Chapter 10: Threads in the Shadows
Liam burst through the door, his shirt torn and bruises forming along his ribs and jaw. Dreck was already waiting in the living room, sharpening a blade with deliberate care.
"You look like you wrestled a bear," Dreck said without looking up.
Liam dropped his bag and slumped into the couch. "It was worse. Brody came back… with something. Some artifact. He called it the Crimson Howl."
That made Dreck pause.
"A what now?" he asked, eyes narrowing.
"It was like… a gauntlet. Red. Pulsing with energy. He wasn't normal, Uncle Dreck. It was like he was possessed." Liam leaned forward, his voice low and shaky. "Kaela said it was corrupting him."
Dreck set the blade down slowly. "Artifacts like that are not only rare but dangerous. And if it's corrupting its user, then it's not just a tool… it's something more. Something ancient."
"There's more," Liam added, rubbing the back of his neck. "When we were overwhelmed, someone stepped in. A man. He moved so fast I couldn't even see his face clearly… but he stopped Brody with a single move. Just his voice made the Crimson Howl shatter into dust."
Dreck's eyes were steel. "Did you recognize him?"
"No… but Kaela seemed to know," Liam said. "She froze when she heard his voice.
He leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "That means he's been watching you. , I think he's connected to something bigger. Maybe even Syndicate-level."
Liam's face hardened. "He's been watching me for a while. The first time you felt something during your fight with John's gang—it could've been him." dreck said "
Dreck stood. "It all lines up now. This man—whoever he is—has power. And a vested interest in you."
Just then, a sharp pulse rippled through the room.
Dreck's eyes narrowed instantly. "Wait for me, Liam," he said and disappeared from sight.
Liam barely blinked before he realized Dreck was gone. "What the...?"
Outside, Lucas hovered in the air just beyond the perimeter of the house. He had masked his presence expertly, hiding even from other skilled martial adepts. But the moment he stepped closer to the old manor's rooftop, a cold wave of awareness swept over him—Ambient Awareness.
His eyes widened.
"Clever old fox," he muttered as he pulled back swiftly.
Down below, Dreck landed softly on the rooftop, surveying the area. "Too late," he whispered. "He's skilled… to retreat the moment my aura touched him."
Lucas was already several blocks away, gliding over rooftops like a wraith. He touched down atop a water tower and looked back at the house. "So that's his mentor. Incredible range… his ambient awareness covers the entire street like a web. Even with my concealment, I felt his gaze on my soul."
He chuckled to himself—low and dark. "No breaking into that house… but at least I know now. The boy's mentor isn't just anyone. He's a monster in hiding."
Back inside, Dreck returned, checking the perimeter once more before entering the house.
"What was that, Uncle?" Liam asked, still stunned.
Dreck remained silent for a moment. Then he said, "Nothing… but someone brushed past my ambient awareness. Just for a second. Whoever it was—they're very good. But not good enough to go completely unnoticed."
"You think it was the guy from the alley?" Liam asked.
Dreck nodded. "Most likely. If he's watching you this closely, we need to take precautions. You said he saved you and kaela then he might not mean harm now—but intentions change."
"So I'm being watched…" Liam muttered.
"And not by someone ordinary," Dreck added. He turned and left the room, heading into his quarters. Moments later, he returned carrying something small and metallic in his hand.
"Here," he said, tossing the object to Liam.
Liam caught it. "A… wristwatch?"
"Looks like it. But it's far from just a timepiece." Dreck sat down across from him. "This is called a Recall Sigil. It's a high-grade mobility device used by covert agents back in the Syndicate days."
Liam turned it over, inspecting the circular dial and three tiny buttons on the side.
"How does it work?"
"Simple," Dreck explained. "One button arms the device. The second pushes it into alert mode. The third—that one's the key. When you press it and call the name of the person whose data is synced with it, it will instantly teleport them to your location."
Liam's eyes widened. This is… insane," Liam said, his eyes wide. "It's like summoning magic in shows like Naruto—where you make a contract with your summon and call them when you need help!"
"Exactly," Dreck said with a smirk. "But powered by compressed spatial tech and kinetic anchors. Takes years to master… and a nightmare to create. That one is tied to me. So if you're ever in danger, just activate the alert mode, press the third button, and say my name. I'll be there in seconds."
Liam held it to his wrist. It adjusted perfectly. "This is… insane."
"Use it only when it's life or death," Dreck said sternly. "It draws a lot of energy. I can only bond with one of these at a time."
Liam beamed. "Yes! I have something like magic now!"
His glee filled the room, the stress of the earlier battle forgotten.
"Alright, Liam," Dreck said, chuckling. "Go clean up and eat something. No training today."
Liam blinked. "Why not?"
"You just came from a battle. Your muscles are strained, your nerves on edge. What you need now is rest."
"But I can still—"
"No," Dreck interrupted, his tone sharp. "You push too hard, you break. Learn to rest when it's time to rest."
Liam sighed and headed inside without protest.
Back on the outskirts of the city, Lucas sat on the edge of his apartment rooftop, gazing at the sky.
"So Kaela… did you recognize me?"
He leaned back, his expression unreadable. "If you did, I guess I'll have to tell you the truth .
The boy's protected. I'll just keep watching from afar.
A low laugh escaped ha ha
his lips—cruel, amused, and filled with secrets.