Lux looked at Echo's outstretched hand, then at the faces of the other Night's Watch members. His eyes darted between Echo, who was calm and confident, and the demon that was slowly retreating, vowing revenge. The words echoed in his head: "We know who you are, Raven... And we also know that you are not Raven." How did they know? And what did this mean for him?
This was a crucial moment. Remaining alone in this world meant facing the Shadow organization, the Confederacy, demons, and perhaps other beings he hadn't yet discovered. Joining the Night's Watch meant giving up some of his freedom, but in return, it meant protection and knowledge. More importantly, this might be his only chance to understand what happened to him, and perhaps find a way back to his own world.
"What do you mean you know I'm not Raven?" Lux asked, his voice hoarse but carrying a challenging tone.
Echo offered a faint smile, barely visible beneath her veil. "We see beyond the body, Lux. Souls leave imprints. Your soul... is different. It's not the soul of a cold killer. We noticed the hesitation in your fighting, and the empathy you showed towards the little girl, Layla, at the base. The original Raven would never have done that."
Lux felt a deep shock. They knew about Layla? This meant they had been watching him for a long time. "And what about this body? Is it... cursed?"
"Not cursed, but designed," Echo replied. "Raven's body was created to be a vessel for a specific power, a power that the 'Lord of Shadows' was supposed to exploit. But somehow, your soul interfered with the process. And that made you... unique. You are not just a tool, but an independent entity with immense latent power."
"Latent power?" Lux repeated, questioning.
"Yes. The ability to adapt, to learn quickly, and to access dimensions of power that Raven's original soul would never have reached," Echo explained. "We can train you, and help you control this power. We can offer you answers to your questions, and protection from the Shadow organization, which will relentlessly hunt you now."
Lux looked at the demon that had disappeared into the darkness, then at the bleeding wound on his shoulder. He knew he couldn't stay alone. The risks were too great.
"Agreed," Lux said, extending his hand to shake Echo's. "I'll join the Night's Watch. But I have one condition."
Echo raised an eyebrow. "And what is it?"
"I want to know everything. About this world, about the Shadow organization, and about why I'm here," Lux said seriously. "No secrets."
Echo smiled more clearly this time. "Deal. Truth is our strongest weapon, Lux. Welcome to the Night's Watch."
As soon as Lux shook Echo's hand, he felt the same strange sensation he had felt when he touched the Shadow's hand previously. A wave of energy, but this time it was different, warmer, as if connecting him to something ancient and profound.
"Now, we must get away from here," Echo said, gesturing towards a camouflaged hovercraft waiting in the shadows. "The Shadow organization will be on high alert after your escape, and that demon won't be the last to hunt you."
Lux boarded the hovercraft with Echo and the rest of the Night's Watch members. The vehicle was highly advanced, using cloaking technology that made it invisible to radar. As the craft ascended into the sky, Lux looked at the dark forest he left behind, then at the distant city lights.
"Where are we going?" Lux asked.
"To the hideout," Echo replied. "A place where the Shadow organization will never find you. And there, we'll begin your training, and reveal the truths of this world that you could never have imagined."
Lux felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. He had survived and found allies. But he knew his journey wasn't over yet. It had only just begun. For in this mysterious world, where advanced technology intertwined with supernatural powers, he had to discover his truth, face his destiny, and perhaps find a way back to his original world. Or perhaps, find his true place here, as part of the Night's Watch, fighting the darkness that threatened this world.