The shady figures near the entrance didn't move from their spot as Alex and Kiara finished touring the dining area. Alex kept them in his peripheral vision, his ki tingling with unease. There were four of them—all human males dressed in dark hoodies and jeans, their hands tucked in their pockets as they pretended to study the KFP menu posted outside the door.
"Let's head back to the kitchen for a moment," Kiara said, noticing his focused gaze. "I want to show you the emergency exits and security systems."
As they made their way through the crowd, Alex felt a shift in the air—a sudden drop in temperature that had nothing to do with the restaurant's air conditioning. His silver aura flickered faintly around his body, a subconscious response to a threat he couldn't yet see.
In the kitchen, Henny barked orders at the chicken staff, his cleaver chopping through potatoes with unnatural speed. One of the younger chickens—a small one named Nugget—dropped a tray of breaded chicken pieces, sending them scattering across the floor.
"Bok bok BOK!" Henny squawked, raising his cleaver in frustration.
Before Alex could react, Kiara was already moving, kneeling to help Nugget gather the pieces. "It's okay, sweetie," she said gently, her playful demeanor vanishing for a moment. "Everyone makes mistakes. Let's get these cleaned up before they get stepped on."
Alex watched, surprised by her kindness. For all her teasing and boldness, she clearly cared deeply about her employees—even the ones who couldn't speak more than a few clucks. He knelt beside them, his movements careful as he helped pick up the chicken pieces, his gauntleted hands surprisingly gentle.
As they finished cleaning up, the restaurant's front door burst open. The four shady figures strode inside, their hoods pulled low over their faces. The lead man—tall and broad-shouldered—slammed his hand on the counter.
"Where's the boss?" he growled, his voice rough and gravelly. "We need to talk to Kiara Takanashi."
The customers nearby fell silent, casting nervous glances at the group. Patty, the cash register chicken, backed away slowly, letting out quiet "clucks" of fear.
Kiara stood up straight, brushing off her hands as she walked toward the counter. Alex moved to stand just behind her left shoulder, his body relaxed but ready to react at a moment's notice.
"I'm Kiara Takanashi," she said, her voice calm and steady. "Can I help you, gentlemen?"
The lead man pulled down his hood, revealing a scar that cut across his left eye. "You can help us by paying up," he said, smirking. "Protection money. For keeping KFP safe from… accidents."
"Accidents?" Kiara raised an eyebrow, her purple eyes sparkling with amusement rather than fear. "Last I checked, HoloCity has police for that."
She summoned her weapons. Her sword had a predominantly dark red or burgundy blade with lighter, almost orange-gold accents along the edges and center. The tip was a pale teal or blue-green. The blade was relatively long and narrow, with a complex, angular design. The dark—possibly black or dark brown—hilt was relatively short, topped with a small, dark green pommel. The overall style was sharp and angular, with a futuristic or fantasy feel.
Her shield, larger than the sword, was primarily dark blue or indigo with orange-red markings forming a stylized pattern. The angular, asymmetrical shield had a pointed bottom and a lighter reddish-orange central area. Its rough, worn surface texture suggested age or battle wear. The intricate geometric design echoed the sword's angularity, and the color palette of both weapons complemented each other.
Kiara's smirk faded, replaced by a cold glare as she pointed her sword at them. "You better leave my restaurant before something bad happens to all of you," she said, her voice low and dangerous.
The lead man laughed, a harsh, grating sound that cut through the tense silence. "Police won't help you here, sweetheart," he sneered, signaling his men to spread out. "We run this part of HoloCity, and anyone who crosses us… well, let's just say your little chicken restaurant won't be serving anything but ashes soon."
Alex remained silent, observing the scene quietly from nearby. His expression was cold, and his aura flared brighter, silver light dancing across his gauntlets. He could sense the men's malicious intent—it hung in the air like thick smoke, sharp and acrid. One of them reached into his hoodie, fingers closing around something cold and metallic. Kiara tensed, raising her sword and shield, but Alex stepped forward and placed his right hand gently on her arm to stop her—a move that surprised both Kiara and the thugs.
Alex turned his head slightly toward her. "Leave this to me," he said, his gaze returning to the thugs with a serious expression.
Kiara smiled and nodded. "Okay, do your best, hotshot," she said, lowering her guard.
Alex walked toward the thugs, his expression cold and serious. His height towered over them, and some of the thugs shifted nervously.
