73 Chapter 73
"Ko!" Serenia's voice cut through the room like a blade. She'd been seething for days, but the fury hadn't dimmed — it had only sharpened. Her arms were folded tight across her chest, knuckles white, her glare locked on him.
"You let him go. You let my brother just walk out into the world alone." Her tone was icy now, no shouting, no cracks — just venom in every word.
Ko stood across from her, silent, bearing the weight of it. Rin leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, quiet, while Yoru lingered near the window, avoiding everyone's eyes.
Serenia stepped closer, her voice dropping lower, heavier. "Do you know what it's been like, sitting here every damn day, knowing Aruno's out there — because of you? Because you thought you had the right to decide for him, and for me."
Ko's jaw flexed. He hadn't argued with her yet, not once in the past days. He'd just taken it. But tonight, her words hit harder.
"You should've woken me," she continued, eyes blazing. "You should've given me the chance to stop him — or at least stand beside him. Instead, you just… watched him leave. Like it was nothing."
The silence that followed was suffocating. Ko's fists clenched at his sides, his shoulders tight. Finally, he spoke, voice low and rough.
"I did what I thought was right. If you want to hate me for it, fine. But Aruno made his choice. He wasn't going to be stopped, Serenia — not by you, not by me."
Her lip curled, a mixture of rage and hurt breaking through. "Then you should've let me try. He's my brother. Not yours."
The words landed hard, and Ko's head dropped, his breath sharp through his teeth. Rin's eyes flicked between them, unreadable, but she stayed silent, leaning against the wall.
It was Yoru who finally stepped forward. She moved from the window, arms loose at her sides, her tone steady but firm, slicing through the tension.
"Serenia, that's not fair."
Serenia's head snapped toward her, glare like fire, but Yoru didn't flinch.
"You think you're the only one who cares about him? After everything we've been through together? After all the times we nearly died by each other's side?" She shook her head, taking a slow step closer. "Blood or not, he's our brother too. Mine. Ko's. Rin's. All of ours. That doesn't change just because you're the eldest."
Serenia's jaw tightened. Her rage flickered for a heartbeat, shadowed by grief, before she masked it again with fire.
Ko finally lifted his eyes, not to argue, but to meet Yoru's words with quiet acknowledgment. His fists relaxed, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.
The room hung heavy, every breath sharp, every silence louder than words. Rin's gaze softened just slightly, but she stayed where she was, silent support.
Serenia's hands clenched at her sides, her chest rising and falling as the weight of Yoru's words sank in. For a moment, the fire in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a tighter, almost pained restraint.
Without a word, she turned sharply, her long strides taking her toward the bedroom. Her movements were precise, controlled, but her shoulders were tense — every step carrying the residue of days' worth of frustration and worry.
Rin and Yoru exchanged glances, neither saying anything. Ko remained rooted in place, guilt still heavy on his shoulders, but he allowed her the space she needed.
Minutes later, the soft sound of movement signaled that Serenia had changed. When she reemerged, her casual but practical attire replaced the formality she'd worn earlier. She adjusted the hood over her hair, slung a light jacket over her shoulders, and gave a small, curt nod to the others.
"I'm going for a walk," she said quietly, her tone firm but no longer laced with venom. "Clear my head. I'll be back."
Yoru gave a small nod, a silent acknowledgment. Rin's expression softened, and even Ko let out a quiet breath, relieved to see her at least somewhat calmer.
Serenia opened the door and stepped into the cool evening air. The city outside stretched vast and alive, lights flickering, people moving along the streets. The walk would be long, she knew — but it was what she needed. Not to forgive, not yet — just to breathe, to think, to untangle the coil of worry and anger inside her.
The night air was cool against her skin, carrying the faint scent of rain and distant city lights. Serenia's steps echoed softly against the pavement, each one a rhythm to the memories stirring in her mind. She pulled the hood of her jacket a little tighter, but it did little to shield her from the flood of recollections.
"You know… I remember when you were just a baby," she murmured to herself, her voice low, almost a whisper meant only for her ears. "I was three… maybe four? And there you were, this tiny little thing, wrapped in blankets, crying so much… and I didn't know what to do. But I wanted to help. I wanted to hold you, protect you."
Her fingers flexed slightly, unconsciously tracing the line of her jacket as she walked. "Mother… father- they were always busy, always so serious. But I remember looking at you and thinking… 'I have to be the strong one for you.' And I tried, even if I was just a little kid myself. I tried to be strong, for both of us."
A soft laugh escaped her, tinged with sadness. "You'd grab my hair sometimes… or spit up all over me… and I'd get so mad. But I didn't care. I didn't care if it ruined my day. I just… wanted you to be okay. I wanted to make you smile."
Her pace slowed, the city lights blurring around her as nostalgia and longing settled deep in her chest. "And now… now you're out there, doing whatever you want, and I can't reach you. I can't fix this. I'm… I'm scared, Aruno. I'm scared something's going to happen, and I'll never get to hold you again like I did when you were a baby."
Stopping for a moment at the edge of a quiet plaza, her hands pressing against her temples. She spoke again, almost pleading. "I know you're strong… but I also know you're stubborn. And I can't… I can't stop you. I just… I wish I could be there. With you. Like I promised when you were tiny… like I always wanted."
Serenia steps carried her into a small, well-kept restaurant. The brown walls and tile floors gave it a warm, grounded feel, and the quiet chatter of other diners filled the air. She slid into a booth near the window, letting the hum of activity wash over her.
She ordered a cold beverage, the condensation forming tiny droplets on the glass as it was placed in front of her. She held it for a moment, letting the chill seep into her palms, steadying the lingering heat of her frustration.
My eyes drifted over the room—the neatly arranged tables, the soft clink of cutlery, the low murmur of conversation. Something about the place felt… different, yet familiar in a way she couldn't place. A faint trace of energy lingered in the air, subtle, almost gone—but enough to make her pause, feeling the hint of someone having been here not long ago.
Serenia exhaled slowly, letting the quiet of the restaurant calm her storming thoughts. "He's out there," she murmured softly, more to herself than anyone else. The words barely carried weight, but in them was all the worry, all the helplessness she'd been carrying since he left.
She sipped her drink, her gaze settling on the window. Outside, the streets moved in indifferent rhythm, people going about their lives while hers had been thrown off course.
"It's time to head back, I suppose." Feeling calmer Serenia makes her way back to the building where the family stays.
By the time she returned to their shared space, the tension inside her had settled just enough to allow for controlled breathing. Ko was sitting in the corner, shoulders tense, eyes fixed on the floor. Rin and Yoru were nearby, quietly waiting, giving her space but watching closely.
She stopped in the doorway, studying them for a moment. The anger that had consumed her earlier was now tempered, replaced by a tight, simmering resolve. "I'm back," she said simply, voice steady but firm.
Ko looked up, wary, his jaw set. "Feeling better?" he asked cautiously.
Serenia let out a small exhale, running a hand through her hair. "Better," she replied. Not completely, not yet—but enough that she could think clearly. "We need to figure out what's next. Sitting here stewing won't bring him back, and yelling at you won't either." Her gaze softened slightly, just enough to let them know she was no longer raging—but still serious.
Rin and Yoru exchanged glances, sensing the shift. Yoru stepped forward, speaking gently. "He's out there. Aruno made his choice, but we're still a family. Blood doesn't matter here. We'll follow him if we have to, but we do it together."
Serenia nodded, her expression firm. "Together," she agreed. Her mind was already racing through possibilities, strategies, and the faint threads of power she could sense stretching out into the world.