The night was still dark. The road ahead stretched long, empty, and lonely. Farmlands just outside the city passed like a muted movie. Dry grass revealed miles of flat land and hidden hills, disappearing into the shadows.
Raito's axe trembled beside him, a low rumble accompanying the motion. Evelyne, sitting quietly next to him, noticed—but quickly realized it wasn't the axe shaking. It was Raito's hand.
She began to reach slowly for his trembling hand. His gaze remained fixed on the outside world, lost in his thoughts. Evelyne hesitated, pulling her hand back. She stared out the window, yet her hand crept forward again. It hovered above his hand, trembling with uncertainty, until—
Bump.
The car jolted, pushing her hand onto Raito's. He finally noticed, his gaze falling on her small hand lying atop his like a fragile blanket. The trembling stopped.
"Sorry, boss. Looks like we ran over a zombie's head," the driver said casually.
"Drive!" both Raito and Evelyne shouted, locking eyes. Evelyne blushed, squeezing his hand instinctively.
"Are you okay? You're red," Raito asked, moving slightly closer.
Flustered, Evelyne snapped her gaze to the window. "I'm okay! Just… tired," she murmured.
"Rest. We're almost there," Raito replied, returning his attention to the passing scenery.
Evelyne watched the blurred landscape, her thoughts quieting… until a sudden memory struck.
CLICK! CLICK! BANG!
Young Evelyne woke in a hospital bed. A young Raito sat beside her.
"Mama! Mama! Where am I?" she cried, struggling to sit up.
"You're in Obsidian," Raito said calmly, his masked face betraying a hint of sorrow.
"Where? Where's my mom?"
"She's not here. I don't think you'll see her for a very long time," he answered, standing.
"Wait!" Evelyne shouted. "What… what happened to me?"
A group of doctors in midnight-purple coats rushed toward her. Evelyne screamed, and Raito froze in the doorway, eyes dark, almost on the verge of tears.
Then. All black.
Light flooded back into her vision. This time, no straps held her down.
"She's awake! Quick, bring the injection!" a doctor shouted.
"No," Evelyne whispered desperately.
Raito entered, silent and commanding. "Stop."
"Are you okay?" he asked. Evelyne's voice trembled.
"Those men in purple… what are they doing to me?"
"Trying to save your eye, like I saved you," Raito replied.
"It hurts… tell them to stop. Please," she begged.
"I can—but then you won't have two eyes," he answered.
"Where's my mother?"
"She abandoned you," Raito said coldly, his eyes dark and empty.
"She left you for dead. I saved you," he continued.
Evelyne faced the ceiling, a bitter chuckle escaping. "No… she wouldn't. She wouldn't be that selfish."
"True," a deep voice crackled through the door. A large figure stepped forward.
"She had to choose between you and your brother. She thought you were dead—and never checked," the voice informed.
"Raito, my son, told me to take you in. My doctors fixed you," the figure continued.
"No… no… no way!" Evelyne screamed, shaking her head. "No! No!"
The figure left, and Evelyne sank into sobs.
"It's okay!" Raito shouted, grabbing her hand. "I've also lost two people very important to me! So, please… let's suffer together."
"Eve!" Raito's voice snapped her back to the present. Evelyne turned, eyes wide, tears falling.
"We're here," Raito said, before stepping out.
Flames licked the night sky, smoke curling high above the ruins of the Therma HQ. The convoy rolled slowly through the devastated streets, the acrid smell of burning metal and rubble stinging their noses. Evelyne and Raito exchanged a glance—words weren't needed.
Soldiers who had helped in the earlier raid stood at attention by the gate, faces hard and watchful. A massive midnight-purple truck idled nearby, its armored frame gleaming faintly in the firelight. The trailer door stood closed, ominous and silent. A few Therma survivors lingered at the edges, their eyes wary and resigned.
Raito and Evelyne stepped forward, the crunch of debris beneath their boots loud in the tense silence. They stopped before the trailer door and knelt, side by side.
"We've returned. Father." Raito's voice was steady, carrying authority and respect all at once.
A deep, resonant voice answered from within the trailer:
"Come on in."
Raito nodded at Evelyne. Together, they rose and stepped toward the door, the weight of expectation heavy in the air. The trailer door creaked open, swallowing them in shadow, and the world outside—the flames, the ruins, the chaos—faded away.
Inside, only the presence of what—and who—awaited them mattered.