"People were being unreasonable as they see fit. Why are they throwing all the blames on me? Those things and evil doings were not even mine to begin with." -Elijah
Being the world's greatest enemy was too much to handle for one person. Imagine: blending into your surroundings and make yourself part of the crowd, making sure that you won't attract attention via your clothing, hair color or style, and facial hair. You need to keep your identity hidden if you don't want to be notice by the people around you.
But all of these were better than all those malicious eyes were staring right into you, full of hatred. Like you committed a lot of monstrous crimes.
Like you are a devil in everyone's eyes.
In everybody's point of view, he's not just a criminal, but a monster. A criminal that should be executed not just once but tens of thousands of times. With all those brutal crimes that he committed and all the people that he murdered, a lifetime imprisonment, even if they torture him before taking his life, will never be enough. It were still not enough for his crimes to be paid off just like that.
Even if he died a lot of times, it is still not enough to suffice and justify all of his sins and wrongdoings. People abhorred him as much as they feared him.
But he swear, he knows he is innocent. He just can't prove it now. It is not just like simply telling those people that 'I am innocent', 'I am not the one who committed those crimes'. That they were just barking up in the wrong tree for them to believe into him. If he want to prove his innocence, then it should be accompanied by an evidence— a strong evidence to support his claim.
However, that is the problem. He couldn't find the evidence that he need. Well, at least not yet.
As much as he wanted to wander the world around, he doesn't have the freedom to do it. Now that he can see his printed faces scattered around the city where he is, if he will act recklessly then it will be the end of him.
Elijah can't help but whispers in himself, "Even after these years, I am still famous. I am still the one who dominate the world."
He resumes walking amidst the crowd without having a certain direction of where he should be going. Just when he is about to take another step, when he heard the vendors alongside the way chatting about the current news and it seems like the sender is frightened while telling the story. Elijah can't help but to eavesdrop.
The old-man vendor asks the other vendor beside him, "E-ey! Have you heard about the rumor?"
"Rumor? About what?"
The old-man, "Shadow Killer is back. Just this month, he massacre the Antero family and all of the members were brutally killed by him using his famous weapon, butterfly knife."
Hearing the words 'Shadow Killer', a fear and discomfort instantly flashes through the other vendor's face at once. He knows how dangerous Shadow Killer is and never in his life he wishes to encounter such person.
Despite the fear that he felt, he still manage to converse with the old-man. "But, didn't he die a years ago? All the clans work together to killed him. How come he still can hurt people when he's dead already?"
The old man sneered, shaking its head. "How can you be so sure that he's dead? Besides, whether he's dead or not, there's only one thing that is certain. Shadow killer is back. It is his famous killer weapon that used in murdering the Antero family. It only proves that there's no somebody behind it but him."
While butterfly knife is just a normal weapon and tool that everybody can use, it was banned when it was revealed that the Shadow Killer used such weapon. By then, it became exclusive just for him and no one dared use it anymore.
But now that an entire family has been killed using such weapon, citizens of Valderra immediately believes that it was Shadow Killer who did it.
The other vendor nods his head in agreement, as though he is convinced.
"You're right. That makes sense. Then if that is the case..." he looks up in the sky and continue, "The big thunderstorm will come again. The sun will say goodbye to the sky and the whole area will be eaten up by the darkness at once."
It was indeed a bitter pill to swallow.
Hearing this, the old man becomes silent as he reminisce what happened a few years back. The time when Shadow Killer was still on track and was dominating the world while killing innocents. He can still remember the bloods that were shed and how all the bodies were scattered everywhere.
He was there when the war between humans and invaders were transpiring that lasted for almost three centuries, until humanity gained the upper hands, defeating the ugly-looking aliens, and reclaiming their lands.
It was terrifying and horrifying indeed, they even lost hope of surviving. The old man was so happy and felt really lucky that him and his family survived the great cataclysm. So witnessing the same grotesque scene again, but this time it wasn't the invaders who did it, it was their very own kind—a human—really scared him.
Dread flashes across the old man's face but his eyes are clearly showing hatred as he remembers the scenes that were too overbearing for the eye to see.
