At Ryan's Home —
A soft breath escapes her lips.
Ealina opens her eyes.
The world comes back slowly—blurry faces… warm light… the steady hum of magic pulsing in the walls. She sees Lyra beside her, steady and kind, helping her sit up.
Aren leans in. His voice is quiet, but tight with concern.
"Ealina… how do you feel?"
She barely has time to answer.
Because then—she sees him.
Ryan.
Standing a short distance away. Silent. Watching.
He steps forward, his voice tender.
"Ealina… are you alright?"
But the memory hits her like a wave.
The fire. The crimson eyes. The broken chains. The monster he had become.
She flinches violently.
"Stay away from me," she whispers, voice cracking with fear.
The others freeze.
Last time she had seen Ryan lose control, he was chained. Still conscious. Still human.
But this time… he had vanished inside his own chaos.
This time, he was fire—alive and wild, threatening to consume everything.
She inches closer to Lyra for safety, her fingers trembling.
Ryan takes an instinctive step forward, but Aren steps in his path—shielding her.
"Don't," Aren warns, voice low and protective. "She's terrified."
There's silence.
Lyra wraps an arm around Ealina. "Come," she whispers. "Let's go home."
But just as they turn to leave—
"Wait," Ryan calls out. "Aren, I need a word."
Aren looks at Ealina. At Lyra.
Then he nods. "Go ahead. I'll join you soon."
They both leave.
And the two of them left in the quiet.
---
Outside – Under the Fading Light
A gust of wind rustles the trees as Ryan stands still, shadows dancing across his face.
"So… you know everything," he says at last, voice heavy with something unreadable. "Just like your ancestors. You see the truth that hides beneath flesh and silence."
Aren stands tall, but respectful. "I do."
Ryan chuckles bitterly. "You're exactly like them. Brave. Sharp. Loyal to a fault."
"I have a duty," Aren says. "To protect the Guardian of the Seed Power. But let me be very clear… I will never let Ealina suffer for it."
Ryan's smile fades. "You don't understand. The flame inside me—it listens to no one. Except her. She's the only one who can calm it."
"And in doing so, she nearly burns alive," Aren snaps. "Her skin—scorched. Her mind—shaken. That's not something I'll let happen again."
Ryan's eyes harden. "Why do you care so much? You're willing to fight me—the one you're sworn to protect—just for her?"
Aren steps closer, gaze unwavering. "That's none of your concern. But if saving her means going against you… I won't hesitate."
He walks away.
And Ryan… says nothing.
---
Moments Later – Inside
Ryan stands at the window, eyes distant. His thoughts are a storm.
A knock breaks the silence.
It's Jace.
He steps in, lowers his voice, and whispers something.
Ryan turns sharply.
His eyes widen.
Whatever Jace has told him—it isn't just important.
It's terrifying.
---
Back at Home —
Aren walks in.
Ealina and Lyra are sitting on the couch. She stands quickly and walks toward him.
"What was all that? What were you all doing there? I kept asking Lyra, but she wouldn't say a word."
Aren exhales, trying to keep his tone casual. "It was nothing. We just came to check on you. Ryan can be... stubborn sometimes. We were worried you might argue with him again."
Ealina crosses her arms. "Do you think I'm stupid? I saw how worried you were. How serious everything felt."
Aren goes quiet.
Then he decides.
It's time to tell her the truth.
"Ealina," he begins, "we all possess powers. Including you."
"Me?" she blinks. "What kind of powers?"
"When your eyes turn blue," he explains, "you gain the ability to feel emotions, hear thoughts, and glimpse pieces of the future. It's rare. And powerful."
"I already knew that," she says. "But that doesn't feel like a power. I can see and hear things, but I can't stop or change them."
"Not yet," Lyra cuts in. "Everything awakens in time."
Ealina glances between them. "What about you two?"
Lyra lifts her hand—air swirls around her fingers. "I control the wind. I can move and bend objects through it."
Aren adds quietly, "I can stop time."
Ealina goes still. "You can what?"
But Aren's expression grows serious.
