Chapter 1 – The Night of Shadows
Everyone says people cling to memories—moments they wish they could live in forever.
Not me.
All I have… is pain.
The night my father died, my world shattered.
The house was drowning in grief. The air was heavy with incense and sorrow so thick I could hardly breathe. Elderly women in plain clothes wept into their hands, their cries cutting through the silence. Men sat with their heads buried, whispering in disbelief. Children huddled in corners, their eyes wide with confusion, as if they were waiting for someone to tell them it was all a mistake.
But I just stood there. Frozen. Still. Barely breathing.
They said my father, Sohwo, was dead.
My heart refused to accept it. No. He couldn't be. He promised me he would come back. I pressed my small hands against my chest as if holding myself together could stop me from breaking apart.
In the corner, my mother wept uncontrollably, her body shaking as women tried and failed to comfort her. She was heavily pregnant, yet all I saw was how fragile she looked, like she could break into pieces at any moment.
The words slipped out of me before I could stop them.
"I wish I had saved him… maybe my life wouldn't have become so terrible."
No one heard me. Maybe that was for the best.
And then—my father's voice echoed in my mind.
"Son," he said, kneeling in front of me with that familiar warmth in his eyes. His calloused hand rested on my shoulder. "I know you're angry I didn't let you come with me today."
"You always say that… next time," I muttered, frustrated.
"I left you behind to protect your mother," he said gently. "Look at her smile. Don't let it fade. Be her strength when I'm not around."
He stood, the sun casting a golden glow behind him.
"I'll be back. I promise."
Promise.
The word cut me when the memory faded.
"You lied," I whispered bitterly in the present. "You didn't come back."
The wailing grew louder, rattling the walls of the house. Some mourners cried, "Why him? Sohwo was a good man!" Others cursed fate, pounding their fists against the ground.
I said nothing. My sisters slept in the corner, too young to understand the weight of loss.
My aunt came to me, her face swollen from tears. She smiled—a broken smile. "Come, Divine. Rest. When you wake, maybe you'll see your father again."
A lie, but I didn't fight her.
That night, I lay restless. My body craved sleep, but my mind refused it. Every breath felt heavier. Questions clawed at my chest until—
A scream.
It sliced through the night, sharp and terrifying.
I shot up, heart pounding. The sound came from the kitchen.
Ignoring the warning to stay in bed, I crept through the hall. My small feet felt heavier with every step.
The kitchen door creaked open.
Darkness.
And then I saw it.
A figure crouched on the floor, hunched over something wet, tearing into it with sickening crunches.
"Hello?" My voice shook.
The figure turned.
Red eyes glowed in the dark. Flames flickered around its limbs. And its grin… blood-stained teeth stretched wide.
It spoke my name.
"Sohwo's son… I've found you."
Before I could even scream, it lunged.
Pain exploded in my chest as its fist hurled me through the kitchen door. Splinters cut my skin. My lungs screamed. I tried to rise, but my body betrayed me. Another punch sent me into darkness.
As I fell, visions ripped through my mind. Fire. Screaming. Shadows clashing like armies. It was as if the world itself was ending inside my head.
---
"Divine…"
Her voice pulled me back.
My eyes fluttered open. Sharon—my younger sister—sat by my bed, gripping my hand tightly.
"You okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.
I nodded, though pain throbbed through every inch of me. Bandages wrapped my body.
She frowned, tears in her eyes. "Do you know Mom almost fainted when you collapsed? Dad just died, and now you want to follow him too?!"
I looked away. How could I explain?
Women came in, relieved to see me awake. My aunt hushed their questions, helping me sit up.
Maria entered, carrying medicine. She handed me pills and water. "Here. You scared us."
I swallowed them silently.
Her eyes narrowed. "Divine… what really happened last night?"
I hesitated. My chest tightened.
"I… I saw something," I admitted quietly. "Something terrifying."
Before she could press further, someone called her outside along with my sister. She left, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I rose, my body trembling, and crept to the kitchen.
The door wasn't broken. No blood. No evidence of what I saw.
"Was it a dream?" I whispered. "No… it was real. My body still hurts. It was real."
A hand suddenly gripped my shoulder.
I spun around.
A man stood there. Tall. Silver hair. An eyepatch covering one eye. His presence pressed down on me like a mountain.
"You should rest, Divine," he said calmly."thinking too much won't help anything "
" Who is he?" I asked myself.
Then the man gave me a warm smile
" Sorry for that introduction, well am here to console your mom "
" Yeah I know that " I replied to him softly
" You have really grown up, the last time I saw you, was when your dad came with you to my shop and you are really young "
My throat tightened. "Do you… know my father?"
"Yes," he replied with ease. "I'm Joseph Rin. An old friend."
"But I've never seen you before," I muttered.
" well...I come and go."
Before I could say anything more, my aunt entered. She froze, her eyes darting to me.
"Who are you talking to, Divine?"
I pointed. "To him. Joseph Rin."
Her face drained of color.
"There's no one there."
I froze. My blood turned cold. Slowly, I turned back. He was still there. Smiling.
"Why… why can't she see you?"
His smile deepened. His lone eye gleamed.
"Because I've modified my form. Only those chosen can see me."
My stomach knotted. Fear crawled down my spine.
"What… what are you?"
His voice dropped, heavy and final.
"We are the Defenders. We come from the Sin World."