He's one of those who detest Shadow Killer. Even though years ago, he learned about Shadow Killer's death, doesn't dissipate the hatred that he felt towards the suspect, what more now that the said person has returned. His abomination grew deeper and his desire to assassinate the perpetrator in order to avenge the deaths of his loved ones grew stronger.
Ten years ago, as the news spreads like a wildfire telling that Shadow Killer was dead and could no longer able wreak havoc throughout the city, people couldn't be more happy hearing about this as though they would kneel a million times in front of the god for making their wishes came true. They even celebrated Shadow Killer's death all day and night. That's how ecstatically happy they were.
Who wouldn't be feel ecstatic? They could finally able to breathe and live freely without a fear crept into their minds and in their hearts. They could finally sleep better at night without thinking that Shadow Killer will barged into their houses and slaughter them with their families.
The happiness and relief that they felt was exactly the same when the invaders who invades their planet got all defeated and killed hundred years ago.
For all these years, there was indeed a normal life to live with but, not as peaceful as what they assumed it'd be. Crimes were still everywhere, though it isn't as horrible as what it was before when Shadow Killer was still alive.
Everytime people heard about 'crimes' and 'killings' they always think about Shadow Killer. For them, it was him who did those hideous things, even the Alien's Planet plummeted toward Earth three hundred years ago was because of him.
Elijah thinks: this is more stressful than I thought it would be.
He starts strolling again as though he had a place to go, when in truth, he didn't know where path he should take.
It had been long since he stepped a foot in the first district. The place has been changed and it is so awful to think that he could no longer feel the familiarity of the place where he grew up. Where he almost spent the rest of his life. He can only feel a sense of loss from within. He doesn't know whether those buildings and places that were once his favorite spot from the past were rebuild into something new or they were all torn down already.
He stops when he notice a commotion before his eyes. Seeing a large number of people gathering together, as if they are busy inspecting something nasty in front of them, piqued Elijah's interest in what is going on. He approaches the crowd hoping to fish out some information. Then he makes his way through until he reaches the front, where he is stop in his tracks by what awaiting him.
Right in front of him, there are two dead bodies. The sight of it makes him flinch. It is so horrifying that he can even vomit right here, right now. Though, he is not new to this kind of scene.
The two bodies are riddled with stab wounds and drenched in their own blood. Good thing no part of their body is dismembered otherwise, it would be so unbearably terrifying to watch and they wouldn't be recognized right away. However, the trace of scratches on their faces are enough to make it difficult to identify them.
Elijah can tell that the two lying dead were a couple. The pair must be the owners of the house where their remains were discovered, and they were both murdered in their own home.
Inspecting the wounds, Elijah thinks to himself: it was obvious that the butterfly knife had caused the stab wounds, but how could it be?
What heinous act did this couple commit that resulted in their current situation? If it was only because they offended officials or made an accusation against someone, why is the 'Shadow Killer' so callous? And even if this couple made a grave mistake, Shadow Killer shouldn't be this heartless to go through this length and murdered people in such heinous way. Unless, this is not a typical homicide case. Sure, it's not, but it was still simply so ridiculous and inhumane.
However, because the couple died in such a horrible way, it is evident that the perpetrator did not want them to have the opportunity to live. The murderer's goal is clear: he wants Shadow Killer to be more feared and despised by the public.
"Ain't the Lunaris Clan are coming today?" A woman's voice comes from behind him. "Why are they taking so much time coming here?"
"Of course, they are!" Another woman's voice exclaims. "It's their responsibility after all."
Elijah averts his gaze toward the two ladies, asking, "...T-the Lunaris Clan? You mean the Venators? This should be the government's responsibility, isn't it? Why's the Lunaris Clan involve in this matter?"
Logically, there is a Clan in every district and with this type of homicide case, the police and legal authorities are on the top of the case to solve it. Clans are just doing their priorities when it came to hunting metahumans; after all, they are a Venators. But the citizens of Valderra doesn't know about that. They only know that the Clans are their protectors, preventing the remaining beasts and monsters outside the borders to go inside the country and harm the people.
So it doesn't make sense unless, the issue is more complicated and they need the Clans to do further investigation.
One of the two ladies answered, "You may not know about this, but as Shadow Killer resumes his killing spree there is another rumor circulating that the victims he killed were all savages."
Savages? Is that what the public believes? Or is it from the Clans who spread such rumors?
