Chapter Three — Morning After Silence
Pain greeted him before consciousness did.
It seeped in slowly, like cold water filling a container—first his shoulders, then his spine, then his legs. A deep, aching soreness settled into his bones, heavy and unignorable. Kairos lay still for a moment, staring at the faint glow leaking through the curtains of his small apartment, breathing evenly as his body reminded him of last night.
"…Damn it," he muttered.
He pushed himself upright, muscles protesting immediately. A sharp twinge flared through his ribs as he swung his legs off the bed and planted his feet on the floor.
"This is why I hate fighting."
His voice was quiet, more annoyed than angry.
He sat there for a moment longer, elbows resting on his knees, letting the ache stabilize into something tolerable. Outside, the city was already awake. Cars passed. Someone laughed. Life moved on with impressive indifference.
He stood and walked to the window.
The curtains parted slightly as he looked out over the street below. Everything appeared normal in the harsh clarity of morning light. Too normal. If you didn't know what had happened just hours ago, you'd never guess the asphalt had been stained red, that screams had torn through the air, that something inhuman had died right outside.
But he remembered.
The sudden drop in pressure.
The scream.
The Hollow.
He remembered the moment after it fell—the way the air had shifted as Aether suppression fields bloomed outward like invisible domes, muting everything they touched. The quiet efficiency of it. The precision.
Aether Guard operatives had arrived quickly. Too quickly for coincidence.
He had watched from his window as they worked.
Floodlights cutting through the dark. Barriers erected. Civilians escorted away. A body bag sealed around the Hollow's corpse, its head recovered separately and contained with extra care. No panic. No spectacle. Just procedure.
Clean. Controlled.
Professional.
He exhaled slowly and turned away from the window.
The bathroom light flicked on with a soft click. He stepped under the shower moments later, letting hot water cascade over his head and shoulders. It stung where bruises had already begun to bloom beneath his skin. He leaned one hand against the tile, jaw tightening briefly, then relaxed.
The water washed away the lingering scent of blood.
When he stepped out, steam filled the small bathroom, fogging the mirror. He wiped it clear with his hand and paused.
His reflection stared back at him.
Tall. Lean. Quietly muscular. His frame wasn't bulky, but there was definition there—lines earned through repetition and discipline. His hair hung messily around his face, still damp, rough and black, refusing to be tamed.
His eyes throbbed.
A dull pressure built behind them, pulsing steadily. He reached for the white blindfold hanging from a hook beside the mirror and tied it carefully into place. The pain eased almost instantly, retreating to a manageable hum.
Better.
He dressed quickly, movements practiced and economical, then glanced at the clock.
"I'm early," he said to no one. "Still got over an hour before work."
The words had barely left his mouth when a knock sounded at the door.
He froze.
Not in fear—just surprise.
"…Who could that be?" he murmured.
He walked to the door and opened it.
A woman stood in the hallway, sunlight spilling in from the window behind her. She looked to be in her early twenties, posture relaxed, expression open and pleasant. She wore a wide-brimmed hat and a flowing white-and-yellow gown that contrasted sharply with the drab apartment corridor. In one hand, she held a white umbrella, its surface pristine, the Aether Guard crest etched subtly near the handle.
Kairos blinked once.
What a unique dressing, he thought.
"Hey there," she said brightly. "Good morning."
Her gaze flicked briefly to the blindfold. Not lingering. Just noting.
"…Yeah," Kairos replied after a beat. "Morning."
"I'm Iris Calder," she continued smoothly. "Mind if I ask you a few questions?"
He stepped aside. "Sure. Come in."
She entered without hesitation, eyes scanning the space with quiet curiosity. The apartment was small but clean. Minimal furniture. Nothing out of place.
"What a decent home you have here," Iris said lightly.
"Thank you."
He brought out two cups and poured tea, setting one in front of her. She accepted it with a nod.
"Thanks." She took a sip—and paused. "Wow. This is nice."
Kairos didn't respond.
He sat across from her. "Your questions?"
"Oh—right." Iris smiled apologetically. "Sorry. There was a Hollow incident here last night. Did you happen to see anything?"
I was guessing that's what you'd want to ask, Kairos thought.
"Nope," he said simply. "Saw nothing."
Iris hummed, smiling still.
"But then," she said casually, "I noticed blood on your door handle. Like someone opened it with blood on their hand."
Kairos's head turned toward the door.
A quiet curse formed in his mind.
Shit. How could I forget?
"I got injured yesterday," he said calmly. "Coming back from work."
"Really?" Iris tilted her head, feigning surprise. "That's interesting. I had the blood checked."
The smile remained.
"It matches the Hollow that was killed."
Silence fell between them.
The kind that stretched.
Kairos set his cup down.
"Now what?" he asked.
"Now what?" Iris echoed.
"What are you going to do now," Kairos continued, "that you know I killed that Hollow?"
Her eyes sharpened—not with hostility, but satisfaction.
"Glad you admitted it," she said. "So—what power did you awaken?"
"I didn't awaken anything," Kairos replied evenly. "Didn't use any power either."
Iris blinked.
"That Hollow was the weakest of the weak."
Her interest deepened.
"…Interesting," she said. "Then why the blindfold?"
"Confidential reasons."
Kairos stood.
She rose with him easily.
"Well," Iris said as she followed him toward the door, "since you have the ability to kill a Hollow, why don't you join the Aether Guard?"
He opened the door.
"Not interested."
He stepped outside.
Iris followed, surprised but composed.
He locked his door, then gestured toward the car parked below. "Is that yours?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Drive me to work. It's like twenty minutes from here."
She stared at him for a second—then laughed softly. "Alright."
The ride was quiet.
Too quiet.
Iris stole glances at him occasionally, curiosity flickering behind her calm expression. The blindfold. His posture. The way he sat, relaxed yet alert.
Kairos watched the city through the windshield.
As they drew closer to his workplace, something felt wrong.
Crowds moved in the opposite direction.
Running.
Panicked.
"Stop the car," Kairos said.
They rounded the corner.
The restaurant was gone.
The building had been torn apart, its front collapsed inward. Nearby structures bore deep scars, windows shattered, walls cracked. Smoke curled into the sky.
Three figures stood amid the destruction.
Three Hollows.
Kairos's expression changed.
Disgust twisted across his face.
"…What kind of stupid coincidence is this," he muttered. "What's with all these disgusting Hollows?"
And the morning held its breath.