That night, Zavrion lay down beside Kenny. For once, he didn't touch him, only stayed near. But in his sleep, Kenny unconsciously wrapped his arms around him. Zavrion didn't push him away. Instead, his heart felt strangely warm—his precious person was clinging to him while sleeping peacefully.
The next morning, Vixen woke up early and told Kin,
"Tomorrow is the village festival. We must finish all the arrangements today."
Kin gave him a sweet smile.
"Alright. If you need my help, just tell me."
Suddenly, Vixen hugged him tightly from behind and whispered,
"You just stay with me—that's all I need."
Before Kin could answer, Kenny's bedroom door opened. Zavrion stepped out, scratching his head, looking half-asleep. When he saw his parents hugging, he sighed and teased,
"Seriously? You two are romancing like this in front of your own kid?"
Vixen and Kin both froze, then exchanged a quick side-eye. In unison, they asked sharply,
"Wait a second… what were YOU doing inside Kenny's room?"
Zavrion turned serious.
"Kenny was attacked last night. From now on, he won't sleep alone."
Vixen narrowed his eyes.
"Fine. But you must not touch him."
Zavrion threw his hands up.
"You don't trust me?!"
Both parents said together without hesitation,
"No, we don't."
Zavrion groaned.
"This is torture… Fine! I'll sleep on the floor."
He sulked, but before anyone could say more, Vixen changed the topic.
"Forget it. We must focus. Tomorrow is the festival, and today everything must be perfect. Not a single mistake is allowed. Zavrion—you'll help me."
Still annoyed, Zavrion muttered, "Yeah, fine…"
By noon, the whole family—Vixen, Kin, Kenny, and Zavrion—were busy preparing decorations and helping the villagers.
The next day arrived. Clear skies. Bright golden sunlight. The festival stage was alive with prayers, music, and laughter. Everything seemed perfect… until suddenly the sky shifted. Black smoke spread above like a dark storm.
Vixen's face turned grave.
"Everyone, go under the shade! Do not step out until I say so. Kin, Kenny, Zavrion—you too. Stay inside."
He himself stayed outside to finish the ritual prayers, determined not to leave the ceremony unfinished.
But then, a scream.
A young village girl, standing among the crowd, suddenly convulsed. A swirl of dark smoke slipped into her body. Her eyes turned blank, and she began moving strangely—stretching her arms and legs, dancing in a way that looked less like joy and more like some cursed ritual.
Vixen rushed toward her, but before he could reach, something unseen grabbed him from behind. A dark force restrained him, covering his mouth, choking his words.
Kin panicked and ran forward. "Vixen!"
But Vixen couldn't speak. His voice was stolen by that same demonic power.
Then it began. One after another, the villagers hiding under the shade were pulled out, possessed. Their bodies twisted unnaturally, dancing to the same eerie rhythm like puppets in a forbidden ritual.
Kin's heart raced. He couldn't let Vixen be taken. Summoning all his strength, he released his Omega pheromone, calling on the good spirits for help. Light surged around him, and Vixen was freed—but drained, his body trembling, energy gone.
Zavrion and Kenny stood frozen, horrified. They had never seen anything like this. Zavrion's hands shook, but when he saw his father collapsing, his fear turned to determination. He grabbed Kenny's hand, shielding him.
Then he faced the chaos.
"Let me try… Please."
Vixen, weak but stern, whispered hoarsely,
"You should not have come out… but fine. Do it."
Zavrion took a deep breath, and for the first time, he unleashed his full sacred Enigma pheromone. A wave of divine force swept across the ground.
The possessed villagers screamed, then collapsed to the dirt—like broken dolls. The black smoke retreated, vanishing into the air.
Zavrion and Kenny rushed to check on them. Many were alive but frighteningly weak; some had blood running down their legs and feet from uncontrolled movements. Together, they tried to tend to each villager, calming and helping as much as they could.
Meanwhile, Kin half-carried Vixen back home, desperately trying to care for him.
But the image burned in Zavrion's mind. The dancing bodies. The black smoke. His father being silenced by an unseen hand.
Even when the villagers were carried safely back to their houses, his chest remained heavy.
Kenny whispered softly beside him,
"Zav… what was that thing?"
Zavrion clenched his fists.
"I don't know. But if we don't find a way to stop it… this village won't survive."
The night closed in with silence, but in both of their hearts, fear lingered.
Continue....