Kael sat stiffly across from Eve in his dimly lit living room, the atmosphere between them heavy. Outside, Ren and Eris waited in the front yard, shadows shifting restlessly beyond the window.
"What?!" Kael's voice broke the silence, sharp and incredulous. "Your friends want to hang out with me? On the last day?"
Eve clasped her hands together, her golden eyes earnest. "You've been with us for three years, Kael. They just want to do something for you—like we did for the other graduates. I… I even spoke to Ren about the burn on your face. He says he's sorry, and that he wants to make it up to you."
Kael froze, his expression twisting with disbelief. He shot Eve an intense glare. "Hah? There's no way those bastards are sorry! Everything they do, they call it righteous. I don't care if he's your boyfriend, Eve—I'm not buying this farce!"
"I know it's hard to accept." Eve's voice softened, almost pleading. "But if you don't believe me, then… see for yourself."
Reluctantly, Kael followed her outside. Eris leaned casually against the fence while Ren stepped forward, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish grin.
"Oh, Voss," Ren drawled, tone deceptively light. "About burning the side of your face back then… I only wanted to assert dominance. But after talking with Eve, I realize I went too far. So, I'd like to apologize."
(Anyone with eyes can see something's off here…) Kael thought, his jaw tightening.
"Please, Kael." Eve's voice trembled with sincerity as she clutched his sleeve. "Forgive him. If he ever tries again, I'll stop him myself."
(…Eve's never lied to me before. Maybe… just this once…) Kael exhaled sharply and muttered, "Fine. I'll hold you to your word."
Relief washed over Eve's face. She beamed, wrapping her arm around Kael's shoulder. "Thank goodness! Now my best friend and my boyfriend can finally get along. Let's celebrate—with that trip to the ruined city we planned."
"Are you serious?" Eris cut in, her crimson hair glinting under the sun. "That area's restricted. Nobody's supposed to set foot there."
Eve waved her off, confidence unwavering. "Don't worry. I know a way through."
"…Fine." Eris sighed. "As long as we're all in it together."
"Then it's settled! Go get changed, Kael—we're leaving now."
"…Yeah," Kael muttered, though unease gnawed at his chest.
Minutes later, he emerged in a baggy white shirt, dark trousers, and worn sneakers. Eve clapped her hands with excitement.
"Alright! To Lunaris!"
(She hasn't changed a bit…) Kael thought with a faint smile.
They piled into Eris's vehicle and drove off. Kael sat by the window, cheek resting on his palm, the endless road rolling by. Eve glanced back at him, her smile soft and reassuring. For a fleeting moment, his heart felt lighter.
After half an hour, they pulled up to a barricaded station—red tape crisscrossing its entrance.
"…Restricted," Kael murmured. (Eve… you're not the type to take risks like this.)
Two figures in indigo uniforms approached, silver embroidery glittering in the dim light. Astral Magus. Gatekeepers.
Ren stiffened. "Tch… they weren't supposed to be on duty now."
"What are you kids doing here?" one Magus demanded. "This area is sealed off by decree of the Zenith Sovereign."
The second sneered. "And look who we have here… the cursed boy."
Kael's heart sank.
But Eve stepped forward, radiating calm. "We're just students, exploring for a school project. We want to become Astral Magus someday."
"This isn't the place," the Magus replied sternly.
Eve's eyes glimmered pink, her aura slipping into the air like a whisper.
[Skill Activated: Heart's Whispers]
The Magus's rigid stance softened instantly. "…Very well. Proceed."
Eve bowed sweetly. "Thank you."
Kael blinked, stunned. "What was that? Did you just—"
"Don't worry about it," Eve interrupted, smiling as she returned to the car. "Let's go."
They crossed into Lunaris, the ruined skyline looming ahead. The once-proud metropolis lay silent, its streets cracked, buildings reduced to husks.
"Welcome to Lunaris," Eris said quietly. "Once the largest city in Ravenshade… until the Ashenfiends came. What you see now is all that remains."
"Woah…" Kael whispered, awe and unease mixing in his chest.
They stopped at the edge of the old shopping district.
Kael stepped forward, eyes narrowing. (Wait… this feeling… bloodlust!?)
Before he could react—
Crack!
A sharp blow struck the back of his head. The world tilted, collapsing into black.
Ren stood over him, smirking. "This idiot really thought we wanted to be friends. Pathetic."
Kael's limp body hit the ground.
"Everything went exactly as planned," Ren said, snapping a collar onto Kael's neck before tossing him deeper into the district.
Eve's smile turned cold, twisted. "I thought burning his face would finally drive him out. Yet he kept crawling back… but now, this little pig won't be bothering us anymore."
Eris crossed her arms, looking away. "…Let's just go. Before they come."
The three left, their car rumbling away into the distance.
Moments later, Kael's eyes fluttered open—only to widen in horror. Shadows stirred around him. Wolf-like beasts with burning red eyes. Spider-limbed horrors, their mandibles clattering.
"…Ashenfiends," Kael gasped.
The largest wolf lunged. Kael rolled instinctively, barely dodging its fangs. His heart pounded as he staggered to his feet, bolting toward the exit.
(Those bastards… they abandoned me. Eve too… it was all a trap!)
A searing pain tore across his back. He stumbled, coughing blood.
(Why am I… still running? Didn't I want to die? Isn't this what I wished for…?)
His grandfather's face flashed in his mind.
(I… I don't want to die like this!)
A web arrow pierced his abdomen. Blood gushed. His right arm was torn away in a blur of fangs. His body reeled under blow after blow until—
Boom.
The ground trembled. Heavy footsteps echoed.
Kael lifted his trembling gaze.
A towering black monstrosity with horns and teeth like jagged blades loomed above him.
"…A Nethermoth…" His voice cracked with terror. "The most dangerous of them all… why here…?"
The beasts closed in.
Kael clenched his bloodied fist, eyes wild. "Damn it all! Why does it have to be me?! If only… if only I had power!"
The Ashenfiends lunged.
[Conditions Met: Near Encounter with Death][Awakening: Return of the God of Shadows]
A suffocating darkness swept across the ruins.
Black spikes erupted from the ground, impaling the Ashenfiends. Kael's body convulsed as his wounds sealed, his missing arm regrew, and jet-black wings burst from his back. His hair lengthened, his frame strengthened, his mouth now hidden behind a bone-like mask.
An aura of pure dread radiated outward.
A deep, unfamiliar voice rumbled from his throat.
"…At last. I'm free from that wretched void. The plan… was a success."
His glowing eyes surveyed the field of corpses, hunger for destruction in their gaze.
"Now then…" he whispered, spreading his wings. "Shall we explore this new timeline?"