[You truly are an ambitious young man, aren't you, young Master? Even I would not have suggested fighting the beast,] the voice said, loud and brimming with excitement.
How else am I supposed to distract it? Even running away can be considered fighting—if done right, you know, Kealix answered, a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips.
[Hahaha, you remind me of myself when I was younger, young Master,] the voice replied with a note of satisfaction.
[Well, if you truly wish to fight it, young Master, then the best choice would be to run as close as possible—stay within its blind spots—and strike from there. As for the rest, I can't say until I've seen the beast myself. All I know right now is that it's dangerous,] the voice continued, calm and confident.
And… what should I call you? Kealix asked, his tone bland but deliberate.
The voice hesitated. A pause that didn't belong in a moment of crisis. Unexpected.
[Pardon? Young Master, I don't understand your question,] it replied, clearly caught off guard.
You said there would be a whole council of you—what, about twenty or so? I need a way to tell who I'm talking to. So, how should I refer to *you* specifically? Kealix thought to the voice, his mind sharp despite the looming danger.
[For now, you can call us by the names you bestowed upon us. For me, that would be Hero, young Master,] the voice answered, gently but with a certain clarity.
Why Hero? You were alive before, right? Don't you have a real name?
Another pause. But this time, Kealix felt the change.
This silence wasn't hesitation—it was discomfort.
Something about it made the air feel heavier than it already was.
[I… I cannot tell you my true name, Master. If I speak it too soon, the Will of Existence will step in and "correct" my behavior,] the voice admitted, fear slipping into its tone—just enough for Kealix to catch.
Why? Is the Will of Existence against names or something? I have one, and I seem fine, Kealix thought, confused but pressing.
[It's not the name itself. Our true names are one of the two abilities we were allowed to keep when our souls were transferred into your cards. To activate that name, you must achieve full compatibility with me first,] Hero explained, disappointment laced in his words like a restrained truth.
Then… what happens when I say it? Kealix asked, his curiosity now piqued beyond restraint.
[That is for you to find out. Your curiosity is good, young Master—but keep it in check when needed. After all… curiosity kills the cat,] Hero replied with a teasing edge.
Alright, Hero. I will, Kealix said, his smile returning, a quiet spark of trust behind it.
Tell me… can the others of the council speak with me as well? Kealix asked, directing the question toward Hero.
[They cannot, young Master. The others have not yet awakened like your friend has, so only one of us can speak with you for now,] Hero replied, his voice steady.
You mean Joshua? Kealix asked, curiosity edging into his tone.
[I do, young Master. That boy, for some reason, has awakened a small percentage of his dormant core—without being acknowledged by the Will of Existence,] Hero answered, though a thread of doubt laced his words.
You don't know why that happened, do you?
Kealix didn't bother asking the question out loud; his voice turned bland instead. From your tone, I'm guessing you don't know why.
Hero fell silent. Kealix didn't press. The silence said enough.
What does your first ability do? he asked instead, shifting gears.
[I can not reveal that either young master I apologize] Hero explained, a note of pride swelling in his voice.
Well that's a bummer but I assume its with good reason, kealix said his voice indifferent
[it is, as for the reason sadly I can not reveal what it is,] Hero said with a calm tone.
Kealix rose to his feet and began walking toward Joshua and Nox, who were on the other side of the cafeteria. As he moved, Hero remained quiet—giving him space, allowing him to think.
The closer he got, the more he noticed the way a few students looked at Joshua. Their expressions were filled with awe—eyes wide, mouths slightly open.
Why are they staring at him like that?
Joshua had his back turned to Kealix, so there was no way he noticed. Still, the attention was unmistakable.
What could be going on…?
Kealix finally reached them—and then he saw it.
The flickering flame Joshua could barely control moments ago now obeyed him. It swirled around his arm like a tamed beast, dancing in rhythm to his will. It wasn't wild anymore—it was deliberate. Focused. Controlled. Like a puppet that had surrendered to its master.
''Nicely done, Joshua.'' Kealix said, unable to hide the excitement in his voice.
