CHAPTER NINETEEN JUNS FLASHBACK..

The moon hung high over the Fallen City, its silver light casting a hazy glow through broken windows and cracked streets. Jun sat alone on the rooftop of their hideout, the serum vial rolling back and forth between his fingertips like it was mocking him.His fingers trembled.Not from fear. Not from exhaustion.But because he couldn't remember why he came up here.

"I just needed air."

That's what he told himself.

But that voice in his head—Haruto's voice—wasn't fading like it should've.It wasn't comforting either. It was accusing.

"You let me die."

Jun squeezed his eyes shut. Not again.

"Shut up... you're not real." He whispered it. But he wasn't sure.

Earlier that day, Jun had taken the second dose of the Moonris Serum. He told the others it was to fight for Haruto.To protect what was left.To carry the weight Ren couldn't.

But the moment it surged through his veins, something felt... wrong.

His body felt stronger, faster, sharper. But his thoughts?Blurry.Detached.Like someone else had taken the wheel and Jun was just watching from the backseat.

"You alright, Jun?" Akito had asked him earlier that morning.

Jun looked up with a smile. "Yeah, just tired."

Akito paused. "You called me Haruto… again."

Jun didn't reply. He didn't remember doing that.

Now, on the rooftop, he looked down at his hands—shaking, pale, but glowing faintly with blue threads of energy.The serum was still working, crawling under his skin like vines wrapping around his soul.

He stared at the city below.Lights flickering. Shadows moving.And yet, none of it felt real anymore.

What was real?

Suddenly, the door behind him creaked open. Footsteps.Fae.

"You've been up here too long," she said softly, crossing her arms.

Jun smiled lazily. "How long's too long?"

"You missed the meeting. Rander was asking for you."

"Who's... Rander?" he said, blinking slowly.

Fae froze. "Jun… stop."

He laughed. But it cracked midway. "No seriously… who is he again?"

"Jun," she whispered, stepping forward. Her voice wavered.

He was breathing heavily now, like the whole world was closing in Memories flashing too fast to hold onto anymore.Haruto's death. Ren's scream. The first time he took the serum. The time Fae smiled at him and had kissed him in the dungeon.

They were all flickers now. Fireflies caught in a storm only he could save himself from. Or perhaps someone else?

"I'm scared," Jun finally admitted, voice small, breaking. "I don't wanna forget."

Elvina knelt beside him, placing her hand over his trembling one."We'll fix this. I promise."

But Jun looked at her like she was a stranger.

"Have we met before?"