The room was silent.
Not the peaceful kind of silence.
The kind that pressed against your ears.
Heavy.
Unforgiving.
---
Golden light flickered across the walls.
The chains wrapped around Caleb's body glowed faintly, each engraved symbol pulsing like a heartbeat. They weren't just restraints.
They were watching him.
Judging him.
---
Caleb sat in the center of the room.
Bound.
Back straight against the cold metal chair.
His arms locked to his sides.
His chest tight—
Too tight.
---
Every breath felt restricted.
Measured.
Like the chains decided how much air he deserved.
---
Across from him stood a man.
Still.
Calm.
---
Captain Jose Finnard.
---
His yellow eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, reflecting the chains like twin flames. His blonde hair fell loosely around his face, the scar across his nose cutting through his otherwise composed expression.
He didn't look rushed.
Didn't look angry.
---
He looked… interested.
---
"…I'm going to ask you some questions."
His voice echoed slightly in the enclosed space.
---
Caleb swallowed.
---
"And depending on your answers…"
Jose took a slow step forward.
---
"…the chains will loosen."
---
A pause.
---
"…the more truthful you are."
---
The air shifted.
---
Caleb's eyes flickered toward the chains instinctively.
They pulsed.
Waiting.
---
"…and if I lie?" Caleb asked cautiously.
---
Jose didn't hesitate.
---
"They tighten."
---
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Not warm.
Not friendly.
---
Just… amused.
---
Caleb exhaled slowly.
"…great."
---
Jose raised a finger slightly.
---
"Now then…"
A brief pause.
---
"My first question."
---
The room seemed to hold its breath.
---
"…do you have a girlfriend?"
---
Silence.
---
Complete.
Absolute.
---
Caleb blinked.
Once.
Twice.
---
"…what?"
---
---
Outside the Room
---
Lily stood near the door.
Still.
Listening.
---
Her expression slowly shifted into disbelief.
---
"…how is that the first question that comes to his mind?"
---
Dave leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, a grin forming on his face.
---
"That's Captain Jose for you."
---
He chuckled under his breath.
---
"…never boring."
---
---
Inside the Room
---
Caleb stared at Jose.
Trying to process what he just heard.
---
"…I don't understand."
---
Jose's expression didn't change.
---
"You heard me clearly."
---
He folded his arms.
---
"I want to know if you have a personal life."
A small pause.
---
"…because demons have none."
---
The words landed differently now.
---
Caleb's brows furrowed slightly.
---
"…well…"
He hesitated.
---
"…I don't have a girlfriend."
---
The moment the words left his mouth—
---
CLICK.
---
A soft metallic sound echoed.
---
Caleb's eyes widened.
---
The chains—
Loosened.
---
Just slightly.
---
The pressure around his chest eased.
Barely.
But enough.
---
"…!"
---
He took a deeper breath instinctively.
---
"…it worked?"
---
Jose watched him closely.
Observing every reaction.
---
Caleb clenched his fists slightly.
---
"…but that doesn't mean I'm a demon… or a spy… or a threat."
---
The words came out sharper this time.
---
Jose shrugged lightly.
---
"I know."
---
A pause.
---
"It doesn't prove anything."
---
Then—
A smirk.
---
"I was just curious."
---
He tilted his head slightly.
---
"Because I know in a million years…"
A small pause.
---
"…your type couldn't get a girlfriend."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
Jose laughed.
---
A full, unfiltered laugh.
---
"Hahaha—"
---
Caleb's eye twitched.
---
"…seriously?"
---
Jose wiped the corner of his eye slightly.
Still amused.
---
"Just look at you."
---
Caleb leaned forward as much as the chains allowed.
---
"…okay, that was unnecessary."
---
Jose's laughter faded.
---
The room shifted again.
---
The light dimmed slightly.
---
His expression changed.
---
Gone was the amusement.
---
Now—
He was serious.
---
"Now…"
His voice lowered.
---
"For the real questions."
---
Caleb straightened unconsciously.
---
"Tell me who you are."
---
A pause.
---
"Occupation."
---
Another.
---
"Everything."
---
The chains pulsed again.
Waiting.
---
Caleb exhaled slowly.
---
"…Caleb Sultan."
---
His voice steadied.
---
"Age 19."
---
The chains loosened slightly.
---
"Occupation… waiter."
---
Another faint click.
---
"At a place called The Best Cafe."
---
More space.
More air.
---
"Address… Block 25."