Aren continues, his voice growing heavy, "This world... it is in danger. From demons."
"Demons?" she repeats, confused.
"Yes, demons," Aren says gravely. "This story began a long time ago… and I believe a new chapter is about to unfold."
Ealina frowns. "What's the story behind the demons?"
Aren takes a breath. "You saw Ryan's condition today, didn't you?"
Ealina nods, her voice cautious. "Yes… what does that have to do with him?"
"It's all connected," Aren says, his gaze darkening. "The demons are after him."
"Why?" she whispers.
"Because Ryan holds immense power—power that, if it falls into the wrong hands, could conquer the entire world."
A long time ago, over 700 years, a land existed—full of magic, power, and peace. Everyone had abilities. But then... the demons came. They turned that paradise to ash."
Lyra adds, "At the heart of that land was a magical tree—the source of all power. When the demon prince attacked, the tree hid its essence in a single Seed of Power... and chose a Guardian to protect it."
"And now," Aren continues, his voice low and steady, "the demons are hunting him… because they want that power."
Ealina's eyes widen. "So… that means…"
"Yes," Aren nods, his gaze unwavering.
"He is the Guardian of the Seed Power."
"The magical tree chose Ryan," he explains, "to protect the seed when the world was on the brink of collapse."
"And in doing so, it gave him unimaginable power… power so vast, even he can't control it anymore."
"All the humans who possess powers in this generation," Aren says slowly, "they all descend from that ancient land… and carry the magic of their ancestors within them."
Ealina's brows furrow. "You mean… I belong to that land too?"
Aren nods once.
"Then why can't I use any powers?" she asks, confused. "All I can do is see and hear things—feel emotions and glimpses of what's to come. I can't control anything like you or Lyra."
Aren looks at her gently. "Because everything awakens at the right time. When it's meant to."
Ealina's gaze drops for a moment, then lifts again. "And that demon prince… who is he?"
A shadow flickers in Aren's eyes.
"It's not time to speak his name," he says quietly. But in his mind, a silent question echoes:
Is he back?
Ealina glances between Aren and Lyra, her thoughts tangled in confusion.
"But… I was there. I saw Ryan in that state. I didn't feel anything, didn't use any power. Then why?" she asks, her voice uncertain. "Why can't I remember what happened after that? I only recall… his fierce, terrifying eyes. Then nothing."
Lyra hesitates—but the truth slips from her lips before Aren can stop her.
"Because you can control his powers."
Ealina blinks. "What?"
Aren turns gaze toward Lyra , but it's too late. The words hang heavy in the air.
Ealina's voice softens, laced with disbelief. "I… I can control his powers? But how? I don't even understand what that means. And if I have this ability… why don't I feel it? Why can't I remember using it?"
Aren sighs, the weight of truth pulling at him. "You don't need to think about it right now. But hear this, Ealina—if you help him again… it will hurt you. The way his powers react to your presence, it's unlike anything I've seen. And next time, it could be worse. Your life could be in danger."
But Ealina smiles gently and places a hand on his shoulder.
"I know you care. But if he's sacrificing his life to protect the world, why shouldn't I? I may not be able to fight like you, or wield powers like Lyra—but if my touch can calm the storm inside him… then I'll help him. Even if it risks my life."
Aren clenches his jaw, trying to hide the worry in his eyes.
Deep down, Ealina's mind still spins. Why can't I remember that moment? If I truly have this power… why can't I feel it at all?
"No, Ealina," Aren says firmly. "You can't."
She tilts her head and meets his gaze. "Then why do you?"
He hesitates. "…Because it's my duty. I'm bound to protect the Guardian."
Ealina looks at him with calm conviction. "Then after everything I've learned today, maybe it's my duty now too… to protect the Guardian—and this world."
Trying to lighten the heavy air, she chuckles and says, "You know, it was always my childhood dream to be a hero… to fight demons and save the world."
Lyra lets out a laugh. "Well, looks like your dream is coming true."
They all laugh together for a moment—but Aren's smile fades.
Inside, tension still coils in his chest.
He's told her too much.
And something tells him… this is only the beginning.