Chapter 69 - 69: Beacon Of Hope
The heavy rain had stopped. The sky had just started to clear up, letting the sunlight pass through.
Lucifer was walking through the city, and he was almost near the exit. He didn't wish to spend any more time here than he already did. He had already eaten up a bit, satiating his hunger. His clothes were also new, unlike before.
As he walked through the streets, he saw not a single person. It was unclear if the citizens were warned by the Red Eagle Guild or the people were scared of the commotion that happened before, but no one left their home even after the rain stopped.
Even the ones that lived far away from the commotion were hiding in their houses.
The sun was shining brightly. The rays of sunlight were reflected from the water that was collected on the ground, ultimately sparkling.
Lucifer's new clothes were still wet, but it was clear that they were going to dry very soon in the warmth of the sun.
....
"Don't worry; it's just a little water. It's not like you will die if you wear some wet clothes!"
"Don't worry, little kid. We're doing it for your own good. We're trying to wake up your latent power. In our tests, some people woke up their power after standing in the rain. We've been thinking that it might work on you as well. Just stand in this artificial rain for twelve more hours. We'll stop if it doesn't work."
"I know it's tough for you, but think of your father and your mother. They fought for humanity, and they saved so many lives before they perished. Don't you want to be a hero like them? Don't you want to make your parents proud? Don't you want to save the innocent, weak humans that depend on you?"
"You know humans are the best species. They are gentle and caring. You don't want them to be wiped off of existence, do you? We need more heroes like you to be a shining beacon of hope for us. Please bear with just a little more discomfort. I'm sure it won't be long before you wake up your powers."
...
As Lucifer walked through the wet roads of the city in wet clothes, he couldn't help but remember his past.
He had spent five years in the Research Facility. He had stayed there for half his life, even longer than the time he remembered with his parents.
When he was home, his mother always kept him comfortable like a precious little treasure. She never let him be uncomfortable. Let alone having him wear wet clothes; she didn't even let him stay in a cold room in fear that he would get sick. His father was also very caring towards him and protected him from everything.
The first time he remembered being in wet clothes was in his second year in the Facility.
His first year in the Facility was much more peaceful as everyone believed that he was going to awaken very soon. He was the son of humanity's greatest heroes, after all. Even though it wasn't like home, at least he wasn't treated badly.
The second year was when things started changing, and they started trying more and more things to stimulate his potential and help him awaken.
It was his second year there, and he was just seven years old when he was forced to spend eighteen hours in artificial rain. He was also forced to stand through the day. They told him that it was for humanity. They said it was for the future.
Lucifer suffered alone in the rain as he hoped that one day he could help humanity fight the beasts that had started appearing within the world.
It was back when he still had faith in humanity. It was when he had faith in his parents' choice to protect humans. It was back when he still believed that humans were nice and they cared for their own. It was when he still believed that he could trust the people.
He didn't know that just three years after that, these people would be killing him in a torture room because he was useless for their goals. He was killed by the same humans that wanted him to save humanity. How ironic it was, even he found it amusing.
" You wanted me to save humanity, Doctor? That place was the shining beacon of hope. That place was where I dreamt of the future and also where my dreams were crushed. That place was where I lived half my life, and that place was where I died."
Lucifer's feet splashed the water on the ground as he walked ahead. He seemed to be talking to himself. There was no happiness or sadness on his face.
"Since I died there, why is that place still living? Since I was thrown away, why is that place still standing? Since I was killed, why are you all still living?" he muttered.
"It's not fair. It's not fair at all! You all must die too! Then come back if you can, only to suffer like me! I'll make you suffer, doctor. I'll make all of you suffer!"
Even though his shirt seemed to be drying, the bottom of his pants kept getting wetter and wetter the more he walked through the puddle of water on roads without caring to go around them.
His mind was lost in thoughts of revenge, so he didn't care about anything else, let alone a few splashes.
It didn't take him long before he finally stepped out of the city of Ikrego.
...
The Red Eagles Guild Member who was keeping an eye on Lucifer saw him getting out. He instantly called his higher-ups.
"He just stepped out of the city," he said. "He's gone."
He waited to hear a reply and a cheer of happiness on the other side of the call but what he was greeted with was something he didn't expect at all.
"What? What do you mean you're all on your way? What the heck?" he exclaimed in shock, which kept getting bigger and bigger the more he heard.