CHAPTER 6: Shadows And Whispers
The classroom buzzed with quiet chatter until the door creaked open. All eyes turned as Mr. Lucas stepped in, his briefcase in one hand and a confident smile on his face.
"Stand," the class rep ordered.
Chairs scraped against the floor as the entire class rose to their feet in near-perfect unison.
"Greet," the rep added.
"Good morning, teacher!" the class chorused.
"Good morning, class," Lucas replied warmly. "How are you all feeling today?"
"We're fine, thank you!" they responded again, their voices blending in an energetic chorus.
Lucas nodded. "Great. Today we're diving into something important. We're starting a new topic in Social Studies—'The Rise and Fall of Ancient Civilizations.'" He turned to the board and wrote in large, confident strokes: The Fall of the Kingdom of Suthan.
He turned back to the class and clasped his hands behind his back, his expression thoughtful.
"The Kingdom of Suthan once stood as a beacon of civilization during the Third Age. Known for its innovations in military strategy, governance, and urban planning, it dominated the continent for over three centuries. But then… it fell. Like many before it."
Lucas began to pace slowly, his voice steady, almost theatrical.
"Can anyone tell me why even the most powerful civilizations fall?"
Several hands shot up. Lucas pointed. "Marie?"
"Because of wars?" she offered.
"War was certainly a factor," Lucas nodded. "But not the core reason. Anyone else?"
Liam raised his hand. Lucas's eyes lingered on him for a second before he nodded. "Yes, Liam?"
"Internal betrayal," Liam said.
Lucas's expression shifted slightly—just enough for the observant to notice. "Correct," he said, nodding slowly. "It wasn't enemies from without, but traitors from within that brought the mighty Suthan to its knees. Greed. Ambition. Jealousy. These are the true forces of destruction."
The classroom fell into a hush as Lucas continued with more intensity. "A trusted general, once a hero of the people, conspired with outsiders. The kingdom collapsed almost overnight. Entire cities burned. The monarchy vanished. And all because one man wanted more than what he was given."
Liam's hand tightened around his pen. The story of betrayal hit too close to home. He glanced down at his notebook, the words blurring slightly.
Lucas didn't miss it.
The bell rang at exactly 12 PM, sharp and loud. Students began packing up, chattering among themselves.
"Your homework: read pages 48 to 52, and prepare a short reflection on how leadership shapes destiny. Dismissed."
The class emptied quickly, but Lucas remained seated at his desk, his eyes on Liam as he walked out with Ethan and Tyler.
---
The canteen buzzed with life as usual, but the tension was different today. Liam walked in with Ethan and Tyler, the familiar smell of fried food and rice thick in the air. The three of them found their usual spot near the window. They sat, joined hands in a quiet prayer, and began eating.
But the whispers started immediately.
"There he is."
"That's the kid, right? The one who put eight guys in the hospital."
"I heard he used an artifact—something forbidden."
"Isn't he like... eleven? What kind of kid does that?"
"They say he's dangerous."
Liam heard it all, even if they weren't speaking directly to him. His ears picked up the cadence of fear. But worse than fear was curiosity. He wasn't just a rumor anymore—he was becoming a spectacle.
Ethan tried to smile through it, but his eyes kept scanning the room. Tyler barely touched his food.
"They're still talking," Ethan whispered.
Liam gave a single nod. "Let them."
Before they could say more, the canteen's atmosphere shifted like a drop in temperature. It wasn't just noise anymore. It was the silence before a storm.
Brody entered.
He didn't speak. He didn't need to. His mere presence was a statement. Broad-shouldered, with sharp eyes and a scar above his brow, Brody looked like someone who lived for conflict. He wore his uniform like armor. Students stepped aside instinctively as he walked toward Liam's table.
The noise died.
"Are you Liam?" Brody asked, his tone flat, unreadable.
Liam looked up slowly. "Yeah. That's me."
"Do you know who I am?"
Liam met his eyes. "No. Should I?"
Ethan leaned in, pale. "T-that's Brody... John's older brother."
Tyler whispered, "He's a monster. I've seen him fight. He's not like those other guys."
Everyone in the canteen was watching now, breath held, as if expecting blood to spill across the floor.
Liam looked back at Brody. "Oh. You're John's brother? Interesting."
No mockery, no flinch—just cold, calm acknowledgment.
"Nice to meet you," Liam added.
A flicker of confusion passed across Brody's face. This wasn't the scared kid he was expecting. No panic. No apology.
"You've got guts," Brody muttered after a pause. "We'll see how long that lasts."
Then, without warning, he turned and walked away.
Silence lingered like smoke in the air before the whispers started again, louder, fueled by adrenaline and disbelief.
"Did you see that?"
"He didn't even flinch."
"He stared Brody down…"
Ethan wiped sweat from his brow. "Liam… you've seriously got a death wish."
Tyler shook his head. "Or something way scarier than that."
Liam took another bite of his food as if nothing had happened, but his mind was racing. Not with fear—but with clarity. Every confrontation brought him closer to something—some truth about himself he hadn't fully grasped yet.
And above, unseen by all, Mr. Lucas stood hidden in the shadows near the stairwell.
He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, eyes narrowed.
No one had noticed him enter.
He had watched everything.
Not a single word or movement had escaped his gaze.
"So… the boy doesn't just have potential," Lucas whispered to himself. "He has presence. And instinct."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a small, black device—an earpiece.
A click.
"He's adapting faster than expected," he said softly. "Initiate Phase Two. I'll keep observing."
With that, Lucas vanished down the hall, disappearing like a ghost.
And Liam, still unaware of the greater forces at play
, took another bite of rice, completely calm.