My consciousness flickered back, like a static-filled screen slowly clearing. As my eyes adjusted to the pale hospital lights above, I realized I was lying on a stiff bed, a dull ache throbbing through my body.
"W-What happened…?" I mumbled, pushing myself up. "Where's Allya?!"
The door creaked open. Sam stepped inside, his expression unusually heavy. He walked up to the bed and pulled a chair close, sitting beside me.
"I'm sorry, Kirito… If I'd gotten there earlier, maybe… maybe I could've saved your mom."
"…Don't apologize," I replied, eyes narrowed. "This wasn't your fault. It's my dad's. Everything… it was all him."
Sam hesitated before speaking again. "There's something I need to ask."
"First, where is Allya?" I demanded.
"She's safe. Resting at my place. Asuna's looking after her."
A wave of relief washed over me. "Thank God…"
"…The thing is," Sam began slowly, "When I got to the scene, I saw something. You had a dragon mark glowing on your hand… but Allya didn't. You two are supposed to be siblings, right?"
My breath caught.
"I think… it's because of the Eminence," I offered weakly.
Sam shook his head. "No. The Eminence doesn't cause marks like that."
"Then what do you mean by 'mark'? What even is it?"
"I saw it," Sam said, voice low. "The spirit of a dragon… it was floating above you."
He leaned in. "Kirito… you need to tell me everything about your past. If not for me, then for your sister's sake."
There was a long silence between us. Then finally, I exhaled and spoke.
"There's something I've never told anyone. Not even Allya." I looked away, ashamed. "We're not siblings. Not by blood. I was adopted by the Kaizawa family when I was just one. Their first son died in an accident… they took me in."
Sam's eyes widened. "Does Allya… know?"
"No. And I don't ever want her to find out," I said firmly. "Her happiness means everything to me. I'll protect her, even if it costs me everything."
Sam placed a hand on my shoulder. "I won't say a word."
"…Thanks."
"I'll talk to the doctors. We'll get you out of here soon."
3rd April 2025 – Incident Report by Sam
"My name is Sam. Two days have passed since the tragic events of April 1st in Minato Ward. The following is an official incident report."
"A dangerous entity, identified as Sol Invictus, possessed a man named Kazuma Kaizawa (38), leading to a deadly attack that claimed the lives of four individuals. The victims were:
Hide Asuno (35)
Taiyo Asuno (16)
Mitsumi Asuno (30)
Hina Kaizawa (32)
The sole survivor of this massacre was Allya Kaizawa, aged 14. The possessed was eliminated at 8:38 P.M. with police assistance.
This concludes the report."
Evening, 3rd April 2025 – 8:20 P.M
"Asuna, are you sure it's okay to stay here this long? You haven't been home in two days," Reno asked as he leaned against the wall.
Asuna stretched her arms and smiled. "It's fine. My parents are away on business anyway. And besides, Kirito's little sister... she hasn't spoken a word to anyone since it happened. We need to be here for her."
"Yeah… She's completely traumatized. Losing her parents, seeing her brother like that... it's too much."
Then came a tiny voice. "Miss…"
Asuna turned. "What's wrong, cutie?"
"I… I want to see Oni-chan…"
Asuna knelt down and gently brushed Allya's hair back. "I'll talk to the sensei, okay?"
She stood up and turned to Reno. "By the way… why's Kirito still in the hospital? Didn't sensei already heal him?"
"I've been wondering the same," Reno replied, scratching his head.
Just then, Sam stepped in. "Allya wants to see Kirito? Alright. You can bring her tomorrow morning."
"Great!" Asuna beamed. "We'll visit him first thing."
Allya's face lit up with a gentle smile.
Midnight – 12:45 A.M
"Sam, what's going on?" Reno snapped, clearly frustrated. "Why are we not allowed to leave the building?"
"Yeah," Asuna chimed in. "You're acting like something serious is about to happen."
Sam sighed, crossing his arms. "I guess it's time you two knew the full story. First, is Allya asleep?"
Asuna nodded.
"Alright then," Sam began. "You two have unique abilities, That make you Awaken. But Kirito... he's different."
"Different how?" Reno asked.
"He has three powers."
"THREE?!" Reno and Asuna echoed in unison.
"His first is water magic. The second is linked to dragons. And the last… is the most dangerous one of all. Kirito is the 11th user of Eminence in Shadow."
Reno's jaw dropped. "Wait… your power?!"
Sam nodded gravely. "Yes. And it's not just that. The reason he's hospitalized… is because the possession wasn't random. Kazuma's attack was planned — a direct hit meant for Allya. But Kirito... he jumped in and ruined everything."
"The bullets destroyed his whole mana flow"
Asuna clenched her fists. "They tried to kill Allya… but why?"
Sam looked out the window, eyes cold. "That's what we still need to find out."
"But… where will they stay now?" Asuna asked.
"Obviously, we four will live together," Reno grinned.
"Yeah," Sam agreed.
"That's not fair! I want to live with Allya-chan too!" Asuna pouted.
"Hehe, you can't," Reno teased.
"Then I'll kill you!!" Asuna roared, chasing him around the room. "COME BACK, YOU SON OF A BITCH!"
4th April 2025
"You ready, cutie?" Asuna asked cheerfully.
Allya nodded with a nervous but bright smile. The two of them stood outside Kirito's hospital room. Asuna opened the door gently.
Kirito looked up from the bed — and before he could say anything, Allya ran to him and hugged him tightly.
"Oni-chan!" she cried, tears flowing freely.
Earlier That Day
"If they're after Allya… what can I do to protect her?" I asked, fists clenched.
"There's only one way," Sam said, his tone serious.
"And that is?"
"Destroy the Cult of Invictus."
"…I'm in. I'll make them pay for everything they've done."
"Then your training starts tomorrow," Sam replied with a grin.
3 Months Later – 10th June 2025
Dinner time.
"Onii-san! You promised we'd go to the amusement park this weekend!" Allya said in her cutest pouty voice.
"Huh?!" I blinked, caught mid-bite. Reno nearly choked on his food.
Sam chuckled. "Don't worry. I already bought the tickets for tomorrow."
"YAY!" Allya squealed, throwing her hands in the air.
"Hooray! We're going to the amusement park!" Reno and I shouted together.
"…You two aren't going," Sam smirked. "You have a mission tomorrow."
"...SHIT."
Midnight
"This is me. I'll be there tomorrow at 12 PM. Be ready.This will be our last chance."