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The lab was silent, except for the soft sound of keys being pressed. Elysian, or rather Seo Min-kyu, was absorbed in his calculations, his eyes fixed on the holographic screens displaying complex data. The cold light of the room reflected off his impassive face, but there was a subtle tension in his shoulders, as if he were carrying an invisible weight. Seraphina entered without knocking, her firm footsteps echoing on the concrete floor. She crossed her arms and stood in front of him, her gaze determined. "Elysian, we need to talk." He didn't even look up. "If this is about the mission, I'm already analyzing the data. The Order of Erebus is moving, and we need to—" "It's not about the mission," she interrupted, her voice firm. "It's about you. And us." Finally, he looked at her, his red eyes staring with cold curiosity. "What do you mean?" "I want you to spend a day with me. A day away from the mission, away from the calculations, away from all of this." She stepped forward, her posture defiant. "A day of normal life." Elysian frowned, as if she had spoken in another language. "That doesn't make sense. We don't have time for distractions. The Order of Erebus—" "It can wait a day," Seraphina cut in again, her voice softer now but still firm. "Elysian, you are burning yourself out. You live only for the mission, for revenge. But what about you? What will be left of you when this is all over?" He was silent for a moment, his fingers still drumming on the table. "I need nothing but the mission." "That's a lie, and you know it." She stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You were once more than that. I saw it. And I want you to remember that." Elysian looked at her, his expression unchanged, but there was something in his eyes that seemed hesitant. "And if I refuse?"

"Then I won't go through with the plan involving the Order of Erebus." She crossed her arms, her gaze defiant. "You need me, Elysian. And I need you to stop hiding behind that cold facade."

He sighed, the sound barely audible. "One day. Just one day."

The city was alive with colors, sounds, and smells that Elysian rarely noticed. He walked beside Seraphina, his hands in his coat pockets, his eyes taking in everything with quiet curiosity. The people around him laughed, talked, lived. It was a world he never allowed to touch him.

"Where are we going?" he asked, his voice neutral.

"To a coffee shop," Seraphina replied, a playful smile on her lips. "Have you ever had coffee that wasn't just to stay awake?"

He didn't answer, but followed her into a cozy little café. The smell of fresh coffee and warm bread filled the air, and Elysian felt something strange in his chest, something he couldn't name.

Seraphina ordered him a cappuccino and a piece of chocolate cake. He eyed the plate suspiciously, but under her insistent gaze, he tried a piece. The sweet flavor exploded in his mouth, and he frowned, as if unsure how to react.

"That's… interesting," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Seraphina laughed, a light, musical sound. "Haven't you ever eaten cake before?"

"Not with that intention," he replied, his eyes fixed on the plate. "It's… different."

She smiled, satisfied. "Well, let's continue then."

The day continued with Seraphina dragging Elysian to various activities. They walked through a park, where street performers played music and children played. Elysian watched everything with quiet curiosity, as if seeing the world for the first time.

At an arcade, Seraphina challenged him to a game of air hockey. He accepted, but his lack of experience was evident. He lost, but for the first time, Seraphina saw a glint of frustration in his eyes, something that seemed almost human.

"You're trying," she said, laughing. "That's progress." He didn't answer, but his lips curved slightly, almost into a smile. And after getting used to the game, Elysian began to beat Seraphina perfectly every time. The highlight of the day was at the park, where a group of children were playing with soap bubbles. Elysian stopped, watching the bubbles float in the air, reflecting the sunlight. He reached out, touching a bubble gently, and it popped in his fingers. Seraphina watched him, her heart clenching at the expression on his face. It was somewhere between curiosity and nostalgia, as if he were remembering something he had lost long ago. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" she asked, her voice soft. He didn't answer, but continued to watch the bubbles, his eyes shining with a light she rarely saw. By the second day, Elysian was back to his usual self, his eyes fixed on a tablet as he analyzed data. "We need to get back to the mission," he said, his voice firm. "The Order of Erebus will not wait."

Seraphina crossed her arms, her gaze defiant. "Not yet. You promised one day, Elysian. And I'm not going to let you get away with it, after all, it's still three hours away."

He sighed, but didn't argue. He knew she wouldn't budge.

She led him to an amusement park, where the Ferris wheel stood out against the sky. Elysian eyed the ride suspiciously, but Seraphina tugged at his hand, leading him into the cabin.

As the wheel began to rise, Elysian looked out the window, his expression unchanged, but his eyes reflected the city below. Seraphina watched him for a moment before speaking.

"What would you do if we weren't fighting this war?" she asked, her voice soft.

He was silent for a moment, his fingers drumming lightly on the seat. "I've never thought about it," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "My life has always been about the mission. There's no room for anything else."

Seraphina felt a lump form in her throat. "What if there was? What if you could choose something different?"

He looked at her, his red eyes glowing with a light she couldn't quite decipher. "I don't know," he replied, his voice hollow. "I've never had that choice."

She reached out, taking his hand. "Maybe it's time I started thinking about it."

He didn't answer, but his hand squeezed hers lightly, as if holding on to something he didn't want to lose.

As they left the amusement park, Elysian seemed more relaxed, but still alert. He looked at Seraphina, his eyes shining with a light she rarely saw. "Thank you," he said, his voice soft. "That was… different."

She smiled, pleased. "You deserve more than just the mission, Elysian. I just want you to remember that."

But the moment of peace was interrupted when Elysian realized something. His eyes narrowed, and he pulled Seraphina aside, his posture now rigid and alert.

"What is it?" she asked, her voice tense.

"We're being watched," he replied, his eyes scanning the crowd. "An agent of the Order of Erebus. They know we're here."

