Worldwalker: The Invisible King

The next morning arrived like a blade pressed gently to my throat — silent, sharp, and impossible to ignore.

I emerged from my base before dawn, the air above ground still cold with the night's retreat. Elira had been asleep when I left. Her hand had been curled around mine as if trying to keep me tethered. I pulled away carefully. No noise. No warmth left behind.

By the time I stepped into the kitchen, the television was already on. My father stood near the window, half-listening to the news while sipping his tea. My mother, in her soft pink robe, hummed quietly as she stirred something on the stove.

"Morning, Ren," she said with a smile that never failed to feel like a memory from a different life.

"Morning," I replied, voice calm.

A moment later, the anchor's voice shifted tone.

"…and in local news, a university student was apprehended late last night in connection to the 'Blossom Stalker' case—"

My mother moved quickly, almost instinctively, picking up the remote and switching the channel.

"These things are not for your ears, love," she said gently. "But they matter. The world is not always kind, and you… you need to know when to stay soft, and when to be strong."

I gave her a slight nod, tucking the words into a part of me that never stopped calculating.

I sat down. My father glanced at me. "You're tired again."

"I just didn't sleep much," I said. "Homework."

He nodded slowly, as if weighing the truth of my lie — and letting it pass.

After breakfast, I headed out, slinging my bag over one shoulder. Airi was waiting outside like always, leaning casually against her gate, a slight frown playing on her lips.

"You didn't reply to any of my messages last night," she said, walking beside me.

"Sorry," I offered. "I crashed early."

She narrowed her eyes, not convinced. "You've been… off. Not distant, just—too perfect."

I blinked, feigning confusion. "Too perfect?"

Airi stopped, her arms crossing as she stared up at me.

"You're sweet, kind, always say the right thing—but sometimes I wonder if that's the problem. Like it's not real."

Her words struck more deeply than she could have imagined.

"I'm real," I said softly.

"But are you you?"

Before I could answer, a familiar voice called out behind us.

"Yo, Ren!" It was Yuto from class, jogging up with two other friends in tow. "You guys coming to the rooftop today? We grabbed some extra pudding from the cafeteria."

Airi turned to them with a smile, sliding back into the cheerful girl everyone knew.

"Of course," she said brightly. "Ren and I are practically royalty up there."

I followed, smiling just enough. Mask intact. The rooftop was quiet compared to the chaos of the halls. The sakura trees beyond the fence stirred gently in the summer breeze. I let Airi talk, laughing with Yuto and Hina, our classmates. They teased each other. She leaned into my side when she laughed. Her hand found mine under the table.

It was warm. Real. But not enough.

Not with everything I carried.

"Hey, Ren?" Hina asked, twirling a pen between her fingers. "What would you do if the world ended tomorrow?"

I looked up at the sky.

"I'd want to be somewhere no one could reach me," I said.

The silence after that answer wasn't awkward. Just thoughtful.

After school, Airi walked home with me again. Her shoulder brushed mine as we neared our street.

"You're quiet again," she said.

I gave a small smile. "Just thinking."

"Don't think too hard," she replied, looping her arm around mine. "If you ever want to talk… I want to know the real you, not just the good parts."

I stopped in front of my door, turning to face her.

"I know."

She rose on her toes, kissing me softly. It lingered—not rushed, not hungry, but filled with a quiet ache.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

I watched her walk across to her own house, the porch light flickering on as she entered. Then I turned away, stepping inside mine.

My parents were in the living room again. This time, the news ran silent while my mother folded clothes. My father nodded at me, then returned to his book.

I climbed the stairs, entered my room, and locked the door.

The glyph on the mirror pulsed faintly.

My hand moved toward it.

But I didn't open the path just yet.

Instead, I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my reflection — the flawless boy, the good student, the gentle boyfriend.

The mask.

But the fractures beneath it… were spreading.

And soon, even I wouldn't be able to hold it all together.

End of Chapter 18