The night air above the Kaelith estate was still, quiet almost reverent. Even the usual rustle of leaves seemed hushed, as if the world itself held its breath.
Allen stood on the rooftop, cloaked in shadow.
He closed his eyes. Darkness Devouring flowed over him like ink, swallowing every trace of his SERRA. Even the guards below, trained to sense power, wouldn't feel a thing.
No one will know I was here.
A moment later, he vanished Shadow Teleportation pulling him through the veil of darkness.
He reappeared in a dim room, the faint silver glow of moonlight spilling through half-closed curtains. Lyra Kaelith lay on the bed, fragile and pale. Her chest rose and fell with shallow, uneven breaths a quiet struggle with the poison that gripped her.
Allen stepped forward softly, careful not to disturb the fragile peace.
He studied her face in the pale light. No hatred. No anger. Only a fragile mixture of pity and guilt.
He knelt beside her bed, his movements slow, almost hesitant afraid his presence might wake her too soon.
His voice was low, rough with exhaustion.
"How did we end up like this?"
A weak smile touched his lips as he brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek.
"You didn't deserve any of it. You were just a child caught in someone else's game. Just like me."
He hesitated, then spoke more quietly.
"They think I'm a monster. But the truth is… I never wanted to hurt anyone. Not even insects. I used to move them off the path so people wouldn't step on them. Silly, right?"
His smile faded.
"I just wanted people to see me. To love me. Not because I was strong, but because I was real. Because I mattered."
He looked down at the Iron Chain loosely wrapped around his wrist.
I made a promise. To use it only for good.
His eyes softened.
"And this… this is good."
The chain shimmered faintly, responding to his silent will as it extended over Lyra's chest.
"Order: Heal."
A warm light seeped from the metal, sinking into her body. At first, her breathing remained ragged, her lips pale and dry.
Then, suddenly
She inhaled sharply. Her chest expanded fully.
Color flushed her cheeks.
Her fingers twitched against the soft sheets.
She didn't wake. But for the first time in days, her features relaxed, as if the poison's grip had loosened.
Allen exhaled deeply, a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
It worked.
He rose slowly, eyes lingering on her peaceful face.
Then
The door slammed open.
Allen didn't flinch.
Serenya Kaelith stood framed in the doorway, eyes wide with shock, then narrowing with fury. Her gaze locked on him standing there, faintly glowing with the remnants of the Iron Chain.
"YOU!"
Her sword flashed in the dim room, drawn faster than thought.
She charged.
Steel sliced the air, aiming straight for Allen's throat.
He remained still.
At the last moment, the blade halted a mere centimeter from his skin. The cold metal gleamed in the moonlight, just above his pulse, sending a faint chill through the air.
Allen's eyes drifted to the blade, then slowly met hers.
"Careful," he said softly. "You might wake her."
Serenya's entire body trembled with rage. Her fingers tightened on the hilt, knuckles whitening. Her breaths came fast, furious tears pricking at her eyes.
"You monster," she hissed. "After everything after what you did you came back to hurt her again?"
Allen's expression remained unreadable. His voice was flat, hollow.
"You're wrong. I came to make a deal."
"A deal?" she spat, disbelief burning in her gaze.
"Yes," Allen said calmly. "I healed your sister. In return, I want someone released. A prisoner named Doryan. His execution is in two days. I need him alive."
Serenya shook her head, voice trembling.
"You want me to betray the kingdom?" she growled. "I would never."
Allen held her gaze, unblinking.
"I'd sell the entire world to protect my brother," he said quietly. "Without hesitation."
Her blade still hovered dangerously close, but her hand began to tremble.
Allen stepped away from the sword, as if indifferent.
"Meet me at the South Watchtower. Tomorrow Midnight.
He took a few steps toward the window, his voice sharp and measured.
"Also… bring me everything you can find about a maid. An older woman. She worked in the cave where you locked me up. Her name is Lara."
Serenya's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Why? What are you planning now?"
Allen glanced back with a faint, inscrutable smirk.
"Don't worry. I gave your sister a temporary cure. She'll be fine… for now."
He was lying. She was healed completely. But he needed leverage.
"And before you think about setting a trap… I suggest you ask about your friend Thorne."
The color drained from Serenya's face.
"What have you done?"
"Your friends humiliated me," Allen said simply. "They tried to treat me like a joke. A mistake. So I taught them something they'll never forget."
He stepped onto the windowsill. Shadows clung to him like a second skin.
"I guess Callis and Rika are taken care of… but Thorne he's my hostage for now. Think carefully. It's not just about your sister anymore."
"I hope you keep your promise, Serenya."
She whispered his name.
"Allen… who even are you anymore?"
He looked back one last time. His eyes weren't cruel.
Just… empty.
"Who knows," he murmured. "But you don't have a choice."
And then, he vanished into the night.
Serenya remained frozen in the doorway, the cold metal of her sword still tingling against her palm. Her chest rose and fell unevenly, each breath thick with turmoil. The silence that followed felt deafening.
Who is he now? she wondered, eyes fixed on the spot where he'd disappeared. Is he still the same person I used to knew or something else entirely?
Her fingers loosened on the hilt, a tremor of doubt creeping into her heart. The weight of the choice ahead pressed down like the night itself.