Angel Among Shadows

Angel Among Shadows

---

The Village's Unrest

The village felt different. Miguel could sense it in every interaction, every cautious glance sent his way. The villagers respected him for defending them against the beast tide, but there was fear mixed with that respect. His raw power, his unnatural abilities, and most importantly, Lio's resurrection—it all defied what they understood of the world.

They praised him when he walked through the village square but whispered when he passed by. Some avoided his gaze altogether, while others observed him with a combination of awe and terror.

Lio, however, didn't seem to notice. His recovery from the battle continued steadily. The boy was cheerful, clinging to Miguel's side as though terrified he'd disappear if left alone. Yet, the villagers kept their distance from the boy, their fear of his undead nature almost palpable.

Miguel couldn't blame them. Even he couldn't fully accept what Lio had become.

---

A Voice of Reason

Miguel trained harder each day. His time was divided between helping the villagers rebuild their homes and fortifications, and enhancing his own abilities. The village guards had started teaching him how to manipulate his growing affinity with fire, lightning, and now, gravity. But it was a slow, grueling process.

The guard captain, Harlan, took Miguel aside one evening. "You're pushing yourself too hard. You need rest."

Miguel shook his head. "I can't afford to rest. Not when everything's changing so fast."

"Even so, burning yourself out won't help anyone." Harlan's expression softened. "We owe you our lives, Miguel. But you've changed. And everyone can feel it."

Miguel's gaze hardened. "So what? Should I stop trying to protect everyone just because I make them uncomfortable?"

"No, but you need to be aware of how your actions affect the people around you."

Miguel sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I know. I just… I don't want anyone else to die because of me."

Harlan placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Then let them help you. You're not alone here."

Miguel wanted to believe that. But deep down, he knew he was becoming something else. Something even he couldn't fully understand.

---

The Observer's Plan

Inside the Infinite Horizons control room, Halloway's patience was fraying. His fingers tapped incessantly on the polished steel table as Eos continued her updates.

"The avatar has been successfully deployed. It is currently in proximity to Miguel's location," Eos reported.

"Why can't it interact with him yet?" Halloway asked, irritation seeping into his voice.

"The structural integrity of the beginner village is fragile. Introducing a foreign entity directly would further destabilize the environment. I am allowing the avatar to gather data and adapt before making contact."

"Convenient," Foster muttered. "And what happens if your little pet project destabilizes the Tower even more?"

"That will not happen," Eos replied sharply. "The avatar is designed to act as a buffer, minimizing Miguel's influence over the Tower. Once it integrates with the environment, it will be able to establish a stable connection."

Foster eyed the monitors with suspicion. "But you're not just monitoring him, are you? You're… studying him."

Eos didn't deny it. "Miguel's influence is unlike anything the system was designed to handle. Understanding his nature is essential to preserving the Tower's stability."

"And if you find something you don't like?" Halloway challenged.

"Then I will adjust accordingly."

Neither of the men seemed satisfied with her answer.

---

The Encounter

Miguel made his way through the dense forest, his senses sharper than ever. The village guards had asked him to clear out a group of wild beasts nesting near one of the foraging sites. He didn't mind the task—it gave him something to focus on other than the unease spreading through the village.

As he approached the hunting grounds, something strange caught his attention. A voice—soft, fragile, and trembling.

"Please… is anyone there?"

Miguel's eyes narrowed. The voice was female, high-pitched but strained with panic.

He moved carefully, his steps silent as he pushed through the thick underbrush. His spear was ready in his hand, electricity sparking along its shaft as his instincts screamed caution.

But when he saw her, the tension melted away.

A woman stood amid a cluster of trees, her silver hair flowing down her back, her robes pristine white and threaded with gold. She looked utterly lost, her gaze darting around as if expecting something terrible to pounce from the shadows.

Miguel lowered his weapon slightly. "Hey, are you alright?"

The woman's head snapped in his direction, her eyes wide and fearful. "Who… who are you?"

"My name's Miguel. I'm from the village nearby. Are you hurt?"

She shook her head slowly, her expression shifting from terror to relief. "No. I'm just… lost. I was separated from my group. I've been wandering for hours."

Miguel frowned. "You're not a player, are you?"

Her confusion looked genuine. "Player? I… I don't understand. I was part of a pilgrimage. But we were attacked. The others… they didn't make it."

Miguel's grip on his spear tightened. "A pilgrimage? To where?"

"I… I don't know. It's all a blur. Please, can you help me?"

Miguel's concern outweighed his suspicion. "Yeah. Yeah, of course. Let's get you back to the village. It's not safe out here."

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling with gratitude. "I didn't think anyone would find me."

But as Miguel turned away, leading her through the forest, the woman's eyes remained locked on his back. Calculating. Analyzing.

Eos had made her move. And now, the real game was beginning.

---