Plan

The world had not many secrets.

Most of the 'secrets' were already right in front of one's eyes, yet most wouldn't acknowledge it.

"Demons always had their connection to this world, but people who talk about them would be called crazy, conspiracy theorists..." Elara smiled as she spoke.

"Are they not?" Sorin asked.

But he got a soft giggle as an answer. "Yes, they are. Since they had no proof."

The proof...

"If one actively looks for it, they won't get any concrete answer. Just shadows... akin to pursuing footprints erased by the playful sweep of beach waves."

But when one accidentally encountered it, they would believe it for the rest of their lives. However, the world would turn its back on them, exiling them as lunatics.

"Well, there's nothing we can do about that," Elara said. "We're not the almighty, and every choice has its own consequence. Even when it seems obvious, the innocent would be affected."

"That's why you hid everything from the world?" Sorin asked her.

Elara shrugged. "We actually don't actively hide anything. The demons and their connections to this world would make sure to hide it themselves. They wanted to stay hidden after all."

"Something this big? Like the cult's doing?" Sorin was too baffled to believe it.

"You will be surprised," Elara sighed.

That was the reason Elara didn't even make any effort to clean up the mess about the demonic cult's disappearance and the pile of flesh and blood in that decrepit hall.

The giant pentagram on the floor, the big warehouse in the suburbs that was used... tomorrow, everything would be demolished.

Elara sat the opposite of him in that small restaurant. Her black dress was a contrast to the color of the diner sofa, yet she didn't look out of place at all.

They had been to the motel to wash up, and she had bought him some change.

She was helpful the whole time while also being observant of his condition. It seemed she had a lot of experience dealing with the people who had accidentally found the 'proof'.

Yes, Sorin could understand why she could call herself a consultant. She was good at her job.

"What do we do next?" he asked.

"We meet the people who know how to worship and pray. The heavenly rules are benevolent," Elara smiled.

Sorin blinked. "What, we're going to the church?"

Elara chuckled as she shook her head. "No, we're going to meet individuals like you."

Sorin tilted his head. "People who found the proof?"

"Even better," Elara stood up from her seat and grabbed her jacket. "The chosen people."

She walked to his side of the diner sofa, bowing down to him with her beautiful, beautiful smile. "The Sovereigns."

***

In the dimly lit penthouse atop the towering skyscraper, the man stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his silhouette outlined against the mesmerizing city lights.

The room exuded an air of opulence, yet an unsettling aura of secrecy loomed in the shadows.

His fingers lightly traced the edges of the report, with a photo of a young man with black hair and blue eyes.

Sorush Adler. He brushed over the name on the report, straight over the results with a calculated intensity.

His secretary, a discreet figure, stood at a distance, respectful yet aware of every movement he made.

"So that's why they wanted him as a sacrifice," the man mused softly, his voice a mere whisper against the urban symphony drifting in through the open windows.

His penetrating gaze flickered to the secretary, who approached with an air of diligence, presenting the rest of the papers for his employer's examination.

"Have you found out what happened at that warehouse?" the man inquired, his voice taking on a tone of subtle urgency.

The secretary met his gaze and replied with a composed demeanor, "It is still unknown, sir. Our men are investigating the matter as we speak."

The man hummed.

The secretary departed, and the man made his way to the white marble coffee table, setting the papers on its surface. He left it as the papers inexplicably started to burn without any ignition source.

As the words "DNA Report" at the top of the paper vanished into ash, the man headed towards the adjacent room, just around the corner.

A room bathed in eerie red light, with a white pentagram drawn on the mirror.

***

Inside the luxurious jet, Sorin gazed out of the window, his eyes blank.

The plush leather seats exuded extravagance, and the soft ambient lighting created an atmosphere of tranquility.

What...

"Is there something troubling you?" Elara asked with a concerned look, sitting across from him.

Upon learning that Sorin had no current family or other pressing matters, she promptly encouraged him to board the flight to Italy.

But ever since the plane departed, he started displaying such blank expressions.

The truth was, he couldn't believe he was sitting in such lavish surroundings as the jet glided effortlessly through the clouds.

Who would guess he would go to Italy with a private jet and a beautiful woman sitting with worries in her eyes for him after everything?

Despite his stoic demeanor, he couldn't help but feel a sense of surreal amazement.

Until he remembered that if the plan worked out, he would think of everything as a fever dream.

Augh, what a waste.

Well, at least, because this would become a dream, he would make it a good one, right?

"I am alright," he said calmly to Elara. "It's just that this is my first time on a plane."

"Oh, I see. I know something that might help you," Elara stood up from her seat and started sitting beside him.

She pulled out her phone and showed him pictures of old cities and lush green forests around. And then some cliffs and hills... "This is the place we're going."

With excitement, she scrolled down, revealing more beautiful places to him.

"After we land, we'll take a helicopter to save time. Our destination is Covolo, and we're expected to arrive in the morning, so you can get some rest," she said.

"Why are you showing these pictures?" he asked. If they were already planning to go there, why did she show it to him now?

"It helps me calm down. Seeing what's ahead of you distracts you from flight anxiety," she sighed, "My first flight was awful..."

Sorin chuckled.

Ah. It was the first genuine chuckle he had after some time.

"Planes are convenient and comfortable nowadays, so I'm sure you'll get used to it fast," she sincerely said.

Sorin couldn't hold his laugh this time. Seeing this woman telling him all this because of her genuine worry made him feel a little ironic inside.

He had never dreamed of flying on a plane all his life since he only focused on getting out of his miserable life, but now she implied that he would get used to planes.

Maybe one day.

For the normal guy Sorin, maybe one day he would get used to it. He just had to work hard, right?

After he got his normal life back, that is.