Chapter 15:

Angel stared at the view for a while, lost in thought. Was this the right time to tell him?

He glanced over at Elendil.

Angel: "Elendil..." he said softly.

Elendil turned to him with a small smile.

Elendil: "Yes, Angel?" He tilted his head.

Angel: "I..."

Silence.

Elendil: waited patiently. "I what? You don't have to be afraid to tell me, Angel. Just so you know… I'm always here for you, even in the toughest times."

Angel: "I... I know." He sighed, looking up at the darkening sky.

Elendil stared at him a moment longer, then said with a small chuckle:

Elendil: "You know, you're a very handsome guy. Wait, no! Beautiful guy, maybe."

Angel was caught off guard.

Angel: "What? Beautiful? Me? I-I don't... I don't know what to say....I-"

Elendil: "You don't have to say anything." He waved a hand casually. "I envy you."

Angel froze, visibly confused.

Elendil: "You're strong. Brave. Mysterious. Every man or boy would be lucky to have you."

Angel: "M-Man...? W-What?"

Elendil: "Well...haha...also women, of course! But if there was a line of people wanting to be with you, I'd be there!"

Angel: "...'Be there'? You're confusing." Looks away

Elendil: "I'm just being honest."

Angel turned to face him.

Angel: "Elendil, you're the only boy I know… well, besides Neptur, who's clearly a man. And if there were people lining up... you'd probably be at the fron...fronwidefcdaujv...! I mean—THE BACK! You'd be at the back!" He huffed, flustered, and turned away, pushing his hair into his face. "You're annoying... Don't say weird stuff like that again, you stupid brat..."

Elendil laughed loudly.

Angel: "What are you laughing at!? It's not funny!" He pouted and crossed his arms.

Elendil: "Haha, yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Angel."

Angel: sighed, cheeks pink. "…Look, I have something I do want to say."

Elendil: tillted his head, curious. "Hm? What is it?"

Angel stood up, dusting the grass from his clothes. Elendil followed suit, brushing off his pants.

Then Angel turned to face him, eyes sharp now.

Angel: "Elendil... I want you to know that... I know."

Elendil: looked puzzled. "Know what?"

Angel: "From the beginning..." His fists clenched. "...You're not the real Elendil I know."

Elendil: "...What?"

Angel: "Like I said," Angel pulled out a small, sleek knife from his belt and pointed it forward. "You're not him."

Elendil: "Wh-What are you talking about!? I am Elendil! The one you're talking to, right now!"

Angel: "Don't lie. Where is he?" Says it coldly

Elendil: "...How did you know?" Narrowing his eyes.

Angel: "Because the real Elendil... would never just go pee in the middle of nature."

Elendil: "Eh?"

Angel: "Shut up."

He lunged forward with the knife, but as it made contact, a dark shadow burst out of Elendil's figure, forming into a twisting, shape-shifting entity. Angel stumbled back in shock.

Angel: "...A shadow?"

The creature floated back, its form flickering like smoke in the wind. Angel clinches his hands.

Angel: "Where is he!? WHERE'S ELENDIL!?"

The shadow didn't speak. It hovered silently, then faded into the trees.

Angel: gritted his teeth. "No... I....I" stare at the sky "know where he is."

Without wasting another second, Angel turned and bolted into the woods.

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He reached the edge of the forest, panting, sweat lining his brow. He saw Neptur walking out of the cabin, apron tied around his waist.

Neptur: "Hm? Angel? Good timing. I was about to call out for you two." Starts walking towards him "Where's Elendil-"

Angel rushed toward him, gripping his shoulders tightly.

Neptur: "Whoa, whoa! What's going on?!" Smiles worriedly.

Angel: "Neptur, have you seen a van?!"

Neptur: "A van...? Why are you-" grabs his hand

Angel: slaps his arm "Don't you get it?! ELENDIL'S BEEN KIDNAPPED! Just think! Why would there be a van in this kind of remote place?! No van could even fit here without reason!"

Neptur's eyes widened as realization set in.

Neptur: "Wait… the fish van…"

Angel: "Exactly! That wasn't a real fisherman!"

Neptur: "W-we need to call the authorities! Stay inside, I'll-"

Angel: "No! There's no time!" Angel turned sharply. "I'm going after him myself! ....Because the police's doesn't know where he is-" Tries to run away

Neptur: He grabbed Angel's wrist tightly, eyes locked with his. "What do you mean?!"

Angel: "I... I know where Elendil is.. And he is in a very dangerous place... "

Neptur: "You know where Elendil is? Then tell me, now!"

Angel stared at him, hesitation flickering in his eyes.

Angel: "He's... he's in the Skull-... Near... near the abandoned factory-" He suddenly stopped mid-sentence, his voice faltering.

Neptur: "...What?" His eyes widened. "You're saying you're going there?!"

And then, it's starts raining.

A slow drizzle at first, but it quickly turned into a heavy downpour, soaking the earth in seconds.

Angel's clothes were drenched, but he didn't seem to care. His grip tightened into fists.

Angel: "I don't have a choice... I'm his Guardian Angel!"

Neptur eyes widen. Angel took a step back.

Neptur: "Guardian Angel?" Confused

Angel: "Please... Let go.."says it with desperate tone.

Neptur: "....No!" He clutched Angel's arm tighter. "It's too dangerous! We should call the cops. Let them handle it!"

Angel: "I SAID LET GO!!" His voice thundered like a crack of lightning.

His eyes flared open, and for a moment, the rain seemed to freeze in midair.

A brilliant glow pulsed from within his pupils: a divine gold and silver spiral, inhuman and ancient. His expression twisted, not with anger alone, but pure, desperate panic.

Neptur gasped and stumbled back, his hand letting go instinctively.

He stared at Angel, shaken.

Neptur: "Your eyes..." He says it softly.

Angel stood there, eyes wide, panting, unable to hide it. The glowing never ceased.

Angel: "I... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to-" He stepped backward, trying to cover his face with a shaking hand." I tried to hide it... I didn't want you to see-" His voice cracked, heavy with guilt.

Neptur: "Angel..." His voice dropped to a whisper, breathless.

Angel: "I didn't want to reveal anything. I didn't want to scare you-.... but...Elendil-!"

The name hit his chest like a stone. He turned sharply.

Angel: "I have to go. I have to get him back."

And without waiting for a reply, Angel took off into the storm.

Neptur: "Angel...wait!"

But Angel was already gone, disappearing into the forest like a ghost. Rain crashed down, soaking the earth, but he didn't stop, he couldn't. Not now.

Neptur stood frozen at the doorstep, drenched and stunned.

He looked up at the path Angel had run down, heart pounding with a hundred questions. But one rang loudest:

"What... are you really, Angel?"

Neptur cursed under his breath and ran back inside. He grabbed the phone, dialing the emergency number.

[On the line]

Dog Cop: "Hello, arf! What's the emergency?"

Neptur: "We need help, now! .A boy's been kidnapped, his name's Elendil!"

Dog Cop: "Kidnapped!? Arf! Calm down, sir. When did this happen?"

Neptur: "Just about an hour ago! He's been taken in a fake fish van! I should've known-..." tears starts falling into his eyes.

Dog Cop: "Understood. Stay where you are, we're sending help right away. Arf!" Click.

Neptur place the phone down, he stares at the window...

Neptur: "Angel... Elendil. I hope you two are going to be okay.."

(TO BE CONTINUED)

Neptur: "w