Seraphina felt a chill run down her spine. "What are we going to do?"

Elysian looked at her, his expression now cold and calculating. "The truce is over. It's time to get back to the mission."

The Ruin Remnants' base was silent, save for the distant sound of machinery working and the echo of footsteps in the concrete hallways. Elysian and Seraphina entered the meeting room, where Avelar and Nyx were already waiting for them. The atmosphere was tense but familiar. Avelar sat at the head of the table, his dark eyes fixed on a hologram displaying data on the Order of Erebos. Nyx stood beside him, her arms crossed and her gaze piercing.

"So," Avelar began, his voice deep and authoritative, "what did you find out?"

Elysian stepped forward, her posture impeccable and her voice calm but firm. "The Order of Erebos is on the move. They know we're onto them, and they're trying to get ahead of us. During our investigation, Seraphina was approached by a former ally, Ethan, who was now working for the Order."

Nyx raised an eyebrow, her interest immediately captured. "Ethan? That ex-military guy who fought alongside Seraphina in the war?"

"The same," Seraphina confirmed, her voice filled with a mixture of frustration and caution. "He offered me a proposition: to join the Order of Erebus. He said they're recruiting people with skills like ours."

Avelar leaned forward, his eyes shining with a dark light. "And what did you say?"

"I didn't give you a definitive answer," Seraphina replied, looking at Elysian. "But Elysian suggested I accept."

Nyx let out a low laugh, her smile laced with sarcasm. "Of course he did. Elysian always has a plan within a plan."

Elysian ignored the comment, her eyes fixed on Avelar. "If Seraphina infiltrates the Order of Erebos, she can gather information from within. In the meantime, we continue our operations externally, using the data she provides us. It's a risky but strategic move." Avelar was silent for a moment, considering Elysian's words. He knew the plan was dangerous, but he also knew that Elysian wouldn't suggest something like this without considering all angles. "What about the risk to Seraphina?" he asked, his voice thick with concern. "I can handle myself," Seraphina replied before Elysian could speak. "I know Ethan. I know how he thinks. And I won't let the Order of Erebos use me." Elysian nodded. "Seraphina is more than capable of handling this. Besides, I'll be monitoring everything from the outside. If anything goes wrong, we'll step in." Nyx crossed her arms, her gaze defiant. "What if they find out she's a double agent? The Order of Erebos is not known for its mercy."

"They won't find out," Elysian replied, her voice firm. "I'll make sure all information Seraphina provides is verified and that we have a contingency plan in place for any situation."

Avelar looked at Seraphina, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and confidence. "Are you willing to do this? Walk into the den alone?"

Seraphina took a deep breath, her eyes shining with determination. "I've fought in wars that seemed impossible. This is no different. And I trust Elysian to back me up."

Avelar nodded, his decision made. "Then that's it. Seraphina will infiltrate the Order of Erebos, and we will continue our operations here. But," he looked at Elysian, his voice filled with warning, "if anything happens to her, the responsibility is yours."

Elysian didn't hesitate. "I know."

After the meeting, Elysian and Seraphina retreated to a private room to discuss the details of their plan. Elysian opened a hologram, displaying a map of the city with several points marked.

"These are the locations where the Order of Erebus has been operating," he explained, his voice calm and methodical. "You will need to meet with Ethan at one of these points and accept his offer. Once inside, you will gain access to crucial information about their operations and hierarchy."

Seraphina studied the map, her mind working quickly. "And how am I going to communicate with you without arousing suspicion?"

Elysian pulled a small device from her pocket, a tiny, nearly invisible communicator. "This will allow you to communicate with me securely. It is undetectable by their security systems. Use it only in emergencies, and when you are alone."

She picked up the device, examining it carefully. "What if they ask me to do something that goes against the Remnant?"

"You'll have to play their game," Elysian replied, her voice firm. "But I will make sure that no action of yours causes irreparable damage to our mission. Trust me."

Seraphina looked at him, her eyes shining with a mixture of determination and apprehension. "I trust you, Elysian. But promise me one thing."

"What?" he asked.

"Promise me that if anything goes wrong, you won't sacrifice yourself to save me. We're a team, and I don't want to be the reason you lose everything."

Elysian was silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on her. "I promise," he finally said, his voice soft but full of meaning.

The next day, Seraphina met Ethan at a low-key café on the outskirts of town. He sat in a corner, his gaze intent and calculating. When she approached, he smiled, but there was something dark in his expression.

"I knew you'd come," he said, his voice thick with confidence.

"I didn't come for you," Seraphina replied, her voice firm. "I came because the Order of Erebus has something I want."

Ethan chuckled softly. "Always direct, aren't you? Well, I like that. So, are you ready to join us?"

Seraphina looked at him, her eyes shining with a determination he hadn't expected. "I'm ready. But I want assurances that I won't be just another pawn in your game." Ethan leaned forward, his smile darkening now. "You'll get what you want, Eun-kyung. But remember: once you're in, there's no going back." She didn't answer, but the look in her eyes said it all. She was ready to play their game, but deep down, she knew her loyalties lay with the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Back at base, Elysian watched the screens, monitoring Seraphina's every move. He knew the plan was risky, but he also knew it was the only way to get the information they needed to defeat the Order of Erebus. Nyx approached the room, her gaze filled with concern. "Will she make it?" Elysian didn't hesitate. "She's strong. And she's not alone." Nyx nodded, but her gaze was still filled with doubt. "I hope you're right, Elysian. Because if anything happens to her, it will fall on you."

Elysian didn't respond, but his eyes gleamed with quiet determination. He knew the game was just beginning, and he would do whatever it took to make sure Seraphina got out of this alive.