NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: Aftermath
The dim morning light filtered through the hospital room blinds, casting long shadows across the sterile white walls. Remond stirred, his body aching and bandaged, as the faint sound of a television droned in the background.
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"Horrifying Night at Mt. Raya"
The headline blared on the small TV mounted in the corner of the room. A news anchor's voice carried through the space, calm but laden with dread.
"Last night, a tragedy unfolded at Mt. Raya, leaving nine students and four teachers dead, along with several unidentified individuals believed to be part of a criminal gang. Preliminary reports suggest a wild animal attack, but authorities are still investigating. The gang is suspected to be involved in illegal animal trafficking, though details remain scarce."
The anchor's voice was replaced by shaky footage of the destroyed underground hallway in a cave found on Mt. Raya, blood-stained walls, and scattered debris. Police and forensic teams were seen cordoning off the area.
"Wild animals?" Sid scoffed quietly, seated near the window with his arms crossed. "Yeah, sure. Wild animals just conveniently attacked a gang of traffickers and a bunch of kids all at once."
Innes, standing beside him, shot him a look. "Keep it down," she hissed. "The less attention we draw to this, the better."
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Inside Remond's Mind
While his body lay unconscious, Remond's mind wandered into a hazy void. He stood in a strange, dreamlike landscape—a sprawling library filled with glowing violet light. Shelves of books stretched infinitely into the horizon, and standing in the center was a familiar figure: Dr. Edwards.
"Uncle?" Remond's voice trembled.
Dr. Edwards turned, his kind but stern face tinged with sadness. "Still alive, I see," he said, his tone carrying a mix of relief and reproach.
"I almost didn't make it," Remond admitted, looking down at his glowing hands. "I'm not strong enough."
"Yet," Edwards corrected, stepping closer. "You're not strong enough yet. But you can be."
"How? Every time I use my powers, it feels like they're going to tear me apart."
"That's because you lack control, Remond," Edwards said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You have the gift, but without discipline, it'll consume you. You need a teacher—someone who can help you harness your abilities and turn them into a weapon for justice."
"Who?"
"Master Ho Dieng," Edwards replied, his voice firm. "An old friend of mine. He's a martial artist who has trained some of the best. He can teach you to fight, to endure, and to survive. But you must find him."
"That old man who works for some international organization as spy?" Remond asked, desperation creeping into his voice.
"You know him?" Edwards said, his form beginning to fade. "It seems that's enough for now. Stay alive, Remond. You have so much more to do."
"Uncle wait! I have a lot to ask yo....." before Remond could finish Edwards's form totally fades away.
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Remond jolted awake, gasping for air. Pain lanced through his body as he tried to sit up, and he immediately regretted the effort.
"Whoa, easy there!" Sid's voice snapped him out of his daze. He turned to see his friend leaning over him, concern etched into his rugged features. "You're not exactly in good shape."
Remond fell back onto the pillows, his head swimming. "What... happened?"
"Long story," Sid replied, glancing at Innes, who stood at the foot of the bed.
"You nearly got yourself killed," Innes said bluntly. "And for what? Playing hero against a monster? Are you mad or something? And what was that orange glow around you back then?"
"I have the same question too. As long as I know you are quite weak physically how did you manged to stand against that werewolf back then?" Sid asked.
"Well that'sa long story, to cut it short I happens to have some powers after that incidrnt." Remond retorted, though his voice lacked its usual fire.
Remond's gaze shifted to the bed beside him, where a small figure lay curled under a blanket. His breath caught in his throat.
"Is that... the kid?" he asked.
Sid and Innes exchanged a glance.
"Yeah," Sid admitted. "That's him. The werewolf."
"What's he doing here?" Remond hissed, his voice low.
"No one knows what he is," Innes explained. "The cops think he's just some poor kid who got caught up in the attack. We didn't tell them otherwise."
"Why?"
"Because if they find out, they'll either lock him up or worse," Sid said grimly. "And I'm not about to let that happen to a kid."
Remond stared at the sleeping boy, his heart heavy. The child looked so innocent, his face free of the monstrous fury that had nearly killed them all.
"What are we supposed to do with him?" Remond asked.
"For now, nothing," Innes replied. "Let him rest. The hospital thinks he's just another victim. We'll figure out the rest later."
Remond nodded weakly, his mind swirling with questions. Who was this boy? What had turned him into a werewolf? And why did it feel like this was only the beginning of something much bigger?
As the first rays of sunlight streamed through the window, Remond closed his eyes, trying to push the weight of his thoughts aside. He had survived the night, but the road ahead promised only more danger.