Chapter 18

As Marcus reached for his phone to call his superior, Issac and Jaren exchanged a look, both sensing what was coming. The phone rang a few times before the unmistakable sound of a furious voice exploded through the speaker before Marcus could get a word out.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing, Marcus? Approaching your charge like that? You're supposed to be a goddamn shadow, not a babysitter. Who authorized this? I swear if you've compromised—"

Marcus winced, holding the phone slightly away from his ear as the barrage of insults and anger poured out. Issac, tired and already at the end of his patience, watched the one-sided exchange for a few more moments before his irritation boiled over. Without a second thought, he lunged forward, yanking the phone out of Marcus's hand mid-yell.

Issac pressed the phone to his ear, his voice calm but laced with undeniable authority. "This is Issac," he said, cutting through the tirade. "Now, will you please shut the fuck up and listen to Marcus's report?"

There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line, the kind of quiet that suggested disbelief mixed with fear. Satisfied, Issac handed the phone back to Marcus with a nod, his point made.

Marcus, slightly amused but also feeling the weight of the situation, took the phone and walked into the next room. Issac's direct intervention had silenced his boss, but there was still a lot to explain, and he knew his superior would want a full rundown. Jaren remained in the room, his eyes flicking between Issac and the door Marcus had just walked through.

Inside the other room, Marcus could hear the soft crackling of multiple lines connecting. Several people were listening in now, not just his superior. He cleared his throat, starting to explain everything in a clear, concise summary.

"Sir, I'll be brief. Issac has developed a rare ability—he can reset his timeline. This isn't the first time we've been through this. In his previous lifetimes, he's experienced significant events, including apocalyptic scenarios that we're now trying to prevent. He retains memories of these past lives, and that's how he knew about me—how I've been assigned to protect him in each timeline, though in different capacities."

There was a pause, and Marcus continued, "He's revealed everything to General Zarek, Jaren, and myself. We need more protection on him, as well as resources to help him understand the full scope of his power. He's no longer just a rogue C-class Esper. He's something much more... dangerous, and he's trying to make things right."

There was a sudden shift in tone on the other end of the call. A new voice, female, spoke clearly, and Marcus could hear the sharpness in her words as she addressed him directly. "So the child has the timeline ability as his true awakening?"

Marcus blinked, taken aback. "Child?" His confusion was apparent, but he responded carefully, "Uh, yes ma'am… Issac's timeline ability only emerged after his previous life's death. But as for a 'true awakening'—" He stopped himself, realizing he might have already said too much. This wasn't just any superior; this was someone high up, someone who seemed to know more than anyone else involved. So, Marcus did what any experienced operative would do—he kept quiet.

A soft, almost amused laughter echoed from the other side of the phone. The woman's voice was calm but authoritative, like someone who was used to controlling entire operations. "All will be revealed when it's due time, Marcus. For now, your job is to ensure Issac's safety. I'm authorizing you to lead a specialized team, one that will help train and protect him. They'll be waiting for your orders at the designated base. The team with you now will be under your command as well."

The line went quiet for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in. Marcus could hear the faint murmur of others, people on the call who were no doubt key figures within the organization. It was clear that Issac's situation had just escalated beyond a typical field operation. This was something much bigger.

"Understood, ma'am," Marcus said, though the questions now racing through his mind threatened to overwhelm him. True awakening? What the hell did that mean? Did this woman know more about Issac's powers than Issac himself? He wanted to ask, but he knew better. That information was beyond his clearance, at least for now.

The woman's voice returned, this time with a finality that brooked no argument. "Continue your work. Keep Issac safe, and maintain a low profile. We'll be in touch."

With that, the line cut off, leaving Marcus standing in the empty room, still reeling from what had just been said. He lowered the phone, his mind buzzing with the implications of what he'd just heard. Issac wasn't just another rogue Esper with a unique ability. He was something… more. Something that even the higher-ups in the organization had been watching closely.

But why? And what did they mean by his true awakening?

As Marcus walked back into the main room, he saw Issac and Jaren looking up at him expectantly. He wasn't sure how much he should share, but one thing was clear—things had just gotten a lot more complicated.