The lead man laughed again, a harsh, grating sound. "This guy? He looks like he belongs in a martial arts movie, not protecting a chicken joint."
Alex looked down at him with unwavering seriousness. "I will count to five. You better leave this place, or something bad will happen to you and your friends," he said in a calm but dangerous tone.
"People get hurt when they don't pay up," the lead man shrugged, moving his thumb toward what appeared to be a trigger or switch. "It's not personal—just business."
Alex ignored him and continued counting. "One…"
The thugs exchanged surprised glances. "Huh… this motherfucker's actually counting," the lead man said smugly.
"Two…" Alex continued, even as the leader kept talking trash. "Three…"
The lead man realized Alex wouldn't be deterred and decided to attack, pulling out a pocket knife and lunging at him. But to Alex, the movement seemed to slow to a crawl. He caught the man's wrist mid-swing, disarmed him effortlessly, and twisted his arm—using the thug's own knife to stab him in the shoulder.
Alex moved so fast that the entire sequence unfolded in mere seconds—the thugs and even Kiara were surprised at what happened. The lead man howled in pain, dropping to one knee as blood seeped through his hoodie, darkening the fabric. His three buddies froze for a heartbeat before lunging forward in a ragged charge.
"Get him, you fuckers!" the leader snarled, clutching his wounded shoulder.
Alex didn't move an inch until the first thug was right on top of him—then he pivoted, slamming his elbow into the man's solar plexus. The thug crumpled to the floor, gasping for air as his lungs seized up. The second attacker swung a heavy fist at Alex's head, but Alex caught his wrist, twisting it hard enough to make the man scream and drop the brass knuckles he'd been hiding. With a sharp kick to the knee, Alex shattered the joint, sending him crashing to the tiles.
The third thug pulled out a handgun, shaking as he aimed it at Alex's chest. "Stay the fuck back!" he yelled, his voice cracking.
Alex stared at him, his cold expression unchanged, as he slowly walked toward the man. The thug's eyes widened in shock, his hand shaking with fear. His finger tightened on the trigger. "I'll shoot you dead, motherfucker!"
But Alex didn't stop, continuing to advance. The thug fired his gun straight at Alex—but Alex tracked the bullet's path and caught it with his bare hand, shocking everyone watching. He then threw the bullet directly at the thug; it sliced across the man's left cheek as it passed by his face.
The thug stumbled backward, clutching his cheek as blood welled through his fingers. The bullet had carved a clean cut from his temple to his jaw—not deep enough to kill, but enough to leave a scar that would match his boss's. He dropped the gun like it was burning him, backing away until he hit the wall and slid down it, whimpering.
Alex stood over him, his silver aura still crackling around his body. "You would not listen," he said calmly but coldly.
From across the room, the lead thug was trying to drag himself to his feet, his face twisted with rage and pain. "You think you're tough, huh? You think beating up a few guys makes you king shit around here?" he said, holding his wounded shoulder. "We work for Marcus Kane—you know who that is? He's a billionaire kingpin who owns half this city, and when he finds out what you did to us…"
Alex turned his head toward the leader, his gaze serious and cold. The man's words died in his throat. There was something in those onyx eyes that had nothing to do with being human—something cold and ancient that made the air feel thick enough to choke on.
"Tell Marcus Kane this," Alex said, stepping closer. "If he sends anyone else to threaten this place, I won't just leave scars. Next time, I'll put them in the ground."
The leader's bravado vanished completely. He nodded frantically, then scrambled to gather his men—the one with the shattered knee crying out as they hauled him up, the one who'd taken the elbow to the chest still gasping for breath, and the gunman pressing his hand to his bleeding face. They didn't look back as they stumbled out the door, leaving a trail of blood on the sidewalk.
Silence crashed down on KFP. The few customers who hadn't already bolted sat frozen in their seats, staring at Alex like he'd grown a second head. Patty the chicken was trembling behind the register, letting out tiny clucks of fear and awe. Even Henny had emerged from the kitchen again, his cleaver forgotten in his claw as he watched Alex with new respect.
A few heartbeats passed before someone finally moved—a woman at a corner table let out a shaky breath and clapped her hands once, then twice. Soon more customers joined in, the quiet clapping building into scattered applause that filled the restaurant.
"Alright, alright, settle down everyone!" Kiara called out, her voice bright and clear as she stepped forward. "We apologize for the disturbance—all meals today are on the house as our way of saying thank you for sticking with us!"
