I open my eyes to find myself staring at a white ceiling. I look around and see multiple beds with people on them.

They all have varying injuries on them. Some have broken arms and others have superficial cuts on their bodies. The worst I saw is a man having only half of his face. How is he even alive?

I look at my body and notice I have no bandages on it like the rest of the people here. I look at a screen on the wall and find out three days have passed since I passed out.

As I’m checking the time a nurse comes to my bed after noticing I’ve woken up. She hands me a note and a badge. She informs me that a short lady gave her the items before instructing her to pass them to me when I woke up.

Hey Jerk. If you’re reading this then you’ve already woken up. I’ve already paid for your medical fees so don’t worry about it. If you’re ever in any trouble then go to any high ranking officer in the military and show them the badge.

P.S. Thanks for helping me get to the bunker.

I smirk at the girl’s extra message. What a proud lady she is. I chuckle as I imagine how she would look while writing this letter. At least she said thanks to me. Ah, I forgot to ask what her name is.

I scrutinize the badge that she gave me. It’s made out of a metal that looks like a mix between gold and bronze. It's rim is lined with rubber making it feel light in my hands.

A man holding a rose and a sword are present on the front of the badge. The back is inscribed with the name Allisandrine Rosencrawf. So her name’s Allisa huh? What a cute name.

———————————————————————

“Achoo!”

“Ah, mistress Alissandrine are you alright?” A mature lady dressed like a medieval maid addresses a young lady laying on her bed.

The room is adorned with many pieces of furniture. The most notable part of the room is the large image of a thorned rose painted on the ceiling.

“It’s nothing Sasha. I was just thinking about someone.”

“Ah, is it about the boy who saved you recently? Fu fu fu fu how wonderful! My young mistress has finally gotten herself a boyfriend who will take care of her.”

“Wha- Wha- What do you mean boyfriend?! I only met him recently!”

“Oh dear. The mistress is flustered again. What ever shall I do?

———————————————————————

I pocket the badge and wait for my family to come. Ellen and my mom appear from the doorway and run over to hug me. I quickly became aware of the absence of my dad.

“Mom? What happened to dad? Is he okay? Did he make it to the bunker?”

“Cayden…” The only response I get from my mother is her burying her head onto my shoulder.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“So he’s really gone? And it’s all my fault…” I can’t stop my tears from falling. The realization that I was the reason for my father's death hits me hard.

“I’m sorry mom. I’m sorry sis. If only I wasn’t so stupid trying to act like a hero.”

CRACK

My sister gives me a hard slap to my cheek, “Cayden! Don’t you dare act like that! You can’t say it was stupid to be a hero because dad saved you just like how you saved that girl! If you blame yourself for trying to save someone then yo- yo- you can blame me for not even trying to save anyone at all!”

“Cayden. You don’t have to regret your actions. Your actions out there were exactly what your dad wanted from you. Just know that it was never your fault and your family will always be here for you.” My mom’s words only serve to further my guilt.

This wouldn’t have happened if I wasn’t so weak compared to geniuses like my sister. I remember the power of the figure that killed the Kirin. The sheer intensity of it could stop my breath. If I could just grasp that power in my hands then I would’ve been able to blow apart the ice and save my dad.

I can’t believe how foolish I was for making a promise to save others when I can’t even save the ones I love! No, I shouldn’t feel sorry for myself.

I don’t need a vow or a promise to save people. All I need is strength to eliminate anyone who wants to harm those around me. Yes… if I kill all my enemies then no one can hurt the ones I love!

Unbeknownst to Cayden, his eyes shone a purple light as an aura of animosity started to surround him.

Ellen pulled her mom away from Cayden, “Cayden? Are you alright?”

“Don’t worry Ellen. I'm perfectly fine. As a matter of fact, I feel like I could take on the world for you and mom!”

“Alright that’s it!” Ellen suddenly begins to chant as the glowing lines resurface on her skin.

Soul Scan!

Ellen’s eyes begin to glow blue as various runes float within them.

“Honey? What’s wrong with Cayden?”

Ellen’s eyes narrow in concentration. She abruptly grabs Cayden’s head and slams it onto the desk on the side of his bed.

“Ellen! Why would you-“

“Mom there’s something inside of Cayden. It’s affecting his thoughts. I need to call an expert on mind manipulation as my soul manipulation can only do so much."

———————————————————————

A while later a man wearing a double-breasted suit and holding a cane appears from an elevator. He heads to the room occupied by Cayden and his family.

The man grabs onto Ellen’s wrist and places a kiss on the top of her hand, “Well if it isn’t the ever graceful Fairy of Hell? To what do I owe you the pleasure?”

Ellen pulls back her hand showing a disgusted expression, “Cut the sweet talk Martin. You know very well why I called you here.”

“Alright, no need to be so aggressive. Let me see the kid.”

Martin spends a few minutes observing Cayden before he motions Ellen over, “I need your help Ellen. The consciousness of whatever's in him is too strong for me to handle alone."

Martin and Ellen stand on each side of Cayden. They both place one hand above Cayden’s body.

A green orb materializes from Martin’s head while a blue orb does the same from Ellen’s chest. Both orbs enter Cayden’s heart. Cayden’s body starts to convulse as purple light begins to shine from his eyes.

A thin strand of lightning emerges from Cayden’s mouth before dissipating into sparks. The two orbs emerge looking noticeably smaller before shooting back into their respective bodies.

“Cayden? Are you okay? Does your head feel better?”

“Urgh… wha- what was that?”

Before I can react the man in the suit throws a punch at my face. I instinctively try to catch it before it hits me. As his fist lands in my palm a bright purple light appears followed by loud popping noise. He swiftly retreats sporting a disgruntled expression.

“Looks like we didn’t get all of the lightning out as I expected, but looks like it’s more beneficial for you to keep it. Let me know if you have any more problems and Ellen… let’s meet up for dinner sometime.” The man in the suit walks out of the room after adjusting his attire.

I concentrate on my hand again and watch as tiny sparks of purple electricity appear on my palm. I focus a bit harder and the electricity starts to dance as if it was alive.

“Well that’s new. Ooo can you throw lightning Cayden? Can you?”

"I don't know. Let me see if I can do it."

I aim at a nearby potted plant and focus the electricity into my arm. I suddenly feel lethargic as if I ran a marathon. A bright ball of purple electricity forms on my hand. The ball leaves my hand moving at a snail’s pace towards the plant before popping halfway through.

“...”

“...”

“What the hell is this lame ability?!”

My sister begins to chuckle before moving on to full-blown laughter. “Hahahaha! You can juggle for your enemies before you beat them Cayden!"

“Mom… My power’s useful, right? Once I get a little practice I can definitely hit people from afar, right?”

My mom throws me an expression of pity, “No matter what you do honey, your family will always support you.”

This only causes my sister’s laughter to grow louder until even the nurses in the room next door come to check what happened.

I’m fuming with anger at this point as my sister continues to point and laugh at me, but I also feel relieved as my feelings of regret and grief are washed away.

Don’t worry dad. I don’t know if you’ll ever hear me again, but know that I’ll always protect them.