Kael leaned back in his chair, his expression calm—but there was weight behind it.
"You probably have a lot of questions," he said. "About all of this… about them."
Ren nodded quietly.
Kael continued, his voice steady.
"Each of them was abandoned during the war. Left alone. Forgotten."
His gaze shifted across the room.
"I found them. Gave them shelter. Taught them how to survive… and how to use what they were born with."
Ren followed his gaze.
Riku sat cross-legged on the floor, flipping through a thick book. As his fingers brushed the pages, faint threads of light traced along the words, making them shimmer like they were alive.
Across the room, Sora moved silently, carrying a tray of food. Shadows bent gently around her, parting without resistance—as if they recognized her.
Near the kitchenette, Mika stirred something in a pan. The air above it curled and shimmered faintly, reacting to her presence.
On the couch, Haru and Taro lounged lazily. Haru traced small patterns in the air with his fingers, invisible currents following his motion, while Taro sat still—yet there was a quiet intensity around him, like something constantly held back.
Kael looked back at Ren.
"They have potential. Power that could change the world."
A pause.
"And their abilities awakened because of the weapon."
Ren frowned slightly.
"…The weapon?"
Kael didn't explain immediately.
"Its existence… disturbed the world. Influenced those who were already capable."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"And now they're no longer ordinary."
Ren glanced at them again.
They didn't look like threats.
Just… people.
Kael leaned forward slightly.
"And that's why you matter."
Ren stiffened.
"You're connected to the weapon in ways you don't understand yet."
The room felt quieter.
"What happens next…"
Kael's voice lowered slightly.
"…depends on you."
Ren's gaze flickered between the others.
Their powers.
Their presence.
Their lives.
Save the world…?
The thought didn't sit right.
Or is that just what he wants me to believe?
Kael continued,
"These children aren't the only ones."
Ren looked back at him.
"There are others. Scattered across the world."
"A few you'll meet."
"Most you won't."
"But all of them…"
"…are connected to the weapon."
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So we're not the only ones."
Kael shook his head.
"No."
A brief silence followed.
"And that's why your choices will matter more than you think."
In the background—
Riku turned another page, light flickering softly.
Sora's shadows shifted, alive but controlled.
Mika's quiet focus never broke.
Haru laughed at something on the TV.
Taro didn't move—but something about him felt grounded. Steady.
Kael leaned back again, his expression softening just slightly.
"Ren."
Ren looked at him.
"You should try to make friends with them."
A small pause.
"They'll be your allies from now on."
Ren hesitated.
He wasn't sure where to start.
Before he could say anything—
Lina appeared beside him out of nowhere.
"Don't worry!" she said brightly. "I'll help you. They'll warm up to you in no time!"
Ren blinked.
"…That fast?"
Lina grinned.
"Of course."
Across the room, a few of them looked over.
Riku closed his book halfway.
Sora's gaze lingered quietly.
Haru smirked.
Taro glanced once—then back to the screen.
Mika gave a small nod.
It wasn't warmth yet.
But it wasn't rejection either.
Ren let out a quiet breath.
"…Maybe this won't be so bad."
The noise of the room slowly returned.
Voices.
Movement.
Life.
And for the first time since everything started—
Ren didn't feel completely alone.
But somewhere beneath that feeling…
The fragment pulsed.
Faint.
Unnoticed.
Watching.
Waiting.
Coming soon
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