Ruler of Beyonders

Then Ren returned home before sunrise. In his mind still so many thoughts rose.

The sky was still dark. His steps were silent as he moved through the quiet building. The city outside had not yet begun to stir.

He entered the house and locked the door behind him. Mira was still asleep. He placed his bag down and washed his face in the small sink. The water felt cold and grounding.

Then he lay down in bed.

He didn't sleep. He just closed his eyes and waited.

★★★

By the time morning came, Ren had already dressed and sat at the table. He was quiet. Focused. His thoughts clear, but heavy.

Mira peeked her head from the bedroom and blinked at him.

"You didn't sleep again," she said.

Ren shrugged.

"You're acting weird lately," she added, walking to the kitchen to heat tea. "More weird than usual."

Ren didn't reply.

A knock came at the door.

Not rushed. Not loud. But firm.

Mira raised an eyebrow. "You expecting someone?"

Ren stood.

He already knew who it was.

He opened the door slowly.

Seroi Uchitake stood in the hallway. The long black coat. The calm face. His eyes sharp and unreadable.

Ren didn't speak.

Seroi looked past him into the apartment.

"May I come in?" he asked.

Ren stepped aside.

Seroi entered without sound. Mira stepped back, confused. She looked up at the tall man and frowned slightly.

"Who's this?"

Seroi bowed slightly.

"My name is Seroi. I work at the Awakening Division. You must be Ren's sister."

Mira nodded slowly. Her arms crossed.

Ren's mother came from the back room a moment later, wiping her hands on a towel. Then his father followed. They both froze when they saw the guest.

Seroi turned to them and spoke clearly.

"Mr. and Mrs. Calder, thank you for your time. I know this is sudden, but I came to speak with you about your son."

They exchanged glances.

"Is something wrong?" Ren's mother asked, worry already in her voice.

"No," Seroi said. "But something very important has happened. And your son is at the center of it."

They sat together at the table.

Ren stood quietly behind them.

Seroi placed a small device on the table. It lit up softly, casting gentle light across the room.

Then he spoke calmly.

"Your son has awakened a power that has not been seen before. A type that does not match any known category. The energy levels are beyond anything we expected. So far, he has shown complete control. But we believe it is still evolving."

Ren's parents stayed silent.

Seroi continued.

"This kind of awakening comes with danger. Not just for him, but for others. And while I don't believe your son is a threat… others may not see it that way."

Mira looked at Ren, her expression serious now.

Seroi leaned forward slightly.

"What I'm offering is protection. A chance for your son to train properly. To understand his power. To stay ahead of anyone who might try to use it."

Ren's father cleared his throat.

"And if we say no?"

Seroi looked him in the eye.

"Then others will come. Less polite than me. And they won't give you a choice."

The room went quiet.

Ren's mother reached out and took his hand.

"You want to go?" she asked softly.

Ren nodded.

His voice was steady.

"I have to."

She smiled faintly. Her eyes looked tired.

"Then go. Just come back home sometimes. That's all we ask."

Ren gave a short nod.

Seroi stood.

"We leave in twenty minutes. Pack light."

Ren went to his room. He was not complaint about anything because he knew whats the better for everyone.

He didn't take much.

His bag. A few clothes. A notebook. His old ID. And the bracelet Mira gave him last year. Nothing else.

When he returned, Seroi was already waiting at the door.

Ren hugged his mother. His father placed a hand on his shoulder.

Mira followed him to the hallway.

"You better not disappear again," she said.

Ren smiled. "I won't."

Seroi led him out.

A plain black vehicle waited near the stairwell. The same kind used by agents. It moved silently through the city streets.

No one looked twice.

Ironvale kept moving like it always did.

But Ren was no longer part of the crowd.

He was stepping out of it.

And into something else.

The black vehicle moved silently through the streets of Ironvale. Outside the tinted windows, the city began to wake. Workers crossed steel bridges. Lights blinked above smokestacks. But none of it touched the silence inside the car.

Ren sat beside Seroi, staring forward.

For a long time, neither of them spoke.

Then Ren turned slightly.

"Before we go too far… I want to see Watson. Just for a moment."

Seroi glanced at him, his face unreadable.

"You trust him?"

Ren nodded. "He helped me. He deserves to know I'm okay."

Seroi gave a small nod. "Fine. We'll stop by the sub-station. He's still on post. You have five minutes."

The car shifted directions.

They reached a quiet zone near the southern checkpoint. Watson stood near the building's side wall, leaning on the railing, reading something on his wrist pad.

Ren stepped out.

Watson looked up, surprised at first. Then his usual tired grin appeared.

"Well, look who finally decided to wake up."

Ren walked closer.

"You doing okay?" Watson asked.

Ren nodded. "Better than before."

They stood side by side in silence for a few seconds.

Watson glanced toward the black car.

"So, you're going?"

"Yeah."

"Big place?"

"I guess."

Watson scratched his head. "Not gonna lie, part of me thought you'd just disappear. Or explode."

Ren gave him a faint smile. "Sorry to disappoint."

Watson sighed. Then his voice grew serious.

"You're strong now, Ren. Strong in a way most people won't understand. That means they'll fear you. Follow you. Try to stop you. Maybe even worship you. Just don't let it change you too much."

Ren nodded slowly.

"One more thing," he said. "Take care of my family. My parents. Mira. Make sure nothing happens to them."

Watson's grin vanished.

"You have my word."

They shook hands once.

Then Ren stepped back into the car. Wave his hand from car's window. Watson also wave his hand as a final or may be not final good bye.

Watson watched him go. Ren to watched his body shadow turned till it faint and vanished. His smile returned for a moment. Then he turned away. He was sad and happy at a same moment. Both felt same feelings and expressions.

The vehicle slid quietly back into motion, leaving the checkpoint behind.