The applause swelled into cheers, and a few customers called out compliments to Alex. He just stood there, uncomfortable with the attention, his silver aura slowly fading until it was barely visible.
"Henny!" Kiara shouted toward the kitchen. "Get those fries back on—we've got hungry people to feed!"
The head chef let out a sharp "BOK!" and vanished back into the kitchen, where the sound of sizzling oil and clattering pans quickly resumed. Patty the chicken straightened up, gave Alex a nervous nod, and started ringing up orders again—though she kept glancing at him with wide eyes.
Kiara walked over to Alex and placed her right hand on his left shoulder. "You did well by saving my restaurant, Alex. I think I'm about to give you your reward," she said teasingly, a playful smile tugging at her lips despite the seriousness of what had just happened.
Alex turned his head toward Kiara, his expression stoic and calm. "Does this always happen here?" he asked quietly.
Kiara blinked, her playful smile returning as she shrugged. "Well, pretty much. You get used to the chaos after a while," she said with a teasing tone, but her eyes flicked to the mess on the floor and the blood-stained sidewalk outside. Her smile faltered just a little, revealing a glimmer of seriousness beneath her usual bubbly exterior.
Alex's gaze softened slightly as he surveyed the scene—satisfied that the immediate threat was over but understanding that this was just another day in the unpredictable life of KFP.
"Good," he said quietly. "Because I don't plan on letting this happen again. Not on my watch."
Kiara's eyes widened with a mixture of admiration and amusement. "Wow, someone's serious now," she mused, crossing her arms. "You really mean business, huh?"
Alex nodded, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "Protecting this place and its people is my duty. I won't allow threats like that to pass without consequences."
Kiara's playful tone shifted to a more respectful one, though her grin remained. "I like that. Honestly, I was worried for a moment, but you handled them like a true warrior." Then she leaned forward and gave Alex a quick kiss on the cheek, surprising him.
As she pulled back, Alex replied in a stoic expression, "Why did you do that all of a sudden?"
Kiara grinned mischievously and said, "I did say I'd give you a reward, right? Keep this up, and you can have all of me soon." She slipped her right hand under Alex's long-sleeved black turtleneck, touching the muscles beneath.
Alex's eyes flicked to her hand for a moment, his stoic expression softening with an almost unreadable emotion. He didn't pull away, but his jaw subtly clenched as he processed her words.
"Keep your promises to yourself, Kiara," Alex said simply, his voice low and measured. "I am not here for rewards. I'm here to do my job—as your personal bodyguard—and to protect and serve."
Kiara chuckled softly, her mischievous grin returning. "Relax, I'm just messing with you," she teased. "But you've got to admit, you handle yourself pretty well." As she spoke, she leaned very close to him, pressing her body against his, making Alex feel her breasts touch his chest. She rested her arms around his neck, her eyes dancing with playfulness as she smiled mischievously. "Maybe I should start giving you a few more 'rewards' like that."
Alex was surprised by Kiara's sudden action. Although his expression remained serious, a sweat drop appeared on his temple, and he felt a little uncomfortable and awkward. He remained silent for a moment, then carefully withdrew her hand from his neck, his expression returning to calm.
"If you're threatening to distract me again, Kiara, I'd suggest you think twice," he said, his voice steady. "My focus is on my duties," he repeated, maintaining his stoic demeanor.
Kiara giggled, covering her mouth with her right hand. Then she leaned in slightly, her face just inches from his. "Oh, I know," she whispered with a sly smile. "But I'm a woman of my word, Alex. Whether you like it or not, I'm your boss. If I say I want to give you a reward, I will do it—whether you like it or not." She purred into his ear, then suddenly licked his ear, surprising Alex.
A sudden creak from across the room drew their attention. Henny was emerging from the kitchen, wiping his beak with a rag, seemingly unimpressed by the earlier chaos. The other staff members began to resume work, the tension easing slightly, though the air still remained thick with anticipation.
Kiara straightened up and clapped her hands once. "Alright, enough flirting," she said with a teasing smirk. "We've got a lot to do if we're going to keep this place running smoothly today. And," she shot him a playful look, "if you keep impressing me, maybe I'll give you that 'special' reward sooner rather than later." With that, she walked past him, shaking her hips deliberately to tease him.
