After settling the payment, Zigh approached Lian. He held out a paper bag, the savory aroma of roasted chicken wafting through the air.

  "Here, hold this," Zigh said.

  Lian didn't reach for it. "You keep it."

  "I’m driving, I can’t exactly hold a greasy bag and a steering wheel at the same time," Zigh insisted, nudging the bag closer.

  "Fine." Lian took the bag with a passive grace and walked toward the car.

  Zigh scratched his head, watching Lian’s retreating back. "Not even a thank you, huh?" he muttered to himself. He sighed but followed, opening the car doors. Lian and Outer climbed in simultaneously right after him.

  "Alright, next stop, the clinic then," Zigh announced.

  Lian remained silent, staring out the window, his expression unreadable. Meanwhile, Outer sat in the back, calm and vigilant, his eyes never leaving Zigh.

  Zigh smiled, his hands turning the ignition. They left the restaurant area, merging into the main highway at a steady pace. Once they hit a clear stretch of road, Zigh pressed a concealed button on the steering wheel. With a mechanical hum, small turbo-wings deployed from the chassis.

  The car lifted. The wheels pivoted from vertical to horizontal, spinning like high-tech rotors. Lian’s eyes widened ever so slightly—a rare flicker of emotion—as he watched the ground fall away.

  Zigh glanced at him. "So? What do you think?"

  "It’s... decent," Lian replied softly.

  Zigh turned his gaze back to the flight path. Always keeping his walls up, he thought. To break the silence, he asked, "Want to go faster?"

  "Doesn't matter."

  Zigh exhaled, the weight of the mystery surrounding the man sitting next to him feeling heavier by the second. "Lian... how exactly do you make things disappear?"

  Lian’s voice was cold, yet casual. "If I wish it, it happens."

  Zigh let out a nervous chuckle. "Does that mean you could erase the entire World of Echo?"

  "Yes."

  As Lian spoke, his pupils narrowed into thin slits. His green eyes darkened, losing their light.

  "We’re approaching the clinic," Zigh said, his voice tightening. "Prepare for landing."

  Lian checked his seatbelt and leaned back. Zigh brought the sports car down in front of the clinic with practiced precision, the vehicle shifting back into its terrestrial form.

  "Let’s go," Zigh said.

  "Okay."

  As they stepped out with Outer following closely, Lian suddenly froze.

  "Something is out there," Outer’s voice echoed in Lian’s mind.

  "What is it?" Lian replied via telepathy.

  Outer curled a small, knowing smile. "Someone is watching Lian from a distance. A predator's gaze."

  "Leave them for now," Lian commanded.

  Zigh stopped, noticing Lian’s daze. "Why do you keep spacing out? Move it!"

  "Talkative," Lian muttered.

  "Excuse me?" Zigh huffed.

  Lian simply brushed past him and entered the clinic, leaving him standing there. Zigh clenched his fists, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  "He really knows how to push people's buttons," Zigh muttered to himself.

  ***

  Inside, Zigh headed to the reception while Lian waited in the lobby.

  "How can I help you, sir?" the receptionist asked.

  "I need to register my friend for a check-up."

  "Certainly. May I see his identification card?"

  Zigh walked back to Lian. "Do you have your ID?"

  Lian shook his head. Zigh clicked his tongue. "You've got to be kidding me."

  "If this is a burden," Lian said, standing up, "we should just leave."

  "No," Zigh said firmly.

  Lian went still. Suddenly, Outer’s head snapped toward the window.

  CRASH!

  The sound of shattering glass exploded through the lobby. A high-velocity bullet streaked through the air, aimed directly at Zigh’s head.

  "Damn it—!" Zigh gasped, time seeming to slow down.

  But the bullet never hit. It vanished into nothingness inches from his face, as if the law of physics had simply decided it no longer existed. Cold sweat beaded on Zigh’s forehead; the hair on his arms stood on end.

  "Outer, find the shooter," Lian commanded silently.

  Outer chuckled. "Of course. And then?"

  "Do what you did to Bhairin."

  "With pleasure."

  In an instant, Outer dissolved into a dark mist, streaking out of the broken window like a storm cloud.

