The room didn't feel the same anymore.
Not after that.
Not after Riven's words.
It's calling you.
Adrian stood still, eyes fixed on the glowing map. That dark point pulsed steadily—almost like a heartbeat.
In sync with the mark on his wrist.
"…That's where it is," Adrian said quietly.
Riven didn't deny it.
"Yes."
Kai stepped forward immediately.
"No."
The word cut through the room.
Adrian blinked.
"…What?"
Kai's gaze was sharp.
"You're not going anywhere near that."
Adrian frowned.
"…You don't get to decide that."
Kai didn't back down.
"Yes, I do."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Tense.
Riven watched the exchange, arms crossed, saying nothing—for now.
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"…This is because of me."
Kai's voice didn't soften.
"Exactly."
Adrian shook his head.
"Then I should be the one dealing with it."
Kai stepped closer.
"And walk straight into whatever's waiting for you?"
Adrian met his eyes.
"…If I don't, it'll keep coming here."
A pause.
"…To all of you."
The room grew quiet.
Some of the hunters shifted slightly.
Because they knew—
He wasn't wrong.
Kai's expression hardened.
"…You're not ready."
Adrian let out a breath.
"…You keep saying that."
"Because it's true."
"And what happens when I am?" Adrian shot back. "After more attacks? More people hurt?"
Kai didn't answer immediately.
And that hesitation—
Said everything.
---
The Divide
Riven finally stepped in.
"That's enough."
Both of them turned.
Riven's gaze moved between them.
"This isn't a personal argument."
Adrian crossed his arms.
"Feels like one."
Riven ignored that.
"We have a target. We have a threat."
A pause.
"And we have limited time."
Kai's voice was low.
"So we prepare."
Riven shook his head.
"No."
Silence.
Adrian frowned.
"…What do you mean, no?"
Riven's eyes settled on him.
"We move."
Kai's expression darkened instantly.
"That's reckless."
Riven didn't flinch.
"That's necessary."
Adrian's chest tightened.
"…You're agreeing with me?"
Riven smirked faintly.
"Don't get used to it."
Kai stepped forward.
"He's the target."
Riven nodded.
"Yes."
"And you want to bring him closer to it?"
"Yes."
The room stilled.
Kai's voice dropped.
"That's not strategy."
Riven's eyes sharpened.
"It is when the enemy wants him."
A pause.
"We use that."
Adrian frowned.
"…Use me?"
Riven didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Kai's hand clenched.
"No."
The word came out sharper this time.
More final.
Riven looked at him.
"You said you'd take responsibility."
Kai didn't look away.
"I did."
"Then act like it," Riven said. "Because right now, protecting him means ending this."
Silence.
Kai didn't respond.
Because the truth—
Was complicated.
And dangerous.
---
The Decision
Adrian stepped forward.
"…I'll go."
Kai turned sharply.
"No."
Adrian didn't look at him.
"It's already calling me."
The mark pulsed again.
Stronger.
Like it was responding.
"…You feel it too," Adrian said quietly.
Kai didn't deny it.
"…Yes."
Adrian's voice steadied.
"Then you know this won't stop."
A pause.
"…So let's end it."
Kai's gaze darkened.
"…Or walk into something we don't understand."
Adrian smirked faintly.
"When have we ever understood anything?"
That almost made Kai react.
Almost.
Riven watched them carefully.
Then—
"…We move at dusk."
The decision was made.
Just like that.
---
After the Meeting
The room emptied slowly.
Tension lingered.
But the direction was clear.
Adrian stepped out into the corridor.
Kai followed immediately.
"…You shouldn't have agreed so fast," Kai said.
Adrian didn't stop walking.
"…You would've stopped me anyway."
"Yes."
Adrian glanced at him.
"…Exactly."
Kai's expression tightened.
"This isn't a game."
Adrian's voice softened slightly.
"I know."
A pause.
"…That's why I'm going."
Kai stopped walking.
Adrian took a few more steps—
Then stopped too.
Silence stretched between them.
"…You don't trust me," Adrian said quietly.
Kai's voice came after a moment.
"That's not it."
Adrian turned slightly.
"…Then what is it?"
Kai didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…I don't trust what's waiting for you."
Adrian's chest tightened.
"…That's fair."
Kai stepped closer.
"But I'll still be there."
Adrian looked at him.
"…I know."
A faint smile formed.
"…You always are."
---
The Voice Grows Stronger
Later—
Alone again—
Adrian stood by the window in his room.
The sky outside was beginning to darken.
Dusk.
Getting closer.
He looked down at his wrist.
The mark pulsed.
Slow.
Steady.
But louder than before.
"…You're really not letting this go, huh?"
This time—
It answered immediately.
"…Come…"
Adrian's breath stilled.
"…I'm coming."
The whisper softened.
Almost pleased.
"…Good…"
Adrian clenched his fist.
Not in fear.
Not in hesitation.
But in resolve.
Because this time—
He wasn't being dragged into the darkness.
He was walking toward it.
And whatever was waiting—
He would face it.
On his terms.