"I swear, I am NEVER going back there again," Hinaktaru declared, gripping the rusted railing in front of him.
For years, he had been a ghost to his own kind, barely setting foot in the Heavenly Realm where the rest of the Hanxis dwelled.
But it was only by choice. He had always preferred the messy unpredictable human world, even when he had no business being there in the first place.
But this time, his departure had been a protest. He'd left on purpose, imagining them lining up to beg for his return.
Instead, there was only silence.
"Maybe they finally replaced me," he sighed, gazing back up to eye the star-dusted sky. "I thought Hyumuchni, at least, would care."
He let out a long, dramatic groan. "Man, there's nothing to do here. Not a single storm or a bit of chaos since I arrived." He paused, glancing down at the eerie, empty streets of Meryeline. "Come to think of it... where is everyone?"
The heavy iron door behind him suddenly burst open. A girl scrambled onto the terrace, her breath coming in ragged gasps, as she practically dove behind his cloak.
Hinaktaru blinked, stunned. "This human can see me?" He opened his mouth to demand an explanation, but the air suddenly curdled. A thick, sickly purple mist began to seep through the doorway, coiling like a snake.
"A Hades?" Hinaktaru's eyes narrowed, a flash of amusement dancing in his silver gaze. "Tell me you're just a sidekick."
His expression darkened, and a menacing light sparked in his eyes. "Because that title is far too grand for a bottom-feeder like you."
The Hades recoiled, its spindly blood-red frame trembling. It turned to bolt, but the door slammed shut with a thunderous bang before it could reach the handle.
"Motion!" Hinaktaru commanded.
The universe obeyed. Time locked itself.
Jasmine let out a strangled gasp, watching as the world turned into a still photograph, except for her and the white-haired stranger.
The Hades was caught mid-stride, its terrifying face frozen in a look of pure panic.
Then, the creature began to crack. Fissures spread across its red skin like breaking porcelain. And with a final, silent shatter, it turned to stone dissolving into grey ash which was carried away by a wind that shouldn't have been moving.
Hinaktaru turned to Jasmine, his menacing aura vanishing instantly as he flashed a sunny, casual smile at her. "Now then, tell me about yourself... I'm bored."
Jasmine didn't answer. Her eyes were wide, fixed on the long, shimmering strands of his white hair.
Before he could react, she reached out and gave it a sharp, experimental tug.
"Why... isn't it coming off?!" she demanded, pulling it harder.
"Owwie!" Hinaktaru yelped, clutching his head away from her monstrous grasp.
"What was that for?"
"Sorry! I thought it was a wig." She backed away, her face a mix of suspicion and awe.
"So it's... real? No dye?" She leaned back in, squinting her eyes. "Maybe I just didn't pull hard enough—"
"Touch me again and I swear!" Hinaktaru jumped back, shielding his hair.
"My bad," Jasmine muttered, though she didn't look very sorry. "I've just never seen a guy with hair like that. Are you an angel? A god or something?"
Hinaktaru puffed out his chest, looking away with a smirk. "Well, you could say that."
He watched her out of the corner of his eye.
'Even if she was a Seer, she was still just a human. It's safer not to reveal too much.'
Jasmine stepped closer, her excitement growing. "You know, you don't have to hide it." She leaned on the railing.
"People say mystical beings live in this city. I've always believed the myths!" She pointed a finger at him triumphantly. "You're Hyumuchni, aren't you? The demigod of love!"
Hinaktaru froze. Staring back at her, his smirk died.
"No, wait," she continued, tapping her chin. "Hubrisoux!" She pointed again, more confident than before. "Can I call you 'Lord,' or do you just go by Hubie?"
Hinaktaru facepalmed, his soul feeling like it was leaving his body. 'Am I really that unpopular? Man, I feel so depressed right now.'
"Are you even listening?" Jasmine waved a hand in front of his face.
"Just go away, Jasmine," he sulked, his shoulders slumping as he began to whimper like a scolded puppy.
" Wait–" She blinked. "How do you know my name?"
He didn't look at her, his mood completely deflated. "It's floating right above your head," he grumbled. "In a transparent bubble word.. Guess that's one of my lamest abilities."
He pouted, looking back at the sky. "Even my own team have probably replaced me by now."
The TRUTH:
In the clouds high above the earth's surface...
"Hinaktaru!"
"Hinaktaru! Ugh, where is that idiot?" Hyumuchni shouted, turning to Xiaowang, who was gliding effortlessly beside him.
"No trace of him," Xiaowang sighed, rubbing his temples. "He wanders off without a word every time. It's starting to get on my nerves."
"Maybe he's still upset about the training results..." Hyumuchni started.
A swirling gold portal tore open in the air below them. Hubrisoux poked his head through the shimmering rift. "Not here either!" he shouted up to them.
Xiaowang nodded, and with a soft shimmer, he vanished into thin air to check the next sector of the Heavenly Realm.
But Hyumuchni stayed behind, hovering in the vast empty sky with a look of genuine worry.
"Where are you, Hinaktaru..."