Kale gazed through the window, snowflakes drifting lazily through the night sky. His deep blue eyes caught the glow of the full moon, which seemed to watch him as intently as he watched it.
Damn, it's so late and I still can't sleep. I keep thinking about today… does Apostle Coal really know my parents?
Kale rubbed his eyes and let out a sigh.
I need to clear my head. Fresh air will help.
He sat up, the blanket sliding off his shoulders and pooling on the floor. As he swung his legs out of bed, his foot clipped the corner of the nightstand.
"Ah, shit!" he hissed, clutching his toe.
The chill outside hit him instantly, but he walked on anyway, ignoring the sting of the snow on his skin. He wore only his loose striped pajamas and a small cap that barely held down his messy hair. His shoes scuffed the stone bricks as he wandered, head tilted up to the sprawling stars.
He said my dad was a notable figure. If that's true, then he's likely still alive. But if so… why don't I know him? I already assumed both my parents were dead, so maybe this is better than nothing. But…
Crack.
Kale froze. His head snapped around.
A cloaked figure stood just behind him. The heavy folds of deep purple were lined with faint yellow embroidery that caught the moonlight. A few strands of stark white hair slipped out from under the hood, though the face was completely hidden.
Kale straightened, realizing that even though he was taller, the figure's presence weighed on him like a storm. Their aura was cold, unsettling, almost suffocating.
The stranger lifted a pale hand, skin nearly the same shade as the moon itself.
Kale's voice came out lower than he expected. "Who are you?"
The figure chuckled. It wasn't laughter, it was sharp, like the hiss of a bat. The sound crawled down Kale's spine.
Then, without warning, the cloaked stranger lunged.
Shit. Shit. Shit. This is creepy as hell.
Kale ducked just in time as the cloaked stranger leapt over him. The heavy fabric snagged on his shoulder, dragging him down as both of them tumbled onto the cold stone. The cloak twisted around them like a net, trapping them together.
"Ahh, get off me!" Kale shouted, struggling against the tangled mess.
For a split second, their faces were inches apart. Beneath the hood, Kale caught a glimpse of blood-red eyes glowing in the moonlight. Their pale skin so white it nearly blended with the figure's snow-colored hair.
The stranger pushed him back with unnatural force, the fabric whipping around them as the cloak tore free. Kale stumbled to his feet, heart pounding, snow crunching under his leather shoes.
Kale swung first, his fist connected cleanly with the man's jaw, the sound sharp in the quiet street. The stranger staggered back, blood running from the corner of his mouth. He grinned slightly, wiping it away before lunging forward again.
Kale threw another jab, but the man ducked low and swept his legs out. Kale hit the ground hard, but quickly rolled and pushed off with his hands, flipping backward to his feet. His boots scraped the cobblestone as he steadied himself, breath fogging in the cold air.
The figure straightened, cloak rippling around him, red eyes glowing faintly in the dark. Kale clenched his fists, watching closely for movement.
He's fast. Too fast.
The stranger took a slow step forward, testing him. Kale adjusted his stance, shoulders rising, ready for another strike.
Kale's breath caught. He's so thin… there's no way he should be this strong.
The pale figure let out a dry chuckle before a faint red aura flared around him. His thin frame twisted, muscles swelling unnaturally beneath his pale skin as his hood fell, revealing a sharp, gaunt face and fangs glinting in the moonlight.
That's Soul Application… using Soul Energy to enhance your body and senses.
Kale focused his energy, his body tightening as Soul Application surged through him as well. His frame grew broader, muscles flexing with raw strength as faint ripples of energy shimmered off his skin.
The pale figure vanished for a blink before reappearing right in front of him. Kale barely registered the movement before a punch slammed into his face, sending him crashing into the ground. The impact rang through his body as dust rose around him.
A stomp followed, the ground cracking where his head had been moments earlier. Kale rolled aside, snow and gravel scattering, and pushed himself back to his feet. His breathing steadied, eyes locked on the figure, ready for whatever came next.
.The figure shot forward. In the blink of an eye, he was airborne, spinning midair before slamming his heel into Kale's guard. The impact sent Kale skidding back, boots grinding against the snow-covered bricks.
Not good… my arms are shaking from just one hit. I barely blocked it. This guy's strong. I'll have to use my Soul Art.
He raised his hand. A thread of pure energy flickered to life, then shot out like a whip. The pale figure ducked, only for the thread to curve, weaving midair until it coiled around his body.
"Got you," Kale muttered. "My Soul Art, Gleipnir. Strings made of Soul Energy."
He pulled sharply, dragging the figure in while cocking his free hand for a punch. But just as his fist connected, the figure vanished, leaving only a faint shimmer of red light and a folded piece of paper where he stood.
"Damn it," Kale hissed, lowering his guard. "You attack me out of nowhere and vanish the second I get an opening? Pathetic."
He bent down, picking up the note from the cold ground. The ink shimmered faintly in the moonlight as he read aloud:
"Come to the Church of Hecate tomorrow at sunset if you want answers about your father."
Kale blinked, rereading the words. "Well… that's convenient," he muttered, slipping the note into his pocket. "I wonder how they know about him."
He stood there for a moment longer, his breath steadying. It's obviously a trap, he thought. But if there's even a chance they know something about him…
Kale sighed, his breath forming a faint cloud in the cold night air. He turned and started back toward his house, snow crunching under his feet.
I need some sleep…