Bright sun rays emit through crystal-clear windows of a throne room. Inside, a great number of different species all kneeling on one knee towards the one sitting on the throne created from the souls of the dead.

It was dead silent.

The sheer loyalty shown from those humbling themselves was all that could be felt in the heavenly room. And the one leading them in their solemn respect to their Lord was none other than the General of His army, “Dark Hero, Dario.”

“Our servants, Our friends, hear Our declaration.” Announced The One on The Soul Throne.

“You honor Us with your sacrifice. And with such overwhelming conviction, We declare a reward shall be granted to Our noble servants. You, who have risked everything in the face of injustice and tyranny, have emerged as victors of the war. Know that your Lord is proud of you.”

(Author’s note: “You” is describing all of the servants present in the throne room. Not, specifically, Dario.)

The Lord’s words echoed through the hall and soothed the ones present. His words alone carried great volume combined with a graceful voice.

All of the servants started to shed tears in reaction to their Lord’s solemn words. Indeed, they have spent such a long time enduring great adversity. However, the ones shedding tears are great figures. They were hailed as some of the most powerful characters on the planet.

Yet, what can be said by The One to make them shed tears by His words alone?

This represents the pinnacle relationship of serving someone worthy of their trust.

And The Lord presented a soft smile.

“Rise Our Servants.”

In one sequence, every single species rose in unison and looked at their Lord with eyes of adoration.

“Pray, tell Us your wishes. For indeed, you will find your reward with Us.”

“My Lord, My King, My Master.” Dario expressed in a dignified manner.

“We wish to see you… We wish to see your face.”

“Is that all your heart desires?”

Without requiring a reply, The Lord of The Soul Throne looked deep into the eyes of His servants. That was all that was needed to confirm their resolve.

“Very well.” Expressed The Lord.

“Our beloved Seraphim, Ignis, and Aegis! Come hither! It is time for Our servants to gaze upon Our glory!” Declared The Lord with a powerful and confident command reverberating throughout the sanctum.

Instantly, two individuals with majestic wings teleported to the side of their Lord.

Ignis on the left, and Aegis on the right.

Before the unveiling of The One of The Soul Throne, He made one last declaration.

“By gazing upon Us, know that you are all beloved.”

With that last statement, the two Seraphims gracefully, in one motion, removed the unique seal covering The Lord’s eyes.

Once lifted, the mage-like mantle’s hood slowly fell.

With this, His face was finally unveiled.

***

They were both sitting down on the steps of a porch. Both of them weren’t too far or too close to each other. It may have even appeared as if a man and a woman were getting to know each other.

To her, it seems like a date.

For him, he was merely there to repay his debt.

“I have a question for you.” She asked curiously.

“What is it?” He replied.

“Sometimes, I see you play the piano and you always play the same song. And, I just can’t help but feel like you’re going through something… Why is the song you play so sad?”

Their eyes were deep in lock with each other.

She always thought that he was a mysterious guy. Yet, that intrigued her a great deal. She never had her heart flutter like butterflies. Though, not as much as he did to her. And her stomach would feel light as if she was on cloud nine. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that she was attracted to the guy. She couldn’t keep herself away from him whenever they got the chance to meet up. And the reason being is because she felt like he needed someone by his side. That was what she believed.

And so, her resolve was to make that man fall in love with her.

“Maybe one day I’ll tell you.”

He grinned for a quick second towards her and quickly turned his head facing forward.

“I’m sorry. I should've known.” She expressed.

“Don’t be. The song that I play is only a reminder of my past.”

He looks back at her and locks eyes once more.

“I learned to play this song from someone important to me.”

“Important?” She blushed at the fact that he said something about it.

He nodded slightly in response to her question.

“Was the person you learned it from someone you… loved?” She asked timidly.

“Love?” His face of constant indifference was surprised for a quick second, then he slowly tilted his head forward.

“Yes. That person was the only one that I truly loved.”

***

Her name is Cindy Chang.

She was the most popular girl in high school. Guys and girls alike looked her way knowing who she was. They gazed at every inch and crevice of her entire body. Cindy had, after all, an incredibly voluptuous body with an exotic face. And it's all because she inherited the best genes of her mixed race.

To some, she was a distant crush whom they will never be able to reach. To others, someone who would give anything in the world to have a one-night stand with.

As she passed through the crowds that gawked at her, there was but a single person that caught her eye. Usually, she was used to people looking at her. In effect, Cindy had picked up the sense to know when she was being gazed upon. But this time, she wasn’t. And this irritated her a great deal.

She was in the West Wing of the school where barely any students pass through due to it having classes exclusive only to a few who are gifted. In other words, classes that are categorized as “Advanced Placement.” As she got closer, her pupils dilated more than usual.

