Arou hadn't even managed to steady his breathing when the sound behind the door changed.
No longer whispers.
BANG.
The bedroom door shook violently—far harder than before.
"Come on… don't be afraid," the voice said, closer now… heavier.
"My name is Zhael. I am the terror."
Creeeekk—KRAK.
Long claws pierced through the surface of the door. Wood splintered as cracks spread rapidly from the marks. The door wasn't just scratched anymore—it was about to collapse.
"Arou…" Airi sobbed, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"Listen to me," Arou said quickly and firmly, kneeling in front of her.
"Don't look at anything. Hold onto me."
BANG.
Another heavy impact. The door split open, revealing a gap wide enough to show a black silhouette with glowing red eyes behind it.
Without hesitation, Arou grabbed Airi and pulled her toward the window.
"We're getting out. Now."
KRAAASH.
The door burst open. Wood shattered inward. The shadow forced half its body into the room, long claws scraping against the floor.
But Arou was faster.
He threw the window open and helped Airi climb out first. The cold night air hit them instantly. Arou jumped out after her and pulled her away from the house.
From inside, Zhael's voice echoed.
Not angry. Not panicked.
Just… amused.
"Interesting…" he whispered.
"You can't be chased beyond that boundary."
Those glowing red eyes remained at the broken window, watching… but not crossing it.
Arou didn't stop running until they were far enough away. Only then did he finally slow down, breathing heavily, still gripping Airi's hand tightly.
Airi sobbed, her knees almost giving out.
"W-we're… safe?"
Arou glanced back at the house. From the outside, everything looked normal. Quiet. Dark.
"For now," he said softly.
Behind that shattered window, something was still waiting.
Zhael didn't chase them.
He let them go.
---
Arou kept running without looking back, gripping Airi's wrist too tightly—as if letting go for even a second would end everything.
"Arou… wait…!" Airi's voice trembled.
He only stopped when they reached the park.
The distance felt like another world.
The moment they stopped, Airi winced in pain, clutching her wrist.
"Arou… it hurts."
He froze.
"Airi… I'm sorry."
Her wrist was slightly red. She tried to move it, then shook her head.
"I think… it's a little sprained."
Arou lowered his head, guilt written all over his face.
"I just… I was afraid of losing you."
Before Airi could respond, footsteps approached.
Someone walked casually into view, holding a water bottle.
Nova.
He stopped when he saw them.
"Hm? What are you doing here at this hour?"
Arou's eyes lit up with relief. He rushed toward him dramatically.
"Nova… help me."
Nova raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of water.
"Huh? Help with what?"
"There's… a terror in my house."
Nova paused mid-drink.
"A terror? That's… a serious name. Who is it?"
Arou swallowed.
"Zhael."
Nova went quiet. Slowly, he lowered the bottle. His expression changed.
"…Zhael."
"You're sure?"
Airi spoke softly, still holding her arm.
"He came out of the TV… red eyes… and he broke the door…"
Nova exhaled.
"If that's true," he said calmly,
"you're lucky you made it here."
He looked toward the dark city.
"Because if that really is Zhael…"
He turned back.
"…then this is just the beginning."
---
Nova's expression turned serious.
"Listen carefully."
"Don't ever look into his eyes. If you do, you could be hypnotized… or die instantly."
Airi swallowed hard, gripping Arou's arm.
"So… he was waiting for that…"
"Exactly," Nova said. "Fear makes people careless."
Arou took a deep breath.
"Then we can't leave him there."
"I'll come," Nova nodded. "But listen to me."
---
They returned to Arou's house.
The streets felt darker. The air heavier.
The broken bedroom door was clearly visible now.
"Airi, stay behind me," Arou said.
Nova stepped into the living room first.
The TV suddenly turned on.
Krrrsshh…
A black shadow emerged from the screen, forming into a figure with red eyes and a twisted red grin.
It paused.
"…Hm?"
"This aura… is different."
It tilted its head.
"Ah… I see."
"You didn't come back alone."
Its claws moved slowly.
"I can sense another world's residue… from that human."
Then it grinned wider.
"You brought a magician."
Nova stood still, deliberately avoiding its gaze.
"Zhael."
"You don't belong in this world."
Zhael chuckled.
"And you think you can stop me?"
Nova raised one hand.
No grand light. No long chant.
Just one word.
"Die."
The air froze.
Zhael's body cracked—slowly, unnaturally.
His red eyes dimmed.
Then—
He shattered into black dust.
Gone.
The TV shut off.
Silence.
---
Arou stared at the floor, stunned.
"That… was incredible."
Nova lowered his hand.
"Not really."
He glanced at them.
"I can only use magic that has never existed before."
"And each one… can only be used once."
Airi blinked.
"So that spell…"
"Gone forever."
Arou clenched his fist.
"We owe you."
Nova gave a faint smile.
"Take it as a warning."
He looked at the house.
"Not everything that knocks… comes as a human."
---
Arou exhaled.
"Thank you, Nova."
"No problem."
Nova then glanced at Airi.
"Hey… aren't you going home?"
Airi hesitated.
"I want to… but I'm scared."
"If you don't go home, your family will worry," Nova said calmly.
"I can walk you."
She hesitated, then nodded.
"…Okay."
She looked at Arou.
"Arou… I'm going home."
He smiled faintly.
"Be careful."
"Thank you… for staying with me."
Nova walked ahead, signaling her to follow.
Before leaving, Airi looked back one last time.
That night felt long.
But at least, they knew one thing.
For now…
The terror had ended.