chapter 6 : One Against Three

Then—

Idris slowly walks toward Ela.

The entire classroom is silent.

No one even dares to breathe.

He stops in front of her,

A cold smile on his lips.

Then, in a low, dangerous voice, he says—

"You know, Ela… if you go against me, everyone else will go against you too."

Ela looks straight into his eyes and replies—

"Is that a threat? Then listen—

There's nothing left in my life to be afraid of."

Idris pauses.

The smile fades from his face.

Everyone in the class seems even more shocked—

By Ela's boldness,

And by Idris's reaction.

Suddenly, the classroom door swings open.

Another boy steps in—Rafael.

His eyes blaze like fire.

"Take one more step, Idris…

And I'll rearrange your face."

At that moment,

Ela quietly sinks into a corner of the classroom.

Her head lowered, tears welling in her eyes.

She never breaks down like this in front of others—

But today, it's all too much.

Idris's threats, Rafael's sudden appearance,

And the fear from everyone around her...

It all spins in her head.

She whispers to herself—

"Did I make a mistake?

Or was everything already set against me from the start?"

Inside, she feels crushed—

But somewhere deep within,

A small fire begins to burn.

A fire of revenge,

Of self-defense,

And a thirst for truth.

Rafael quietly sits beside her and says in a soft but firm voice—

"You're not alone, Ela.

I'm here for you."

Ela lifts her eyes toward him.

It's like someone lit a spark in her darkness.

Then—

Ela quietly leaves the classroom.

She doesn't look at anyone.

Crosses the street.

Goes straight home.

Closes the door.

And collapses to the floor.

Tears stream down her face.

"Everyone just uses me…

I'm nothing but a toy to them!"

The pain in her chest rises like a knot in her throat.

She buries her face in the bed and lies there for a long time.

No one to hold her.

No one to understand.

Suddenly, her phone rings.

The screen lights up—Rafael.

With trembling hands, she picks it up.

"Are you okay?"

Rafael's voice is soft, but steady.

Ela pauses, then whispers—

"No… I'm falling apart..."

---

That day, Ela felt completely shattered.

School, home—everything felt dull, suffocating.

So she walked alone into a quiet little coffee shop.

Sat at a small table by the window,

Ordered a cup of hot chocolate—

And stared outside in silence.

Her eyes were tired,

Her heart heavy.

Slowly, her eyes began to close.

The hot chocolate went cold.

And Ela fell asleep on the table.

Suddenly—

Ding! The bell on the door rings.

Someone walks in.

Heavy boots echo on the floor—

Step by step, coming closer.

Someone stops in front of her.

Then gently covers her face with a piece of cloth—

So no one realizes she's asleep.

Ela slowly opens her eyes.

At first, it's blurry—

Then she sees clearly:

An unfamiliar face.

Eyes like pale gold.

A mysterious smile on his lips.

"Someone like you… shouldn't look this alone,"

He says gently.

Ela sits up, startled.

"Who are you?" she asks.

The boy gives a small smile.

"My name is Kian.

And just remember… you're not alone."

Ela's heart skips a beat.

She stares at him in surprise—

Her heart pounding wildly.

"This boy… in Korea…!"

Her eyes widen.

A memory flashes—

A school program in Korea,

When she got lost one evening.

A boy helped her then.

He wore sunglasses,

Had a mysterious vibe,

And the same enchanting smile.

Ela forgets to breathe.

"You… you're that boy?!"

Her voice shakes.

Kian steps closer and smiles—

"You remember.

I thought you'd forgotten, Elina."

Ela is stunned.

"You know my real name?!

I've never told anyone!"

Kian's smile deepens.

"I know more about you than you do.

Much more…"

Ela's eyes now fill with fear and curiosity.

"Who are you really?" she whispers.

Kian leans in just slightly—

"I'm the shadow of your past.

And I've come… to change your future."

Then—he extends his hand toward her.

"Come. Not here.

I need to talk to you… privately."

Ela hesitates at first,

But in his eyes,

She sees the same strange familiarity—

Something that once saved her.

Finally, she slowly stands.

Kian leads her behind the coffee shop,

To a hidden door—

So discreet, no one ever notices it.

He opens it, and inside—

A secret room.

Soft lights, vintage furniture,

Mysterious photos and strange markings on the wall.

"This room… it's no ordinary place,"

Ela whispers, stunned.

Kian closes the door behind them.

"Now no one's listening.

Now I can tell you the truth, Elina."

Ela stands near the table.

"Who are you? Why are you following me?

I'm just… an ordinary girl!"

But Kian's eyes gleam with something dark—

"You have no idea how extraordinary you really are.

You're not just a girl, Elina.

You carry the Shadow Seal—

A power both light and darkness are searching for."

Ela feels dizzy.

"What?! What are you talking about?!

I don't understand!"

Kian steps closer.

His voice is low but firm—

"You don't know who you are yet.

But you will.

Because the ones searching for you…

They're not just ordinary people."

Fear glows in Ela's eyes.

"You mean… I'm in danger?"

Kian nods slowly.

"You were. You are. And you will be.

But I'm here now… to protect you."

"From who?" Ela whispers.

Kian stares into her eyes.

"From your own shadow."

Ela freezes.

Her lips tremble.

Her voice cracks—

"What did you just say?

My shadow?

You mean… I'm my own enemy?"