----

As Issac surveyed Marcus's tense demeanor, a familiar unease washed over him. He remembered this feeling from their first life—the way Marcus would sometimes hesitate, weighing the importance of his words against the potential consequences of speaking too freely. "Hey," Issac prompted gently, "what's wrong? You look like you've just seen a ghost."

Marcus shifted uncomfortably, the tension in his shoulders visible even in the dim light of the room. "It's nothing wrong per se," he finally admitted, his voice low. "Just something that was mentioned during the call. They referred to your true awakening." He let the words hang heavy in the air.

At the sound of those two words, Alfred perked up, his fur standing on end. His ears twitched, and he reacted as if he had been shot. All four men turned their gaze to the cat, eyes wide with expectation and apprehension, silently urging him to elaborate.

Alfred ducked his head, his tail twitching nervously. "I—uh, I'm not allowed to say," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "If I do, there will be consequences. The main system will—"

Suddenly, Alfred froze mid-sentence. A static buzzing noise filled the air, and the cat's body began to tremble. Flickering arcs of lightning danced across his fur, sending small shocks through him. It was as if some unseen force was forcing him into silence, constraining his words. The others could only watch in a mix of horror and confusion, unsure of what was happening.

With a jolt, the static ceased, and Alfred shook himself, disoriented but unharmed. However, he immediately withdrew, his expression shifting to one of dread. "If I keep trying to explain anything about the system that created me," he said slowly, "I'll be erased from existence. They'll replace me with another system companion."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. The implications were staggering. Issac exchanged glances with Marcus and Jaren, each of them digesting the significance of what Alfred had just revealed.

"Erased?" Jaren echoed, his brow furrowing. "Are you saying there's a risk to your existence if you share too much?"

"Yes," Alfred replied, his voice trembling slightly. "I don't know the full extent of the rules, but the system… it doesn't tolerate disobedience. I exist to assist you, but I can't breach the protocols without consequences. My very being is tied to the system's guidelines."

Marcus stepped closer, concern etched on his face. "So, if there's something crucial about this true awakening that you can't share, then it's definitely something we need to be careful about."

Issac felt a knot tighten in his stomach. The thought of Alfred being erased or replaced sent a chill through him. This wasn't just about his own powers anymore; it seemed to have repercussions for everyone involved. "What does it mean for me?" he asked, urgency creeping into his tone. "What's at stake here?"

"I can't—" Alfred started, but the static buzz returned, and he winced as the electricity crackled across his form again.

"Damn it," Marcus muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "We need to get to the bottom of this. Issac, you need to be prepared for whatever this true awakening entails, especially if it poses a threat to Alfred."

"Right," Issac agreed, determination igniting within him. "If there's something I need to do or understand, I won't shy away from it. But we can't let Alfred face any danger alone."

Alfred looked up, a flicker of gratitude in his bright eyes. "Thank you, but just remember, the system is unpredictable. If you push too hard, you might not just lose me; you could attract unwanted attention."

The room fell into a thoughtful silence as they contemplated the implications of their situation. The stakes had risen significantly, and the tension in the air was palpable. Issac felt a sense of responsibility—not only for his own awakening but for the safety of those around him.

"Okay," Issac said, his voice steady. "Let's figure out how to navigate this together. We'll protect each other, no matter what. We need to stay one step ahead of whatever this system is planning."

---

As the group prepared to leave for the base, Issac couldn't help but let out a frustrated sigh. "Damn, I'm still not going to college," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Third time in a row."

Jaren, who was reviewing the plan with General Zarek, paused. "College can wait, Issac. Right now, we need to focus on getting you to safety and figuring out this 'true awakening' business."

Alfred, ever the pragmatic companion, hopped onto the dashboard with an elegant flick of his tail. "I can help with that," he said, eyes gleaming. "We'll use Issac's powers to create an illusion—something big enough to confuse anyone trying to follow us. But there's a catch. Issac, your corruption level will rise, especially if I'm using your powers for something of this scale. Jaren, you'll need to guide him the entire time, keep him from slipping into red."

Zarek took control of the situation immediately, his commanding tone cutting through the air. "Fine. We'll do it once we're in the vehicle. Alfred, make the distraction after we're moving."