Alex turned to look at her, his expression still stoic. As Kiara vanished down the hallway, he sighed inwardly and thought, That woman will be the death of me soon. He couldn't help noticing the lingering glint in her eyes. He knew Kiara was always pushing boundaries, always stirring the pot. While he wasn't one to indulge in such games easily, he also understood that her boldness was part of her charm—and perhaps part of what made her such an effective businesswoman. With that thought, he turned to survey the rest of the restaurant, alert and vigilant, ready for anything that might threaten KFP today.
As the day unfolded, the restaurant buzzed with activity. Alex maintained his usual stoic vigilance, always alert to any threat or disturbance that might arise. The incident from the previous day still lingered at the edges of his mind, reminding him that the safety of this chaotic place—and the people within—depended on his strength and discipline. Many people entered, exited, and ate inside KFP, while Kiara and her humanoid giant chickens worked tirelessly to serve their customers.
Throughout the day, KFP was a whirlwind of activity. The aroma of freshly fried chicken hung heavy in the air, mingling with the sounds of laughter, chatter, and the clatter of plates. Alex moved silently through the chaos, ever-watchful. Despite the bustling environment, his focus remained sharp—always attuned to any sign of trouble. The previous incident with the shady figures still lingered in the back of his mind, a reminder that danger could surface at any moment.
Alex watched everything with calm intensity, his senses sharp for any sign of trouble. He remained close to Kiara, always ready to step in if an unexpected threat arose. His unwavering vigilance had already earned him the respect of some staff, who now spared him wary glances mixed with newfound admiration. For his part, Alex quietly observed and silently protected the place—his mind alert, body braced for whatever might come.
Meanwhile, Kiara was in her element, bouncing from table to table with her usual infectious energy. Her fiery orange hair shimmered in the light, and her bright smile made customers feel at home. Her giant humanoid chickens flapped their wings in synchronized rhythm, proudly serving trays of crispy chicken and offering bright, cheerful "clucks" of greeting.
At one point, Kiara called out, "Everyone, let's keep up the good work! Remember, today's about showing everyone what makes KFP special!" Her voice rang through the restaurant like a rallying cry, boosting morale among staff and customers alike.
A few minutes later, in the staff room, Kiara sat down suddenly in a chair, leaning back and feeling tired. "Ahhh... Men, that was an intense rush. I really need a huge break after that," she said, taking a deep breath.
Alex stood next to her, folding his arms, his eyes closed, his expression stoic. His long wolfish hairless tail swung slowly in the air. "There are a lot of customers today," he observed, opening his eyes. "Is it always this crowded?"
Kiara nodded, stretching her arms and smirking proudly. "Yeah, it's usually like this on weekends and during special promotions. KFP's been growing fast lately—more customers mean more work, but it also means we're doing something right." A playful smirk tugged at her lips. "And I guess it's my job to keep things running smoothly, no matter how chaotic it gets."
Alex opened his eyes fully, studying the busy scene with calm focus. "I see. Good to hear that your business is booming in popularity," he said calmly. "Then it is even more important to keep everyone safe and the operation smooth." His tone was steady. "I will stay vigilant and ready for any threats. You can count on me."
Kiara leapt from the chair with renewed energy, her flame-like hair bouncing. "I knew I hired the right guy! With you on my side, nothing is going to bring KFP down."
Alex considered her words quietly for a moment. "The more customers, the greater the potential risks," he said softly. "More eyes and hands mean more opportunities for trouble." His long gray wolf-like tail swayed from side to side.
Kiara chuckled, standing up and stretching loudly. "Don't worry, darling. That's what you're here for, right? To keep us all safe?" She winked playfully. "And so far, you're doing a pretty good job."
A faint smirk touched Alex's lips. "I'm only doing my job here at KFP—nothing more, nothing less," he said, his voice calm and steady.
Kiara smiled mischievously as she spoke. "My my, Alex, you're so dedicated to your job. Don't tell me you want a reward that badly, huh? Like I said, keep that up, and I will give you one." Her teasing grin remained as she crossed her arms, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, I see how it is," she said playfully. "You're determined to earn that reward, huh?" She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering to a whisper. "Just keep doing a good job today, and I might reveal what I've got in store for you."
Alex's expression remained calm as he spoke softly. "Like I said earlier, I don't need a reward. I am here to serve and protect. Rewards are not necessary, Kiara." He said quietly, his expression stoic.
