Welcome to the Innocent World

It was late in the evening, and the cool breeze brushed against my face as I walked along the highway bridge after I left my college. 

The sun had just dipped below the horizon, casting a purplish-orange glow across the sky. I was sipping an apple juice through a straw, the cold drink refreshing after a long day at college. 

My thoughts drifted to Friday, to the sorority house event I'd been invited to, and more importantly, to the fact that I am supposed to meet with Gamma as early as possible. I needed to get the details about that place before going there. 

"I guess I should take a day off from college and go to Gamma tomorrow." I muttered to myself. 

I was trying to sort out my plan for the rest of the week when, out of nowhere, I felt it again. That weird sensation of being followed. You know, the kind where the hair on the back of your neck stands up? 

I didn't made it look that I have noticed and kept walking chalking it up to paranoia and after few turns and walking down the street, I turned left into a narrow alley. 

My instincts weren't wrong. I kept walking, trying not to let on that I knew something was off, and that's when I saw them—two people, standing in the shadows ahead. 

A man and a woman. They were dressed in black, and for some reason, they were already starting to annoy me. The guy was wearing a martial artist's tank top and track pants, while the girl's dress was just bra and pants with large gloves and they looked upto no good. 

They stepped forward, moving in sync like they'd rehearsed this a thousand times. "Look, brother, it's him," the woman said, her voice dripping with some kind of dark satisfaction. 

"Yes, sister. It's finally him," the man echoed, his voice matching hers perfectly. 

I sighed. "Okay, first of all, the synchronized talking? Creepy. Second, who the hell are you two?" 

They stopped on their toes and the woman spoke first. "We are the Twin Shadows, sent by the Dark Forces to eliminate you." 

"Yeah, eliminate," the guy chimed in, like some kind of weird echo. 

"Eliminate me?" I said, more bored than anything. "Well, that's cute. But can we skip to the part where you tell me why, or should I just guess?" 

"Dark forces wants you to be anniliated from the face of this planet." He said.

"Again this Dark forces..." 

"Well I don't know what have I even done to you all but you can just stay away from and not create trouble us. Simple?" 

The brother scowled. "You dare mock us?" 

I shrugged. "I mean, it's kind of hard not to. You two are dressed like knockoff action figures. Are you sure you're in the right movie?" 

The sister, clearly fed up with my sarcasm, clenched her fists. "You won't be laughing when we're done with you, Zero." 

I blinked. "You know my codename? I guess that means I'm a big deal, huh?" I scratched my chin, pretending to think it over. "So, what's the plan? You two gonna try and kill me here, in this cramped alley? 'Cause I gotta say, not the smartest move." 

The brother stepped forward, fists raised, snd a red aura mustering up, clearly ready for a fight. "You won't be able to talk your way out of this one." 

I sighed dramatically, running a hand through my hair. "Alright, fine. But let's do this somewhere a little more... open. I don't want to blow up this alley by accident." 

Hmm, this is a good chance for me to learn about my strength as well. Last time, Alpha was there guiding me but I like to learn few things about me and my powers on my own. I thought to myself. 

They exchanged glances, and then nodded, still perfectly in sync. "Very well," the sister said. "We'll fight where there is space to unleash our full power." 

I couldn't help but chuckle under my breath as they led me to a nearby field, an open grassy area where, apparently, they were planning to unleash their "full power." 

Once we were there, they both took their stances again, glaring at me like I'd personally insulted their entire family lineage. As the brother prepared to charge at me, I raised my hand, stopping him.

"Wait," I said, my voice as calm as ever. "I need to take off my jacket." 

They stared at me, confused. "Your... jacket?" the sister asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"Yeah," I said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "This is my favorite jacket, and I don't want it to get ruined." 

Without waiting for a response, I casually shrugged off my jacket and folded it neatly, setting it down on the bench behind. I then took off my backpack and set it beside the jacket. "Okay, now I'm ready." 

The brother was visibly shaking with frustration. "Are you mocking us?" 

"No, not at all," I said with a smirk. "I just don't want to have to buy a new jacket. These things aren't cheap, you know?" 

The sister sighed, clearly annoyed by the entire situation. "Let's just get this over with." 

The brother, deciding he'd had enough of my antics, lunged forward, his fist aimed straight for my face. He moved fast, faster than most humans, but I saw it all as if the time stops when I want it to. I stepped aside, easily dodging his punch, and watched as he stumbled forward, catching himself just before falling. It was nothing I couldn't handle. 

"Careful, dude. You almost ate dirt," I said with a chuckle, giving him a playful pat on the back. 

He turned to face me, his face red with anger. "You think this is a game?" 

"No, no," I said, waving my hand dismissively. "I mean, it's not a very fun game, but I get it. You guys are trying your best. Really." 

The sister, clearly not in the mood for any more jokes, came at me next. She aimed a high kick at my head, but I ducked, watching as her leg sailed harmlessly over me. 

"Whoa, that was close," I said, standing up straight again. "You've got some flexibility there." 

She let out a frustrated growl, and I could practically see the veins bulging in her forehead. "Stop talking you weirdo!" she screamed. 

"Okay, okay," I said, holding up my hands in surrender. "No more mocking. Pinky promise." 

The brother, apparently having had enough of my sarcasm, leaped into the air again, this time coming down with a fist filled with immense energy, aimed at the ground. I watched amused, as his fist slammed into the earth, causing a small shockwave to ripple through the field. The ground cracked and exploded beneath him, sending dirt and debris flying everywhere. 

I raised an eyebrow, watching the spectacle unfold. "Huh. That's new." 

The sister landed beside him, her eyes filled with fury. "Do you understand now? We are not to be trifled with!" 

I brushed some dirt off my shirt, completely unfazed by their display of power. "Yeah, I get it. You guys are strong. But here's the thing..." I paused, stretching my arms out in the front of them. "I'm stronger." 

They both glared at me, clearly not buying it. 

"Alright," I said, cracking my neck. "You guys wanna see what I can do?" 

The brother, his fists still glowing with dark energy, growled. "We've seen enough of your arrogance. Now, you will pay the price!" 

I gave them a cold smile, the kind of smile that said I was done playing around. "Alright, then. Let's finish this." 

Just as they both readied themselves to attack again, I held up a hand. "Actually, before we do this..." 

They both froze, glaring at me. "What now?" the sister asked, her patience clearly at its limit. 

I casually reached down, unzipping my bag and pulling out a small towel. "I need to dry my hands. It's getting kind of sweaty out here." 

They stood there, stunned into silence as I calmly wiped my hands with the towel. "Alright, I'm good now," I said, tossing the towel back into my bag. 

The brother, his face red with anger, let out a roar that sent shockwaves around and cracked the street lamps and then he charged at me with everything he had. 

His fist came crashing down on me and the impact was so intense that the earth beneath l shattered, and debris flew everywhere, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through the field. 

The ground beneath him gave way, and a cloud of dust and dirt exploded around filling the air with debris.