CRASH!
Evelyne slammed against the floor, skidding until her back hit the corner of the ring in the cavernous Obsidian gym.
She lay gasping, clutching her stomach, pain flooding through every nerve. Across from her, Raito stood, chest heaving, sweat dripping from his jawline, his stance still set.
"Eve… you okay?" he asked, voice low, strained between breaths.
Above them, behind reinforced glass, Thorne's voice thundered through the speaker.
"Get up, Evelyne!"
From his throne-like chair in the elevated viewing box, Thorne watched with a hawk's eye. Beside him, William stood tall in his pristine tuxedo, holding a golden cup as if this were a ceremony.
Evelyne tried to rise. Every muscle trembled. Her knees gave way, collapsing her to the mat. Her eyepatch slipped free, clattering on the floor.
Thorne's voice was merciless.
"No wonder your mother abandoned you. Perhaps I should do the same."
The words cut deeper than any strike. Evelyne's breath stuttered.
"Father—" Raito started, his fists clenching.
Her head dropped, tears mixing with the sweat on her cheek. "He's right," she whispered. "I'm useless."
Raito's jaw locked. His mask's cylinders pulsed red, a low glow seething like coals in the dark. His gaze snapped to the glass box, burning with defiance.
William leaned slightly toward Thorne. "Quite the look your son is giving you."
Thorne rose, adjusting the cape around his shoulders. "Yes. It's time he learns properly. That girl will be the death of him." He turned, leaving the chamber.
The intercom buzzed with William's voice. "You two. Clean yourselves up. Thorne wants you both." He followed after his master.
The red glow faded from Raito's mask as Evelyne coughed, trying again to push herself upright.
"How did you do it?" she asked weakly, leaning on him for support.
"Anger," Raito muttered. "Thorne says strength comes from emotions. And anger is the strongest emotion."
Evelyne looked at him, uncertain, but said nothing as they left the gym together.
Later, the cafeteria stretched before them — a steel sea of tables where Obsidian soldiers ate or boasted after scavenging runs. The air smelled of grease and iron.
The two walked in, drawing glances. Some were wary. Some hostile. Most avoided their eyes.
"Evelyne, how's training?" a woman soldier asked with a warm smile.
"Harder every day… but worth it," Evelyne managed, stopping to speak.
"Oh, don't worry, it gets easier," another soldier chimed in, his voice thick with a southern drawl. "How's the eye?"
"It's heal—"
"Eve." Raito cut her off sharply, holding open the exit door.
"Sorry, I have to go," Evelyne said quickly, bowing her head before rushing after him.
The woman frowned. "What's with that kid? Always looks like he's ready to kill someone."
"That's Thorne's boy," the southern soldier muttered. "No one even knows his name. Don't mess with him."
The hallway beyond was dim, lined with old prison cells. Their footsteps echoed.
"Why do you think Father called us?" Evelyne asked.
"A lesson," came the reply — but it wasn't Raito.
Thorne's shadow loomed ahead, his voice rolling like thunder in the corridor.
Evelyne froze. Slowly, she stepped forward, hope flickering in her one good eye.
"Forget what I said in the gym," Thorne said, arms opening. "Come here, child."
Her face lit up. She rushed to him, burying herself in his embrace. "Do you forgive me?"
"Of course. Words are weapons too. You'll learn."
"Where are we going?" Raito asked cautiously.
"Your training," Thorne said simply, lifting Evelyne as if she were weightless. The three descended deeper, until the elevator opened into a concrete chamber.
Five prisoners sat bound to chairs in the center, three men and two women. Their eyes were taped shut, their mouths gagged, muffled whimpers filling the air.
Evelyne's blood ran cold. "What… is this?"
"Your test," Thorne said. "Raito asked me to find your potential. You still feel safe in your skin. That will change."
Obsidian guards stripped the blindfolds and tape from the captives. Tears streamed down their faces as they begged, voices raw and terrified.
"Choose, Evelyne," Thorne said, crouching to meet her eye level. "Who lives, who dies. If you hesitate, I kill them all. Tick-tock."
Her chest heaved, mind spinning.
"I… I…"
The prisoners' cries grew frantic, desperation breaking into shrieks.
"EVERYONE!" Evelyne screamed, covering her ears. She stumbled back, tears streaking her cheeks. "I choose them all! You never said how many I could save. So I choose ALL."
Thorne's lips curled into a smirk. "Clever. Your strength lies in your mind."
The captives sobbed in relief, shouting thanks through trembling voices.
"You heard her," Thorne said. "Raito, free them."
Evelyne blinked, hope flooding her face—until she noticed where Raito was standing. A separate chamber, glass between them.
"Raito? What is he…?"
"As I said. To free them," Thorne replied, eyes fixed on his son. "Watch."
BOOM!
Fire erupted from Raito's hands, a torrent like a flamethrower loosed from hell. The captives' screams were cut short in a storm of heat and smoke.
"Not until I say stop," Thorne commanded.
The blaze wavered as Raito faltered—then surged again at his father's voice. Smoke poured from his mask, his body trembling.
"Look, Evelyne!" Thorne seized her chin, forcing her gaze against the glass as the victims were reduced to ash.
"Stop," Thorne barked at last. Raito collapsed instantly, smoke rising from his unconscious form.
Evelyne sobbed. "You said you'd free them…"
"And I did. No ropes bind them now, do they?" Thorne said coldly, rising to his full height.
"This was because you disappointed me. Remember this: every time Raito lands a blow on you in training, another life burns. Fail, and their blood is on your weakness."
He turned to the intercom. "Good work, my son. You lasted longer this time. Not even the chairs remain." His voice softened into twisted pride before he left the room.
Night.
The sky stretched dark and endless, stars scattered like dust. Raito sat alone on the rooftop, smoke still faint from his mask. Evelyne climbed up quietly, sitting beside him.
Silence. Only the chirp of crickets.
"They said I'll start… intelligence training tomorrow," Evelyne whispered.
Raito didn't look at her. "I killed five people today."
"I know," she said, voice breaking. "I saw."
"It felt… good," Raito admitted.
Evelyne's eyes watered. "I cried when you collapsed. I'll do my best to never see that again. To be there when you fall."
He turned slightly toward her. "The world is dangerous. I just want to protect you."
"Then let's train harder," she said softly, her white hair catching the night breeze. "So we can protect each other."
For the first time that day, Raito nodded.
"Yes."
The stars flickered above them, uncaring, as darkness closed in.