Ethan stood in the rain.
The same place.
The same feeling.
The same memory.
The exact spot where everything had gone wrong.
Three years ago.
"Just tell them the truth!"
Daniel's voice echoed in his mind.
"You don't understand what you're doing!"
"I understand enough!"
Ethan clenched his fists tightly.
His jaw tightened.
"I didn't know…" he muttered.
But the memory didn't care.
It replayed anyway.
Daniel walking away.
The rain pouring harder.
The shadows moving.
And Ethan—
Standing still.
Not stopping it.
Not saving him.
Not doing anything.
Back in the present—
Ethan's eyes slowly opened.
Cold.
Empty.
Different.
"They took her," he said quietly.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
His expression hardened.
"And now…"
His voice dropped.
"They're going to regret it."
Later that night—
Ethan walked into a place he had sworn never to return to.
An underground location.
Hidden.
Forgotten.
But not to him.
The door creaked open.
Darkness greeted him.
Then—
Lights flickered on.
A familiar voice echoed.
"I was wondering when you'd come back."
Ethan didn't react.
"I'm not here for a reunion."
A figure stepped out of the shadows.
A girl.
Older than Maya.
Calm.
Sharp eyes.
"Still cold as ever," she said with a small smirk.
Ethan's gaze didn't soften.
"I need information."
She crossed her arms.
"And I need a reason to help you."
Ethan stepped closer.
"They took her."
The girl's expression shifted slightly.
"Who?"
"You know who."
Silence.
Then—
"…You're serious."
"I don't joke about this."
She studied him for a moment.
Then sighed.
"You really haven't changed."
Ethan didn't respond.
"So," she continued, "you're going against them now?"
"Yes."
She raised an eyebrow.
"That's suicide."
"Maybe."
Silence.
Then—
Ethan added quietly—
"But I've done worse."
The girl turned away slightly, thinking.
"You always did have a problem with guilt," she said.
Ethan's expression didn't change.
"This isn't about guilt."
"Then what is it about?"
A pause.
Then—
"Her."
The answer was simple.
But heavy.
The girl looked back at him.
For the first time—
She saw something different.
Not just anger.
Not just darkness.
But something else.
Something dangerous.
"You care," she said.
Ethan didn't deny it.
That was answer enough.
She sighed again.
"Fine," she said. "I'll help you."
Ethan didn't relax.
Not yet.
"But understand this," she added, her voice serious now.
"If you go against them…"
She stepped closer.
"You don't come back from that."
Ethan met her gaze.
"I already didn't."
Meanwhile—
Far away—
Maya sat alone in a white room.
Silent.
Still.
But her eyes—
Her eyes had changed.
There was something new in them.
Something stronger.
Something dangerous.
Because now—
It wasn't just about seeing secrets anymore.
Now—
She was learning how to use them.