Chapter 22: Unmasking the Villain
Andres felt the familiar weight of the soccer ball beneath his feet as he practiced in his backyard. The warm afternoon sun bathed everything in a golden glow, and the sound of birds chirping filled the air. He had come a long way since waking from his coma, and now, he was almost back to his former self. But something still nagged at him: the mystery of who had assaulted him and why.
As he dribbled the ball, Jannela appeared beside him, her ethereal presence almost invisible in the bright light.
“Andres, I think it’s time we finally uncover the truth,” she said, her voice soft but determined.
Andres nodded, his eyes steely with resolve. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. We need to find out who’s behind this and make sure they pay for what they did.”
---
That evening, after everyone else had gone to bed, Andres and Jannela set out on their mission. They started by revisiting the hospital, hoping to find more clues about the day he was attacked. Sneaking in through a side entrance, they made their way to the security room.
Jannela’s wings glowed faintly as she whispered,
“I’ll distract the guard. You access the footage from the day of the attack.”
Andres nodded, slipping into the room as Jannela caused a minor commotion down the hall. The security guard rushed out, leaving Andres alone with the monitors. Quickly, he rewound the footage to the day of the incident.
---
As he watched, his heart pounded. He saw himself enter the locker room, then the masked goons follow soon after. But one frame caught his eye: a figure lingering just outside the locker room door, wearing a distinctive bracelet.
“Gotcha,” Andres muttered to himself. He copied the footage onto a USB drive and slipped out of the room just as Jannela returned.
“Did you find anything?” she asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.
“Yeah,” Andres replied, holding up the USB drive.
“Someone with a unique bracelet was hanging around the locker room. Let’s find out who it belongs to.”
---
The next day, Andres and Jannela reviewed the footage at Andres’ house. Jannela’s eyes widened as she saw the bracelet.
“I recognize that design. It’s not something you’d find in the mortal world—it’s of demonic origin.”
Andres frowned, deep in thought.
“That means it has to be someone who’s working with the devils. But who?”
Jannela’s gaze turned serious.
“I think it’s time we paid a visit to the underworld. We need to find Tenor.”
---
The journey to the underworld was not an easy one. Using a hidden portal Jannela had discovered during one of their previous adventures, they descended into the realm of the devils. The air was thick with sulfur, and the landscape was harsh and foreboding.
As they approached Tenor’s lair, Andres felt a surge of anger. This was the man who had tormented the angels for so long, and now, he might be behind Andres’ attack.
They slipped inside the lair, invisible thanks to Jannela’s magic. Voices echoed through the cavernous hallways, and they followed the sound until they found Tenor himself, speaking with one of his lieutenants.
---
“You did well, Rodrik,” Tenor said, his voice a menacing purr. “That brat Andres won’t be bothering us again.”
Rodrik, the lieutenant, bowed slightly. “Thank you, master. But he’s still alive, isn’t he?”
Tenor’s eyes flashed with annoyance. “Yes, but he’s out of commission. And soon, he’ll be dealt with permanently.”
Andres clenched his fists, barely restraining himself from lunging at Tenor. Jannela placed a calming hand on his arm, her eyes filled with resolve. “We need proof,” she whispered.
---
They followed Rodrik as he left Tenor’s presence, tracking him to his private quarters. Once inside, they saw the bracelet from the footage lying on a table. Jannela quickly used her magic to create a duplicate.
With the replica in hand, they slipped back out and made their way to the portal. As they left the underworld, Andres couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph. They had what they needed to expose the villain.
---
Back in the mortal world, Andres and Jannela devised a plan. They decided to confront Rodrik during one of the devil’s team practices. With the duplicate bracelet, they could reveal his identity and link him to the attack.
The following day, Andres waited near the field where the devil team practiced. Jannela cast an invisibility spell over him, ensuring no one would see him. As Rodrik barked orders at his team, Andres made his move.
---
“Andres, now,” Jannela whispered.
Andres slipped into the field, holding the duplicate bracelet. He approached Rodrik, who looked at him in shock. “What are you doing here?” Rodrik demanded.
Andres held up the bracelet. “Looking for the person who owns this. Care to explain why it was seen near the locker room the day I was attacked?”
Rodrik’s face paled, and he glanced nervously around. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
---
Before Rodrik could react, Jannela used her magic to reveal the original bracelet still in Rodrik’s possession. The other devils watched in stunned silence as the truth unfolded.
“Andres was attacked because of you,” Andres said, his voice steady. “And now, everyone knows it.”
Tenor, who had been watching from the sidelines, stepped forward, his face twisted in anger. “You’ve overstepped, Rodrik. We don’t need your incompetence to tarnish our reputation.”
---
Rodrik tried to stammer an excuse, but it was too late. Tenor’s wrath was swift and severe. “You’re out,” Tenor growled. “And you’ll face the consequences of your actions.”
As the devils dragged Rodrik away, Andres felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Justice had been served, and the truth was out.
---
Later that evening, back in the comfort of his home, Andres reflected on the day’s events. “We did it, Jannela. We finally brought him to justice.”
Jannela smiled, her eyes filled with pride. “You were brave, Andres. Your determination made all the difference.”
---
Andres nodded, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Jannela. You’ve been my guide and my strength.”
As the moonlight filtered through the window, casting a soft glow over the room, Andres and Jannela shared a moment of quiet triumph. They had faced their greatest challenge and emerged victorious, their bond stronger than ever.
---
In the days that followed, Andres continued his recovery, now with a clear mind and a hopeful heart. His family and friends noticed the change in him, and his spirit seemed lighter. The darkness that had loomed over him was gone, replaced by a newfound sense of purpose.
Jannela remained by his side, her presence a constant source of comfort and support. Together, they faced the future with unwavering resolve, ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead.
And so, with justice served and their bond unbreakable, Andres and Jannela embraced their new beginning, knowing that as long as they had each other, nothing could stand in their way.
---- The End ----