Between Hero and Invader

Alex's mind spun, a whirlwind of disbelief and questions. The weight of Kaela's words pressed down on him, and he couldn't shake the chill that had settled deep within him.

A prophecy… a Supreme Emperor from another world. Others had tried before, some even managing to build their own empires and fight against the rulers of the True Realm. But none of them succeed?

As he processed this, another thought surfaced, creeping in from the back of his mind. 'If those people from Earth had built empires, did that mean they'd had an Empire System, too?'

Alex's gaze drifted to the ground as he mulled over this possibility. The system had been a strange, inexplicable presence, guiding and rewarding him as if pushing him toward some grander purpose.

But if that purpose involved becoming the Supreme Emperor, the one the rulers of this world feared, what did it really mean for him? Would the Empire System's path lead him to follow in the footsteps of those who'd come before?

A flicker of doubt crept in.

'If the system wants me to become the Supreme Emperor… if it wants me to go against the rulers here, does that mean I'm the hero... or… am I the invader in their world?'

The question lingered, twisting his sense of purpose, and for the first time, he wondered if the system's intentions were as clear-cut as he'd once thought.

Kaela's voice broke through his thoughts, soft but laced with concern. "Are you okay? You seem… a bit lost."

Alex blinked, snapping himself out of his swirling thoughts. He shook his head quickly, then managed a small, somewhat shaky smile. "Yeah, I'm… I'm okay. It's just… a lot to take in, you know?" He chuckled faintly, though the sound was more out of nervousness than humor. "This whole world, the prophecy… everything."

Kaela's expression softened, and a gentle smile curved her lips. "I understand," she said, nodding. "It's not every day someone arrives here from another world."

She paused, studying him thoughtfully. "You never mentioned your name. What should I call you?"

Alex nodded, offering a genuine smile this time. "It's Alex."

"Alex..." Kaela repeated his name softly, then nodded as if testing its weight. Her gaze was thoughtful, her eyes narrowing slightly as though she was turning something over in her mind.

Alex hesitated, then took a breath, deciding to ask the question, tugging at him since she'd first pulled him into the alley. "Kaela… how did you know about me? I'm not just from Earth, but… all of this? The prophecy, the history?"

Kaela's expression grew serious, her lips pressing into a thin line as she looked at him steadily. "That's… a fair question."

She seemed to struggle with her words momentarily, glancing down before finally meeting his gaze. "Alex, my family has carried a legacy—a role passed down for generations. I'm part of an old order—the Order of the Veiled Star."

"Order of the Veiled Star?" Alex was taken aback when he heard those words. Until now, he had only encountered it in books or movies, but now he found himself part of it.

She paused, letting the words sink in. "Yes. The Veiled Star was founded by those who served the first of your kind to arrive in this realm. They believed that one day, another would come, one who might finally fulfill the prophecy. That day, I was told, would come when the True Realm was at a crossroads."

Alex listened intently, every word pulling him deeper. "So… you've been waiting for someone from Earth?"

"Yes," she replied, her tone soft but unwavering. "The Veiled Star's purpose has always been to find and protect anyone who arrives here from your world. We've guided a few in the past and watched some rise and fall. Each generation believes it might be the one to witness the prophecy unfold."

Kaela added, "But it is not just me; others are too. There are always those who recognize the signs when someone from Earth is destined to arrive. I don't know everything about you, Alex, but I know enough."

"Wait. What do you mean by others? The rulers, too?"

She nodded, eyes reflecting a trace of weariness. "I never thought it would happen in my time, to be honest. But three nights ago… I had a vision. A message, like a whisper, telling me to come to Avarra. I didn't know what I'd find here, only that someone—someone from Earth—was near."

Alex's mind spun, the pieces slowly clicking into place. She hadn't just stumbled upon him by chance. She'd been drawn to him, almost as if fate or the prophecy had led her.

Kaela offered a faint smile. "So you see, Alex, in a way, we were both sent here. You and I, each following our own thread of this prophecy."

Alex nodded slowly, absorbing Kaela's explanation. "I… I see," he murmured, though a flicker of doubt remained in his eyes. "But… how can I trust you? You could be lying. You could have your own agenda, or—"

Kaela's lips curled into a slight smirk, a soft chuckle escaping her. She looked at him, amused, and a faint but dangerous glint sparked in her eyes. "Fair question," she said, crossing her arms. "But tell me, Alex… if I wanted to do you harm, don't you think I would've done it already?"

With that, she let a faint, chilling aura seep into the air around her, her gaze sharpening as she held his. A weight settled over him, and he felt a strange, instinctual alarm rising, like a warning from some hidden corner of his mind.

He swallowed, his heart pounding as he stared at her. Kaela's presence, though beautiful, was suddenly and unmistakably intimidating. Her words hung heavy in the eerie silence, making him realize how easily she could've been an enemy. And yet, she hadn't harmed him.

Her smirk softened, and the intensity surrounding her faded, replaced by an almost playful expression. "So, Alex," she said with a hint of amusement, "does that answer your question?"

Alex's throat tightened as Kaela's aura pressed down on him, a chilling weight that made him feel small and vulnerable. He gulped, the taste of the oppressive energy lingering in the air, and for a moment, he was caught between fear and respect.

His voice came out a little hoarse, but he managed to steady himself. "Okay," he said, meeting her gaze with newfound resolve. "I'll trust you. But…" he took a deep breath, his tone firming, "I may be weak now, but once I gain my footing in this world, I won't tolerate anyone who tries anything funny with me. Not now, not ever."

Kaela's lips curled into a smile, her expression softening, though her eyes hinted at that dangerous edge. "That's expected of someone prophesized to become the Supreme Emperor," she said, her voice low and thoughtful.

"You will need that strength. And when the time comes, if anyone dares to harm you… well, even if it is me," Kaela paused, her smile more predatory, "I'll make sure they regret it. I'll be right there, welcoming them to their end."

The confidence in her voice was undeniable, and for the first time, Alex felt a small flicker of reassurance. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew one thing for certain; whatever was coming, he wouldn't face it alone.