Cindy got closer and closer until she could finally see a clear picture of the one who was oblivious to her presence and her looks.

Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.

Suddenly, her heart started beating uncontrollably and her face blushed bright red. Her steps became half as slow.

She was in a self-induced trance by simply looking at him. Even at that moment, it felt like she spent several hours staring at his face.

Now, this begs the question.

Just what would the guy look like to put someone in that state of trance?

The face that Cindy saw was something she had never seen on a guy in her life. It looked like a master sculptor had sculpted his face like a true masterpiece.

With long bangs and a sharp jawline, he had attractive features that a guy could ever have. Although, that was merely her opinion. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

She was so stunned by the looks of the guy that she tripped just a few paces before him.

Fa-thud!

Her fall sounded unusually loud due to falling on top of her binder. Not to mention that the floor she fell on was a carpeted floor that was cemented underneath with concrete.

It was obvious that she was incredibly embarrassed. This was the first time in her life that she had literally tripped out of nowhere.

“Are you okay?” A voice ranged out.

Cindy immediately got on her knees and tried to fix herself before she would stand up. But as she did, she saw a hand reaching out to her.

As her face looked up, she saw two, beautiful grey eyes looking at her. Taken aback, no words could escape out of her mouth.

So... handsome. She thought to herself.

“You hit the floor pretty hard there. Here.”

The guy slowly reached out his hand and gently picked her up like a gentleman.

The whole scene looked like it came from a romantic movie script.

“There you go. You alright? You haven’t said a word yet.”

His words instantly brought Cindy back to reality.

“Y-Yeah I’m fine.” She said while fixing her hair and patting her clothes to get the dirt off (even though there weren’t any). The funny thing is, while she did all that, she made a few quick glances at him.

“Thanks for your help! Gotta go!” She made her way in hurried steps. Her face was even more flushed red like a tomato.

As she went out her way, the guy simply looked at her with a soft smirk on his face while sounding off a quick “hmph” sound.

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! Why did I embarrass myself like that?! Thinking to herself vehemently.

Unaware, she walked into her classroom without noticing. “Hey, Cindy!” Someone blurted out.

Cindy recognized the voice to be one of her friends and she made her way to her.

“What’s wrong with your face? It’s bright red! Do you have a fever?!” Her friend exclaimed all girly-like as she pressed her hand on Cindy’s forehead.

“N-No... it’s not that, it’s... this guy that I met.”

“A guy? Did one of your fanboys do something to you, Cindy?!”

Hehe. She giggled softly.

“No babe! It’s this guy I’ve never seen before in this school.”

“A guy you’ve never seen...? Well, tell me about him!” She exclaimed excitedly.

“First, he had these beautiful... grey eyes.”

***

That was years ago.

Since then, Cindy became an up-and-rising actress in America.

She started to clamor fame in romance, horror, action, and many other genres in the movie industry.

It turned out that the popularity she had in school would stay with her even after graduation.

The hallway where he met the guy with grey eyes had her Advanced Acting class in there.

What she was taught in that class helped her achieve success in the real world.

Now, we find her walking through a crowded street along a crosswalk. Cindy had gotten so famous that she had to conceal herself with a hoodie on with a casual appearance to match it. Cindy had to look the part of a normal city girl just so she wouldn’t arouse any suspicion.

Walking the streets was one of her favorite pastimes. She had missed what it was like being a normal girl and walking around like an ordinary person.

Many years had passed since high school, and since then, she had built up experience and attention while pursuing her acting career.

So, to find her here out of all places was quite an unexpected turnaround.

As she kept walking until stopping at a crosswalk, she noticed someone. It was someone who she could never forget.

Ba-dum... With that one heartbeat, her whole world slowed down before her.

No... it can’t be! Cindy thought to herself in an extremely surprised manner.

The longer she looked, the more it was clear to her.

Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum. Her heart raced.

She knew it was him, for how can she forget his beautiful grey eyes?

He too was wearing a hoodie and was staring straight at her. He knew where she was all along.

He just had to see her for one last time.

The time they spent staring at each other felt as if the whole world moved like a matrix. Cindy wanted more than anything to run right after him but she couldn’t. Vehicles were in the way and she knew she wasn’t fast enough to cross the street.

Just as the timer to cross was about to count down to zero, a large bus had perturbed her vision of him.

And just like that - he vanished.

“Hm?!” She exclaimed immediately.

Her mind jumped.

Where did he go?! She asked herself loudly.

Just then the timer was up and she ran to where he was, but he wasn’t there. She didn’t know what to do.

Instead, she kept running through the crowds like crazy. After turning a corner, she saw someone turn their back and it was him!

Cindy started sprinting towards him.

Yet, he vanished again amongst the crowd.

