Chapter 16: Destiny’s Call

Once outside the café, Jaden turned around to look at it. There was a sign just above the wooden door that read "Joe's Café." He made a mental note to return to this place.

After discussing the nature of humans, he and his uncle touched on other subjects like family and their lifestyles. Jaden also mentioned that he was thinking of maybe joining the CREDHOS, emphasizing the "maybe" but all he got in response was a casual "Oh, it took you quite some time."

Just before they parted ways, Jaden asked his uncle, just in case he changed his mind:

"Why don't you come home? Everyone would be happy to see you; you know?"

"Destiny, kiddo." Louf replied with a warm smile and a somewhat mocking tone, leaving Jaden perplexed.

He had told this uncle of his that he didn't believe in destiny, and now here he was, mocking him with talk of destiny. Jaden began to wonder if his thoughts on the subject were really sound, but he also knew that if Louf wanted to talk about it, he would have shared everything. So, he let it go.

They bid each other farewell, and Jaden continued on his way home. However, he decided to take a taxi this time, believing that whatever was meant to happen while he was on foot had already occurred—the encounter with his uncle.

But just after he had walked a few meters, a lively voice resonated in his ears.

"You're in good shape this morning, I presume?"

It was Rush's voice, one of the CREDHOS who had come to see him and offered him a spot in the organization.

"Huh? Rei and Rush, what are you doing here? Another HOUM?" Jaden was on high alert, turning his head in all directions to ensure he was safe, but there was nothing around, which only deepened his already grim expression.

'An invisible exception? Do such HOUMs exist?' Jaden wondered, remaining on edge.

"No." Rei replied in a very dry tone. This kid didn't believe that they only visited people when there were HOUMs approaching. Who did he think they were?

While looking at them, Jaden widened his eyes and tilted his head slightly to silently ask them "So, why are you here?"

Jaden was running late, and if there were no HOUMs around, then what were the CREDHOS doing hanging around him? They weren't exactly friends, which wouldn't have been an issue if they were.

But not only were they not friends, they were also one of the most famous teams in the country. How could he not be confused when he knew all these things? Celebrities paying him a visit for no apparent reason.

In his place, anyone else would have jumped for joy after meeting these guys more than once, and here he was, asking them what they were doing there. This teenager was truly peculiar.

"Do you remember that your response is due today? So, it's time; we need your answer." Rei said, getting straight to the point as usual.

Jaden was still lost, but he had also found himself at the same time. They had never left a way to contact them, so it was obvious they would appear magically to collect the answer.

'I did say I'd respond today—or, well, I didn't really say that; it was his decision. But maybe they could have waited for me to at least get home first.' Jaden complained, but he could only do it in his head, thinking aloud.

"So, what's your answer, young one? I'm sure you've made the best choice; let us know." Rush's voice chimed in this time. It was full of enthusiasm and joy, and it sounded like they had known each other since Jaden was little.

'Already, I could only choose what they expected me to choose, and with the strange words of my weird uncle from earlier, I think the choice is clear."

Jaden had his answer after the time that had just passed. He had spent a long time thinking about it on his own, and with the talk about nature and the possibility that destiny might be real, it pushed him to believe that he should become a CREDHOS.

'But I wonder if I should really accept.' There was still a part of him that didn't want to commit, leaving him somewhat puzzled, even though the scales had already tipped heavily in favor of becoming a CREDHOS.

'I think I should talk to my parents about it.'

He thought it might be better if he discussed it with several people, but as soon as he thought about talking to his parents, their faces and reactions came to mind.

"I knew you wanted to become strong to help others, all those secret training sessions, a super son, haha." his dad would probably say something like that.

*Sigh. *

Even in his thoughts, people believed he really wanted to become a CREDHOS. He felt downcast but continued and went to his mother.

"Huh? I thought you'd never become one of them, that they had 'too much work.' Anyway, just be very careful, come give me a hug, darling." He even imagined the expression and smile his mother would have when she said, "too much work."

