Chapter 19: Echoes of Retribution

Gabriel moved with a supernatural swiftness, his figure a blur as he closed in on one of the men. His hand latched onto the man's neck, and with a surge of power, he activated his devouring authority. In that instant, black tentacles emerged from Gabriel's back, piercing through the unfortunate soul, causing him to wither and collapse lifeless to the ground.

The sound of gunfire erupted almost instinctively from the remaining men:

Boom!

The deafening echoes of gunshots reverberated through the stillness of the night, a chilling symphony that resonated with the surroundings. But Gabriel was faster than the eye could follow. In less than four heartbeats, the men who had dared to oppose him were nothing but lifeless bodies strewn across the ground.

"Aurora, locate Doctor Morgan for me," Gabriel commanded, his voice calm and resolute.

[... Of course.]

Instantly, a luminous green screen materialized before Gabriel's closed eyes. Though his eyelids concealed his sight, he possessed a vision surpassing any human. Even with his eyes shut, Gabriel's perception expanded to a 360-degree view.

The screen transformed into a three-dimensional map, displaying a topographical representation of the area. Landmarks and terrain features came to life on the holographic projection. As Gabriel studied the map, his attention was drawn to multiple blinking dots indicating the positions of individuals.

At the map's center, a steady red light symbolized Dr. Morgan, signifying his commanding role and setting him apart from the rest. Scattered around the central red light, six smaller blue lights blinked intermittently. These blue lights represented Dr. Morgan's men, visual markers of their presence and movements. The incessant blinking hinted at their activity or communication within the team.

As Gabriel continued his observation, he noticed one of the blinking lights moving rapidly.

[... They appear to be heading towards the underground research facility.]

"Excellent. I can deal with them all at once," Gabriel murmured to himself, a grim determination etched on his face. With that thought, he set off towards the desert.

Meanwhile, Doctor Morgan and his team reached the entrance of the hidden lab. Just as they were about to step inside, they noticed a figure approaching. The team leader's men raised their weapons, their gazes locked on the mysterious intruder. "Hold it right there!" the team leader commanded. But to their astonishment, the person continued advancing, undeterred by the threat. And in an instant, the intruder vanished from their sight.

Gabriel had long since arrived at the underground facility, but he chose to wait, not wanting to linger here any longer than necessary. He found a concealed spot behind a platform, preparing for their arrival.

Doctor Morgan's heart raced with trepidation. Barely escaping with his life just weeks before, he had returned with a group of highly trained operatives to retrieve the remaining data from the research facility. He never expected Gabriel to remain, believing his presence was merely a phantom haunting his nightmares. The men he brought along were added protection, an illusion of safety shattered as soon as Gabriel emerged, without even a hint of small talk. He began slaughtering them mercilessly, one after another.

After disposing of the six armed men, Gabriel finally stood face to face with Dr. Morgan. He grabbed the doctor by the throat, his grip tightening with a slight twisting motion. Dr. Morgan's life slipped away in an instant.

Amidst the aftermath of his completed revenge, a whirlwind of emotions swept over Gabriel. Satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment washed away the burden he had carried for so long.

The weight of his vengeance had been exacted upon those who had wronged him.

Yet, beneath the surface of vindication, an abyss of emptiness lingered. Revenge, though momentarily gratifying, could not erase the deep scars etched into Gabriel's soul. The euphoria faded, replaced by a somber reflection on the price of his journey.

As he turned to leave, weariness settled upon him. The countless battles, both physical and emotional, had taken their toll. Vengeance had left him hollow, stripped of purpose.

Within this weariness, uncertainty sprouted like a fragile seed. The completion of his revenge had brought him to the precipice of the unknown. The path ahead shrouded in shadows beckoned him to redefine his identity, to forge a new purpose for his existence.

Somewhere in Africa, a young man descended from the plane. His jet-black hair intertwined with streaks of red. Clad in unassuming attire, he wore sunglasses with red frames, standing out even in the darkness of the night. The surroundings illuminated with a radiant white light as he began his steady stride away from the airport. People cast strange glances his way, but he paid no mind. It was Gabriel, returning home after five long years to reunite with his parents and sister, even though they might not recognize him. Being a Beyonder had transformed him completely. His skin was no longer the same deep black, but not entirely white either—it had turned a rich brown hue.

Taking a taxi, he arrived at his childhood home. However, he chose to remain at a distance, silently watching his family as they slumbered. Though the night concealed them, Gabriel's extraordinary sight pierced through the veil, allowing him to perceive them with astonishing clarity. He removed his glasses, and immediately the world unfolded before him in intricate detail. Even with closed eyes, his perception surpassed the limitations of ordinary sight. Gabriel's vision transcended vast distances, rendering the smallest details with breathtaking precision. Blades of grass, minute cells composing the world, all lay bare before his extraordinary gaze. He observed his family, witnessing the pulsating vitality of their organs, each beat a testament to the delicate balance of life. Humanity's essence unveiled itself, exposed to his all-encompassing vision. Tears welled in his eyes as his extraordinary sight took its toll.

AURORA, the ever-present voice in his mind, urged him.

[... Gabriel, enough, you can only use your eye power from 20 second.]

[... Are you not going in?]

Gabriel offered no response. In that profound moment of self-realization, he turned his gaze away from the home he had yearned to return to. And in that solemn declaration echoing through his mind, he announced, "The Gabriel they once knew is dead. From now on, I am Inarius. But I shall not discard the name my parents gave me. I shall be Gabriel Inarius."

This decision carried a weighty significance, resonating with a tragic undertone woven into the fabric of his story. Gabriel had emerged from this encounter as a changed man, marked by the scars of his trials and the darkness he had confronted. And he accepted it, recognizing that it was better for his parents to believe he was dead than to burden them with the truth of what he had become. The name Inarius symbolized the metamorphosis he had undergone—an identity forged in the crucible of tragedy.

The tragedy that befell Gabriel extended beyond the loss of innocence or the shattered dreams of his family's peaceful existence. It encompassed the profound realization that his journey had forever severed the connection between him and his loved ones. The very essence of Gabriel had been irrevocably altered, rendering him a stranger in the presence of those he held dear.

With the name Gabriel Inarius, he sought

to honor the person he once was while acknowledging the irrevocable transformation he had undergone. It was a fusion of identities, a merging of past and present, a testament to the enduring echoes of a life left behind.

As he turned away from his former home, Gabriel Inarius embarked on a new chapter, his footsteps echoing through the darkness—a solitary figure carrying the weight of his past, a guardian of the forgotten, and a seeker of redemption. And so, he vanished into the night.

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