Peace

The night seemed to stretch on endlessly, and the digital clock on the car's dashboard read 4:00 AM. The Maserati's interior was filled with a mix of the car's hum and breathing.

Tom's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles turning white. The neon streetlights flashed by, casting fleeting shadows that seemed to dance with his racing thoughts.

How...? How could a mere child commit such atrocities? The scene back at the warehouse played on a loop in his mind.

The smell of burning, the screams, the overwhelming heat... It all culminated in the image of a young boy, standing high above, watching the inferno he'd created with a detached amusement. The memory of how Zero had tortured Blade, the sheer ruthlessness of it, made Tom's skin crawl.

Glancing sideways, he stole a quick look at Zero, who seemed far more tranquil than someone who had just taken so many lives should. Zero's youthful face, now revealed without its mask, bore no expression. No remorse, no satisfaction, just an eerie stillness. It was in that moment that Tom truly understood, that Zero is not normal.

A cold shiver ran down Tom's spine, and he gulped audibly, trying to moisten his dry throat. "Hey, boss," his voice shaky, "you alright there?"

Zero turned his head slowly to face Tom, his dark eyes inscrutable. "Why do you ask?"

Tom hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "That was... intense back there. I've never seen anything like it."

Zero merely stared at him for a moment, his gaze piercing. "It needed to be done."

The weight of Zero's words lingered in the air, and more silence enveloped the car.

The minutes stretched on, feeling like hours. Tom had learned, over time, to appreciate silence. But the intensity of Zero's demeanor made this particular silence almost unbearable.

When Zero finally broke the stillness, his voice was low and methodical. "Drop me off at my parents' house. Then, handle the Knifepoint building. Sell it, but make sure everything's anonymous. We can't afford any connections back to us. And about their clients... clear their debts. I won't have them suffering because of what's happened."

Tom, nodding slowly, took a moment to absorb Zero's instructions. Then, with a glance at Zero, he offered a lighthearted comment, hoping to lighten the mood. "You know, if this whole revenge business doesn't pan out, you've got a promising career in philanthropy. Erasing people's debts? That's superhero-level stuff right there."

Zero's mouth twitched into the barest hint of a smile, appreciating Tom's attempt at humor. "Focus on driving, Tom. And maybe find a better genre for your jokes."

Tom chuckled softly, the atmosphere in the car lightening just a touch. "Will do, boss. Will do."

The muted blue glow from the digital clock by the bedside read 4:30 am. Zero, having barely closed the door behind him, the evening's events pull him down onto the bed.

Each thud of his heart resonated in his ears, a rhythmic 'dump dump dump'. As he lay there, memories from the evening washed over him, but instead of feeling overwhelmed, a distinct sense of satisfaction settled within him.

His chest swelled with a feeling he had long forgotten, or perhaps, had never truly known. For the first time, Zero felt like the author of his own narrative, not a boring pawn in someone else's game. The raw power of being in control and triumphed was addicting.

For years, he had been haunted by nightmares and memories, but tonight, he had turned the tables. He had protected what mattered most to him and exacted revenge on those who sought to destroy it.

The very thought of what he had accomplished wrapped around him like a comforting blanket.

============================

Name: Zero Elsher

Age: 12 years old

Power: 30

Intelligence: 41

Stamina: 33.5

Unused points: 0

Balance: 8300 Zen

Balance Exchange.

Skills: Future Sight -, Calm Mind Rank F

============================

The morning sun had already climbed high into the sky by the time Zero awoke. Bleary-eyed and with sunlight streaming through the gaps in the curtains, the clock's display read 11:45 a.m. Another day had begun.

***At the same time NSE Academy

From Mike's point of view, the world seemed to have slowed down. His phone screen stared back at him, unchanging and silent.

Despite the numerous messages he had sent, there was no reply from Zero. The little blue ticks of messager that indicated a message had been read were conspicuously absent. What could possibly be keeping him? Mike pondered, thumbing through their past messages.

Feeling a mix of annoyance and concern, Mike decided to head downstairs, hoping a change of scenery would help.

The whirr of the elevator motor hummed in his ears as he descended from the fifth floor of the academy dorm.

The interior of the lift was adorned with a soft beige hue, illuminated by a faint overhead light. The metallic reflection of the doors momentarily caught Mike's face; a face filled with a myriad of emotions.

The doors slid open with a muted 'ding', revealing the bustling first floor. Students mingled around, some engrossed in their tablets while others chatted animatedly. The aroma of fresh coffee wafted from a nearby cafe, mingling with the scent of baked goods and newly printed books from the adjoining bookstore.

Mike's gaze quickly settled on two familiar faces. Kayla and Camilla were comfortably ensconced in plush chairs at the gathering area, sipping boba and animatedly discussing something. Spotting Mike, Kayla waved with a bright smile. The curly tendrils of her hair bounced as she gestured him over.

Walking over, Mike managed a half-smile, lifting his hands in a gesture of helplessness.

"I guess he's really caught up in something," Kayla remarked sympathetically, her gaze shifting to her boba as she took another sip.

Mike nodded, raking a hand through his hair. "Yeah, you girls want to delay it till next week instead?"

Camilla, her eyes framed with a hint of eyeliner, looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "I don't mind."

Kayla mirrored the sentiment, "Same here."

Mike sighed, the weight of disappointment evident in his tone. "Wanna grab breakfast and maybe hit the arcade then? I need to practice beating Zero at that damn shooting game," he chuckled, trying to inject some levity into the situation.

Their laughter echoed, blending seamlessly with the ambient noise of the busy academy. As the trio made their way out, their figures slowly faded into the hustle and bustle, ready for a day of unplanned fun.

***

Zero padded down the staircase, his feet making soft thuds on the wooden steps. The familiar scent of morning coffee lingered in the air, along with the aroma of freshly toasted bread.

As he entered the kitchen, he saw his father sitting at the breakfast nook, engrossed in the morning paper. His eyes, however, held a twinkle of satisfaction. Zero could immediately tell that Tom had managed to wrap up the tasks he'd assigned. That fleeting smile on his father's face said it all.

"Good morning," Zero greeted, trying to mask his fatigue.

His mother, busying herself at the stove, turned with a mock frown. "Zero, I tried waking you up for breakfast, but it was like trying to rouse a log!" she teased, her eyes filled with warmth.

His father looked up from his paper, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Was school that exhausting, son?"

Zero shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck, "Not really, just... stayed up late, that's all."

His mother clicked her tongue in a playful scolding manner, "You and your late-night habits. Alright, hurry up and wash your face. Then come help me cook lunch."

Nodding, Zero made his way to the small bathroom off the kitchen. As he splashed water on his face, the events of the previous night replayed in his mind. The weight of it all seemed surreal in the light of the new day.

Returning to the kitchen, his mother handed him a bowl of fresh vegetables. "Here, help me chop these," she said with a smile.

Working side by side, Zero and his mother settled into a comfortable rhythm. His father occasionally chimed in with light banter or an amusing anecdote from his own school days.

The morning sun streamed in through the windows, casting a golden hue over the room. In this serene moment, surrounded by family and love, Zero felt a deep sense of gratitude. The chaos of last night seemed worlds away as he basked in the simple joy.