Dave's shoulders shook before the sound finally left his throat.
Kelvin noticed immediately.
He moved closer, kneeling in front of him, his movements careful, deliberate, like he was afraid Dave might shatter if he moved too fast. His hands hovered for a second before settling on Dave's knees. Dave's fingers were clenched tightly into the fabric of his trousers, knuckles bleached white from the strain, like he was holding himself together by force alone.
"Why is all this happening?" Dave whispered.
His voice cracked—thin, fragile—and that was all it took.
"Dad…" He swallowed hard, throat working as if the word itself hurt to say. His eyes burned, vision blurring. "What is she turning him into?" His breath hitched sharply. "I don't want all this. I never asked for this."
The words spilled faster now, tumbling out of him like a dam had finally broken.
"I just wanted a normal life," Dave continued, voice shaking as tears slid freely down his face. He didn't bother wiping them away. "I wanted us to be safe. I wanted my father to be… my father." His chest rose sharply, breath uneven. "I don't recognize him anymore. I don't recognize any of this."
Kelvin's heart twisted painfully in his chest.
He reached up slowly, gently, cupping Dave's face like he was holding something precious and fragile. His thumbs brushed away tears Dave didn't even seem aware of anymore.
"Hey," Kelvin murmured. "Breathe. Look at me."
Dave tried. His breath shuddered, chest stuttering before finally slowing, just a little.
"I'm scared," Dave admitted, voice barely audible now, like saying it too loud would make it worse. "Every time I close my eyes, I keep thinking—what if this never ends? What if she doesn't stop?" His voice dropped to a whisper. "What if… what if I lose myself too?"
Kelvin leaned forward, pressing his forehead against Dave's, grounding him, anchoring him to something solid.
"You won't," Kelvin said firmly. There was no doubt in his voice. "You hear me? You won't."
Dave let out a broken laugh that held no humor. "How do you know?" he whispered. "Look at him. Look at what she's doing to everyone. What if I'm next?"
Kelvin didn't answer right away. Instead, he slid his arms around Dave and pulled him close, holding him tightly against his chest. Dave resisted for half a second—then broke.
His quiet sobs shook his entire body, muffled against Kelvin's shoulder as his hands clutched desperately at Kelvin's back, fingers digging in like he was afraid of being pulled away.
"Because you're not alone," Kelvin said softly, one hand cradling the back of Dave's head. "And you're not weak. Feeling this way doesn't make you weak."
"I don't want power," Dave choked out. "I don't want war. I don't want any of this." His voice cracked. "I just want peace. I want our child to grow up somewhere safe. Somewhere they don't have to be afraid all the time."
Kelvin's hand moved instinctively, resting over Dave's stomach, warm and steady.
"And they will," Kelvin said. "I swear it. Whatever she's planning, whatever she's pushing your father into—we'll stop it. This will end."
Dave pulled back slightly, eyes red, swollen, searching Kelvin's face like he needed to believe it.
"You promise?" he whispered.
Kelvin didn't hesitate. "I promise."
Dave exhaled shakily, leaning back into him, his breathing slowly evening out. The world seemed to quiet around them, like everything else had stepped back to give them space.
For a brief moment, there was peace.
Too quiet.
----------------
Elsewhere, calm wore a softer face.
Sebastian sat on the couch in his sitting room, posture relaxed in a way few had ever seen him. The weight he usually carried—command, authority, war—was absent, set aside like a discarded cloak.
Valerian sat on the floor between his legs, his back resting comfortably against Sebastian's thigh.
Sebastian's fingers worked carefully through Valerian's hair, separating sections with practiced ease. His movements were gentle, focused, almost reverent.
Valerian popped a grape into his mouth, chewing lazily as he flicked through TV channels. After a second, he lifted another grape, reaching back without looking.
Sebastian leaned forward and bit down, lips brushing Valerian's fingers.
"Where did you learn to braid?" Valerian asked casually. "And don't lie."
Sebastian smiled. "One of my clan members. She was braiding her child's hair. I asked her to teach me."
Valerian paused mid-click, eyebrow lifting. "You asked?"
"Yes," Sebastian replied calmly. "She taught me."
Valerian laughed softly. "They weren't shocked when the great Lord Sebastian requested hair lessons?"
Sebastian leaned down, pressing a brief kiss into Valerian's hair. "I'm a good leader, she was happy to teach me." He said "And I learn quickly." He added a hint of pride slipped into his voice. "One day was all it took."
"Tsk," Valerian scoffed, cheeks warming despite himself. "Don't flatter yourself."
Sebastian finished the braid neatly, tying it off before lifting Valerian's chin slightly, making him to look up.
"Is that you saying I'm good?" Sebastian asked, amused.
Valerian looked away. "Maybe."
Sebastian smiled and kissed his hair anyway.
Then the phone rang.
Sebastian's hand stilled in Valerian's hair. His expression changed in a heartbeat—softness gone, replaced by cold focus.
He answered without hesitation. "Report."
The voice on the other end was breathless. Shaken, with sound of people running and shouting clearly audible "Commander—we were attacked. East training grounds. It was sudden."
Sebastian straightened slightly. "When?"
"Less than an hour ago."
Sebastian's jaw tightened.
Valerian slowly rose to his feet, heart sinking.
Sebastian closed his eyes for a brief second.
"How many survived?"
There was a pause on the line, breath uneven.
"We lost nearly half the troops," the caller said. "The rest barely held the line."
Sebastian's jaw tightened.
"Who attacked?"
"We don't know," the caller replied. "They weren't normal hybrids. They didn't communicate. Didn't retreat. It was like they were being controlled—running on orders alone."
Sebastian's fingers curled slowly into a fist.
"Describe their behavior."
"They didn't hesitate. Didn't flinch. Even when injured. They fought until they were killed."
The caller swallowed audibly.
"And when they died…" his voice lowered, "they burned instantly—no smoke, no smell. Just ash. The bodies didn't stay dead long enough to study. They ignited and vanished."
The room seemed to grow colder.
Valerian went still.
"Ask them to describe their appearance," he said quietly.
Sebastian relayed the request.
As the description came through—empty eyes, unnatural movements, rigid coordination, obedience without fear—Valerian went completely still.
"…Sebastian," he said quietly.
"You recognize them," Sebastian replied, already knowing.
"Yes," Valerian said, voice low. "They weren't sent to win." He swallowed. "They were sent to test you."
Sebastian ended the call.
For a moment, the room felt colder.
"Prepare the remaining forces," Sebastian said. "Lock down Silverfur."
Valerian looked at him. "This is only the beginning."
Sebastian nodded slowly.
The calm was gone.