Apocalypse: becoming the hidden Ruler

"Don't psych yourself out. Let me check it first."

Axel sat down at his desk, turned on the computer, and logged into the official site of the Whisper Syndicate.

This time, he didn't call Vince. He didn't want to raise any flags—just quietly navigated to the Syndicate's archives.

As a full-fledged member now, he had clearance. A quick iris scan, and the database opened up before him.

Outside, in the old part of town where they lived, fireworks were starting to go off in celebration of Christmas. The muffled bangs and flashes felt strangely distant.

Inside the dim apartment, Axel and Annabelle sat shoulder-to-shoulder in front of the glowing screen, a single word typed into the search bar: Liorael.

He hit Enter.

A face immediately popped up on the monitor—identical to the one carved into the golden token. There was no mistaking it.

> Liorael, approximately 46 years old. Religious leader of the Holy Light Organization.

> True identity: unknown. Creator of "Infection Reagent No. 1," an extremely hazardous biochemical weapon capable of rapid, wide-scale infection.

> This reagent became widely used by the Holy Light Organization, resulting in mass casualties.

> Date of death: June 3, 2057. Killed in the wilderness outside Dune by agents of the Whisper Syndicate after his true identity was exposed.

There were only a few lines. Axel scrolled down, but the rest of the file was encrypted—locked behind higher clearance.

But it was enough.

His father had disappeared on May 31, 2057.

Liorael was killed three days later.

Axel's voice was low. "Three days' difference. That's all it is…"

The realization hit him like a punch to the gut.

> Liorael was Dad's codename... He was hiding right here in Dune. To everyone else, he was a mild-mannered level-2 healing awakener. But in reality—he led the Holy Light Organization.

Axel leaned back in his chair, mind spinning. Everything he thought he knew about his father—his quiet work as a researcher, his gentle demeanor—suddenly seemed like a carefully crafted lie.

Annabelle's voice broke the silence. "If Dad's identity got exposed back then… then what about us?"

Axel's heart skipped a beat. She was right.

If their father had been exposed, then their family should've been rounded up immediately. And yet, they were still here—still safe. That didn't add up.

Then something clicked.

"Our records…" Axel muttered. "They were wiped."

When Vince had found him all those months ago, he'd said Axel and Annabelle were listed as orphans. At the time, Axel thought it was a clerical error.

But now?

Now he realized someone had deliberately erased their files.

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"Someone inside the Whisper Syndicate helped us," he whispered. "They cleared our records—hid us."

And not just anyone. It had to be someone high up. Someone with the authority to alter core files. Someone who could bury the children of a known terrorist leader.

More importantly… that person might still be loyal to the Holy Light Organization.

Axel's stomach turned. He'd just helped take down one of their mutant beasts—and now he was realizing he might be one of them?

He didn't know whether to laugh or throw up.

They sat in silence for a long while, both staring at the screen, until Axel's phone suddenly rang.

A number he didn't recognize. He picked up cautiously.

"Axel, did you just look up Liorael's file?" a familiar voice asked. It was Xander.

Axel's pulse spiked. "Yeah," he said carefully. "After the fight today, Luke and Captain Lilith told me some things about the Holy Light Organization."

"You did good," Xander said without missing a beat. "You played a crucial role today. That's a guaranteed Class-2 commendation."

Axel said nothing, but his mind raced.

Xander continued, "Don't worry, there's no problem with you checking the file. It just triggered a flag in the info center. I'll clear it with them—everything's fine."

"Okay… thanks," Axel replied quietly.

Xander gave a few more words of praise, then hung up.

After hanging up the phone, Axel sat in silence for a long time. So… it wasn't Xander.

Whoever had helped them—erased their records, shielded them—had a rank no lower than his.
And if that person was watching… then they'd know he accessed Liorael's file.

"They'll come to us," Axel said quietly.

He had too many questions—questions he couldn't ask the captain, or anyone else in the Syndicate. The moment someone found out about his connection to that man, he'd be burned, branded, blacklisted. The word *infected* was a scarlet red line you didn't cross.

Until he knew the truth, Axel couldn't afford to reveal anything about his father.

Annabelle's voice broke the silence, soft and uncertain."Bro… if Dad really made that drug—the one that could infect all of humanity… who would you side with?"

Axel froze. His lips parted, but no answer came.

He let out a bitter laugh and shook his head slowly.

Even now, part of him didn't believe it. His father—the quiet, kind-hearted researcher who once spent nights telling bedtime stories by candlelight—that man couldn't possibly be the leader of the Holy Light Organization. Could he?

But the evidence was staring him in the face. The name. The face. The dates.

Still… what was his father's motive? Could it have been Annabelle?

No—she hadn't shown signs of infection until after their father disappeared. So … that didn't add up either.

But Axel kept that part to himself. He didn't want to plant doubt in her heart.

"We wait," he said finally. "Someone will reach out to us."

He turned to look at her, eyes steady. "Annabelle, we need to be ready."

Annabelle nodded. She knew what he meant. They'd always feared this day—that someone would discover her secret.

And that's why, months ago, Axel had made a plan. If Krythos turned against them, if the Syndicate came knocking—he'd stay behind, hold them off.

Annabelle would run.

The tunnel they'd dug beneath their home was now more than 500 meters long, worming its way beneath the city's foundations toward the outskirts.

If it came to it, she'd vanish into the wilderness.

She glanced at her brother, saw the deep lines creasing his brow, and forced a small smile. "Hey. Don't stress yourself out too much," she said gently. "If someone wanted us die… we wouldn't be sitting here right now."

"And besides," she added, "we found out something about Dad, didn't we? Even if it's not the answer we wanted, at least it's something."

She was trying to lift his spirits. He knew that. And still—it helped.

The high-pitched whimper of the pressure cooker came from the kitchen, followed by the savory scent of stewed ribs.

"Oh no! My ribs are gonna overcook—hang on!" Annabelle yelped and rushed off in her apron.

Axel stayed on the couch, exhaling slowly. His pulse finally began to steady.

She was right. They were still alive. And after years of silence… they finally had a thread to follow.

Outside the window, the winter wind howled softly, carrying with it the first snow of the season. Multicolored lights shimmered from neighboring homes, swaying in the cold, like fireflies drifting through the night.

Annabelle returned minutes later, balancing a tray of dishes. The table was suddenly full—ribs, rice, soup, and a few side plates she must've spent hours on.

In the cozy little living room, they turned on the TV and sat down together.

These days, thanks to her progress, Annabelle could handle more and more types of food. It still didn't provide her energy—but it gave her something else. A taste of normal.

"Bro, look!"

Axel turned just as the world outside the window erupted in light.

A barrage of fireworks painted the sky with color—red, gold, green, and blue—bursting like stars across the black canvas above.

The lights danced across their faces. Annabelle's eyes sparkled.

Axel couldn't help but smile.

Yeah… this time last year, they were barely surviving.

But now?