Chapter 53: Shadows of Deception
Part 52
Chapter 53: Shadows of Deception I took a deep breath as Dabi stood up, his movements fluid and calculated. "Why are you helping me?" I asked, my voice laced with a mix of curiosity and wariness. Dabi's expression turned introspective, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "I've known Oslo for a long time," he said, his voice low and measured. "He's a good person, and he doesn't deserve to be caught in the crossfire of The Flame of Destruction's games." I studied Dabi's face, searching for any hidden motives. His words seemed genuine, but I knew that in a world filled with deception and manipulation, it was hard to discern the truth. "What do you get out of it?" I asked, my voice firm. "Why take the risk of helping me?" Dabi's gaze locked onto mine, and for a moment, I felt like he was searching for something within me. "Let's just say that I have a... complicated history with The Flame of Destruction," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of bitterness. "They've hurt people I care about, and I want to see them brought down." I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Dabi's words. "You're not just helping Oslo out of the goodness of your heart, are you?" I asked, my voice laced with skepticism. Dabi's smile was a small, wry thing. "I'm not exactly known for my altruism," he said, his voice dry. "But I do have a stake in this. The Flame of Destruction has something that belongs to me, something that I want back." I felt a surge of curiosity, but Dabi's expression turned guarded, and I knew that I wasn't going to get any more information out of him. "What's the plan?" I asked, changing the subject. Dabi's eyes gleamed with a hint of excitement. "We need to get to Oslo before The Flame of Destruction does," he said, his voice low and urgent. "I have a contact who can help us, but we need to move fast." I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. I was about to embark on a journey into the unknown, with a man who was shrouded in mystery and deception. But I had no choice. I had to trust Dabi, and I had to save Oslo. "Let's do it," I said, my voice firm. Dabi's smile was a small, tight thing. "Let's go," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.