Kiara smiled mischievously and said, "Yeah yeah, whatever you say, Alex. But I know once I give you that reward, you're going to like it." She chuckled, while Alex remained quiet. He stood next to her, folding his arms, his eyes closed, his expression stoic. His long gray wolf-like tail swayed from side to side.
Alex's gaze lingered on her for a moment, then turned back to glance at the bustling restaurant around them. His eyes sharpened slightly as he considered the potential threats that always seemed to hang just beyond the cheerful chaos of KFP. "Every day here is a challenge," he murmured. "And I aim to meet it with vigilance."
Kiara's smile softened ever so slightly, her energy still lively but her tone more sincere. "That's what I like about you, Alex. You take your job seriously… That's rare around here." Her playful expression returned for a brief moment. "But don't forget, even knights need their breaks. When the time comes, I'll be expecting that reward—fair and square."
Alex nodded softly. "I'll do what's needed," he replied. "And I'll keep everyone safe." His voice was unwavering, and in its stead, a promise quietly hung in the air.
Then Kiara stood up from her chair and scratched her arms. "Ready to continue working, hotshot?" Kiara teased, flashing him a grin.
Alex's expression turned serious as he nodded, his resolve firmer than ever. "I am ready," he said stoically.
Kiara clapped her hands and said, "Alright, let's go..." She said excitedly, raising her hand to the sky, which made Alex smile warmly.
Back at Amelia's Victorian house, after yesterday's chaos, Alex was in his room, lying in his bed and staring at the ceiling above, his expression calm and stoic. Lost in thought, he remembered everything that had happened to him in the previous days—how he met the girls, how he met IRyS and was told half of his origin story. He wondered when the next time he would meet IRyS again; he still had many questions he wanted to ask.
Then, Alex suddenly remembered the scouter Amelia had just fixed for him. He turned to the small drawer next to his bed, opened it, and took out the device. Then he looked at the scouter silently, sitting on the edge of the bed. This was the moment he had been waiting for—finally, he could understand what his mother had said when she sent him to Earth. Without hesitation, Alex powered on the scouter.
The device emitted sounds, and finally, a voice, distinctly female, could be heard.
"My dearest Aikon, if you are hearing this message, it means that I am no longer with you. Our home, Sakar, has fallen—and is on the brink of destruction. I know that you are young, my son," the voice continued. "But you must survive and live to your heart's content. You don't need to continue your royal lineage, my dearest boy—you just have to survive. Not as a Sakarian prince, but as the last survivor of the Sakarian race..." Her voice trembled slightly with emotion, but she pressed on.
Alex's eyes widened as he finally understood the words being spoken. His expression suddenly grew serious as he continued listening.
"Be strong, Aikon. Mom and Dad will be watching over you, even into the afterlife. But remember who you are. The blood of Sakar runs through your veins, and that makes you stronger than any foe. Trust in yourself, as we trust in you." The voice softened, almost tender. "When the time comes, you will find allies in unexpected places. Do not close your heart, even when the path seems dark. This message is not just a farewell—it is a promise. We will always be with you, watching and guiding, my beloved boy." The voice finally cut out and ended.
After the message was over, Alex sat quietly on the edge of his bed. Small tears fell into his eyes unnoticed. He wiped his tears and laid down in bed. The soft glow from the scouter cast a pale light over his face. The voice of his mother echoed through the room, filling the silence with words he'd never imagined he'd hear—the mother he never met. He processed everything he had learned from the scouter, a whirlwind of thoughts running through his mind. He was shocked to discover that he carried royal blood in his veins—that he was the prince of the Sakarian race. Not only that, but he also learned that his Sakarian name was Aikon.
Alex lay in his bed for a long while, the weight of his mother's words settling deep into his core. The revelation that he was not only a warrior monk but also a prince—and the last survivor of a lost alien race—weighed heavily on him. It all made sense now—why he was sent to Earth as a baby and how he landed at the holy grounds where the Forsaken monks found him and raised him.
"Thank you, Mother…" Alex murmured, his expression stoic and calm.
Slowly, Alex sat up on his bed and tucked the scouter safely back into his drawer. There was no time to dwell too long. The world he now inhabited was as chaotic and unpredictable as ever, and he had his duties to uphold at KFP tomorrow. After that, he lay back down in his bed, ready for his second shift at KFP.
To be continued.