The other woman gives him a strange look from head to toe, like though there's something wrong with his appearance. There is, definitely, something wrong. Because he needs to keep his identity hidden for some reason, he disguised himself as a patient to make people think as if he had snuck out of the hospital. And he finds it quite fun wearing the patient's dress with a face mask on.
"You snuck out of the hospital, didn't you?" He sheepishly nods slowly at the woman who asked him with a suspicious look. "No wonder why you didn't know what's happening. I bet you're badly confined at the hospital that you have to snuck outside. Not a good thing to do for a patient like you."
The other lady clicks her tongue, shaking her head. "You kid, really has a lot to learn in this world. It's better if you come back in the hospital otherwise, I'm afraid that you'll end up like this dead couple here."
His brows twitches and his upper lips protrudes, as if he has heard something amusing. Elijah can't believe these two old women would refer to him as a kid. It's understandable, given that he's years younger than them. However, it is not the labeling him a kid that he finds it amusing; rather, it is how the two ladies warned him of ending up like the two laying dead on the ground.
It's not that he's degrading women's abilities, particularly those of older ladies, but with the rumors of the 'Shadow Killer' floating across the city, it just doesn't make sense to him that they aren't more worried about their own lives. Because, if they do, why would they leave their home, risking their lives, merely to add numbers of the gathering people to gossips? Are they not petrified that the Shadow Killer, who causes them nightmares, will attack them? Or are they just being hypocrites?
The absurdity makes Elijah's temple hurts.
It is more likely though, if people doesn't find Shadow killer petrifying. Shadow Killer is actually not that bad.
But why would he be scared of the said "Shadow Killer" when he is the Shadow Killer himself?
Elijah doesn't pay attention to the two ladies anymore and let himself be engrossed by the sight in front of him. Yet his moment is cut short when a group of people approaches the dead bodies.
His eyes halts at the certain body part of the person who's been busy investigating the corpses. It was the tattoo on the wrist that catches his interest. A gladiolus flower and beside it is a crescent moon. It is engraved on the wrist of the person— all of the men that surrounds the dead couple has this unique feature of a tattoo on a certain part of their body. It only means that they came from the same clan—Lunaris Clan of the first district, the Imperial District.
"Does that mean he's here too?" He whispers between his breath. Might as well get quickly out of here. "I can't be caught in 4k if that person happens to be the camera."
Without roaming his eyes around to search such person he's been looking for, Elijah makes his way out of the crowd and starts blending himself in the bustling street full of people.
The rumor that the woman mentioned earlier occupies his mind once again. If it is true that those dead people would have turned into "savages" before they got killed, then perhaps Clans' involvement would make sense.
But he knows why the Clans would get their eyes on on this case. It isn't because of the people who turns into "savages", it is the one who murdered them—Shadow Killer.
The Clans believe that Shadow Killer has returned and starts wreaking havoc throughout the entire country again. And they are very much ready to hunt him down again. Just like years ago.
This makes Elijah shake his head on how ridiculous it is. Who the hell is this person pretending to be Shadow Killer and starts murdering people when Elijah literally just came back to investigate and clear his name?
Has someone caught on? Who? No one know that he is still alive except him and that person.
With his mind being occupied, he doesn't notice the boy running and colliding into him. Of course, he doesn't see it coming; good thing his reflexes are fast, and catches the boy before it fell into the ground.
"I'm sorry. Are you okay?" He states apologetically, sensing that he is also at fault for what has just transpired.
He helps the boy to stand up straight, yet the boy shoves him off and even throw the things it was holding into him before running away.
Elijah get shock and is too speechless at the kid's action. He laughs out of absurdity when his mind process what has just happened.
"What a mad. He didn't even said sorry or thank you after bumping onto me and just ran away." His forehead wrinkles when he realized that he is holding the things that the boy threw at him. "What the fuck? A bag and a wallet? Did that boy just robbed some—"
"You! It's you!" An enraging voice coming from afar cut him off, startling him.
A man who is in his late forties emerges from within the bustling people and is accompanied by the two police officer. This must be the person that the boy robbed.
Their gazes are locked into him with accusatory eyes. Right there and then, Elijah knows that this will end up not very friendly.
He holds his breath then sigh heavily as he pointed at himself and plays his acting, "Me! Me! Me! Me! What... about me?"
