Shadow Slave: The Four Horseman of Deviants

"I think I have everything—a couple of books, my journal, my artificial pen and some pieces of blank paper just in case."

Lee slung a makeshift bag over his shoulder, crafted from a plain white sack with two ropes knotted as straps. He didn't have much to bring, so he kept it light—just the essentials tucked inside. The rough, humble bag felt oddly fitting before he sets off for the academy, his mind focused on what awaited him rather than the weight on his back.

"Well this ain't a normal bag, but I guess this is okay."

Lee paused mid-step, glancing toward the door. Shadows shifted beyond the threshold, and two familiar figures stood waiting outside. Awakened Kolero leaned against the frame, arms crossed, while Awakened Zion stood beside him, his gaze steady on Lee.

"Uh? Aren't you the guys who knocked me and my friend out and brought us into the dungeon for questioning?"

"Yes, we are," Awakened Zion confirmed. "We've also been assigned to escort you and your friend back to the station. This time, only you will be joining us to officially lift your house arrest. We'll need both of you to cooperate and come along. I trust you understand the need for this precaution."

The boy gave a casual shrug. "I really don't mind, as long as it doesn't take too long."

"Good," Awakened Zion replied with a nod. "Your friend's already waiting for us at the carriage." He motioned for the boy to follow, guiding him outside.

"Awakened Kolero will be taking us to the station." Zion gestured to the man at his side, who responded with a brief nod.

As the carriage set off, silence settled between them. Lee shifted uncomfortably, catching the stern gaze of the Awakened whenever he dared glance up. He clenched his fists and forced himself to stay quiet, his mind buzzing.

'This is giving me anxiety!'

Upon arriving at the station, they were quietly led through familiar chambers. A clerk handed over a document, and the boys signed their names, acknowledging the confidentiality of the matter. With that, they were dismissed, free to go without further delay.

Once outside, Awakened Kolero turned to his colleague. "So, do you think the boy was truthful about losing his memories?"

"I'm not certain," Zion replied, his gaze steady. "But I can usually tell when someone's lying. I've already assigned two Awakeneds to monitor their daily activities. They'll report back to me each day until we know for sure if they were involved in that massacre."

Kolero raised an eyebrow. "When does the surveillance start?"

"It already has," Zion answered smoothly. "The trackers possess aspects that make them undetectable, ideal for spying without being noticed."

Kolero nodded approvingly. "Let's hope we have results by year's end so we can bring this to a close."

"We will," Zion said firmly.

….

"Hey Niro, what was I like in the Academy, or as a friend?" Lee asked bluntly, his tone direct and free of hesitation.

Niro paused, eyes drifting as if searching through his memories. A small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Honestly? You haven't changed much, except maybe how the way you talk. Always curious, always getting into something." A warm chuckle escaped him. "And still a sore loser, a little naive, just like back then." He laughed again, the fondness in his voice clear.

"I… see." A faint smile appeared on Lee's face, his gaze softening. Something in those words felt oddly familiar, almost like he was hearing about himself. He looked down, unable to keep from grinning to himself as his stomach fluttered.

Noticing Lee's reaction, Niro tilted his head. "Are you… starting to remember?"

"Not quite," Lee replied thoughtfully. "But… I think I'm getting close. I've just been thinking a lot lately."

"What are you thinking about?"

Lee's eyes brightened, his energy outburst began showing as he spoke. "I've actually made some plans. I'll be busy for a month or so—first stop is the Academy's library. I just finished reading every book at home, so I'll spend a few days getting through new books there." He paused, considering what to say next. "I might stay at the Academy for a bit, and after that… I'll head to the main house to let my dad know everything that's happened."

"You really are going to be busy," Niro noted, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah." Lee's expression grew thoughtful. "After that time… in that place, I've realized there's a lot I still need to figure out."

Niro grimaced as he remembered back then, "I'm really sorry Mason." His voice trembled, "We should have not been involved by them.."

"Them?" Lee lingered, "you mean those cultist? You don't really have to worry about them, I think they're all dead, so…"

"Most of them yes, but they still have other branches in other cities."

