The Beginning

Alex Cruz was a junior in college, admired by his parents for his brilliance. Both government workers, they often praised Alex for his academic achievements and numerous competition wins. To them, he was the perfect child, the kind every parent dreams of. His younger sister, Arya, was still in high school, and Alex was fiercely protective of her.

One afternoon, Alex was in class, listening attentively to Mr. Lannister's lecture. Unfortunately, his focus was interrupted by Fred, his one and only friend—a guy who detested anything remotely related to academics.

"What do you want now, Fred? I'm trying to listen," Alex said, frowning.

Fred smirked, his enthusiasm clearly undeterred. "Oh, come on. Like you don't already know what Mr. Lannister's droning on about. Why even bother?"

Alex sighed, massaging his temples. He knew Fred was about to launch into another one of his tangents about novels or anime. "Because no knowledge is wasted," Alex replied curtly, hoping to deter him.

Fred, however, was unfazed. "Yeah, yeah, Mr. Perfect Student. Anyway," he continued, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "I found an anime yesterday that almost made me wet myself."

Alex raised an eyebrow, a mix of skepticism and curiosity. "What on earth scared the great Fred?" he asked sarcastically.

Fred ignored the jab and leaned closer, whispering dramatically, "It's about titans—massive, grotesque creatures that eat humans like snacks. And there are these hunters who use jetpacks to slice the titans' necks. It's wild!"

Alex's curiosity piqued. "That… actually sounds interesting."

Fred grinned triumphantly. "You should come over after school and watch it with me."

Alex nodded. "Sure," he said, distancing himself from Fred to avoid any further distractions.

When the lecture ended, the bell rang for lunch. "Finally," Alex muttered, grabbing his things and heading straight for Arya's classroom.

Fred followed, teasing, "Sister-con alert!"

Ignoring him, Alex reached Arya's class, only to find her surrounded by a group of students. His eyes narrowed when he saw her holding her arm, bruises visible. One boy stood in front of her, smirking arrogantly.

"Who's the dumbass that laid hands on my sister?" Alex asked, his voice dangerously calm.

Fred, munching on a bag of chips he'd somehow acquired, chuckled. "Welp, guess I'm heading home early today."

Alex strode to Arya and gently checked her injuries. "Are you okay?" he asked softly.

"I'm fine, Alex. Please don't make a scene," Arya pleaded, though her trembling voice betrayed her fear.

But Alex wasn't listening. "Fred, stay with Arya," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Fred groaned but obeyed. "Fine, but hurry up. I want to see the action."

Alex turned to the boy, who looked smugly at the approaching figure. "Why did you hurt my sister?" Alex asked, his tone steady but laced with a chilling edge.

"Because I felt like it," the bully replied cockily, glancing around at the watching crowd for support.

Alex's expression darkened. "I see. Let's see how you like being on the receiving end," he said coldly.

Before anyone could intervene, Alex's fist collided with the boy's face, sending him sprawling to the ground. Gasps filled the classroom as Alex advanced on the now-bloodied bully.

Teachers murmured among themselves. "Should we stop him?"

One shrugged. "Alex is an honor student. I doubt he'll take it too far."

That assumption shattered as Alex landed blow after blow, breaking the boy's jaw and ribs. Finally, a teacher stepped in, pulling Alex away while the others carried the bully to the nurse's office.

Alex was sent to detention, where he sat with a calm expression, despite the chaos he'd just caused. "He deserved it," Alex muttered to himself.

An hour later, a teacher escorted Alex to the principal's office. Inside, his parents were seated alongside the bully's furious mother and a subdued father.

"Alex," the principal began, "did you assault the student?"

"Yes, I did," Alex admitted without hesitation.

The bully's mother sneered. "No remorse. What a poorly raised child."

Alex smirked. "And your son beats up girls. I guess we know where he gets it from."

The woman's face turned red. "How dare you—"

"Madam," the principal interrupted, "you're arguing with a student. Please stop."

He sighed before continuing. "Both of your children are at fault. Alex will be suspended for one week, and your son for two weeks. Any objections?"

The bully's mother opened her mouth but quickly closed it when the principal added, "If you disagree, you're welcome to transfer your son elsewhere. He's lucky he isn't being expelled."

Grudgingly, the parents thanked the principal and left. Alex's parents sighed but smiled faintly when they saw him.

"How's Arya?" Alex asked as they walked out.

"She's fine," his mother replied. "We'll see you at home, okay?"

As Alex made his way home later, a cloaked man approached him. "Are you Alex Cruz?" the man asked.

"Who's asking?" Alex replied, instantly on guard.

"Your parents asked me to fetch you. They're waiting this way," the man said, gesturing to a side alley.

Alex scoffed. "Yeah, sure. I was taught not to follow strangers, old man."

The man sighed. "Guess it's the hard way, then. Boys, get him."

Hooded figures emerged, surrounding Alex. His heart pounded as he looked for an escape. "What do you want from me? I don't even know you!" he shouted.

The man smirked. "Nothing personal, kid. You're just a job."

As the man lunged, Alex bit his hand and retaliated with a punch, but his inexperience showed. The man blocked easily and landed a gut punch that knocked Alex to the ground.

"You brat," the man snarled, stomping on Alex's stomach. "Too bad I can't kill you. But I can make you suffer."

Bloodied and gasping, Alex smirked, "ego bruised, huh, old man?"

The man's eyes darkened, and he struck Alex's throat, crushing his windpipe. Coughing up blood, Alex collapsed.

"Let's go," the man barked to his crew. "The job's a bust."

As darkness overtook Alex, he whispered, "I hope my family stays safe."

A sweet, enchanting voice broke through the silence. "Oh, they're safe, boy," it said.

Opening his eyes, Alex saw a woman of incomprehensible beauty. "Who… are you?" he croaked.

"You'll know in due time," she replied, her voice soothing.

Darkness engulfed Alex.

"Are you happy now?" the woman asked.

"Thanks," replied a deep masculine voice.

"What do you need the boy for?" the woman inquired.

No response came, and the woman, along with all traces of the encounter, vanished.