The man humphs and grabs his bag and wallet forcefully from him much to his exasperation. The man immediately look at the inside of the bag and his wallet, probably checking if there is something missing and if his money is still complete like when it was still in his possession.
When the man is done on what he is doing, Elijah saw how the man's face relaxed as though he is relieve that his things are returned to him, unscathed. But when he faced the policemen, his reaction was back from being angry again. It makes Elijah's eyebrows furrowed.
"Officers, please arrest this person and put him behind bars!" Still in rage, the man ordered the two policemen which they very much obliged. "We can't tolerate scoundrel plagues in our society. Thieves must be in their place: the prison!"
The policemen immediately put a handcuffs on Elijah without giving him a chance to defend himself but he keeps babbling, "Hol' up, let me explain! This is just a mere misunderstanding." While struggling at the handcuffs in his hands.
Great! Now, all eyes are on them and they have instantly become the center of attention. After the kerfuffle on the dead couple earlier, seems like some of the people who went there to gossips are now here to have another something to talk about, since Elijah can recognize some of their faces. So he'll become a talk of the town again, huh? Not as a killer, but as a snatcher.
Damn it, so much for keeping a low profile!
He sighs in disbelief, hands keep struggling at the grip. "Believe me, I did not steal anything! I just happened to passed by and there was a boy who bumped onto me. He's the one who robbed not me!"
Elijah knows that there is no point of explaining. The police won't listen and would still drag him to the station anyway, but he have to try his luck at least. He has a lot of things to do, and he's got no time for any trivial matters like what is happening now. And he can't afford having an offense record, can he? The police might search him and order to take off his mask, by then his cover will blow up.
What a troublesome for his first day adventure, but nope, he can't be caught. Not now, not ever.
"Stop talking or we'll put you in silence." The police officer warns him.
"But officer, I'm telling the truth! You can—"
"What's happening here?"
Elijah isn't able to finish his sentence when someone's voice interrupts him. The deep voice sounds familiar and it sends shiver down his spine. That voice... he recognizes it very well. How can he not recognize the voice when it is engraved in his mind like a tattoo?
But he could be wrong too. Maybe it is just a hallucination and his memory is just playing with him. Though, the possibility that it's him is highly likely knowing that the Lunaris Clan is here.
Should he run? But how can he run when he is stuck with a handcuff on his hands? At this moment, there's only one thing he can do—and that is to pray. Pray that no one can recognize him and pray that they will let him go to save himself from upcoming troubles.
Pray that no one in the clan can recognize him and that they will not butt their nose too much for such trivial matter, so that he can still play it safe. It will really be a great disaster if he get caught.
How did it even come to this?
The two police officer let him go from the grip to pay respect to the Lunaris Clan. "Greetings to the formidable clan and to Young Master Apollo."
It is not surprising that the authority pays their respect to the Clans, after all, the Lunaris Clan holds so much power here in first district, that even some authorities and politicians or any high ranking officials team up, they can't still surpass the most powerful clan. Government can't get ahold of them; not when the clan is a government itself.
The Young Master nodded, acknowledging the two officers. "Who can tell me what's the commotion all about?"
Before the police can answer anything, the man he 'robbed' suddenly speak up.
"Young Master, I am sorry for the commotion," the old man apologizes and turns to hold him, but the Young Master seems not please at the old man's behavior.
"And I'm sorry for butting in, but please allow me to explain what happened, Young Master."
This time, Apollo finally heeded and nodded at the old man, before looking at Elijah and Elijah do everything to not meet his gaze.
"This guy right here robbed me but still dare to deny it when the evidence is clearly showing that he is guilty. We are accompanying him to the police station so I can raise the case for robbery. We didn't intend to cause so much ruckus and caught the attention of Your Highness. We're very sorry for the disturbance, Young Master."
The old man explained and why does those words feel so familiar...?
As much as he wanted to defend himself from the accusation, Elijah chooses to keep silent. This Young Master Apollo might recognize his voice, so it's smart not to speak up. He will just let the conversation unfold without voicing his concern and eyes everywhere but Apollo.
There is a beat of silence protruding before the Young Master spoke, eyes glued at Elijah's direction. But no one anticipated his answer that makes everyone gasped and even makes Elijah's breathing hitch. Elijah is still looking down while silently praying that he can get away from this uprising trouble smoothly.