*A long sigh.*

A much longer sigh than when he thought about his father's reaction.

"Okay, don't you think it's a bit late?" This one was what his older brother, whom he sometimes found even more enigmatic than his uncle Louf, would have said.

*A little sigh.*

At least, his older brother would have been less exhausting. As for Richy, he would probably jump for joy upon hearing that. He smiled when he imagined his younger brother's reaction when he will tell him he was with Rei and Rush.

"I'm too lazy, but it's cool anyway. Hey, don't forget to send me some awesome snaps. I'm going to shake up the networks with a CREDHOS brother. Try to hang with the big boys, though." that was his sister Kate's reaction.

"I should call her as soon as I get home." His sister was studying abroad for her university education; there were excellent universities in this country, but she wanted to explore the world.

After some time, Jaden had truly made up his mind, so he said seriously:

"I accept becoming a CREDHOS."

This decision was of great importance to him, as it would completely change his life. Jaden had a determined look about him; he had decided to become a CREDHOS, so he was determined to give his all and not be in anyone's shadow.

He wanted to be one of the best, and he knew he had to work hard to achieve that. Simply wanting something wasn't enough to attain it; one had to create means to attract those things.

Jaden had this mindset, believing that one could only become better by giving it their all. That's why he didn't believe in geniuses; he believed in hard work.

"Good choice, kid, a very good choice!" Rush said, nodding and patting him on the shoulder. He then added. "Now let's do the introductions."

"Huh? Introductions to what?" Jaden asked.

He needed to get back home at least before, and with his current situation, he had to make fewer and fewer friends. Otherwise, in the event of a bad occurrence... Seeing loved ones die because of him was undoubtedly not something easy to digest.

"We're going to the HQ (headquarters); we need to introduce you to the president and register you as a member of our team." Rei said, still wearing his detached-from-the-world expression.

Since everything was digitized, it was mandatory to know each team, its members, and their abilities to determine who to send when dealing with specific HOUM appearances.

All these things were well and good, but Jaden couldn't fully believe his ears because what he had just heard was just too surreal. So, he asked to make sure.

"Which team will I be in?"

"I just said it; you'll be in our team." Rei said, as if it wasn't a big deal, as if it was nothing at all. But it was not nothing at all! Jaden would be in one of the best teams in the country.

However, his joy took a bit of a hit when he remembered that it was as much a good thing as a bad thing because shining in the presence of the sun was nearly impossible. Could he stand out with these two guys in his team?

'It won't be easy.' he pondered.

"But I thought your team would never change, that there would only be two of you." Jaden said.

He thought about the class that came with this realization, but also about how his joining the team would change the fact that there were only two members in that team.

"We're not just two; there's also Diane, you know?" Rush said, seeing what Jaden was thinking by his expression.

"Who's Diane? So why do you say there are only two of you?"

"Because we're the only two who go out in the field." Rush explained. "As for Diane, she gathers information and creates super cool gadgets, like the knives Rei has, for example. When she sees you, she knows what you need."

"But she lives in the shadows, yet she plays a big role. Maybe she doesn't care about fame; after all, we're not all the same." Jaden was deep in thought; for him, fame was still essential. After all, what teenager didn't want to be famous?

"By the way, if... if I go home a bit late, I think my parents will worry."

"Probably not." Rei replied.

'How do you know, Rei? Do you have some divine power?' Jaden wondered after Rei's very confident response.

Meanwhile, in a house somewhere...

"It's been a while since he left the hospital; he should already be home." Evelyne said with a hint of concern, impatient to see her son.

"He probably went to tell his friends what happened; you know how young people are." Harrison replied from the other end of the phone.

"Huh? Young people, yes, but Jaden is not at all like that."

"I'm sure he's fine." Harrison reassured her.

"Of course, he's fine; he's my dear Jaden."

Somewhere far from that house...

'We've arrived.' Jaden thought, adding.

"Let's see what the CREDHOS HQ has in store for me."