Chapter 9: Threads of the Past

The air was thick with silence. Ellee found herself standing in the middle of a familiar hallway, one that belonged to the underground lab she had been imprisoned in ten years ago. But this time, it was different. The metal walls weren't corroded or torn, the lights weren't flickering. Everything was as it once was—sterile, clean, cold. Her small hands trembled as she reached forward, opening one of the room doors.

Inside, laughter echoed. A small version of herself—barely six years old—was sitting on the floor, surrounded by the others. Maya was braiding her hair, Zion and Xion were playing with some kind of puzzle, and Viola was reading aloud from a book. Her brothers stood not far, watching over them like guardians. And then—

"Kael?" her dream self whispered.

A boy stepped out from the shadows. His hair was black with blue tips, eyes glowing faint red in the artificial light. He didn't say a word but walked forward and knelt in front of her, smiling gently.

"Ellee... I'll protect you. Always."

Suddenly, the dream began to blur, like an ink stain spreading across paper. Their faces began to warp again, voices turning to static, and the scene shattered like glass.

Her eyes opened slowly.

The white ceiling of the infirmary came into view. Her body felt heavy, and a sharp pain throbbed at her shoulder. A soft beeping came from the heart monitor beside her bed.

"Ellee?" a voice said softly. It was Kate.

"She's awake! Kayla, go get the doctor!" Kate stood, eyes wide with relief.

"Ellee, can you hear me?"

Ellee blinked, taking in the sight. The room was bathed in warm morning light. Kate hovered close, her expression full of concern.

"I'm... alive?" she murmured. Her voice was raspy.

"Barely," Kayla said, walking in with the doctor. "You were poisoned. That blade nicked your shoulder and spread something into your system. The moment we got you back, we rushed treatment."

The doctor stepped in, checking her vitals. "She'll recover fully, but rest is crucial. That poison could've killed an ordinary person."

Ellee took a shaky breath. "What happened... to the assassins?"

The twins exchanged glances.

Kate replied, "They retreated once your roommates showed up. They held their ground until the Guild's emergency force arrived. Zion and Xion really tore through those monsters. Maya and Viola covered you the whole time."

"They... fought for me?" she asked softly.

"Of course they did." Kayla folded her arms. "You protected them. It's only fair they return the favor."

The door burst open.

"You idiot!" Viola yelled, rushing in. "You nearly died! What were you thinking going in alone?!"

"We didn't even get to test our new formations," Zion added, standing behind her, arms crossed.

Maya walked in more calmly but her eyes were wet. "We were terrified, Ellee. Don't do that again."

"I..." Ellee looked away. "I didn't want anyone else to get hurt. I'm the protector. It's my job."

"No," Xion said, leaning on the doorframe. "It's our job. Together."

The warmth in their voices, the weight in their gazes—it all felt so familiar. Like something deep in her heart was stirring.

"Have... we met before?" Ellee asked slowly.

They all froze.

"What makes you say that?" Viola asked.

"I don't know. It's just... when you all fight, talk, even argue—it feels like home."

No one said anything for a while.

Kate cleared her throat. "Your roommates insisted on staying here until you woke up. They barely left your side."

"They did?"

Zion shrugged. "Can't let our... friend die from a minor poison."

"You'll need rest," the doctor said, stepping out. "But I'll allow visitors. Keep it quiet."

As the door closed, the mood shifted to something more relaxed.

"I had a dream again," Ellee whispered. "But this time... it was clearer."

"You remember something?" Maya asked.

"Pieces. Voices. Faces still blurry. But I saw Kael. He smiled at me and said he'd protect me."

A silence fell. Maya looked down.

"Do you believe he's still alive?" Viola asked carefully.

Ellee looked out the window. "I want to... but I can't afford hope like that. If I believe and it turns out he's gone, I'll shatter."

"You don't have to carry all that alone," Kayla said gently.

Ellee gave them a faint smile. "I'm starting to believe that."

From behind the glass of the observation window, the head of the Guild stood watching.

"She's remembering," he muttered. "Soon... she'll know the truth."

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