She turned to another corner again and she saw him. And he vanished again once she got closer.

The guy with grey eyes had led her through each corner and crosswalks until he had gone down below to a subway station. And on each occasion, she saw him again and again at just the right moment.

Cindy thought that this time she would finally be able to grab a hold of him once she went down the stairs and into the entryway to the train.

This time I’m getting you!

It looked like it was about to happen. The guy with grey eyes was standing right in front of the door inside of the train all the while staring at her. It was as if he was waiting for her.

And with all her might, she sprinted. Though she was already exhausted from chasing him around the streets, her max output wasn’t enough.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t fast enough and the door to the train closed right in front of her.

Without thinking, she tried to open it any way she can, but alas, it was to no avail.

Her face filled with sadness and all she could do was place her hand on the window.

Inside, the man with grey eyes simply had a smile on his face. He was glad that he could see her for one last time.

He placed his hand on the window as well to mirror her hand.

Cindy stood silent. Saddened that he would leave her like this without saying a word. It happened in the past and it broke her heart.

Suddenly, the intercom for the subway station started sounding off. “Attention passengers, the train will now depart. Please step behind the designated safety lines. Thank you and have a great day.”

As the train station announced that the train was about to leave, Cindy slowly took her hand off of the window and stepped back a couple of steps.

She had a feeling that he had wanted to see her for one last time. And just like before, he left without saying a word.

Gone like the gust of wind.

***

Lying outstretched on a hammock that’s connected to two trees, he looked reminiscent of the years that had long since passed. It was obvious to tell by the position of his hands that were relaxed behind his head.

Yet, it did not seem like he was relaxing at all due to the aura the man on the hammock was emitting.

The sound of footsteps hitting the earth was approaching his way.

It was a muscular man adorned with a black, sleeveless Judo Uniform.

“So this is where you’ve been, all this time.”

Unperturbed, the man on the hammock slowly gazed at the person who spoke to him on his right, then he slowly retracted his head back.

“Rasul.” He said.

Rasul smirked at his behavior as if he expected that kind of attitude from the young man.

“Heh! Here.”

Rasul threw an Indian mango fruit towards the young man on the hammock which he caught without looking.

He looked at the fruit with his same emotionless eyes. Uninterested and degenerated, he simply held onto the mango fruit and lowered his arm.

“Oh? Does even your favorite fruit cease to instill emotion within you? Has the ‘Malak’ of Africa been reduced to... this?” Voicing the melancholic state of the young man with his words.

“...”

Rasul sat down beside the tree with legs crisscrossed. The time for small-talk was over.

“Have you fulfilled what you had sought out to do?” Rasul questioned inquisitively.

“Yes.” The young man replied plainly.

“Then, pray tell, why do I have this feeling of emptiness when I look upon you?”

“I… do not know.”

“I see.”

A small silence passed between the two as a breeze passed by.

“It’s not easy, is it? I have felt that feeling a long time ago. A memory I had already buried.” Rasul exclaimed.

“How... did you get through it?” Replied the young man.

“You have to find that answer for yourself, just like I have found mine.”

“...”

Rasul stood up and patted his clothes. Before he would depart from the young man’s presence, he said some parting words.

“Your path of vengeance is finished, is it not? Come find me when you find your true purpose in life.”

As the soft footsteps of Rasul were becoming fainter to hear, the young man was left alone once again in his solitude.

My true purpose in life?

***

Some time had passed since Rasul left, yet, the young man was still in the same place.

He was in an obscure setting within Africa. Free from people and disturbances.

The only building within that solitary area was a small and simple bamboo house and a little hammock right next to it.

This was a perfect place for someone who needed solitude. A place to think and reflect. Free from all trouble, only peace and the sounds of nature were present.

But even with all of the right conditions in place, the young man still felt empty.

He would go on for days without eating food. There were the occasional drinks of water purely out of survival’s sake. And he even maintained his chiseled body doing his workouts. Other than that, he would spend most of his time glaring up in the sky and towards the landscape as well.

Then suddenly, a man with platinum hair appeared out of nowhere in front of the young man.

Still, even with such a surprise, the young man on the hammock merely gazed at the stranger with platinum hair.

“It’s you. The one from my memories - The Platinum Shadow.”

“Hmph!” A smirk came upon the stranger’s face. “Fascinating. By finally fulfilling your vengeance, it seems like the light in your soul has faded somewhat, not like how it was before.”

“Who are you? Why do you appear before me again?”

“To succeed my mantle.”

“To succeed your... mantle?”

“Indeed! It is I who have chosen you!”

As the stranger with platinum hair voiced his reply, he fazed through the ground and flew underground to the secret lair belonging to the young man.

Without hesitation, the young man got off of the hammock and ran after The Platinum Shadow.