The Puppet Protagonist: Adriel's Life is Controlled by Everyone Around Him

The city of Shadowfall, once a magnificent sight, now lay in ruins, its streets strewn with debris and remnants of a past life. Among the scattered remains, pictures of Adriel were scattered like fragments of a shattered dream.

Seda, unaffected by the somber atmosphere, continued with her preparations, her focus unwavering. She knew the true purpose of their mission—a quest to capture the anomaly that threatened their world.

Elizabeth, on the other hand, reveled in the chaos. With a possessive gleam in her eyes, she eagerly collected every photograph of Adriel she could find, as if assembling a shrine dedicated to her beloved.

“Let us not lose sight of our objective,” Alexia interjected, her voice carrying a touch of reason amidst the turmoil. She alone seemed to maintain her sanity in the face of their twisted dynamics.

“But…” Elizabeth’s voice trailed off, her hands clutching a multitude of Adriel’s photos.

Some of the pictures were unfamiliar to her, as if they belonged to a different time and place. Strangely, there were images that seemed to be taken by her, intimate moments shared exclusively between her and Adriel, moments that were unique and deeply personal.

Seda’s eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as she noticed Elizabeth’s surprised expression upon examining the photos.

“What seems to be the matter, Elizabeth?” Seda asked, her tone tinged with curiosity. Elizabeth took a moment to gather her thoughts, her mind racing with questions. How did the anomaly acquire these exclusive photos? Who was she, and what was her connection to Adriel? A flicker of possessiveness flashed in Elizabeth’s eyes, masked beneath her deep attachment.

“The anomaly appears to share your infatuation with Adriel,” Alexia interjected, attempting to diffuse the tension. She understood the complex dynamics and unspoken rivalries that simmered beneath the surface.

Elizabeth’s brow furrowed as she contemplated the anomaly’s actions. The realization that someone had trespassed into the depths of her private collection, where these cherished photos were securely stored, stirred a mix of anger and intrigue within her.

“But these photos… they aren’t stored in the cloud. They reside in a, well, let’s just say they’re kept in a highly secure place,” Elizabeth revealed, her words hinting at the concealed significance of her vault.

Elizabeth, ever the meticulous planner, possessed a unique and creative system for safeguarding her precious collection of Adriel’s photos. It was a system born out of her unwavering devotion and her deep-rooted desire to protect their intimate moments from prying eyes.

Within the depths of her elegant and ornate locket, Elizabeth had ingeniously crafted a hidden compartment. This secret chamber was carefully designed to hold a small stack of meticulously printed photographs, each capturing a cherished memory with Adriel. The locket, adorned with intricate engravings, possessed a delicate latch that concealed its inner sanctum, ensuring that only Elizabeth knew of its existence.

To further enhance the security of her precious photos, Elizabeth developed a unique photo development process. She employed specialized techniques, handcrafting each print with a combination of vintage photography methods and her own alchemical expertise. This meticulous process imbued the photos with an ethereal quality, capturing the essence of the moments they depicted.

“Alright, let’s go. We need to hurry,” Alexia urged, redirecting Elizabeth’s attention towards their destination. The trio made their way towards the heart of the city.

“This is where the anomaly first manifested.” Elizabeth trailed off, her gaze momentarily captivated by other photographs featuring Adriel. Among them was a picture of Adriel as a young child, around twelve years old, caught in a moment of accidental display of his powers.

In the photo, Adriel holds an ice cream cone that has fallen to the ground. Distressed, he approached the ice cream vendor, unknowingly employing his abilities to compel the vendor into giving him another one. The image showcased a radiant smile on Adriel’s face, a smile so beautiful that Elizabeth couldn’t resist capturing the moment in a photograph—a picture she held dear and kept hidden from prying eyes.

The next photo depicts Adriel during his first basketball game. Overwhelmed by fear of failure, he sought solace in the locker room. Elizabeth, driven by her possessive affection, sought him out and provided encouragement. After the victorious game, they emerged together, and that was when the photo was taken—a testament to their shared triumph.

Elizabeth’s curiosity heightened as she continued to uncover more snapshots of Adriel’s life. And then she stumbled upon a photo that held immeasurable significance—an image of her own encounter with Adriel, with the anomaly by his side.

The anomaly possessed long blond hair and wore attire identical to Elizabeth’s, albeit worn and tattered. In a moment of shock and realization, Elizabeth confronted the figure before her.

“You…?” Elizabeth gasped, her voice filled with a mix of disbelief and apprehension.