, sir?”

Leo thought for a moment. “Hmmm, don’t worry about it. I’ll come to meet you.”

Renn waved at Leo and ran toward his home.

Leo smiled at Renn and, once he was out of sight, took a different path toward his own home.

Leo paused in front of a charming two-story house, its facade adorned with soft, pastel colours that blended harmoniously with the surroundings. The small garden that sloped gently towards the entrance was filled with a different colourful array of flower plants—delicate daisies, cheerful marigolds, and fragrant lavender swayed gently in the breeze. Sunlight filtered through the leaves of a nearby tree, casting playful shadows on the well-maintained path that led to the front door.

He stepped inside and saw a beautiful girl with long black hair tied in a ponytail, a strong physique, and dressed in athletic clothes, sitting on the sofa in the hall.

Oh no, she looks angry; I’m in trouble now, Leo thought as he entered quietly.

The girl turned around with a sharp look in her eyes. “So, Dad, you’re late again.”

Leo stopped and adjusted his glasses. “So you noticed me. Nothing escapes your sharp eyes. How was school today?”

The girl faced Leo completely, a hint of concern in her expression. “Dad, don’t change the subject. I’m not falling for that. Where were you? Did anything happen?”

Leo stepped forward and smiled. “Hey, don’t be so serious. I just met an interesting boy today and got busy talking.”

The girl stood up, making her ponytail swing a little. “Okay then, let’s prepare dinner.”

Leo nodded and followed her to the kitchen to help with the meal.

****

Meanwhile, Renn arrived home and stepped inside. Just as he opened the door, Amber ran toward him and hugged him tightly with her little hands.

Amber pulled back slightly and pouted, “Big bro, you are so late. I missed you so much!”

Renn smiled and ruffled her curly hair. “Sorry, Amber, I just got a little busy. I promise I won’t be late again, okay?”

Amber nodded and took his hand as they both went inside the house.

Noha looked toward Renn from the kitchen. “Why were you so late, Renn? We were so worried about you.”

Renn spoke apologetically, “Sorry, Mom, I just got busy talking with Jack.”

Noha raised an eyebrow. “You better be telling the truth, Renn.”

Renn nodded as he put his bag down.

Reyan glanced at Noha from the sofa he was sitting on. “Hey, cut some slack on Renn, Noha.”

Noha shot Reyan a sharp look. “Don’t be too easy on him.”

Noha sighed. “Okay, Renn, go wash up.”

Renn nodded and went toward the bathroom. Noha’s eyes lingered for a moment on the sun symbol on Renn's palm before she returned to the kitchen.

For the rest of the day, Renn could only think about the incident with Leo, and his mind raced with questions he wanted to ask.

After dinner, Renn went upstairs, lay on his bed, and fell asleep while thinking about the shadow man and what would happen the next day. And what would happen the next day?