Chapter 7: The Shadow Beside Me
The summons to HQ came just after dawn.
Kael and Lira walked through the marble corridors in silence, boots echoing under harsh fluorescent lights. Kael had already guessed what this was about. He didn't need to see the stone-faced guards stationed outside the High Council's chamber to feel the weight of it.
Inside, the room buzzed with restrained urgency. On the central screen, Wraith's mask hovered in a loop—glitchy, terrifying, unforgettable.
Director Harrow stood beside it, his posture rigid. "Kael," he said. "You're being reassigned."
Kael didn't move. "Why?"
"We appreciate your efforts," Harrow said, voice carefully neutral, "but effective immediately, you are off the Wraith investigation. This comes directly from the top."
Kael's jaw tightened. "You think this will fix public fear? Pulling me off the case won't stop it from growing."
"You're too close to this," Harrow said, eyes narrowing. "Your Faith score continues to drop. You're becoming a liability. We need stability, not questions."
Lira stepped forward. "And who will be the new assignment?"
A door opened behind them. A tall figure stepped inside, draped in a dark tactical cloak. Blackish-grey hair framed a pale face, one side marked by a long diagonal scar that slashed from temple to cheek. His grey eyes were unreadable under deep shadows.
"This is Zane," Harrow said. "He will be taking your case."
Zane gave a small nod. "Zane Wang. Ability - Umbrakinesis"
Kael blinked. He hadn't seen Zane since their training days. They'd started at the same time, but while Kael's powers had made him a golden boy almost overnight, Zane had remained in the background—quiet, competent, but overlooked just like his ability - Shadow control.
"I know him," Kael said slowly.
Zane met his gaze without a smile. "We go back."
*******
They were dismissed without further ceremony.
Outside the chamber, Kael exhaled sharply, shoulders tense.
"Guess the rumors were true," he muttered.
Lira walked beside him. "You okay?"
"No." He glanced sideways. "But I'll manage."
They reached the residential wing, where Kael was assigned a new room, smaller and farther from central access. HQ wasn't hiding the fact that he was under surveillance now.
Inside, the silence felt heavy.
Lira sat on the edge of the narrow bed. "They think this'll keep you out of it?"
Kael gave a faint smile. "They underestimate me."
She rolled her eyes. "I know you, Kael. You're not letting go of this case. You'll keep meeting Nima, won't you?"
He looked away. "We already agreed to. Every night, off-grid."
Lira crossed her arms. "Then just—be smart. Don't get caught. And don't trust Zane completely."
Kael nodded, appreciating the honesty. "Thanks."
*******
Later that evening, a message pinged Kael's comm bracelet.
[ Zane: Meet me. East Tower. Alone. ]
The East Tower was barely used—too cold, too distant from core operations. Kael made his way there, senses sharp.
Zane stood near the edge, his figure half swallowed by encroaching shadows. The city below was a blur of lights and fear.
"You came," Zane said without turning.
"Wasn't really a request, was it?"
A faint smirk tugged at Zane's mouth. "Always had a mouth on you."
Kael folded his arms. "Why did you call?"
"I want to know everything you've learned about Wraith." Zane's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it—something unreadable in the tone. "Not the HQ version. The real one. What he looks like. What he wears. What he can do. How he fights."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Why ask me, if the system already decided I'm unreliable?"
Zane turned, shadows curling faintly at his fingertips and scoffed "Cmon, who trusts the system?"
That caught Kael off guard.
Zane continued, eyes never blinking. "You've seen him up close, haven't you?"
Kael hesitated. "Once. In Sector 7 sub station. He moves like lightning. Has Electrokinesis, but evolved—more precise, more destructive. He wears a split-color mask as u have seen already - half black half white. Long coat on his back, choker on his neck, scarred arms. His presence... it dominates the room."
"And the Fear Value?" Zane asked, leaning closer. "You believe he draws power from it?"
Kael's guard rose. "How do you know about that?"
"I looked at the data. I read between the lines." Zane's voice dropped. "He's something new, Kael. And if I'm going to be on this case, I need everything. I won't fight blind."
There was something obsessive in his tone—calculating, maybe even admiring. Kael didn't like it, but he couldn't pin down why.
Zane stepped back. "We started together. You shot up the ranks. I didn't. That's not your fault. But now… maybe it's my turn to lead."
Kael watched him quietly. "Just don't let pride get you killed."
Zane's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Wouldn't dream of it."
********
Back in his room, Kael sent a coded message.
[To: Nima
Meeting confirmed. Reassignment official. Partner is Zane. Something's… off. Will update after the next patrol.
Stay sharp.]
He closed the holographic screen projecting from his bracelet and rubbed his eyes. Every direction he turned, the air felt tighter. The fear spreading in the city was no longer abstract. It was creeping into the heroes too—turning allies into strangers, twisting every look and conversation.
He sat on his bed, beside the window and watched the glow of Sector 3 flicker in the distance, wide awake despite the late hour.
His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, replaying the events that had transpired since Walter's death.
The fight with Wraith, visiting the Hero Archives, his reassignment – it all swirled together in a maddening dance. He couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility, of guilt.
He thought about Zane, about the way he'd reacted. The fear value rising, the faith value dropping – it was a vicious cycle.
Kael knew he needed to do something, something that would make a difference. He needed to regain the public's trust, to show them that he was still a hero worth believing in.
As he sat there, an idea began to form. It was sparked by the memory of Wraith's mask, the way it seemed to symbolize the villain's power and anonymity.
Kael's mind racing, he threw off the covers and stood up, grabbing his bracelet.
He quickly typed out a text to Lira. "Call Kathy " he wrote. "I have an idea, something that will make a statement."
The message sent, Kael felt a surge of determination. He was going to do something impactful, something that would show the world he wasn't afraid.
And it will start with his image.