They piled into the armored vehicle, the engine rumbling to life beneath them. Zarek sat in the front, while Issac, Jaren, Marcus, and Alfred settled in the back. The tension was palpable as the vehicle sped off.

Alfred nodded to Jaren, his feline eyes glinting with determination. "It's time. I'm starting the illusion."

Issac felt a sudden, powerful pull on his energy, as if something was siphoning his powers out of him in massive waves. Jaren, sitting beside him, quickly grabbed his hand, his palm warm against Issac's. The sudden physical contact sent a shock through Issac's system, and he instinctively flinched, almost yanking his hand away. It had been lifetimes since he'd allowed anyone to touch him.

General Zarek noticed the reaction but wisely chose to remain silent, his sharp eyes watching but not commenting.

Alfred worked quickly, and Issac could see the effects of his power in action. The world outside the vehicle began to shimmer and split. Images of their car multiplied, each illusion peeling off in different directions, creating a complex network of decoys. The detail was startling—each illusion had the same physical force as the real vehicle. But that came at a cost.

Issac could feel it—the corruption was building inside him, his aura turning dark, swirling with shades of deep red and black. He had seen it before—the point where he lost control, where the corruption took over. Panic started to rise, but before it could consume him, warmth flooded his system. Jaren's guiding powers were like a soothing balm, slowly pulling Issac back from the brink. The warmth was almost overwhelming, too much all at once.

His face flushed with embarrassment, and he hunched forward in his seat, trying to hide the reaction. This is not happening, he thought to himself, mortified by the surge of…pleasure?

Jaren noticed Issac's discomfort but mistook it for pain or distress. Concerned, he increased the flow of his guiding power, pouring more warmth into Issac's body.

"S-stop," Issac groaned, his voice strained. "You're… you're putting out too much."

But Jaren didn't understand, his face still etched with worry. "I'm trying to help," he said, his hands still glowing with the guiding energy. He intensified the output, thinking Issac was nearing critical corruption levels.

Issac could barely hold it together. The sensation was pushing him to the edge, and the warmth from Jaren's power was almost unbearable. His entire body was reacting, and the feeling was far from unpleasant—but definitely not appropriate for the situation. His face was burning as he tried to keep himself from making another sound, hunching over further.

Marcus, always the keen observer, noticed immediately. A sly grin spread across his face as he leaned back in his seat. "Hah! Jaren, ease up!" he laughed, his eyes glinting with mischief. "You're going to make Issac, uh, have a little accident in his pants if you keep cranking up the pleasure meter like that."

Jaren blinked, confused. "What? What do you mean?"

Marcus smirked, shaking his head as he looked at Issac, who was practically curling into a ball in his seat, struggling not to completely lose it. "Ohhh, I see it now." Jaren's face paled, and then, as if a lightbulb went off, his expression shifted from concern to embarrassment.

He quickly retracted his guiding power. "Oh—oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't—" He stammered, his own face turning bright red. "I didn't realize…"

Issac groaned, mortified. He buried his face in his free hand, muttering under his breath, "I'm going to kick your ass later, Marcus."

Marcus laughed even louder, his shoulders shaking with amusement. "Oh, please. Bring it on! But uh," he winked at Issac, "you might want to, y'know, take care of that before we get into another fight." He snickered uncontrollably.

Issac clenched his fist, still hunched over and trying to fight off the lingering sensations. "I hate you," he muttered.

Jaren, still flustered, sat quietly beside Issac, his face red with embarrassment. "Sorry," he whispered again, clearly trying to avoid any more awkwardness.

Alfred rolled his eyes from his perch, looking between them all with an air of annoyance. "Can we please focus on the mission? The illusion is holding, but we don't have all day."

Issac straightened up as best he could, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "Right. Focus," he said, though his mind was still racing, and he could feel his face burning from the earlier incident.

The tension in the car had shifted from life-or-death urgency to an awkward, shared embarrassment. But for now, they were safe, at least until they reached the base.

Marcus wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. "Well, that was fun. Now, let's see what else this 'true awakening' business has in store for us, shall we?"