Protectors- Wrath of The Stranger

Chapter Seven: Ruin- Act One

The familiar face stared back at Zachary, reawakening memories from over a decade ago,

"Surprised to see me?" The man asked, a broad grin spreading across his youthful features,

"You haven't even aged," Zachary gasped, "how the hell are you still looking like that? You're in your fifties!"

Helmut Grayson just laughed, finding mirth in Zachary's confusion,

"More like my hundred and twenties," he replied, suddenly serious,

"Mr Grayson, how the hell are you here?" Shaine asked,

"There's a lot to talk about," Grayson stated, "but we'll need to talk on the way. All hell is about to break loose,"

"At least answer us this," Spirit interrupted. Just as Grayson turned his back, "How do you know all of this?"

"I know this because, unlike you, I have been following the movements of the BlackHeart cultists. Even now, thousands of werewolves gather at strategic points around the city, preparing for an all-out war,"

"Why the hell would they do that?" Niamh asked again, but Grayson had moved to a nearby car, taking the driver's seat,

"Get in," he said simply,

Over the short drive, Helmut answered several questions but completely ignored the main one. No matter how many times he was asked about his own superhuman abilities, he repeated the same thing,

"I'm gonna answer that question last,"

Eventually, they made it to Yagan Square, a hotspot in the city, where Helmut parked the car, smack in the middle of the place,

"You can't park here!" Draedon exclaimed, looking rather squished in the back seat, "if I'm caught doing this, it could damage my company's reputation,"

"Forget that," Grayson smirked, pausing for effect, "I'm about to tell you exactly who I am,"

Grayson cracked his knuckles, checking the time on an antique watch that curled around his wrist,

"I bought this watch before the war started," he began, "back in 1935. It's one of the few memories I have from back then. I was enlisted as an allied soldier during 1941, when I became old enough to be conscripted. You've got to realise that during that time, the Germans were performing experiments on their people, attempting to create the ultimate human. I was part of Australia's attempt to beat them in the superhuman race, a special division known only as the SCD. My powers heighten my reflexes insanely, slow my ageing, and grant me unlimited stamina. Because I no longer age and my stamina is indefinite, it meant that I could work out like a man in his twenties for the past hundred years. That is why I am strong,"

The four almost laughed out loud. The idea of superhumans existing back in the 1940's was absolutely insane, along with the idea of their 50-something ex business teacher being a 123 year old immortal. It was Grayson's sincerity that stopped them. His face had no hint of a lie on it, and he looked closer to birth than to fifty,

"Why would you pretend to be Noctum then, and why would you run away when we cornered you?" Zachary asked,

Grayson sighed as if remorseful at the very mention of the things he had done,

"It was all because of Adam," he finally said, "I knew that boy was Noctum long before Kinetic showed his face to the world. Every time I would mention the vigilante in class, Adam would act differently, as if he was as stiff as a board. When he went missing, I knew it was up to me to take up the mantle of Noctum, to protect the people and inspire hope,"

"You didn't answer the second question," Niamh glowered,

"Alas, I ran because I didn't know if she had gotten to you," Grayson sighed,