Steadfast

The man led Yona into the empty room. Her gaze swept over the city below, the ground a dizzying distance away. She pressed a hand to the cold glass, her pulse quickening as the heights made her stomach churn. She turned just in time to see him lock the door behind her.

Yona's eyes narrowed. "This place is empty. What exactly are you after?" She tensed, ready to strike. Probably some creep. Should just knock him out.

"Still don't recognize me, huh?" He tugged at his long blonde hair, untangling it before pulling off his mask.

Yona's breath hitched. Her pulse hammered in her ears. No... Her chest tightened as his face came into view. She stumbled back, eyes wide, heart racing.

"You've grown..." His grin was predatory. "My little lemon."

"B-Brother?" Her voice trembled as the world spun.

"That's right..." His voice softened, a sickening sweetness to it as he placed a hand on her shoulder. His towering frame loomed over her, blocking out the light. "You're a good girl, aren't you? You'll follow my orders, won't you?"

"I... I..." Her throat tightened, words failing her.

"Your friend's just below this floor. Maybe right under me." His breath brushed her ear, low and dangerous. Before she could react, his hand shot out, gripping her face, forcing her to freeze.

"Let's see if she can save you," he whispered, his voice sending a shiver down her spine.

Suddenly, the glass behind her shattered. She gasped, her body crashing through the broken panes, tumbling toward the abyss below.

"Huh?" Confusion twisted her features as she fell, the world around her spinning, her brother's cold gaze the last thing she saw.

As soon as Kaia stepped closer, his lips curved into a wicked smile. "Why don't you try saving her first? I don't think you can."

Without warning, a figure plummeted right in front of her....it was Yona. Kaia's heart skipped a beat. She didn't think—just acted. She slammed through the window, shards slicing the air, shielding her face as she fell after Yona. Her fingers stretched, desperate to catch her.

Yona didn't move, her eyes empty, resigned to her fate as she fell helplessly.

No... Kaia's breath caught in her chest. She reached out, trying to slow her fall, her mind racing. She couldn't lose her.

Her fingertips brushed Yona's as they fell, inching closer. Just as the ground loomed, Kaia wrapped her arms around her, the force of their descent almost too much. They were a breath away from crashing when—

A red, veined wing unfurled from Kaia's back, slowing their fall. The air seemed to freeze, rain starting to pour. It was cold, harsh against her skin, but the ground below them was still out of reach. Kaia held Yona tighter, her grip unyielding.

Then, with a soft flutter, the wing vanished, and they gently touched down. Kaia remained still, holding Yona against her chest. Yona blinked up at the sky, raindrops streaking down her face. She tilted her head, then reached up, fingers grazing Kaia's head, a soothing gesture.

"We're safe," Yona whispered, her voice soft, calm despite everything.

Kaia's gaze lingered on Yona's face for a moment before she pulled away, standing. Yona remained sprawled on the ground, as if nothing had happened. The rain continued to fall around them.

Yona stood, brushing herself off, her face unreadable. She turned to leave, but Kaia called after her.

"Hey!" Kaia's voice cracked through the silence. Yona froze but didn't turn around.

"We can't just leave them," Kaia pressed.

Yona's back stiffened. "That case isn't ours, Kaia." Her voice wavered, like it was barely holding together. "Those two are my brothers. We can't defeat them. They're too powerful."

"But—"

"No buts!" Yona snapped, turning toward her with a fiery glare. Kaia recoiled. "We're powerless. You can't even use your powers without facing death itself." Yona's voice dropped, barely a whisper now. "I'll take that smuggler to Apostle. You go home. Someone else will handle it."

"Yona…" Kaia muttered under her breath, watching her walk away. The silence around her felt suffocating. The word powerless clung to her like a heavy fog, suffocating the anger bubbling inside.

Kaia kicked a nearby stone, watching it skitter across the pavement. But the emptiness came rushing back, louder than any noise. She felt useless—more than she ever had.

Turning, she made her way home, but something inside her snapped. She needed someone... anyone. She tried calling Thalia, but the call went unanswered. Her frustration flared. "I might as well just see her in person," Kaia muttered, her footsteps quickening.

***

[Luminous Harbour; Apostle HQ]

"You again?" The lady's lips twisted into a devilish smile as Kiaan settled into the chair opposite her, his gaze never leaving hers.

"Spit it out," Kiaan said, his voice cold and direct as he crossed his legs and arms, leaning back like he had all the time in the world.

Kyros watched from the observation room, a proud smirk on his face.

"That's my boy," he muttered, voice thick with satisfaction.

An Apostle officer standing beside him nodded. "Looks like you've done well, Mr. Kyros."

Kyros' grin widened. "Of course. I made sure his memories are mine now. He won't get those flashes anymore. I've got them locked away."

In the interrogation room, the lady's manic laughter filled the space. Kiaan didn't react—his eyes stayed locked on her, unblinking, unbothered.

"How rough are you gonna be? Just like your father... wait—which one?" She tilted her head, her grin widening even further.

Kyros clenched his fists. No shame, at all.

Kiaan's voice cut through the laughter, flat and emotionless. "You use black magic now? Why don't you just get to the point?"

Her grin curled even more. "Black magic? Oh no, for me, it's a blessing... Given to me by my Master."

"Master?" Kiaan raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "Who's this 'Master' of yours?"

Her eyes gleamed as her voice dropped lower, full of promise. "My Master was born from the Incantation Eclipse. He's the one who will reshape this world. A new era of magic—where all of you will die."

"Incantation Eclipse?" Kiaan's tone sharpened, eyes narrowing.

In the observation room, murmurs rippled through the team. Incantation Eclipse?

The lady's laugh returned, cruel and unsettling. "Yes, all of you. All these so-called 'mana users'—you'll all burn."