A Stranger In The Dark

Viole's breathing was still ragged. The vision—the battlefield, the whispers, the faceless warriors—clung to his mind like shadows at dusk. His body ached, but he forced himself to stand.

Ha-eun watched him carefully. She hadn't spoken since he'd stumbled back into the chamber, but her gaze was sharp, analyzing him like a blade pressed to his throat.

"You're pale," she said finally. "What did you see?"

Viole hesitated. Azael remained silent, their presence an unreadable void. He wasn't sure he wanted to explain—not yet.

Before he could decide, a sound cut through the heavy air.

A slow clap.

Viole spun toward the entrance. A figure leaned casually against the stone doorway, arms crossed, a smirk playing at their lips. They wore a long, tattered coat, their dark hair falling in messy waves over sharp eyes that gleamed with amusement.

"Well, well," the stranger drawled. "Looks like our little fledgling is starting to wake up."

Viole tensed. There was something off about this person. They weren't like the guards outside, or even like Ha-eun. Their presence felt… slippery, like smoke curling around fire.

Ha-eun's expression darkened. "You shouldn't be here."

The stranger chuckled. "Oh, come on, Ha-eun. You know me—I go wherever I please." They turned their gaze to Viole. "Name's Kairos. I've been keeping an eye on you for a while."

Viole narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

Kairos pushed off the doorway, stepping closer. "Because you're interesting." His grin widened. "And because I know what's inside you."

Viole's breath caught. The darkness.

His fists clenched. "You don't know anything about me."

Kairos tilted his head. "Maybe. Maybe not. But I do know that whatever Azael just showed you? That's just the beginning."

Viole hesitated. Azael still hadn't spoken, watching the exchange like an observer rather than a participant. Did they know Kairos? Did they expect this?

Ha-eun's hand moved toward the hilt of her blade. "You should leave."

Kairos sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. I'll behave—for now." He took a step back but kept his gaze locked on Viole. "Just remember, kid—answers don't come for free. But lucky for you, I love a good trade."

Then, with a mock salute, he slipped into the shadows and was gone.

The chamber felt colder in his absence.

Viole exhaled slowly. His world had been shifting ever since he woke up in that forest, but now? Now, it felt like it was cracking apart.

And he had a sinking feeling that Kairos was just the beginning.