Joshua stayed quiet for a heartbeat longer than expected. Then finally, he spoke.
"Thank you…" he muttered, but his voice didn't match the praise.
It was flat. Distant. Disappointed.
Kealix studied Joshua more closely. He wasn't smiling—understandable, given the circumstances—but still… it was rare. Even back in the ruined classroom, Joshua had managed to sneak in a few smiles, a couple of laughs. And now, at what should've been a moment of victory—nothing.
"You okay? You were sitting alone for a while," Nox asked. His voice was steady, unreadable.
Kealix managed a small smile. "I am. Thank you for asking."
His gaze shifted to Nox. The color radiating from him—it had deepened. Richer, fuller, alive. Just like Joshua's used to be. But this wasn't a vision, not some flicker from his abilities. It was real. Tangible.
Strange, Kealix thought.
"What's the situation? Have most people recovered, or is everyone still out of commission?" he asked, his voice low, weighted with concern.
Nox shook his head, jaw tight. "Most people are still practically crippled."
Kealix's heart sank. He had hoped they'd bounce back by now. After all, with the accelerated regeneration everyone seemed to possess, it had felt like a reasonable expectation. But clearly, that hope had been misplaced.
"Do you want some water?"
The voice was soft, almost hesitant. Kealix turned. Alora stood behind him, offering a bottle of water she must've pulled from the cafeteria fridge.
"Yes, of course. Thank you," he replied, forcing another smile—one tinged with disappointment he couldn't quite mask.
Alora's expression was pale, drawn with dread. Still, she returned his smile, though hers trembled at the edges.
"I'll get going. A lot of people are probably thirsty," she said, her voice straining to sound cheerful, a fragile pretense that barely held together.
Just like that, Alora disappeared into the tide of injured bodies, moving among them—one of the few still able to help.
Silence settled again. Kealix sat in it for a moment, thoughts folding over themselves in grim layers. Then he spoke, his voice rough.
"Joshua, Nox… can I talk to you two for a second?" A pause. "In private."
Both turned their heads toward him.
"I don't think I can leave," Joshua said softly. "I'm the only source of light right now."
"Can't you just say whatever it is here?" Nox asked, voice even.
Kealix shook his head. "No. This isn't something everyone should hear." His eyes flicked toward Joshua. "Can you make a torch? Something someone else can carry to keep the room lit?"
Both of them blinked in mild surprise. Privacy wasn't unheard of—they were all painfully aware they might not live to see another day—but between the three of them, there were no real secrets. Not until now.
"I think I can manage that," Joshua murmured after a few seconds of hesitation.
He knelt beside a broken desk, tore a piece of scorched cloth from a pile of ruined clothing, and wrapped it tightly around a metal pipe. A few quiet words, a subtle flare of energy, and the makeshift torch burst into steady flame.
"It's done," Nox said. "Let's use the hallway on the right."
Kealix nodded once, a silent gesture of agreement.
As they made their way past the huddled, wounded students, Kealix felt the weight in his chest grow heavier. So many of them were barely holding on—bodies bent, spirits fractured. If they survived this, if they truly lived to tell the tale, it would mark them forever. Each of them would carry the stain of this moment like a scar stitched into the soul. Unlucky souls of Rah'dull, all of them.
When they reached the hallway, Kealix inhaled slowly. His mind spun, looking for the right words—but none came.
[There is no easy way to say it, young master. It is best to simply speak the truth—without sugarcoating.]
Hero's voice rang clear in his mind.
I know, Kealix thought, exhaling as he steeled himself.
They stopped. Kealix turned to face them, the narrow hall wrapping them in shadows. The torch's flame floated beside Joshua, casting warm light across his dark skin, while Nox's face seemed to drink in the glow, eyes steady but unreadable.
"So," Nox said quietly. "What is it you wanted to tell us?"
Joshua didn't speak. His eyes were wide, tense, as if bracing for something he didn't want to hear.
Kealix took a breath.
"There's a chance…" His voice cracked, then steadied. "We might all die."