Lee gulped nervously, "but, does that mean they know about us?"

"I surely wish they do not know about us… but after a couple of months have passed, I think they will know eventually."

Recalling what previously happened, Lee was transported into the body of the boy named Mason.

In that time, plenty of corpses were littered around the room. The pungent smell of the blood still sent shivers around his body.

But still a mystery remains, if the massacre happened a month ago, then how did Mason and Niro got involved?

At that realization, Lee's eyes widened, he stopped walking alongside Niro.

"Hm?" Niro noticed the sudden halt of his friend. "What's wrong Mason?"

He quivered from his spot, his heart beat grew louder. 'Shit, If Mason died two months ago along with the cultists. Then, why was Niro there? He already knows that his friend was already dead.'

"Mason, are you alright? I know this is quite concerning hearing about the cult, but I'm sure we will find a way to fix this." His friend approached him, patting him in the back to reassure him.

Instinctively, Lee stepped back in a panic.

"Mason…." Niro lingered, his voice full of concern.

Lee closed his eyes, and deeply inhaled, gathering enough courage to ask the crucial question. "Niro, be honest with me."

Niro didn't respond, he was looking at his friend with concern.

"I died a couple of months ago, didn't I?"

"…."

"Say something Niro."

Niro did not respond, he covered his face with his hat. As if he was caught red handed.

The situation became more dire.

He lingered for a while, he took a sit at a nearby bench—he gestured Lee to come sit next to him.

Not without much choice, Lee followed along.

"Niro… I need you to tell me."

"…"

"Niro please, I want to trust you, but If you don't tell me then…" Lee slowly glanced up beside him.

Niro had an unreadable expression, half of his face was covered, his lips pursed.

"Then we'll have to go our separate ways."

"…."

After a while of not responding, Lee had enough then walked away, leaving Niro behind.

….

Walking towards the school alone, Lee contemplated if he made the right choice.

It was true that Niro was so far kind to him for the past times they were together, he didn't have any bad intentions towards him. And he seems to care a lot about his dead friend Mason.

'But if he doesn't want to be honest with me then..'

Lee lagged at that thought, its as if his thoughts began to stop working.

'I don't even know anymore, maybe he just felt guilty about what happened.. He was probably traumatized to see his friend died and came back to life again.'

"Ah! Are you perhaps Mason?"

The unexpected voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Lee looked up to see an elderly man approaching, dressed in a crisp white tunic beneath a worn black jacket, his cane tapping rhythmically against the ground. A tall black flat hat shadowed his face.

"Yes?" Lee replied, his voice cautious. "And you are…?"

The man chuckled, resting his hands over the head of his cane. "Oh, forgive me. It seems I nearly forgot that you have lost your memories."

Lee's brow furrowed. "Who told you that, sir?"

"Ah, some gentlemen from the Borough. They mentioned it a couple of weeks back."

Lee's eyes widened. 'The Borough? That was during my house arrest!'

The man continued, lifting his hat with a flourish and pressing it to his chest. "Allow me to reintroduce myself," he took of his hat and held it against his chest . "Professor Seamore. You were my apprentice last year, though I'm sure you don't remember that, either."

Lee mirrored the bow awkwardly, a tinge of discomfort in his movements. "Nice to meet you, Professor."

The professor chuckled, his gaze warm. "Ah, still as unpolished as ever, I see. Perhaps I should give you a lesson on manners while we're at it."

Lee managed a nervous laugh. "Maybe another time, sir."

"Oh, I'm only teasing!" Professor Seamore's laugh rang out, breaking the tension.

Lee's unease lingered, but something about the professor's words stirred a long-buried familiarity, like a spark struggling to reignite in the dark.

…..

(Note from the Author)

Hey guys, sorry for reposting this again. I've been busy lately for the past days, been doing house chores due to the typhoon, and the number of days of no electricity held me back of not writing for the fanfic. I might not be posting for a while, I've also been caught up with school work. My finals are coming up so I need to be focusing up on that.

I'll continue posting around the second week of December, and I hope that you guys continue supporting this fanfic. I'm very thankful— you guys have been the best. Your compliments and critiques have been inspiring.