Chapter 4

Kusho sat cross-legged on his bedroom floor, the Box of Thorns open between him and Caelen. The fifteen cards were spread across the floor.

Caelen studied them, his hand on his chin. "So these are the real deal? What did you do to become a Founder?"

Kusho nodded. "Each card carries a weight, spiritually and symbolically. They choose you as much as you choose them."

"Alright," Caelen said, brushing his fingers across the edge of a card. "So if I'm joining this whole 'Circle of Thorns' situation, how do we make it official?"

Kusho picked up the Nightshade card without hesitation.

"You're choosing that one?" Caelen asked. "Consequence?"

"It called to me. I think it's part of the Founder's role."

The card glowed briefly, and a pulse rippled through the room. A soft whisper only Kusho could hear:

You are the Founder. You may enact one Law.

Kusho closed his eyes. "Send the remaining cards across the world. Slowly. Let them find people who are strong, smart, and… ready. In their own time."

The box pulsed again. One by one, the cards began to vanish, fading into sparks and drifting upward. Only the Nightshade remained, resting lightly in Kusho's hand.

Then, another shimmer. A single card reappeared. Violet. It floated into Caelen's lap, followed by a silver ring engraved with thorn etchings.

Caelen blinked. "Violet?"

"Humility," Kusho said. "It fits you."

"Should I be flattered or concerned?" Caelen smirked, sliding the ring onto his finger. It pulsed once in acknowledgment.

"You're a member now."

"Damn right I am. First seat claimed. Violet of the Circle." He grinned. "It honestly feels weird."

Kusho stood. "Caelen, will you protect the world?"

Caelen nodded, his grin fading into something steadier. "Of course. I meant what I said before. I'll be your right hand. You made this world safer, yeah, but it still needs watching. And maybe… maybe I need something to protect."

He paused, fingers brushing the Violet card.

"I wasn't made for this. Not really. I wasn't born to carry swords or wear crowns. Just some half-abandoned experiment who learned how to keep breathing."

Kusho looked at him. "That's why it's you. Not because of what you are, but because of what you chose to become."

They sat in silence for a moment.

Then a pulse rippled through the house.

Renji's presence cracked the quiet like a thrown rock.

Kusho's head turned toward the hallway.

"He's awake."

Caelen's eyes widened. "Shit. I'm hiding." He shoved himself under the bed.

Moments later, Renji burst into the room.

"You," he snapped. "What the hell? Dr.Etienne said you brought me here! How did you even know where I was?!"

Kusho didn't move. "I followed you."

Renji scowled. "Why? What, you just happened to be on my tail that day?"

"You were acting strange."

Renji paced, clearly agitated. "I don't even remember what happened! One minute I'm in that alley, and the next, I'm waking up on Dr.Etienne's couch with half my ribs bandaged up. You… did you knock me out? Were you watching the whole time?"

"Yes."

Renji threw up his hands. "Seriously? And you didn't help? Are you just that cold or—?!"

Kusho stood, slowly. "You were winning. Until you weren't."

"I don't need your help."

"You got knocked out."

Renji opened his mouth to retort, then stopped. He grabbed his backpack from the floor.

"You're weird. This whole thing is weird. And I don't know what your deal is, but I don't need babysitting."

He stormed out.

Caelen peeked out. "You're always this bad at making friends?"

"He's not a friend," Kusho replied. "Not yet."

"Who is he?"

Kusho looked at the empty doorway.

"Renji Lafargue. Right now, he's angry and lost and stubborn. But one day… he's going to become one of humanity's greatest protectors, I suppose we can call him that."

Caelen was quiet for a moment.

"You are sure about that?"

"I think I know what he could become. I just hope he survives long enough to get there."