---
The glow dimmed slightly.
---
"District 101."
---
The pressure eased further.
---
"A small apartment."
---
By the time he finished—
---
Caleb could breathe.
---
Not fully free—
But no longer suffocating.
---
He inhaled deeply.
---
"…see?"
He muttered.
---
"I'm just a normal guy."
---
Jose stared at him.
Silent.
---
Then—
A grin slowly formed again.
---
"With that description of your life…"
A pause.
---
"I think I understand why you don't have a girlfriend."
---
He burst out laughing again.
---
"Hahahaha—!"
---
Caleb's patience snapped.
---
"Okay, enough with the girlfriend thing already!"
---
The room echoed slightly with his voice.
---
Silence followed.
---
Jose stopped laughing.
---
Just like that.
---
His expression flattened.
---
Cold.
Sharp.
---
He stepped closer.
---
Very close.
---
Caleb could see the reflection of the chains in his eyes.
---
"So…"
Jose spoke quietly.
---
"…are you a spy?"
---
A pause.
---
"…or a demon?"
---
The golden chains flickered.
---
The room held its breath again.
---
And this time—
There was no humor left.
---
Only judgment.
---
The air inside the interrogation room tightened.
Not physically—
But mentally.
Like the walls themselves were leaning in, listening.
Waiting.
---
Caleb sat bound in golden chains, his breathing steady… for now.
Across from him, Captain Jose's yellow eyes burned with quiet intensity.
---
"So…"
Jose's voice was low.
"…are you a spy?"
A pause.
---
"…or a demon?"
---
The chains pulsed faintly.
As if they, too, were waiting for the answer.
---
Caleb swallowed.
His throat felt dry.
---
"…none of the above."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
CLICK.
---
The chains loosened again.
---
Caleb's eyes widened slightly.
---
It worked… again.
---
Jose didn't react outwardly.
But his gaze sharpened.
---
"…interesting."
---
He stepped forward slightly.
---
"Then answer this."
---
A pause.
---
"How did you obtain the form of a demon?"
---
The question hit harder.
---
Caleb's mind flickered back—
To the alley.
To the pain.
To the hunger.
---
"…I…"
He hesitated.
---
"…I was at the café."
---
The golden chains glowed faintly.
---
"A customer came in… weird guy."
---
Jose listened.
Silently.
---
"He had this… box."
Caleb's brows tightened.
---
"A strange one."
---
The chains loosened slightly.
---
"He left it behind."
---
Another faint click.
---
"I tried to find him… to return it."
---
Caleb's voice dropped.
---
"…but I ran into Neigmon."
---
Jose's eyes flickered for a brief second.
---
"The horse demon."
---
Caleb nodded slightly.
---
"He attacked me."
---
His fists clenched slightly.
---
"…badly."
---
The memory stung.
---
"I don't remember everything after that…"
A pause.
---
"…I was unconscious."
---
The chains loosened again.
---
"But when I woke up…"
His voice lowered.
---
"…I had power."
---
A flicker of something dark passed through his eyes.
---
"…enough to fight back."
---
Silence filled the room.
---
Jose didn't interrupt.
---
"I chased him…"
Caleb continued.
---
"…but before I could catch him…"
A pause.
---
"…I got stabbed."
---
Jose tilted his head slightly.
---
"…by who?"
---
Caleb looked up.
---
"…some golden-eyed boy."
---
A brief silence.
---
Then—
---
"…golden eyes?"
---
Jose's expression shifted.
---
"That would be our Vice Captain."
A pause.
---
"Terry Logan."
---
---
Elsewhere — The Park
---
The wind brushed softly against the broken park.
Leaves scattered across the ground.
The smell of blood still lingered.
---
Terry stood beside a cracked wall.
---
His sword was in his hand.
---
The blade gleamed faintly under the moonlight.
---
Blood coated its edge—
---
And burned.
---
Golden energy crackled along the surface, eating away at the dark stains like fire consuming oil.
---
The wall behind him—
---
Was painted red.
---
Splashes of blood spread across it, dripping slowly toward the ground.
---
Terry's expression remained calm.
---
"…he got away."
---
His voice was quiet.
But firm.
---
His grip tightened slightly.
---
For a moment—
His eyes narrowed.
---
A memory replayed.
---
The final strike.
The moment of execution.
---
His blade—
Mid-swing—
---
Then—
---
A hand.
---
Dark.
Unnatural.
---
It had wrapped around Neigmon.