  Lian turned to Zigh, his expression vacant. "Now do you understand how I erase things?"

  Zigh’s chest heaved. "Lian... are you even human?"

  "I don't know."

  How... how can he erase an object moving faster than sound? Zigh wondered.

  Lian noticed the trembling receptionist and pointed toward them. "You should go help them."

  Zigh closed his eyes, centering himself. "Right. You're right." He approached the terrified staff. "Are you hurt?"

  "I—I'm fine," the clerk stammered.

  Zigh handed over a business card. "We can't stay for the treatment, but use this to contact me regarding the damages. I'll cover everything."

  The clerk read the card, eyes widening. "You're... Zigh Eos—"

  "Shh," Zigh cut him off. "Just give me some fever reducers and we’ll be on our way."

  The clinic clerk nodded slowly, her eyes lingering on the chaos for a split second.

  "Do you have anything for a fever?" Zigh asked, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.

  "Ah, yes... we have some. Just a moment, please."

  As she hurried away, a few patients and staff members began to trickle out from the inner rooms. They froze at the sight of the lobby—the glass entrance was shattered, shimmering shards scattered across the floor like jagged diamonds.

  This is getting troublesome, Zigh thought, a frown tugging at his brow.

  "Sir Zigh, here is the medicine," the clerk said, returning quickly.

  "Thank you."

  Without wasting another second, Zigh turned on his heel and approached Lian.

  "Let’s get out of here before things get even more complicated," Zigh urged.

  Lian let out a weary sigh, his shoulders dropping slightly. "Okay."

  ***

  Outside, as they walked back to the car, Lian stared into the distance.

  "Outer," Lian thought.

  "Yes, Lian?"

  "Can you hear me clearly?"

  "Always. Is something wrong?"

  Lian let out a soft, chilling laugh. Zigh tapped his shoulder. "What's with you now?"

  "Nothing important."

  "Outer, did you find him?"

  "Yes. A lone rat," Outer replied.

  "Make it hurt. But do not erase him yet."

  Outer, hovering as a black cloud above a nearby rooftop, looked down at the sniper who was frantically checking his rifle.

  "What happened?!" the sniper cursed. "That Eosvile brat... how did he stop a supersonic round?!"

  Suddenly, the air turned frigid. A thick mist began to swirl around him. "Why is it so cold? I need to move!" He tried to pack his gear, but his limbs felt like lead. His vision blurred, and his head throbbed with an agonizing pressure. He collapsed, his body shaking until he lost consciousness.

  Outer shifted back to his solid form, looking down at the discarded rifle. "Erase the danger. Lian will be proud."

  He sent a final message: "Lian, it's done."

  Inside the car, Zigh was already on the phone. "This is Zigh Eosvile. Attempted assassination in Aerpe City. Likely a sniper. Check all CCTV feeds immediately!"

  "I know where he is," Lian interrupted.

  Zigh gripped the wheel. "Where?"

  "He's on the roof of the building across from the reservoir. There’s a large billboard with a woman in black holding a handbag."

  Zigh looked up and saw the billboard. Without a word, he floored the accelerator, the force pinning Lian back into his seat. They arrived at the Civil Registry building in minutes.

  "A government building... how bold," Zigh growled.

  "Don't look so tense," Lian said. "He's fast asleep."

  Zigh looked at him suspiciously. I have to be careful with him... but he saved my life.

  They entered the building. While Zigh handled the administration to gain access, Lian observed the lobby. He saw humanoid robots and seamless automated doors. Echo is a far cry from Syntax, he thought.

  They took the glass elevator to the seventh floor. Zigh kept glancing at Lian, worried his fever was worsening. From there, they took the stairs to the roof.

  There lay the sniper, unconscious by the door. Zigh put on gloves and began his inspection. "Strange... he has the rifle, but no extra ammunition. Did he really come here with only one bullet?"

  He looked at Lian. The man stood there, a shadow momentarily masking his face, wearing a faint, enigmatic smile.

  A shiver ran down Zigh's spine. Despite the smile on his face, his heart was heavy with excitement.

  I’ve bound myself to something utterly terrifying.

  To be continued...