After the Incident…
The walk back home felt… unnatural.
The streets were quiet—too quiet.
No voices. No movement.
Like a graveyard.
Atheris walked beside Thrynn, but his body trembled slightly, his mind still shaken by what had just happened.
Thrynn noticed.
She gently grabbed his arm, stopping him.
"Is there something you need to tell me?" she asked, her voice soft but serious.
Atheris hesitated. His eyes shifted away.
"…Yes," he said quietly.
"I really need to tell you something… but later."
Thrynn tightened her grip.
"No," she said firmly.
"Tell me now."
Atheris froze.
Somewhere on Earth…
"Zytherion!… Zytherion!!… Zytherion!!!"
Zytherion blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. He turned quickly.
"Oh—my God… I'm sorry," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Something's been bothering me."
His partner crossed her arms slightly, frowning.
"What is it? Don't tell me it's about the person you're serving again."
She sighed.
"Why can't you just leave that crazy man?"
Zytherion's expression instantly changed.
He stepped forward and quickly covered her mouth.
"You must not say that," he whispered urgently.
His eyes softened as he lowered his hand.
"I just want you… and Sylvion… to be safe."
Slowly, his hand moved to her stomach, gently resting there—protective… careful… like he was guarding something precious.
She looked at him, her expression softening.
"Okay… I won't say anything," she said quietly.
"But tell me… what's bothering you?"
Zytherion exhaled slowly.
"You remember when I told you about my fight… with an Architect?" he began.
"And how I said I'm not from this world… and that I was given a mission to find Atheris?"
She nodded.
"Yes… and I've always wondered… why is Atheris in so much trouble?"
Zytherion looked down, his expression conflicted.
"…I just follow orders," he admitted.
"I don't care what's right or wrong… I never did."
He clenched his fist slightly.
"But that fight… was different."
His voice lowered.
"I used a technique that was meant to surpress his power… just to survive."
"If I hadn't… I would've died."
He paused.
"…But even then… he surprised me."
Zytherion's eyes darkened.
"He sacrificed himself… just to defeat me."
Silence.
Then—
"…But I know he's alive."
His partner stared at him.
"Don't you want a normal life?" she asked softly.
"Just stay with me… with Sylvion… let's live peacefully."
For the first time—
Zytherion's expression broke.
The battle-hardened executor… the man who feared nothing…
Tears rolled down his face.
He knew it wasn't possible.
But somehow…
He had to make it possible.
She smiled gently, wiping his tears.
"Come on," she said, pointing ahead.
"Let's go to that restaurant."
Zytherion looked at her…
…and nodded.
Back at Atheris's House…
Memory — Michael's Past
"Babe! I got the job!" Michael said excitedly, adjusting his clothes.
"They told me to come today to sign the papers!"
Thrynn smiled brightly, her face full of joy.
"Finally…" she said softly.
"No wonder you're dressed like this. Come on, let's go together!"
Michael shook his head.
"Nope. You're staying home," he said with a grin.
"Don't worry, I'll bring your favorite food when I come back."
He waved and left.
Thrynn stood at the door, watching him walk away… smiling.
Moments later—
Michael walked along the road.
Then—
Footsteps.
Fast.
Behind him.
Before he could react—
BAM!
A force slammed into him, sending him crashing onto the road.
He groaned in pain.
The attacker ran off.
A hoodie.
That was all he saw.
Michael tried to stand—
But couldn't.
His body felt… heavy.
Frozen.
It was like something was holding him down.
Fear crept into his chest.
Then—
He saw someone.
Across the road.
"…Viktor…?" he whispered.
"VIKTOR! HELP ME!" he shouted.
Viktor turned.
Looked at him.
Smiled slightly…
…and waved.
His lips moved.
"Bye."
Michael's eyes widened in shock.
Hatred.
Confusion.
Fear.
"VIKTOR!!!!!!!"
CRASH.
Back to Reality-
Atheris shot up from the bed, breathing heavily.
His body was covered in sweat.
"…A dream?" he muttered.
[SYSTEM LOG: HELLO MASTER. I HAVE STORED THE MEMORY OF WHAT YOU CALL A DREAM.]
Atheris frowned slightly.
"Why?"
[SYSTEM LOG: HUMANS OFTEN FORGET THEIR DREAMS. SINCE THIS MEMORY ARRIVED IN THAT FORM, THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF LOSS.]
Atheris exhaled.
"…Good thinking. Thank you."
He turned his head.
Thrynn was asleep beside him.
Peaceful.
Quiet.
He smiled softly.
"…So cute."
[SYSTEM LOG: MASTER, THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW.]
Atheris raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
[SYSTEM LOG: THERE IS A CHILD WITHIN THRYNN. PROBABILITY: 99.9%. THE CHILD IS YOURS.]
Atheris blinked.
"…What?"
"Child? What are you talking about?"
Suddenly—
A sound.
From the living room.
Atheris's expression changed instantly.
He stood up and walked out cautiously.
Living Room
He froze.
Nyxara was sitting calmly on the couch.
Legs crossed.
Waiting.
She looked at him…
…and smiled.
"Hi," she said softly.
"I'm that woman from last time."
Her eyes glowed faintly.
"I see you're doing well."
Atheris's body tensed.
"Get away from me!" he shouted.
"What did I ever do to you?!"
In an instant—
She was in front of him.
No movement.
No warning.
Just there.
She gently took his hand.
For a split second—
Silence.
Then—
BOOM.
Atheris's right hand exploded.
Blood scattered.
Pain surged.
Nyxara leaned closer,
her voice cold… terrifying… absolute.
"You broke the rule."
To be continued…