Chapter 155: Gone Without Trace

Chapter 155: Gone Without Trace
Damian’s POV

The farther we walked into the school compound, the more uneasy I felt. Everywhere was too quiet, uncomfortably quiet. Not even the usual sound of students arguing, laughing, or running around. Nothing. Just silence stretching across the whole place like a heavy blanket.

It wasn’t long before it finally hit all of us.

The school was empty.

“So where did everyone go?” Alex asked first, breaking the silence with a confused frown.

“Exactly,” Dana added quickly. “Because I don’t understand why the entire school is deserted. Did they suddenly declare a holiday or something?”

“No notice came in,” Kyle muttered, still scanning the buildings like they might suddenly come alive.

We kept talking, trying to make sense of everything, but the thought in my head refused to stay silent. Before I knew it, the words slipped out.

“What if they’ve been kidnapped by Valor?”

“What?” they all shouted at once, turning to stare at me with wide eyes.

“I don't think so,” Kyle said after a moment, although his voice didn’t sound convinced. He kept looking around as though expecting danger to jump out.

“They might still be somewhere around,” Dana said, trying to sound positive. “Let’s search a bit more.”

“Okay then, if you say so.” But I wasn't convinced at all. If it was Valor, anything was possible. That demon lived for chaos. He carried darkness around like a second skin, always craving power, always looking for blood.

We searched every hallway, classroom, and building we could find. Still nothing.

“No sign of anyone,” Alex finally said, bending over with his hands on his knees, panting hard. “I’m tired, guys. And I'm sure we've been at this for hours.”

“I told you all,” I said bluntly, not bothering to hide my frustration. “It looks like the students have been kidnapped by Valor.”

“Let’s keep searching,” Dana said again, though even her voice sounded tired. “Besides, Valor shouldn’t have kidnapped them. We’re the ones he wants. If anything, he should be coming for us.”

Before I could respond, a voice drifted from behind us....smooth, calm, and old.

“They were truly kidnapped, but not by Valor.”

We all froze.

For a moment, none of us moved. None of us spoke. We just stood there trying to figure out where that voice came from.

Slowly, we turned in unison.

An older man stepped out from behind one of the pillars, walking toward us with a measured pace. His face was familiar, but I couldn’t place it.

But Dana could.

“Mr. Khandi!” she exclaimed, sounding both shocked and relieved.

“Yes, Dana,” the old man replied with a warm smile as he approached us. “It’s me.”

He looked exactly the same....calm, gentle, and wise. The type of man you never expect to see in chaotic situations like this.

“I knew you weren’t around, Dana,” he said. “How did your journey to the Luna Temple go?”

Dana’s eyes widened in shock. She looked completely startled, like someone had thrown cold water on her.

“How…... how did you know I went to the Luna Temple?” she asked slowly.

Mr. Khandi chuckled softly. “Nothing is hidden under the sun, Dana. We old ones felt the impact of what happened there. You did well.”

Dana’s tense shoulders relaxed slightly. “Thank you, sir.”

I quickly stepped forward, unable to hold my questions any longer.

“Sir, you said the kidnapping wasn’t done by Valor. So who did it?”

Mr. Khandi placed his hands behind his back, his expression darkening a little.

“Well, some Beta and Omegas,” he said slowly. “They demanded equality with the Alphas.”

“Oh, that issue,” Kyle said with a sigh. “I remember.”

“Exactly,” Mr. Khandi nodded. “Their petition was rejected. And out of anger, frustration, and pride, they decided to take matters into their own hands.”

My stomach tightened.

“They kidnapped the students?” I asked sharply.

“And the staff too,” Mr. Khandi added. “Even the school workers.”

“What?!” I shouted. “How would that even solve anything?”

“That’s the thing, I don't think they care,” Alex said, rubbing the back of his neck. “But how could they pull off something this big?”

“That’s the part that worries me,” Dana said softly. “They couldn’t have done it alone.”

“You’re right,” Mr. Khandi said. “Help came from outside.”

The way he said it made a cold feeling creep down my spine.

“So they have outside support,” I said. “Someone dangerous.”

He nodded. “That is my belief.”

I stepped closer to him.

“Sir, how did you escape?”

“I wasn’t in school when it happened,” he explained. “I was on leave, visiting my family. But the day I returned, the incident was already in motion. I saw them from afar, so I hid.”

Kyle frowned. “You mean you didn’t see exactly who they were working with?”

“I saw shadows,  and figures, but nothing clear. Whoever is backing them is strong enough to hide their presence.”

I exchanged glances with the others. This wasn’t ordinary rebellion. Someone powerful was pulling the strings.

“Sir,” I asked, “do you know where they took them?”

Mr. Khandi nodded slowly. “From what I was able to observe, it seemed like a warehouse on the outskirts of the city.”

A warehouse…..

That place was practically outside civilization. Anything could happen there.

He took a step back and looked at each of us, his eyes lingering on me last.

“But I advise you boys to be ready,” he said quietly. “Because from everything I saw, you four seem to be the main target.”

Dana swallowed.

Alex stiffened.

Kyle’s fists tightened.

Me? My chest felt heavy, but determined.

“Why us?” I asked quietly, though deep down, I already knew.

“Because your destinies are entangled with what is coming,” Mr. Khandi said. “And they know it.”

Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, slowly, steadily, like someone carrying centuries of knowledge we were not yet ready for.

We watched him go, none of us speaking.

The silence returned.

But this time, it wasn’t empty.

It was filled with fear, determination and the heavy truth that everything was about to change.