In the middle of the ride, the soft hum of the motorcycle accompanied their light conversation.
"Van," Theo spoke, his voice pressed against the wind, "from now on, don't walk alone at night, okay?"
Alvano leaned forward so he could hear better. "Why? I'm a guy, not a kid."
Theo sighed. "Exactly because you're a guy. Things are getting weird lately. You've heard about the recent high school gang attacks, right? Street punks are getting bolder."
Alvano nodded slightly. "Yeah, Joshua mentioned something. I thought it was just a rumor."
"It's not," Theo said quickly. "It's real. Just last week, one of my cousin's friends got attacked. They were beaten with metal rods out of nowhere—no warning, no reason. Just for being in the wrong place."
"Seriously?" Alvano's tone shifted, anxiety creeping in.
"Dead serious. They'll go after anyone. If you're alone, you're an easy target."
Alvano swallowed hard. "Alright… I'll be more careful."
Theo nodded silently, his face tense. In the side mirror, Alvano caught a glimpse of him—pale, holding back the pain he'd been hiding all day.
But before he could ask anything, it happened—fast.
From a narrow turn ahead, someone appeared. Dressed in a dark jacket, face covered by a cloth mask, holding a black baseball bat.
Everything blurred—the figure lunged from the sidewalk and swung the bat straight at Theo, who was riding slowly.
"Theo!!" Alvano shouted.
A sharp THUD! echoed as the bat smashed into Theo's right shoulder. The motorcycle swerved violently, balance lost.
They crashed. The bike slid across the asphalt; Alvano was thrown hard to the left side of the road, hitting the ground with a painful thud that knocked the breath out of him.
Theo's head struck the pavement with a sickening sound. Blood immediately streamed from his temple and the back of his head.
"Theo!!!" Alvano screamed, fighting through the searing pain that pulsed through his body.
From where he lay, he saw Theo's body motionless on the ground. The man in black stood nearby, watching them like a predator checking its prey.
Alvano crawled forward, chest trembling, fear gripping his heart.
The man stepped closer, his eyes burning with rage. Under the streetlight, Alvano saw his face—bruised, split lips, a long cut across his left cheek. Like someone who had been beaten half to death.
He was taller, broader, radiating menace. His breathing was ragged, but his glare stayed locked on Theo, who was barely conscious, struggling to move.
Alvano forced himself to his feet, legs shaking, but fear and anger kept him standing. "Don't you dare touch him!!" he yelled, voice trembling with fury.
The man ignored him. He raised his bat high—then swung it straight down at Theo's head.
THWACK!
The sound of the impact cracked through the empty street. Theo's head jerked violently; blood gushed from his temple and mouth. His body went limp.
"Theo!!" Alvano screamed, eyes burning. He didn't care about the pain anymore—all he could think of was saving his friend.
"You bastard!! I'll kill you!!" he shouted, lifting his hand and trying to focus his power—trying to pull the bat away like he and Theo had trained before.
But nothing happened.
No flow of mana, no vibration of energy—nothing.
His hand just hung uselessly in the air.
"...What?!" he muttered, panicking. He tried again, closing his eyes, calming himself the way Theo had taught him. Still, no response.
"My… power… it's gone?" he whispered, trembling.
The man in black turned toward him, realization flashing in his bruised eyes.
A crooked grin spread across his face—as if he knew something Alvano didn't. He started walking toward him—slow, deliberate.
"So… you're that kid's friend, huh?" he sneered, scanning Alvano from head to toe. "Good. Makes it more fun when both of you crawl tonight."
A dark aura seemed to pour off him, making the air feel heavier. Alvano swallowed hard, trying to stand his ground like Theo had taught him.
Don't show fear. Look dangerous.
But his body wouldn't cooperate. His muscles screamed from the crash, his breathing ragged, his balance unstable.
The man closed in fast. Alvano threw a punch—but it was weak, clumsy, missing completely.
"Heh… that's your attack?" the man mocked, easily dodging.
Then he laughed. "Pathetic."
The bat swung again—
THUD!
The blow hit Alvano's stomach. His body folded in half, breath knocked out. Another hit—his back, his shoulder, his legs.
"This is what you call power, huh? Tch!"
Alvano collapsed, pain shooting through every nerve. He tried to get up, only to be struck again—this time on his left arm.
The man wasn't just beating him; he was toying with him—letting him rise only to smash him back down.
"I thought you kids were special," he scoffed. "Turns out you're just trash."
Alvano's consciousness began to fade. Through his blurred vision, he saw Theo—still moving, barely.
Theo's bloodied face turned toward him. Their eyes met. He saw Alvano being beaten mercilessly. Theo's pupils shrank, his breath hitched, his body trembling—
not from pain,
but from rage.
"Bastard…" Theo hissed, voice hoarse and full of hate.
The air changed. It vibrated—thick with something sharp and violent.
For the first time, Alvano saw Theo's eyes filled with a killing intent so cold… it sent shivers down his spine.