The mansion felt quieter than usual.
Not because nothing was happening—
but because something had.
The doors closed behind them with a soft sound.
No one spoke at first.
Rei helped Cain inside, still keeping a firm grip on him.
"…You good to walk or should I carry you like a corpse?"
Cain exhaled slowly.
"…I'm fine."
"That didn't look fine."
"…It wasn't."
At least he admitted it.
Aera stayed close.
Too close.
Her hand hovered near him more than once—
as if she was waiting for something to go wrong again.
"…Sit."
Her voice was quieter than usual.
Not a command.
Not a request.
Something in between.
Cain didn't argue.
He lowered himself onto the couch.
Slow.
Controlled.
But not as stable as he made it look.
Aera stepped forward immediately.
Her hands moved again.
"Heal."
Mana flowed.
This time—
it connected.
But only partially.
Her expression tightened.
"…It's not reaching fully."
Rei leaned against the wall nearby.
"…Meaning?"
Aera didn't look away from Cain.
"…It's not physical."
That answer didn't help.
"…Then what is it?"
A small pause.
"…Something deeper."
Silence settled again.
Liora stood across from them.
Watching.
Not his condition.
Him.
"…You're stable."
Her voice was calm.
Certain.
Rei glanced at her.
"…That's your definition of stable?"
"…He's not getting worse."
That was enough.
For now.
Cain leaned back slightly.
His breathing had steadied.
But something still felt off.
Not pain.
Not exhaustion.
Just—
a quiet weight.
"…What was that?"
Rei asked it directly this time.
No jokes.
No sarcasm.
Just a question.
Cain didn't answer immediately.
Not because he didn't want to.
Because he was choosing what not to say.
"…It reacted."
Rei frowned.
"…You said that already."
No elaboration followed.
Aera looked at him.
"…Did you see something?"
A pause.
"…Yes."
That was all he gave.
It wasn't enough.
But no one pushed further.
Because something about his tone—
said not to.
The room fell quiet again.
Rei exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah, okay. I'm done asking for now."
He pushed himself off the wall.
"…Try not to die again."
He walked out.
Not because he didn't care—
But because he did.
Aera lingered a moment longer.
"…If anything feels wrong—"
"It will."
Cain cut in quietly.
She stopped.
Then nodded.
"…Tell me anyway."
She left.
Now—
only Liora remained.
She didn't move.
Didn't sit.
Just stood there.
Watching.
"…What did you see?"
Straight.
Direct.
Cain looked at her.
"…Someone."
A small pause.
"…Who understands it."
That was enough for her.
For now.
"…And?"
"…He said it's not something I control."
Liora's gaze didn't shift.
"…Then what is it?"
Cain looked away slightly.
"…Something that reacts."
A faint silence.
"…To me."
That answer settled between them.
Not comforting.
But real.
Liora didn't push further.
"…Rest."
She turned.
And left.
The room fell silent again.
This time—
completely.
Cain sat there alone.
For a while—
he didn't move.
Didn't think.
Just sat.
Then—
His shadow shifted.
Slightly.
Too slightly for anyone else to notice.
But not for him.
His eyes lowered.
The cat slipped out.
Quiet.
Landing beside him.
It didn't move immediately.
Just sat there.
Still.
Watching nothing.
"…You felt it too."
Cain spoke without thinking.
The cat didn't respond.
For a moment—
it stayed completely normal.
Then—
It tilted its head.
Just slightly.
Not like before.
Not like it usually did.
More precise.
More… intentional.
Cain's gaze sharpened.
"…That's new."
The cat's eyes flickered.
Faintly.
And for a brief moment—
Something overlapped.
Not a voice.
Not a sound.
A thought.
Clear.
Unfamiliar.
"You're adjusting."
Cain froze.
The cat returned to normal instantly.
Blinking once.
As if nothing had happened.
Silence.
Cain didn't move.
Didn't react outwardly.
But his grip tightened slightly.
"…So that's how it is."
No fear.
No confusion.
Just acknowledgment.
The room remained quiet.
But something had changed.
Not outside.
Inside.
And this time—
It wasn't waiting.
End.