The clearing was still.
Allen stood beneath the darkening sky, the shadows wrapping around him like old friends. Wind rustled the dying leaves. He didn't move just stared at the treeline, waiting.
Footsteps approached.
Serenya emerged first, cloaked in dusk. Her posture was rigid, her eyes unreadable. Doryan walked beside her, slower, limping slightly but alive.
Allen didn't smile. He just watched.
"I thought you forgot about me," he said flatly.
Serenya stopped a few feet away. "We didn't."
Allen's eyes narrowed. "What about Lara? Did you forget her too?"
Her gaze dropped.
"I… couldn't find her. The only information I uncovered is that she once worked for House Vessan… and that she's gone back to them."
Allen's voice grew sharp. "Why? Why now, all of a sudden?"
Before she could answer, Serenya pushed forward. "Enough. You got what you wanted. Keep your word heal Lyra. And give me Thorne."
Allen tilted his head, amused.
"Lyra? She's already healed. I took care of it yesterday."
"That 'temporary cure' lie? Just bait. And you believed it. That was the funny part."
Serenya's lips parted in disbelief. "You... lied?"
"As for Thorne," Allen continued, voice hardening, "he's not just a hostage. He's a key. I kept him for a reason."
He looked to Doryan, his tone deadly serious.
"You know this, don't you? The family that destroyed House Walter… that controls the underground trade of slaves, orphans, and war prisoners House Vessan."
Serenya snapped, "That's a lie! I know Thorne. His family is noble, Allen. They would never"
Allen turned to her sharply.
"You think I've been hiding in the wild doing nothing? I've been investigating learning. I used my SERRA to read minds not surface thoughts. Deep scans. It nearly broke me."
He stepped closer, voice cold.
"I dove into nobles' heads, one by one. Through screams, locked memories, pain barriers. I saw what they tried to bury."
"Masked auctions. Shackled children. Blood coins passed under golden tables. And above them all, flying proud... the crest of House Vessan."
Serenya stood frozen, her breath shaky. "No… That can't be…"
Allen stepped back, eyes narrowed.
"You don't believe me? Then maybe you're not ready to face the truth."
Her fists clenched. "If you don't hand over Thorne, I swear I'll send you back to prison."
That word made Allen's eyes flare.
"You mean that hell? You stood there watching when I was thrown in like an animal. You saw what it did to me. What it did to Doryan. And you said nothing."
Doryan raised a hand. "Allen. Enough."
Allen paused, glancing over.
Doryan's face was tight, but calm. "Don't blame her. I was moved a week ago… to a different cave. For a ceremony. She doesn't know what happens down there."
Allen froze.
"What did you say?" he asked.
Doryan looked at Serenya. "The prison. It's no ordinary place. It's run owned by House Vessan. Disguised as 'criminal rehabilitation.' But it's a slaughterhouse. A breeding ground for monsters."
Serenya staggered a step back. "What…?"
Allen turned slowly toward her.
Her face had gone pale.
"You really didn't know," he muttered. "All this time, and you had no idea…"
For a moment, there was silence. A gust of wind swept between them.
Then Allen turned away.
"I have business to finish. We'll meet again."
"Allen!" Serenya stepped forward.
He paused, without looking back.
"Your sister's safe. She's healed. As for Thorne… I'll release him. Just not yet. Not until I'm done."
Serenya's voice cracked. "And what exactly are you going to do?"
Allen turned his head slightly. Just enough for her to see the fire in his eyes.
"What I should've done from the beginning."
He vanished into the forest leaving only silence in his wake.
But behind that silence... something was already moving.