Embers of Loss

Hye Rin stepped out of a cab, luggage in one hand and backpack slung over her shoulder, gazing at the hospital towering in front of her. This was where her father had asked her to meet him.

Inside, she called her father to let him know she had arrived. He instructed her to come up to the fourth floor, which she did without delay.

"Oh, Dad!" Hye Rin breathed, rushing into his embrace, seeking the comfort only he could provide.

"Dad, Seiya and Mom…" she choked, trying to hold back tears.

"It's okay, Hye Rin," he murmured, gently patting her back. "Let's be strong. Let's not break down now."

After a few moments, she pulled back, wiping away the remnants of her sorrow, and they sat down together on a bench in the hall.

Hye Rin sighed deeply, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees, her hands intertwined. 

"I need to know everything that happened. How could it take three whole days before anyone realized? How did the fire even start? And what happened to Mom's barrier protecting the house? I just… I don't understand." She sighed again, feeling the weight of it all press down on her.

The thought of what her mother and younger brother might have endured tore at her heart. 

Had they cried out for help in those desperate moments, only to be met with silence? She could scarcely bear to think of their pain as the fire consumed everything.

Her vision blurred, tears streaming down her cheeks. My poor Seiya. Did you call out for me? I'm so sorry. She sobbed quietly beside her father.

Reaching out, her father gently patted her shoulder, offering what comfort he could. "I know you have so many questions, and I'll do my best to answer what I can."

He took a deep breath before speaking.

"The fire was no accident. It was started with Awakened Ability—not the kind that is seen everywhere, but a dark one, so it burned ferociously."

Hye Rin's heart ached, but she listened, gripping her hands tightly.

"And as for why it took three days before anyone knew…" he sighed, "that, too, was due to an ability. As you know, our home is quite secluded, away from society, so it would be hard to get help right away. The perpetrator was powerful enough to break through your mother's barrier. After starting the fire, they used an enclosing ability—a skill that sealed our home, so the fire, their voices, everything remained enclosed. Nothing could escape."

Mr. Sanio lowered his head, his voice heavy with regret. 

"I had told them I'd be away for a few days on work, so I wasn't home. When I tried to call after three days and got no response, I sent someone to check on them. That's when I heard the terrible news."

"They didn't even call me for help, they must've not been able to. They must have felt so helpless." His head sank lower as he mourned.

"Nothing was left behind. Not even a trace of their remains. Only ashes. It was those ashes we tested for DNA confirmation with Awakened Abilities because all DNA properties were destroyed from the overheat so it couldn't be carried out per natural processes. It's just… too cruel."

Hye Rin pressed her palms to her face, unable to stop the flood of tears. She said nothing, only cried quietly, the enormity of her grief overwhelming her.

Sitting there, she felt the sharp sting of regret. Family was everything, and if only she had been there, closer to them, instead of away on missions… Perhaps she could have prevented this tragedy.

But it was too late. All that remained was sorrow, a hollow ache that seemed endless.

Inside one of the hospital ward, Ozai lay unconscious, his eyes flickering open to the harsh glare of the ceiling lights. He squinted, adjusting to the brightness, and slowly his eyes focused, settling into a distant stare.

Then, as if struck by sudden clarity, Ozai's gaze sharpened, and he bolted upright. "Sei… Mom…"

He scrambled out of bed, pushing the door open, and stumbled into the hallway, where his father and sister sat.

Seeing him, Hye Rin's eyes widened in shock, and she looked to her father for confirmation.

Mr. Sanio nodded. "He couldn't handle the news and collapsed. His colleagues brought him here. That's why I asked you to come."

"Ozai!" Hye Rin called, running to him, embracing him tightly.

"No, I have to… I have to bring them back." Ozai wrenched himself free, a fierce determination in his voice.

"Where are you going?" Hye Rin cried, fear and worry in her voice.

"Let go! I need to find somewhere quiet and reverse time, or else Mom and Seiya… Mom and Seiya…" His breaths came fast and shallow, his bruises throbbing with pain.

"What are you saying?" Hye Rin's tone was sharp with frustration. 

"The incident happened three days ago. Even if you tried, you could never reverse time that far! You can't even go back twenty-four hours, let alone days!"

"I won't know unless I try, right?! So let go! Let me go!" Ozai's voice cracked as he fought against Hye Rin's grip.

In Hye Rin's mind, his desperation seemed dangerously close to self-destruction. She knew his abilities—he couldn't turn back time more than 13-15 minutes. 

Reversing days? It was a suicidal notion.

Seeing her brother ready to throw everything away for an impossible goal, her eyes filled with anger. But in that anger, she saw his pain, his desperation.

"If I don't… If I can't… then what is the point of my ability?" Ozai choked, his tear-streaked face twisted in anguish.

Hye Rin's anger softened, replaced by compassion and sadness. 

Kneeling, she pulled her brother close, holding him as he broke down, patting his hair gently.

Their father watched, his face shadowed with sorrow. Quietly, he joined them, resting a hand on their shoulders.

---

When Ozai finally calmed, he was taken back to his ward, having fainted from the emotional strain. Hye Rin and her father stayed behind in the hallway.

Hye Rin knew what she had to do. She couldn't let the perpetrators walk free, not after what they had done. She was determined to bring them to justice, to make them pay.

"Here." Her father handed her a set of keys and a slip of paper. "This is the address and keys to our new home. I have things to attend to, so when your brother wakes up, take him there."

She nodded, and with that, Mr. Sanio departed.

---

Meanwhile, in the laboratory where Seiya was held captive…

A worker approached him, saying he was summoned by his father. Seiya's heart raced, fearful of what awaited him.

He was escorted into a spacious hall filled with gym equipment. In the corner, his father sat waiting, an unreadable smile on his face.

"What's with that expression? It's nothing serious today, I promise," his father said with an unsettling calm.

"As you can see, Seiya, this is a gym. Today, you'll only be doing push-ups." He smiled, as if this was the simplest of tasks.

Seiya didn't believe him. His heart pounded as he stood there, wary and nervous.

"But you know, Seiya…" His father rose, moving closer.

"Nothing is ever easy." Without warning, he plunged a dagger into Seiya's stomach.