Chapter 12: The Calm, the Castle, and the Girl Who Snapped

Two days until the Black Omen.

Lucius stood in the courtyard of the abandoned castle his group had taken as a temporary base. The sky above was choked with red clouds. But down here, it was oddly… peaceful.

Too peaceful.

Velda had a theory: "It's the classic pre-plot explosion calm. Means someone's about to cry, confess, or combust."

She wasn't wrong.

Zara was training alone—shirt off, sweat gleaming, chopping through trees like they owed her money.

Claire was in the library with a stack of books taller than she was, researching ways to "purify" dark energy without purifying Lucius himself (because she likes him the way he is, okay?!).

Lilith was on the balcony, writing in a little black notebook that nobody had the guts to ask about.

And Lucius?

Lucius was in his room… being stared at by Velda.

Again.

"You haven't said anything since you came back," she said.

Lucius didn't respond. He was seated by the window, staring out at the dark horizon.

Velda stood. Walked over. Sat on the edge of his desk.

"I know that look," she said. "The 'I'm pretending I'm fine so nobody worries' look. It's annoying."

He gave her a side glance. "I'm fine."

"Which in villain language means: 'I'm one intrusive thought away from deleting the continent.'"

He chuckled softly. "I'm not planning to."

"…Good."

She hopped off the desk.

"But if you do—warn me first. I have outfits I'd like to wear one more time."

[Bond Update: Velda – "Chaotic Ride-or-Die" unlocked.][Effect: +2 Magic Recovery per hour while Velda is nearby.]

Later that evening…

Claire knocked on Lucius's door.

"Hey… can I come in?"

Lucius opened it—and immediately blinked.

"…You're wearing armor."

Claire was decked out in paladin-lite gear, oversized gauntlets and all.

"I thought I should start learning how to fight."

Lucius raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because if I'm going to stay by your side, I don't want to be the one who's always hiding behind you."

Lucius said nothing.

Then slowly reached forward and fixed the way her pauldron sat on her shoulder.

Claire went red. "W-What are you—?!"

"You'll hurt your neck wearing it wrong."

"Y-You could've just told me!!"

Lucius smirked. "Too slow."

[Bond Strengthened: Claire – "Willing to Bleed"][New Trait: Stubborn Hope]

And then… the snap happened.

Just as Lucius stepped out onto the balcony—

Lilith was there. Standing in the center. Wings folded tight.

She turned slowly. Her eyes were puffy. Her voice cracked.

"Lucius…"

He froze. Something in her tone—off.

"You keep forgiving everyone," she whispered.

"You gave Claire safety. You let Velda tease you. Even Zara—you respect her now."

Lucius took a step forward.

"I tried," she whispered. "I tried to change. I prayed. I bled. I knelt."

"But no matter what I do…"

Tears fell.

"You still look at me like I'm the one who killed you."

Silence.

The kind that screams.

Lucius didn't deny it.

He didn't say she was wrong.

He walked forward, slowly. Gently.

And hugged her.

Lilith froze.

He didn't say "It's okay."

He didn't say "I forgive you."

He just held her.

And that was worse.

Because it meant she might already be forgiven—And she didn't think she deserved it.

[Bond Update: Lilith – "Redemption Spiral"][Corruption Level: 28%][New Passive: Love That Hurts]

Far above, the skies cracked.A black streak tore through the clouds.

[System Alert: The Black Omen has begun.][Prepare.]