---
Far from the soft warmth of San's embrace and Hyme's quiet sleep, beneath the capital's glittering skyline, in a marble tower shielded by magic and metal, they watched.
A dozen figures stood around a long table, the edges carved with runes older than time. Cloaked in robes of silver and black, their faces were hidden by masks—some feline, some serpentine, some mechanical.
A holo-map hovered above the table, pulsing with light. On it: three dots glowed—San, Hyme, and Lyra—nestled in a residential district.
The largest figure leaned forward. "We lost the Archive. The Eden core was accessed… and the younger one lives."
"Hyme," spat a voice to his left. Feminine. Bitter. "They're protecting him too well. That mutt bar worker, the fox, even the old scientist's pet girl—Wooyoung."
"And now," the mechanical-masked man said, "Lys has awakened."
"He shouldn't have survived."
"No," the leader said quietly. "But he did."
The room stilled.
"Worse," the leader continued, "his power is stabilizing. His energy signature has shifted. His pulse patterns are no longer destructive... but directional."
"You mean—he's learning to control it?" someone asked.
The masked leader nodded once. "He's no longer just a failed prototype. He's becoming a beacon."
"And Hyme?"
"He is still the final key. The moment the two of them come into true resonance…"
The table shook with power.
"Then we must separate them," said the serpent-masked woman. "Permanently."
Another pressed a button on the table, revealing a grid of images. Footage of Hyme at the gala. Hyme curled up on San's lap. Hyme fighting back against the synthetic hybrids.
"And the bar worker?" someone asked. "San?"
"Too loyal. Too dangerous. He's their shield."
"Then break him."
The masked leader raised a hand. "No. Use him."
He snapped his fingers.
A figure walked into the room, stepping out of shadow. His face was uncovered—sharp, smug, charming. His black-and-blue military uniform shimmered slightly at the edges.
His red eyes glowed.
"Is it my turn?" he asked, licking his lips.
"Yes, Kairo. It's time."
---
Meanwhile… Back at Wooyoung's Apartment
Hyme blinked awake.
The room was still dim, with early morning light spilling across San's bare chest. Hyme was curled against him, one leg hooked over San's waist, a hand splayed across his abs.
Safe.
For now.
But there was something in his blood. A strange hum.
He sat up and looked at his palm.
Static shimmered faintly across his fingers. A tingle—like energy waiting to burst.
"San…" he whispered.
San stirred. "Mm?"
"Something's changing."
San pulled him close again. "We'll face it together."
Hyme smiled faintly, resting his head on San's heart.
Unaware that far away, someone had already marked them both.
And was on his way.
---