The knock on Hazel's door echoed through the silent room.
Hazel slowly turned away from the window.
The moon was already sinking beyond the horizon, and only a few stars remained in the dark sky. For a brief moment, a faint smile appeared on her face as she stared outside.
Knock. Knock.
Her smile vanished.
"Come in."
The door slowly opened.
---
Elsewhere...
Darkness.
A cold ache spread through Grace's head.
Her vision blurred as consciousness slowly returned.
She tried to move, but something held her back.
Ropes.
Her wrists were tightly bound to a stone pillar.
The room smelled old and damp.
As her vision cleared, she noticed a man sitting in a chair directly in front of her.
His eyes never left her face.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then the man leaned forward.
His expression was filled with disbelief.
"How is this possible..."
Grace frowned.
The man continued staring.
"You're still alive."
Grace remained silent.
The man slowly stood from his chair and walked closer.
"We all know Isabella never married."
His eyes narrowed.
"Which means you shouldn't exist."
Grace's heartbeat quickened.
The name felt familiar.
Isabella.
Her mother.
The man stopped only a few steps away.
Then a smile appeared on his face.
"Ah... you're finally awake."
Grace lifted her head and glared at him.
"Who are you?"
The man laughed softly.
Instead of answering, he grabbed a nearby chair and sat directly in front of her.
"Let's start with something simpler."
His eyes examined every detail of her face.
"Tell me your name, Miss..."
Grace stared at the man sitting in front of her.
Even while seated, he gave off an overwhelming presence. She could tell immediately that he was incredibly strong.
"Who are you?" Grace asked.
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Did you forget me, Isabella?"
Grace froze.
Isabella... Mother.
For a moment, Emily's warning echoed in her mind.
"People here hate your mother."
Grace quickly understood the situation.
He thought she was Isabella.
"I'm not Isabella," Grace said firmly.
The man's eyes narrowed.
"If you're not Isabella... then who are you?"
"I'm Grace."
The man continued staring at her face.
"Then why do you look exactly like her?"
Grace hesitated.
"She's my—"
BOOM!
A deafening explosion shook the entire building.
Both of them turned toward the entrance.
The massive gate had been blasted apart.
Smoke filled the air.
Through the dust, a familiar figure appeared.
Kael.
His clothes were dirty, and dust covered his face. The abandoned factory around then trembled from the impact.
Although still drunk, Kael stood firmly.
He grabbed a metal rod lying nearby and pointed it forward.
"James!"
Grace's eyes widened.
"Kael!"
James slowly stood from his chair.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
---
Meanwhile...
Back at the laboratory.
Emily paced nervously while Larissa stood nearby.
"Did any reports come from the search team?" Emily asked.
Larissa shook her head.
"No."
She crossed her arms.
"And now I'm getting worried too."
Before Emily could reply, the laboratory doors opened.
One of Larissa's men rushed inside.
"Lady Larissa! Lady Emily!"
Larissa immediately stepped forward.
"Report."
The man lowered his head.
"We searched the entire city and the surrounding jungle."
Emily's heart sank.
"And?"
"We couldn't find them."
Emily covered her face with one hand.
Something had definitely gone wrong.
Then the man continued.
"But we found these."
He handed over two objects.
A red clan key.
And a small glass bottle.
Larissa immediately recognized both.
Her expression darkened.
The bottle had a single word written on it.
James.
Emily looked at it and felt her stomach drop.
"No..."
Larissa grabbed her sword.
"I understand what happened."
Emily looked at her.
"What are you going to do?"
Larissa's pink eyes became cold.
"I'm bringing them back."
She turned toward several guards.
"Prepare a team immediately."
The guards nodded.
Emily stepped forward.
"I'm coming too."
Larissa shook her head.
"No."
"What?"
"You stay here."
Emily frowned.
"Larissa—"
"If both of us leave, the laboratory will be unprotected."
Larissa held up the red key.
"Kael was there. If James captured him while he was drunk, then the situation is worse than we thought."
Emily remained silent.
Larissa placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Trust me."
Emily looked away for a moment before finally nodding.
"Fine."
Larissa turned toward the exit.
"Be alert. James's territory is filled with traps."
Larissa smirked.
"I know."
Then she left.
---
Elsewhere...
Darven slowly opened his eyes.
The room was silent.
He sat up and quietly left.
A few moments later, Nick opened his eyes as well.
He noticed Darven's bed was empty.
Without making a sound, he followed.
The castle corridors were dark and peaceful.
Darven walked alone.
Suddenly he stopped.
Nick immediately hid behind a nearby cabinet.
Darven slowly looked behind him.
Nothing.
No one.
After a few seconds, he continued walking.
Nick followed again.
Eventually, Darven reached the castle garden.
The morning sun painted the sky orange and gold.
Once again, Darven stopped.
His body stiffened.
His breathing grew heavier.
Then it started.
The shadows.
Dark figures appeared around him.
At least from Darven's perspective.
Nick couldn't see anything.
To him, Darven was standing completely alone.
But Darven began fighting.
Swinging.
Dodging.
Attacking invisible enemies.
His expression twisted in fear.
"Leave me alone!"
He grabbed his head.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!"
His scream echoed through the garden.
Then suddenly...
Everything vanished.
Darven blinked.
The shadows were gone.
Confused, he looked around.
"What am I doing here...?"
After a moment, he quietly returned to the castle.
Nick watched from a distance.
His expression had become serious.
---
A little later.
Darven entered their room.
The door creaked open.
Inside, Nick stood on the balcony.
A cigarette glowed faintly between his fingers.
The sunries painted the horizon with fading colors.
"You woke up early," Darven said.
Nick exhaled smoke.
"Hmm."
His red eyes remained fixed on the sunries
Then his voice turned cold.
"Where were you?"
Darven froze.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Darven looked away.
Without answering, he walked toward Eyrx's bed.
Eyrx remained fast asleep.
Darven shook him.
"Wake up."
No response.
Darven shook him again.
"Eyrx."
Still asleep.
Then Eyrx mumbled,
"Just five more minutes, Grandma..."
Darven blinked.
Nick nearly laughed.
"He thinks you're his grandma."
Darven sighed.
"Unfortunately."
Then he looked at Eyrx again.
"Wake up. Training time."