Chapter 26 “The Silent Tear”

The white one returned to Angelo's soul.

As it settled back onto its throne, Angelo immediately drifted forward through the void, his body gliding weightlessly toward the thrones. His voice echoed with urgency. "Is my family and Sophia alright? You came back so quickly."

The white being gave a slow nod. "They're safe. I handled everything outside… but they've sensed my presence. They're looking for us."

Angelo frowned. "They? The military?"

It was the red one who answered, its voice rough and low like burning embers. "No. Not the military. Them. The ones who serve God. Humans know them as angels."

Angelo's breath caught. "Angels?"

The white being spoke again, calm yet edged with urgency. "Some slipped through during the second breach. They've been searching for the source of this power—us. You must be careful."

Before Angelo could ask more, the white one added, "There's something else. It might feel like only minutes passed here, but outside… three days have gone by."

Angelo blinked, stunned. "Time flows slower here?"

"Yes," the red one said. "This is your soul. Time bends differently here."

Then, for the first time, both beings spoke in perfect unison. Their voices layered together, echoing like twin currents across an infinite chasm.

"Never listen to the Void.

Never touch the Void.

And never go into the Void."

As their words echoed through the space, their thrones—white and red—shimmered. Streams of light and shadow spiraled outward, merging with Angelo. The convergence had begun. White, red, and human—no longer separate.

Angelo's eyes snapped open.

He lay on a reinforced bed, breathing steadily. The sterile lights above seemed dimmer now. His body felt… altered. Taller. Stronger. His muscles dense, heavy with restrained power.

A nearby soldier spotted the movement. His eyes went wide. "He's awake!" the man stammered before bolting from the room.

Moments later, Major Connors arrived. He paused at the doorway, his expression unreadable but his posture tense. "What do you… want to do?"

Angelo sat up slowly, voice calm but firm. "Where is my family?"

The major didn't meet his eyes. Instead, he handed over a folded uniform—simple, black, and military-issue. "Change. I'll take you to them."

Angelo dressed in silence and followed the major through the metallic corridors. Every step he took drew whispers, widened eyes, and hushed gasps. Soldiers who once spoke openly now fell silent. Medical staff averted their gaze. Children glimpsed him from behind corners—one burst into tears.

His presence was no longer human.

Finally, they reached the holding area.

Inside, his family and Sophia waited.

But when he entered, the air changed. James tensed. Olivia took a slow step backward. Emma pressed her face into James's arm. Sophia stood frozen, as if uncertain what she was looking at.

Angelo stopped just inside the room, waiting for someone—anyone—to speak.

Sophia's voice came first, quiet and shaking. "How… how are you feeling?"

No one else spoke. No one moved.

Olivia, the one who always ran to him, always embraced him without hesitation—stood unmoving. Her hands clutched Emma's shoulders protectively.

Emma turned her face just enough to whisper to her father. "Please… please tell him to go away…"

The words cut deeper than blades.

Angelo's voice cracked. "There's no reason to fear me…"

But Alex stepped forward, face contorted in anguish and fury. "Can't you see the truth?! Look at yourself! You're not him anymore!" He pointed. "You're a monster! You don't belong here!"

Angelo looked down at his hands—no longer the hands of a boy. Something else had taken shape. Something they didn't understand.

And now… didn't trust.

He said nothing.

Quietly, he turned and walked away. The door sealed behind him with a heavy hiss. The only sound that followed was the faint drip of tears falling to the floor.