The truth...to my parents' death...?

"So that means...you've been hiding information." Nathan surmised.

"Yes. To understand everything, though, we'd have to go back thirty years in the past, where similar to now, ability-blessed criminals have over-run society."

"Wait, over-run?" Nathan repeated what John said with confusion. "I thought people with abilities were kinda rare."

"It isn't rare. They were just more controlled by super soldiers," John responded. "Anyone with powers and tried to commit a crime...would be suppressed by those soldiers. Anyways..."

In a time when criminals blessed with abilities became uncontrollable, crime rates were perpetually high. With frequent robberies, assaults, murders, and other crimes, no one was safe from these criminals. But I wanted to change that. I wanted to bring the peace that everyone greatly desired.

With blood, sweat, and hard work, I joined and made my way up the ranks in the military as an officer. I thought if I could train soldiers to properly combat those criminals, it would have been enough...

In John's memory, he reminisced about a scene. Around him were many deceased soldiers and an individual in civilian clothing.

"Sir, we've cleared the threat, but the casualties confirmed were over sixty percent." A soldier reported to a younger John. John's hair had its black color, and his skin was richer in color.

"Damn it!" John said. "We can't keep losing men just to kill one criminal! The crime rates aren't even falling! There has to be a way to deal with this more efficiently!"

I yearned for an idea, or even a miracle, to counteract these bastards. As much as I yearned, though, the only thing I could have done at that time was continue training soldiers. There was nothing to lower the crime rates. It wasn't until I met them...your parents.

"Damn it...I'm so tired." The younger John said. "I've got bags under my eyes and everything, sigh. Nothing's changing whatsoever--"

"Selfishness, discrimination, feelings of superiority, and other immoral reasons. That is why crimes are committed." Attracting John's attention was a masculine voice.

"Huh? What's going on over there?" John asked as he made his way to the voice. Upon arriving, he noticed a man and a woman speaking to a large group of civilians.

Coincidentally, I met your parents for the first time as they were speaking to the public.

"While it is human nature to prioritize ourselves, fearing the unknown, and even taking advantage of each other, we cannot let those instincts control us!" Nathan's mother, a younger version of Anna said. "Destroying and taking from the weaker will only hurt us all in the long run."

John stood and listened to their speech intently.

"Yes, exactly." Nathan's father, a younger Tomas, agreed. "What is needed is true empathy, among everyone. Using our skills for each other instead of for ourselves will benefit us all. Accepting each other despite our differences will bring the peace we so desire."

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"I know we can all commit to this!" Anna encouraged.

The sounds of clapping were audible in the crowd as the audience agreed. After finishing their speech and the audience left, John approached the couple.

"Hello, you two. My name is John Walker." With an outstretched hand, John introduced himself with a charismatic smile, attracting their attention. In response, they smiled back.

"My name is Tomas Hayes, and this is my wife, Anna Hayes." Tomas introduced as he and Anna shook John's hand. "How can we help you?"

"I was listening to your speech. I must say, your points are really interesting, assuming you are talking about blessed humans." John explained. "I'm an officer in the army, and I have trouble seeing how empathy would help, considering I've seen many blessed criminals undeserving of empathy."

"Ah, I see," Anna said. "We understand that it may be hard to extend empathy to them, but did you know that many of them became that way due to their friends and family becoming fearful of their powers? While they may use their powers for wrongdoings, that could have been mitigated if we were more accepting of them."

"...I see."

"Our dream is to bring back the peace our country once had. Treating everyone as equals and empathizing with one another is the best way to do that." Tomas explained. With widened eyes, John stared at them.

"I...I want to help you guys, too!" John declared, much to their surprise.

"Oh my!" Anna uttered. "There's no need to work up yourself, officer. We--"

"I want to...no, I need to help you guys." John reaffirmed. "I too want peace!"

I didn't expect your parents to have been social activists, but I wanted to support them. I wanted to support them because although we had different methods for achieving our goals, we both strived for peace to return.

So that is where our relationship began. I funded your parents so they could continue their speeches, and their name quickly spread around the country as social activists. It seemed that their speeches were working, as crime rates have decreased over the decade since I've met them.

"I hope we can all truly treat each other equally!" Tomas urged as he and his wife were speaking to a crowd of people once again. In response, the audience clapped, and so did John, who was a bit away from the audience.

While crime rates were lowering, it wasn't next to enough. While Anna and Tomas enjoyed speaking to the masses, I still struggled with the idea that I'd never be able to bring back true peace. However, it wouldn't be too long until I finally received the idea...the opportunity, to truly eliminate the threats in my way.

The younger John was fast asleep in his bed. Tossing and turning, it seemed uncomfortable when suddenly, he woke up and lay upright. Breaking out in a sweat and hyperventilating, John had a strange smile on his face.

"T-That's it!" John said. "I can't believe...it took me this long...to come up with this! I must act as fast as possible!"

As if it was finally my turn to become blessed, a miracle came in the form of a vision in my mind. After all the stress I've been through...I could finally remove the disturbances.

"Don't tell me..." Nathan said.

"It's exactly what you're thinking, Nathan," John responded. "And I wanted to share it with your parents...I wanted them to know since we've become so close."

The trio of John and Nathan's parents were walking in the passageway of a military base.

"Wow, this is the first time I've come to this place," Anna said as she looked around in awe. "Seeing new places is incredible!"

"Yeah, it is." Tomas agreed. "But why did you call us here again, John?"

"Sorry for the sudden call, but I had to show you guys that I found my way to bring peace to this world," John explained, much to their excitement.

"Wow, really?" Anna said with excitement. "Now I'm interested."

"Me too!"

They approached a room. With an ID card, John placed it on a keypad, gaining entry to the inside. Upon entering, however, the excitement on the faces of the Hayes couple immediately turned to an expression of horror.

In front of them was an unconscious man whose legs and arms were strapped to a chair. His body seemed to have sustained extensive injuries, as he was covered in blood. Numerous tubes that were attached to intravenous drips were stuck in his arms and body via needles.

"W-What...is...this...?" Tomas asked with fright written on his face.

"I told you guys. That is my way to bring peace unto the world!" John said. "It's only in the testing phase, but I call this guy...a super soldier."