---
Pulled him—
---
Through the wall.
---
Gone.
---
Terry's gaze hardened.
---
"…someone interfered."
---
The wind picked up slightly.
---
Golden particles flickered faintly around his sword.
---
"…this isn't over."
---
He turned.
---
"…I should head back."
---
A pause.
---
"…and see what they decide…"
---
His eyes sharpened slightly.
---
"…about that anomaly."
---
---
Back — Seventh Division
---
The room felt heavier now.
---
Jose stood still.
Watching.
Calculating.
---
"…one last question."
---
Caleb looked up.
---
Jose's voice dropped slightly.
---
"If we let you go…"
A pause.
---
"…will you promise not to use your powers?"
---
The chains flickered.
---
"…so that Varkrul…"
A slight emphasis.
---
"…doesn't get the chance to awaken inside you?"
---
Silence.
---
"…even if it means your death?"
---
The words sank deep.
---
Caleb froze.
---
His mind—
Went blank.
---
Then—
---
A voice.
---
"…you'll live on."
---
Fire.
Screams.
His mother's face.
---
"Run…"
---
Caleb's eyes trembled.
---
His fists clenched.
---
Slowly—
He looked up.
---
"…yeah…"
A pause.
---
"…I will not."
---
CLANG.
---
The chains tightened violently.
---
Caleb gasped.
---
"…gh—!"
---
The pressure crushed against his chest again.
Harder than before.
---
Air—
Gone.
---
His body strained against the bindings.
---
Jose watched.
Unmoved.
---
"I thought so."
---
The chains glowed brighter.
---
Then—
They stabilized.
---
Not loosening.
Not tightening further.
---
Just enough to keep him in place.
---
Jose turned slightly.
---
"…that leaves us with three options."
---
Caleb struggled to breathe.
---
"…options…?"
---
Jose raised one finger.
---
"First…"
---
"…we kill you."
---
Caleb's heart skipped.
---
His throat tightened.
---
A second finger.
---
"Second…"
---
"…we hand you over to Headquarters."
---
The room seemed colder.
---
"They'll experiment on you."
A pause.
---
"Kill you."
---
Another.
---
"Or do whatever they see fit."
---
Sweat rolled down Caleb's face.
---
None of these options…
---
guarantee I survive…
---
He swallowed hard.
---
"…what's…"
His voice cracked.
---
"…the last option?"
---
Jose looked at him.
Directly.
---
Then—
---
"A third path."
---
A pause.
---
"You become the Seventh Division's…"
---
His eyes gleamed faintly.
---
"…wild card."
---
Silence.
---
"You fight alongside us."
---
Another step forward.
---
"You eliminate demons."
---
His voice sharpened slightly.
---
"You save civilians."
---
A pause.
---
"And if you lose control…"
---
His gaze didn't waver.
---
"…we kill you."
---
The words landed clean.
---
No hesitation.
---
No comfort.
---
"…but…"
Jose continued.
---
"If you succeed…"
---
A small pause.
---
"…you'll be seen as a hero."
---
Silence filled the room.
---
Caleb's breathing slowed slightly.
---
"…a hero…"
---
His mind drifted.
---
Lucas.
---
"…a superhero job…"
---
His eyes flickered.
---
Is this… what he meant…?
---
---
District 101 — Block 25
---
Morning light seeped through the cracked windows of a small apartment building.
---
A quiet hallway.
Worn walls.
Faded paint.
---
Knock. Knock. Knock.
---
Lucas stood outside a door.
---
"…I know it's early…"
He muttered.
---
"…but I gotta tell him."
---
A grin formed on his face.
---
"Angelic Order…"
---
His eyes lit up.
---
"…we could actually become heroes."
---
He knocked again.
---
Louder.
---
"Caleb!"
---
No response.
---
"…is he still sleeping?"
---
He frowned.
---
Then—
---
Gripped the handle.
---
"…seriously?"
---
He pushed.
---
The door creaked open.
---
"…weak lock."
---
He stepped inside.
---
The apartment was a mess.
---
Clothes scattered.
Dishes unwashed.
Books and random items everywhere.
---
Lucas looked around.
---
"…Caleb?"
---
No answer.
---
His expression shifted.
---
"…he's not here?"
---
A pause.
---
His brows furrowed.
---
"…where the hell did you go, Caleb…?"
---
The sunlight stretched across the empty room.
---
Silent.
---
Unknowing.
---
To be continued….....