"All units, respond immediately. We have a reported fire outbreak at Port Industry near downtown."
A voice crackled through the radio, sharp with urgency.
"—What do you mean the fire won't go out?"
Static. Then a long exhale.
"...All units, on me. Even the new recruits. We'll need extra hands for crowd control."
Inside the burning building, where heat warped the air and flames devoured everything in sight, Elias sat calmly.
Unmoving.
Untouched.
The fire curled around him like a living thing, yet not a single ember dared kiss his skin.
"Isn't this a bit harsh?" a voice echoed. "Burning someone like that."
Elias didn't flinch.
Across from him sat a figure—if it could even be called that—casually sipping tea from a cracked porcelain cup that once belonged to Mr. Simson.
Elias narrowed his eyes.
No matter how intensely he focused, no matter how hard he tried to perceive it… the figure had no face.
Not hidden.
Not obscured.
Simply… nonexistent.
"Don't bother," the being said, placing the cup down with a soft clink. "Mortal eyes were never meant to perceive what I am."
Elias exhaled slowly. "Then what exactly are you?"
A pause.
Then—
"I am everything you wish to become… and more."
Elias scoffed lightly. "And what is that supposed to mean?"
The being leaned forward slightly.
"Absolute perfection."
A sudden blur tore through the flames.
Steel flashed.
A dagger stopped just inches from the faceless being.
The newcomer stood poised—his presence sharp, controlled, dangerous. His body was honed through relentless discipline, his white hair almost fragile in contrast to the intensity in his dark, depthless eyes.
Tasuku Kageyama.
"I suggest you choose your next move carefully," the faceless being said calmly. "Or you may find yourself removed from this story… prematurely."
"Stand down, Tasuku," Elias said.
The blade didn't move.
"Wait outside. This is a private matter."
A brief hesitation.
"…Yes, sir."
Tasuku withdrew, vanishing as quickly as he had appeared.
"Now then," the being said, almost cheerfully. "Let the grown-ups talk."
Elias leaned forward slightly. "What do you want?"
A soft chuckle.
"It's not about what I want. It's about what I can give."
"And that is?"
The flames surged higher, as if reacting to the moment.
"Immortality."
Silence.
Then—
"…What?"
"I mean exactly what I said," the being replied. "Elias—the so-called proclaimed son of God—I'm offering you the one thing you've always desired."
A pause.
"A chance to truly become the shadow of God."
Elias' eyes sharpened.
"…How do you know that?"
The being tilted its head.
"Oh, I know many things. Even those your little mind struggles to comprehend."
Elias' expression darkened, flames beginning to swell around him.
"You speak like something divine," he said coldly. "So what are you—God?"
The fire roared.
But the being only smiled.
"No… I am not God."
A beat.
"But I am… something close."
Elias' gaze didn't waver. "Then who are you?"
The flames flickered.
The being leaned back, amused.
"I go by many names," it said. "But only a few truly understand."
A pause.
"i am a lazy prodigy of the fictional world."
" You may call me."
Outside, chaos reigned.
Sirens wailed. Crowds gathered, phones raised, desperate to capture the spectacle.
"Alright, newbie," a police officer said, trying to maintain order. "All we have to do is manage the crowd. People love to stand around and record. Our job is to keep them safe. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
Two officers approached the scene as a firefighter rushed toward them.
"So it's true?" one asked. "The fire won't go out?"
The firefighter wiped sweat from his brow. "Yeah… we've been at it for almost an hour. Nothing works."
"A fire that won't go out…" the officer muttered. "Where have I heard that before?"
Then—
The building doors burst open.
And Elias stepped out.
Completely unharmed.
The crowd fell into stunned silence.
"E-Excuse me, sir!" the rookie stammered. "You shouldn't be in there—"
The senior officer's eyes widened.
He rushed forward immediately, bowing his head.
"I'm terribly sorry, Apostle, sir. He's new—he doesn't understand."
He forced the rookie's head down as well.
Elias smiled faintly. "No problem."
He walked past them, unbothered.
Then paused.
"Oh… before I forget."
He snapped his fingers.
Instantly, the flames vanished.
Not diminished.
Not extinguished.
Erased.
The building, now hollow and unstable, collapsed in on itself with a thunderous crash.
Elias didn't look back.
He simply entered his car.
The rookie stared, shaken.
"…W-Who was that?"
The officer's expression hardened.
"Listen carefully," he said. "There are things in this world you never get involved with."
A pause.
"And he is one of them."
The rookie swallowed.
"His name is Elias Vortern," the officer continued. "An Apostle."
A cold silence followed.
"And wherever you see him…"
The officer turned away.
"You run."
"…Yes, sir."
The rookie looked toward the car disappearing into the distance, unease settling deep in his chest.
Elias Vortern…
Just what are you?