Ron stood by the bed, staring at Leuliang's sprawled body. The white hospital lights reflected off his overly pale and frail face. The question that had haunted him since the first day resurfaced.
Is this truly the man who destroyed Vellion City?
"Such a fragile body," Ron whispered into the silence. "Yet a city vanished without a trace. We couldn't even find the remains of our parents... and you were the only one left, Leuliang."
Ron took a deep breath, fighting the resentment that burned in his chest. He forced it behind the steel walls of military discipline.
"If Leuliang is guilty, punishment must be administered with a cool head, not an impulsive outburst like Nox's."
The door closed slowly as Ron left. In the hallway, Nox stood rigid under the cold fluorescent light. His face was tense, his eyes bloodshot.
"Aren't you going home?" Ron asked.
Nox let out a hollow, jagged laugh. "Home? Where, Ron? Vellion is gone. Everything we were is ash because of that... that criminal in there."
"Calm down," Ron kept his voice steady. "We have to keep a clear head."
"I won't rest until he's punished," Nox snapped, his knuckles white.
Ron was about to walk past his brother, but Nox caught him by the shoulder. "Ron. I don't care if I'm punished or fired, as long as he pays the price."
Ron stared at Nox for a long moment.
"Tomorrow. Keep your head down until tomorrow. I'll handle the investigation."
Nox clenched his fists. "Okay..."
They left the hospital building.
***
Night fell with no guards at the door, only CCTV monitoring the room. Several hours passed before the effects of the sedative wore off. Leuliang stirred, slowly opening his eyes. Suddenly, the shadow appeared. A dark figure stood beside the bed. It had no definite shape, as if shrouded in a dense, ever-shifting fog. Sharp teeth curved in the darkness.
Leuliang's blood ran cold.
"Y... you..." his voice cracked.
The creature grinned. "Finally, Master Esculenta is speaking to me."
"Answer me first... what are you?" Leuliang shrank into the bed, his body trembling.
"I am part of you, Master Esculenta."
The words cut deeper than fear and the name felt heavier than his own.
"Part of me? Master? Serenity? That world... is it all real, or is this the effect of the drug?"
The creature remained silent, watching him with an unsettling, patient intensity. As his terror began to fade into a dull ache, Leuliang forced himself to breathe. Then, as the fear began to subside, Leuliang forced himself to speak more steadily.
"Are you... a hidden power? Or what?"
"If it makes you understand me, then yes, Master Leuliang."
"Stop calling me Master," Leuliang whispered. "Call me Lian."
"Lian..." The creature's tone shifted, suddenly soft, almost childlike.
Lian swallowed his fear. "Do you have a name?"
"No."
Lian looked at the shifting fog. "Outer. That's your name."
The creature, now named Outer, seemed to ripple with delight. "Okay. I'm Outer."
"Outer," Lian's voice shook. "Do you know what happened to Vellion City?"
Outer nodded slightly. "I was only protecting Lian."
"Protecting me? From what?"
"Lian fainted when we first met. When I held your body, the humans saw me. They panicked. It wasn't my fault."
Lian bit his lip. "But now they don't see you."
"Because I didn't touch Lian."
Outer looked down, like a scolded child.
"Before... I couldn't speak. Ever since Lian was banished to this world, I've just followed."
The word was thrown out, hitting Lian in the chest.
"Banished... by who? Serenity? That world? Why?"
Lian's mind reeled. Fragments of the past suddenly appeared. The octagonal symbol, Serenity's gift, and Outer appeared right after.
"What happened after the people panicked?" Lian asked softly.
"The fighter aircraft arrived, followed by the tanks. They opened fire on you. If I stayed, Lian would die."
Lian's mouth went dry. "So... you retaliated?"
"I used the Esculenta Code. But because Lian didn't want it... I could only tap into a fraction of its strength."
There was a long silence. Lian felt the air leave his lungs.
"Outer... how powerful is the Esculenta Code?"
Outer's grin widened, revealing too many teeth. A smile unbecoming of such a being.
"If Lian wanted it, this world could disappear right now."
The space suddenly felt cramped. Lian's breathing became heavy.
***
At the same time, in the military headquarters training room, Nox pummeled a sandbag with such force that his knuckles felt like they might tear through his skin. The thud of his punch filled the empty room. His breath was ragged, and sweat dripped down his face.
"Damn you, Leuliang!"
BAM! BAM! BAM!
The final blow made the sandbag slam violently. Nox finally fell to his knees, his body shaking. Nox recalled the previous incident.
"I was too impulsive earlier, even speaking harshly to Ron," he sighed. He quickly removed his boxing gloves to face Ron.
Meanwhile, in his office, Ron opened a drawer. In the family photo, Father, Mother, he, and Nox were all smiling, with Nox proudly displaying the world championship belt. It was a smile that would never be seen again.
He felt a soft vibration in his jacket pocket. It was his phone.
"Lieutenant Colonel Eosvile, The suspected Leuliang... something's strange!" the CCTV officer's voice sounded panicked.
"How so?"
"He's... talking to someone. His body movements seem like they're having a conversation, but... the room is empty."
Ron was silent for a moment. "I'll go there."
He hurried immediately. Unbeknownst to him, Nox was there. Nox followed him from a distance, clenching his jaw. "Ron, what's going on?" he muttered under his breath.
***
Ron entered the ward without greeting. Nox waited outside, restraining himself from barging in.
Lian turned his head slowly. He looked at Ron, then at Outer, who was standing right next to the officer. Ron's chest was practically brushing against the creature's formless mist.
"Who are you talking to, Leuliang?" Ron's voice was cold and sharp.
A small, hysterical smile of relief touched Lian's lips. Ron couldn't see Outer next to him. Good. As long as I don't touch Outer, he's invisible, Lian thought.
Lian maintained his smile, and there was no mockery in it. Ron saw this, and his patience was about to snap. "What are you smiling about?"
Lian looked away. "The effects of the drug haven't worn off yet."
The Outer beside him grinned broadly, enjoying Ron's confusion.
Ron stepped closer to him. He stood very close, making Lian feel his breath. His breath was cold, the pressure palpable. "Stop the act, criminal."
Their eyes met. Lian chose silence.
And that provoked Ron more than any shout.
To be continued...