"Are you sure he is the robber?" Young Master Apollo asks, his voice devoid of any emotions so is his face.
The old man halts, his face is full of panic and eyes hold with discomfort now. There is no harm or any malicious intent in the Young Master's question, but having been asked by a renowned venator from a reputable clan like this in front of many people can make someone render their capability to speak and question their life choices.
The transpiring scene is quite interesting to the people's eyes that it makes the audience watch in astonishment—it looks like a mere mortal getting interrogated by a god. Such a rare occurrence.
Behind his head hanging low, Elijah can sense how tense the old man is and he let out a smile for that.
He shouldn't be this happy, shouldn't feel this kind of satisfaction for the reason that the old man seems like he is being called out for accusing Elijah for the crime he did not commit. However, for some reason, a surge of joy bursts out on his chest, an ineffable feeling that he hadn't felt for years.
Albeit the triumph that he feels, Elijah silently prays, When will this be over? The Lunaris Clan never stick their nose into this kind of societal matter so can they just let this one slide and go on their way? Oh heavens, please help me. Do me a favor just for this once.
The old man hesitates, "W-We can't be wrong, Young Master. We saw this guy with our very own eyes that he... he..."
Hearing how the old man hesitates to continue, Young Master Apollo interrupts. His voice is cool as he speaks, "That guy is the sole witness of murder. We will take him in our custody."
With what Apollo said, the curvature of a smile freezes on Elijah's lips and his entire being just stop functioning. Shock was palpable on his face even being hidden behind the mask.
Did I hear it right or my ears needs a cleaning?
A few moments later, Elijah finally whips his head up with his widen eyes, only to be met with such distinct yet familiar sharp eyes. Elijah's heart simultaneously skips a beat. Absolutely dumbfounded, his finger involuntarily points at himself, eyes asking in disbelief: me? A witness? How could this be?
Elijah doesn't know whether to laugh or cry in his situation. What is more absurd is that neither of the two groups will give him a fortunate escape, but definitely, being in the hands of the clan is much worse than anything else.
He doesn't even know whether Young Master Apollo is lying or not, or it is just a pretense. But him lying, would be so out of character. He had known him as a stickler, blunt, and honest. Unless, in the span of ten years he has changed and he knows how to lie now.
But what would be the reason for him to blurt out a lie? There's none. So, the most probable reason why they are butting in, would be the Young Master found an evidence about the sole witness of murder that is basically pointing at him. Hence, why they are hunting him down.
Oh f-ck, could this get any worse?
Elijah just came back from the dead (not literally) and all these welcome gifts are not enjoyable at all.
With a dejected face, the old man gestures at the police to come near them where the officer obliged, and without saying anything, the officer uncuffs his hands.
The old man pushes him forward before he bows his head a little. He speaks with a defeated tone, "Then we will let Young Master to take care of the case and put the victims into justice."
At this point, there is no use of arguing and defending the old man's claim, he could only concede. The folks knew how serious the case that the clan is investigating, and Elijah being pointed as a witness would be of a big help for the case. So, the old man and policemen could do nothing but handing him to the clan.
One disaster always follows the next, thus, the situation right now.
Elijah closes his eyes in frustration. Without a handcuffs and a hands gripping on him, he's very free to move now. He has only two choices: to run or being held captive by the Lunaris Clan. The latter is surely a no-no. The former is a foolish move, but is indeed an act of defense in a sense.
Compelled with what he should do, with an intake of breath, Elijah turns to his side, opens his eyes and prepares himself to run. However, before he can even let out a step or two, somebody grabs his wrist in one swift and presses something on the back of his neck.
In an instant, dizziness takes over him, making his legs wobble. Such a state of disadvantage, Elijah let his body falls down as his eyes are closing involuntarily, waiting for his body to drop down on the ground.
Yet, it didn't come. He feels a hand touching his back and an arm loops around his waist tightly instead to keep him steady. Elijah can only let out a soft whimper with the contact amid his dazing state.
Before he fell into the pit of darkness, a voice comes from above him.
The voice is low and deep. He feels his chest and head vibrates slightly as the voice spoke each word.
"It's really you, Elijah Nyx Montero."