The fancy building stood unnaturally still as Raven slowed his steps, his sharp eyes scanning every corner. The tall iron gate loomed before him, sealed with a lock far stronger than any ordinary key. He paused, studying it—not with frustration, but with quiet certainty.
Raven stepped closer and touched the lock lightly, as though listening to it breathe. Then he withdrew his hand and took two steps back. Slowly, he bent down and closed his eyes.
The air around him shifted.
A faint smile curved his lips as he opened his eyes again.
He walked forward and knocked on the locked gate.
Once.
Twice.
No answer.
"I can see you," Raven said calmly, his voice carrying authority without effort. "Open the gate. Or I'll enter on my own. I'd rather not intrude on your privacy—but you and I both know I can."
The silence shattered.
Like water splashing against glass, the illusion dissolved. The once-lifeless building stirred, lights flickering back to life. A staff member suddenly appeared, moving about as though nothing strange had happened at all. A woman stepped forward, dressed neatly like a receptionist, her face carefully neutral.
"Who are you looking for?" she asked.
Raven studied her for a moment, his gaze piercing through the layers she wore.
"I'll say this once more," he replied evenly. "I can enter without permission—or you can stop pretending."
The woman's lips twitched.
Then she smiled.
But it wasn't human.
Her face twisted subtly, her smile stretching too wide, her eyes gleaming with something ancient and cruel. She turned slightly, and in the blink of an eye, the air thickened.
The gate creaked open.
Raven stood still for a heartbeat before stepping inside.
The woman watched him closely. "What are you doing here?"
Raven turned to face her fully. "I came for the boy you're holding captive."
The woman threw her head back and laughed, the sound sharp and hollow. "I see. So the wizard finally sent someone."
Raven didn't meet her gaze. "Who sent me is none of your concern. Consider this courtesy."
Her laughter faded instantly. Her face darkened, anger rippling beneath her skin.
"Who are you," she demanded, "to speak to me with such authority?"
Raven turned slowly—and raised his hand.
The air screamed.
An old man appeared suddenly, dragged forward by an unseen force. He collapsed to the ground, trembling violently, tears streaming down his face as he struggled to breathe.
The woman staggered backward in shock, then hurried forward again, fear replacing her arrogance.
"What are you?" she whispered.
Raven tightened his invisible grip slightly. The old man gasped.
"You're still asking," Raven said calmly, "or should I do more harm to your brother?"
The woman froze.
Her hands trembled as she stared at the man on the ground. Slowly, she lowered her head.
"You know," Raven continued, releasing the man and letting him collapse, "I've been watching you for some time. There's something deeply wrong about you—something I haven't fully understood yet."
He began to circle her, his steps unhurried.
The woman stood rigid at the center, breathing unevenly.
"Enough," she said at last. "Stop. I'll bring him."
She gestured sharply toward the old man. He scrambled to his feet and rushed inside, terror driving every step.
Raven stopped and faced her. "Tell me. Why do this?"
She didn't answer. Her eyes never left his.
Moments later, the man returned, pushing a small boy forward.
The child was pale, his eyes wide with fear.
Raven knelt immediately and pulled the boy into his arms, holding him tightly.
"It's alright," Raven said softly. "I'm not here to hurt you. I came to take you back to your father."
The boy nodded weakly and glanced over his shoulder at the woman.
Raven stood and turned back to her.
He lifted his hand again—then paused, as though listening to something only he could hear. Slowly, he lowered it.
"I would have destroyed you," Raven said quietly. "But there's something about you I still can't understand."
He stepped closer, his eyes locked onto hers.
"This isn't your body," he said. "What are you hiding inside it? Who are you really?"
The woman recoiled, terror flashing across her face.
"You have what you came for," she snapped. "Leave."
Raven smiled faintly. "Do I look like a fool to you?"
Before she could respond, the air rippled violently.
Like mist torn apart by wind, the woman and the man vanished.
Gone.
Raven stood still, watching the breeze settle, the silence closing in again.
He turned to the boy and softened his expression.
"Did they hurt you?" he asked.
The boy shook his head slowly. "No."
Raven nodded. "Good."
He held the boy's hand and guided him out of the building, hailing a cab outside. They climbed in together, the doors closing behind them as the car pulled away.
Throughout the ride, Raven remained quiet, his gaze fixed on the passing streets.
Something about the woman gnawed at him.
Her presence.
Her energy.
Familiar.
"There's something about her," Raven thought, his jaw tightening. "Someone I've known… or should remember."
The cab disappeared down the road, carrying Raven and the boy away—while the question lingered, unanswered, in the shadows.
Who is she…