His rejection from the Fallen Zone and return to Earth had alerted by the Military.
The door creaked open and a dozen armed soldiers came rushing in, all alert and ready to open fire.
Their eyes scanned through the vicinity for a second before they noticed him.
Lenny had gotten up from the bed, and he was standing close to the window, slightly opening the blind to see the outside world.
The soldiers were startled as they redrew their assault rifles, many were frightened by the presence of Lenny.
"Mr. Night?" One of the soldiers, a second lieutenant, finally summoned the courage to ask. Lenny slightly tilted his head.
He glanced at the soldiers for a moment, a lopsided grin appeared on his lips "What's up?" He asked.
The soldier heaved in relief, "I…I….we thought you had descended into the Fallen Realm"
"What are you doing here?" The second lieutenant asked. Lenny chuckled, "If I'm here, shouldn't it mean I've conquered my First Apocalypse?" He asked.
The soldiers widened their eyes in shock, still processing what Lenny had just said.
"But…but…but isn't that quick? It's been only a week since you made your descent" The second lieutenant argued.
Lenny softly exhaled, "Well, I guess I'm just that different," He answered.
**
It didn't take long for the news to spread as both the Government and the Great Houses were now aware of his return.
As a Rank 1 Fallen Regulator of course.
Lenny had returned back to Earth after a week of accepting the Call of the Fallen Realm.
Something only a few could actually boast of.
The First Apocalypses was a mysterious phenomenon, unpredictable and extremely dangerous.
The least recorded time Awakeners take to conquer their First Apocalypse was a month.
Only a few geniuses spend two weeks to conquer their First Apocalypse.
Meanwhile, Lenny spent only a week.
If this news spread, he would surely be recorded as a top rising star. But he was certain it would never spread.
The Government or the Great Houses would never allow it.
They didn't even want Lenny to live in the first place, after the Great House Night was destroyed.
He was the last of his people, they wanted to erase the name of the Night.
Yet they couldn't. Carriers were a precious existence to humanity and Lenny was confirmed as a Carrier that very night.
~
Lenny stood at the window, a silhouette against the day's glare, as Amsterdale City unfolded like a living, breathing beast below.
Skyscrapers clawed at the sky, their glass facades flashing like shards of broken mirrors.
Cars crawled like ants on the gridlocked streets, their horns a distant, incessant hum.
The sun bounced off chrome and concrete, painting everything in shades of steel and fire.
He gazed out, unblinking, as the city pulsed with a life of it's own. People swarmed the sidewalks, tiny dots moving with purpose- or panic.
The wind whipped at his busy hair, carrying the scent of exhaust and pretzels and ambition.
He reminisced, recollecting memories of his ordeal in the First Apocalypse, there were a few noteworthy things he could never forget about.
The confirmation of God's existence and the presence of another entity.
A creature strong enough to kill a god.
What was it called again?
The Fallen of Death!
Fallen…..
"What the hell are you thinking about big bro?" An annoying voice drew his attention, Lenny scoffed.
Slightly tilting his head, a young kid could be seen standing with his arms folded, a creepy smile appeared on his lips.
Just like him, this kid had black hair and dark cerulean eyes, with smooth porcelain skin.
He was draped in a black robe, Lenny rolled his eyes, "I was expecting Mother or the twins to visit me this time"
"I would have been excited if it were anyone other than you," Lenny scoffed.
But the young one chuckled, "Well, too bad, I'm here….what are you gonna do about it, huh?" Lenny clenched his fist, not hiding his rage.
"Hey, stop talking to your elders like that, I'm 18," Lenny spat out, verbally revealing his annoyance.
The young kid's white teeth shone with magnificent light, "Elder? But we are triplets tho?" He asked.
Lenny's eyebrows furrowed, "Well that's true, but aren't you dead already?" He asked.
The young kid shrugged, "Sure, I am….I have been watching your First Apocalypse, with your Fallen Rune….."
"We could come back tho" He said.
Lenny giggled, The young kid raised an eyebrow, "What? Did I say something funny?" He asked angrily..
Lenny nodded, "Yeah, you did, I'm still surprised to see there are hallucinations that badly want to exist," He jested.
But instead of getting annoyed, the young kid breathed deeply, "You really do believe we are Hallucinations huh?"
"You are daft, quite stupider than I expected." He frowned. Lenny shook his head. "If you aren't hallucinations, then what are you guys?"
"If I could recall, I was the one who conjured you guys into existence right?"
He slightly tilted his head, facing the city once again, his expression grew somber "I really missed my family, all of you…."
"I watched that animal take your lives. I'm still too weak to make him pay for that," He softly exhaled.
He turned his gaze back. "I still don't know the limits of my imagination, but I'll sure try to make you guys real." He smiled.
The young kid nodded, but whatever emotional discussion they were having was quickly interrupted.
When the door creaked open, the young kid was gone.
With no trace of him left in the room.
Lieutenant Colonel Russel stepped into the room with a bright smile on his face.
Doctor Eve and two other officers escorted him.
One of the officers carried along a vast metallic box.
He could sense their fear, his presence alone caused their body to quiver. After all, Lenny wasn't a mere Carrier anymore.
He was now a full-fledged Fallen Regulator.
A Rank 1 Fallen Regulator.
Lenny sighed softly, "Shouldn't you have knocked before coming?" Lenny asked.
Lieutenant Colonel Russel giggled, "Should I? That's funny, if I recall, the Government paid for this room"
"So it's particularly mine." Others stayed back, and only Lieutenant Colonel was the one who approached Lenny.
He stretched his hand for a shake as he continued, "Congratulations on your evolution, Mr. Night"
"I'm here to discuss your future as a Fallen Regulator"